The Riddle Answered
Disclaimer: SEE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS FOR PLOT AND TAGS AND DISCLAIMER
Pairings: Harry/Daphne; Draco/Ginny
Normal Speech
(Thought)
{Parseltongue}
Mental Bonds (Harry with Daphne, Fawkes and his parents)
In this chapter, this style indicates Bella singing through the bond with her son
Review Answers for Ch 13:
No real answers for this chapter, but a thanks nonetheless: now, when I posted my poll, the winners were: Harry Potter and the Lightning Thief AND Orion Riddle: if you liked this, then you'll LOVE Orion Riddle: it'll be another Family fic and almost like a what if: what this story would be like if it was from the beginning.
Last Time…
"And now," Harry finally addressed his most pressing matter, "Knowing my secret, Albus Dumbledore meddles with magic not even he can understand and revives Harry Potter to the wizarding world; a boy who never really existed in the first place. Having meetings with Father, as Professor Orion, and I, the old man tries to use the link that was fashioned between Father and I the day I received my wand, to control me. However, when that fails, he falls to desperation and has Potter becoming his weapon and revealing his true colours. Thanks to Dolores Umbridge, I hold a position of power and that scares the old man, because I am willing to bet that he wants me to find the prophecy; that's all my life has ever been: one great big mother-fucking puzzle to Dumbledore, who has been putting pieces into place. Unfortunately for him, I have his plans all figured out and soon, when the time is right, I will use all my powers to rid this world of that manipulative bastard once and for all!"
A flash of lightning seemed to emphasise Harry's point as he finally finished speaking and, looking to his parents, asked, "Well, what do you think? Now that we have him seen to; where do we go from here?"
"I wish I knew Harry," replied Tom, "If what you say is true, then Dumbledore will do anything he can to keep you in his sights. This means that, until he is removed from office, we can't really do anything."
Harry, his eyes crimson with emotion as he looked around the room, slumped down onto his throne and, with a sigh, commented, "I was afraid that you would say that, Father."
Chapter 15: The Inner Power
Riddle Manor:
Descending into the archive, Harry looked around the area that he was descending into, Martinez's message still running through his mind: did this trunk, or archive, have something to do with his training?
Was it, in some way, connected to his visionary dream where he had met the Black King?
And, possibly more importantly, if he, Harry, had been given his destiny, then what about his other self? The being known as the White Paladin? Had he been found already without the Black King knowing about it?
Stepping off the ladder, Harry turned and examined his surroundings: he was standing in the centre of what looked like four different doorways, each one holding the image of the Devil's Crest, the motto of the Black King decorated in runes between the doors. Opening the first door, Harry was surprised to find a full-size bedroom before him; a silver and black decorated bed made from the finest oak and four-posts of varnished wood; on the opposite side of the bedroom was what looked like a walk-in wardrobe and a set of drawers with solid silver daggers for handles. A desk and parchment were on the other side and, as Harry turned, he then saw that the room had obviously sensed his presence as a warm feeling spread through the Black Prince.
Leaving the impossible room, Harry turned and sighed, "Door Number 2?" he asked aloud, opening the door; inside was a flat open space made up of several hunched objects as well as a light, relaxing scent that filled the room. As Harry walked further into the room, he then caught sight of a row of potions vials and, with a slow smile, realised where he was: this was a training/meditation chamber designed to react to whatever the visitor needed, sort of like the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts.
The third room, however, knocked Harry for six: within this chamber was a vast library that stretched further than the trunk itself while it spanned some four or five floors upwards, each tier of the library illuminated by a darker colour than the previous one, almost like a code of darkness that split the magic between each floor. In the centre of the library was a large round table inscribed with the Devil's Crest and the Mark of Darkness around the outside, the table itself looking like it could seat twenty or more when it was needed.
The final room in the Complex was kind of a disappointment after the majesty of its predecessors: a large bathroom designed for every need Harry would have for the room, including several temperature adjusting taps and a set of sprinklers that would provide different foam for a relaxing or slow and steady soak.
Leaving the room, Harry once again stood in the central annexe, his eyes all around him, his mouth closed and his hands folded over his chest; with a deep breath, he reached into his dark magic and, without knowing why, asked, "What did you want me to see?"
He didn't actually expect anyone to answer, so was very surprised when a voice, deep and foreboding, replied, "You must choose what you wish to see, young sire: the magic of my Complex is yours as you wish and you alone have the means to become a powerful Lord of Black Magic. When we first met, I did not mean to scare you, but I needed to show you just what you would be dealing with."
"Are you a ghost?" asked Harry, "You certainly looked real enough."
"I am a wraith of my former self," replied the voice of Martinez, "Crafted to train all my heirs and followers, but to you, in that dream state, on the astral plane, I am as real as this complex. Now, young Prince, I will visit your dreams as of the New Year, but do not fear, for this magic is yours and only you can decide how fast or slow we learn the craft, understand?"
"Yes Spirit," answered Harry, before he turned and slowly clambered out of the complex, where he found everyone still talking about the little hint that he had given. Closing and locking the trunk, Harry parked himself between his parents, Bella softly wrapping her arms around her son, as he looked to Draco, who seemed to be trying to explain something.
"Father," Draco was saying, "I know where she comes from, but she has proven herself loyal and I…well…I guess I've had…feelings for her for some time."
"I understand how the heart can feel Draco," Lucius replied, his eyes noticing Harry sat there, "But, as you said, remember where she comes from: if you give her your heart and she betrays us to Dumbledore, then our young Master could be in serious danger."
"Except she won't betray us," Harry spoke up, alerting everyone to his presence, "Ginny owes me a debt of magic that needs to be repaid: earlier this year, she made sure that she swore herself to me, but, with one word, I can seal that deal by allowing her and Draco to be together."
"See?" asked Draco, turning to his Father, "I told you my cousin would have an explanation: please Father, I don't think I've ever felt like this for anyone."
"Well…" Lucius scratched the back of his neck before he looked to Narcissa, the Malfoy matriarch smiling as her little dragon, as he was known to her, looked almost cute and innocent with his wide, pleading eyes. Finally, heaving a sigh, Lucius asked, "Will you ensure that she stays loyal to her cause?"
"I will," Draco replied, his eyes switching to Harry as he added, "In fact, if I may say so, our young Master's plan involves her."
"In that case," Lucius smiled, "How can I say no? Go with my blessing, my son: you and Miss…Weasley deserve one another: as the Dark Lord told our young Prince, I too have known the pull of the heart."
When Draco hugged his Father in thanks, Harry once again leaned against his Father, smiling to himself as he felt Tom's fingers gently stroking his cheek, Bella running her hands through his soft black hair.
"You're tired," whispered Tom, watching as Harry seemed to come close to falling asleep, "All these confrontations and battles have left you little time to relax Harry."
"I'm fine Dad," answered Harry, sitting upright again as he looked into the fireplace, "And yes," he added, "The trunk is the complex of Martinez: all the resources in there are mine and the magic I will soon learn will aid me in the battle against the old man."
"I know," smiled the Dark Lord, "And that's why I have a second present for you: you can show yourself now Kiyo!"
Harry turned and gasped as a ripple of dark magic filled the main room, each head in the room turning as well as the Lord of the mysterious Kariyami appeared: dressed in his long black suit, his grey eyes staring all around before he bowed with respect and addressed Tom, "Lord Riddle, as you requested, I have come to pledge my allegiance to the Black King."
"Me?" asked Harry, later berating himself for asking such a stupid question.
Looking to the Prince, Kiyo bowed again and answered, "You, my liege: we of the Kariyami are your humble servants from this day on."
Looking to his Father, Harry asked, "Explanations?"
With a slow smile, Tom indicated Kiyo as he explained, "This, Harry, is Lord Kiyo Hirochi, leader of a clan of warriors known as the Kariyami: they are warrior-wizards who were raised to use the dark arts; honour-bound by their ways and traditions, Kiyo's clan have held their own debt of allegiance to me for some time. When I discovered you were the Heir of Black Magic, I made a choice to cash in that oath and Kiyo, realising who you were, agreed to serve you."
"And serve you we shall, young sire," added Kiyo, approaching Harry slowly, his hands removing the two star-shaped weapons and, kneeling to Harry, presenting them to him. "I am Lord and leader of my clan, but you, Black Lord Riddle, are my Master and King: on this day I swear that I will do your bidding: I now pledge myself, on the Shatari Weapons that I bear, in blood, magic and life, to your service; I will never fail to defend you nor shall I fail to obey your commands: forever shall this debt be in place until my Lord dismiss me or until death shall take me."
"Th…thank you Kiyo," gasped Harry, picking up one of the Shatari and examining it carefully; as he held it in his hand, Harry then gasped as a pulse of magic coursed through him, startling Orochi, who unwrapped himself from Harry's waist, and summoning Fawkes, who appeared in a blaze of black flames. Looking to his familiars, Harry continued, "It seems that my familiars admire your weapon as much as I do, Kiyo."
"I am honoured to be the bearer of such praise, my king," Kiyo answered, keeping his head bowed as Harry turned the weapon in his hand.
"You can get up now," added the Black Prince, watching as Kiyo stood before him, before handing the Shatari back to the warrior. With a sigh, Harry then spoke with the authority of the Dark Prince he was, "Following the New Year, my plans for the downfall of Dumbledore are going to advance and my first target will be this so called Army formed by the Golden Brat. I want you to use your shadow-based stealth abilities and keep watch over them: in particular, keep watch over the one known as Harry Potter and his interaction with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. While she is one of my newest allies, I don't trust where her heart lies: something about her just feels off."
"I will watch them with the utmost discretion, my lord," Kiyo nodded, watching as Harry rose from his seat.
"Now," he continued, "At the same time, I want you to select two members of your clan and send them to me: the reason for this summoning is because, while I am the Regent of the Ministry and the Commander of the Inquisitorial Squad, I still must retain my image as the Dark Heir and future Lord of Black Magic. To do this, I have to have a voice in the Ministry and the Squad: this is what I wish of your people Kiyo; while I hone my Black Magic abilities and powers, I want them to be my representatives in both factions: do you understand?"
"I do, my lord."
"And," added Harry, "Under no circumstances must anyone, Ministry or Squad, discover that I, Harry James Salazar Rasputin Riddle, am the son of the Dark Lord; as far as they are aware, I am the son of a powerful Australian Lord known as Tiberius Riddle."
"I will act with discretion and secrecy, my king," Kiyo bowed, raising his Shatari to the skies as he added, "By the power of the dark stars, I swear my silence and services to the Black King."
"And by the dark stars you are bound," Tom replied, watching as Harry walked towards the window of their home, "Now, leave Kiyo, and do not appear unless summoned by my son."
Standing at the window, Harry looked out over the white-washed scene of their courtyard, his ice-blue eyes colder than cold as he seemed to examine the scene before him.
(My plans are progressing,) he thought, watching as Kiyo vanished into the shadows, the other members of the gathering busying themselves with other matters, (Umbridge is in my hands, Dumbledore can't move any more of his little chess pieces and Potter is a broken shell of a boy; now, with the rise of the New Year, I too shall rise, like a phoenix from the ashes; I will become more powerful and help keep those I care about safe. I lost my family once before, which is exactly what Dumbledore wants me to feel, but he fails to realise that, while my Father continues his raids and my Mother looks after them; there's one more person out there more dangerous than either of them: me!)
Turning back to his family, Harry smiled as he then asked, "So, now that all our presents are done…who's for another snow war?"
HJSRR
Riddle Manor: Later that night:
Drenched with snow, cold, wet, but very happy, Harry slowly trudged his way up to bed, his face showing the same emotion that any child should feel: a pure, irremovable expression of joy and childlike excitement. The snow war had been a fun experience and, when Harry had ambushed Sirius and Remus with help from a decoy, it was the icing on the cake.
Slowly pushing open his door, Harry was then surprised to find that he was not alone; Lucius was sat on his bed, his eyes showing a look that he had been waiting for his young lord; bowing with respect, a sign that showed Harry this was official, Lord Malfoy spoke up, "My lord, I apologise for intruding on your chambers, but there is something you should know."
"Oh?" asked Harry, "And what's that Lucius?"
Lucius sighed and stood, his own cold eyes not even close to matching Harry's penetrating gaze; looking to the area near Harry's bed, where the large Complex Trunk was stored, Lucius explained, "The present I gave you earlier, the book on Dark Elementals, was meant as a hint and my apologies: you see, my Lord, I do know a small amount of information regarding Black Magic. One area that I know of concerns a magic known only as the Omniforms: this is a magic that takes the form of an Element: usually one of the five elements of nature: Earth, Wind, Fire, Wood or Water. I gave you that book, my Lord, because I believe that you may possess the Omniform of Fire, hence your magical potential from your first year and your encounter with your Father."
Harry closed his eyes, recalling the event, recalling how weak and stupid he had been and how, when Quirrell had threatened him and grabbed him, the man's skin had become a mass of blisters and brimstone that slowly crumbled away, leaving nothing more than ashes and the soul of the Dark Lord. He could still feel the raging magic that had coursed through him when he had grabbed Quirrell, the blazing force of magic that, according to that fool, had been a protection inherited from Lily.
With a nod, Harry replied, "Thank you Lucius; what more do you know of the Omniforms?"
"Aside from their affinities?" asked Lucius; when Harry nodded, the elder Malfoy answered, "Not much more, my Lord: if I am correct and you do possess the Omniform of Fire, then you shall also possess the ability to Flare, a form of magical transportation in which your body becomes enveloped by flames, leaving you to freely travel anywhere and everywhere in the blink of an eye. Also, if I am correct, then it will mean that your Animagus form will also have an affinity with fire: it may even be a dragon, my Lord."
"I see," Harry smiled, standing tall and proud as he continued, "Again, thank you Lucius; you have given me much to think about: truly you have redeemed yourself in my eyes: our past encounter, in which you threatened me, is now forgotten. I am proud to call you my Uncle and even more proud to cement your place as a member of my Inner Circle in the Society of Shadows."
"I thank you, my Lord," Lucius bowed, before he dropped the official side of him and added, "For what it's worth, little one, I too am proud to call you my nephew."
As he turned to leave, Lucius stopped at the door and asked, "My lord, now that you know about the Department of Mysteries, what are you going to do?"
"You'll soon find out," answered Harry, watching as his Uncle left the room, leaving Harry to wrap his mind around what he had just learned. Changing into his night-clothes and casting a warming charm on his body, Harry let his mind wander to his mysterious mentor.
HJSRR
Astral Plane:
"Welcome back Harry; is there something you wish to know?"
Standing once again within the dark chamber, Harry looked upon the Wraith of Dante Martinez with a look of respect, the fear he had first felt now banished, replaced only by a burning curiosity and a strong desire to learn more about what Lucius had told him.
In front of him, Dante smiled as he once again revealed his true self: he 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 still made Harry think this creature to be some kind of vampire. Dressed in a jet-black robe of regal design, Dante then asked, "You came to this plane willingly, so, what do you wish to know?"
"Are the Omniforms a part of Black Magic?" asked Harry, surprised at how both he and Martinez were speaking in human tongue when, the last time he had been in the chamber, they had both spoken in Parseltongue.
"In a word: yes," answered the Black Spirit, his cold eyes on Harry as he continued, "And yes, to answer your next question, you are an Omniform, but, in truth, you are a rare Omniform known as a Twin Omniform: you possess the spiritual essence of Fire and Wind, which is how and why things blow around you whenever you grow angry. Now, if you're wondering about your magic, then all I can tell you is this: the power of the Omniform is considered both unique and powerful: as a Twin Omniform, you have twice the power and twice the uniqueness. Now, there is a downside to this: Omniform Magic can only be learned individually: not even I can help you, aside from this piece of advice: continue with your meditations and, whenever you can, spend as much time with your friends as possible. You see Harry, fire and wind are direct opposites of one another: like any element, they have their positive and negative elements, but, unlike Water, Wood and Earth, Fire and Wind are opposites of one another: without wind, or air, there is no fire, but with it, fire swallows air. This is why positive emotion is necessary when using your magic; now, Harry, I will only visit you once a week, but, in return for this allowance, I want you to master your Fire and Wind Magic by the end of fifth year: can you do that?"
"I can," Harry nodded, his eyes wide with shock as he asked, "Even though you can't teach me, Lord Martinez, can I seek help from other sources?"
"If you mean your family and friends then yes," nodded Martinez, his eyes, black as they were, shining with pride as he added, "And, though we are only in the early stages of your development, I have no worries about rephrasing what I said when we first met: I have no doubts in my mind that you will make a powerful Dark Ruler, Prince Riddle; for now, though, since you're here, let's get to work."
HJSRR
Platform 9 ¾:
"I can't believe how quickly that went," commented Draco as he sat down in their compartment, "One second it's the Christmas Holidays and then it's January."
"I'm not complaining," laughed Daphne as she snuggled up next to her boyfriend, both of them feeling their magic reunite after a holiday apart, "I missed you Harry."
"And I missed you my love," Harry answered, before he opened his mind and added, "Here: let me show you what I have learned."
Daphne gasped in shock as she felt her Bonded present her with a vast improvement in his magical knowledge: he sent her empathic information about everything he had learned from Martinez and also shared with her the spells, charms and magical abilities he had read up on. When he was done, Harry closed his mind again and asked, "Feel better?"
"Much," Daphne answered, sharing a small kiss with her dark prince; opposite them, Draco and Dudley shared a glance with one another before the Malfoy Heir shrugged and looked to the door.
"Something bothering you Draco?" asked Harry, his own eyes on the door while Daphne rested her head on his shoulder.
"Just wondering how long it'll take the pretender and the Weasel to come down here and bother us." Draco explained, watching then as a bundle of red-headed silhouettes stopped outside their door.
"Looks like we're about to find that out," Harry commented, before, with a snap of his fingers, he used the winds to open the door, revealing not Ron, but Fred, George and Ginny, who were joined by Hermione and, to Harry's surprise, Neville and Luna.
"Hi Riddle," Hermione commented, watching as Ginny sidled into the compartment; with a nod from Harry, the rest of them joined the Silver Triad, none of them noticing Harry using his Omni-Magic to close the door again. When they were sure they were safe, Hermione coughed and added, "I mean, good morning my commander."
"I guess that you do have an allegiance," Harry commented, watching as Draco began whispering to Ginny; with each word, her eyes widened and, after a while, she looked to Harry, who nodded and told her, "As long as you're loyal to your word, then I have no objections."
"Speaking of loyalties," Fred spoke up, "The pretender's up to something: Master Riddle, can you tell us honestly: did you get a call to the Ministry about an attack?"
"Not to my knowledge," Harry answered, but a part of him knew what was about to be described as he asked, "Why? What happened?"
"Our Father was attacked," George explained, "By a snake: the pretender says he felt like it was really him, but we didn't believe him. Even Dumbledore suspects that Voldemort may be behind it, but, knowing what we do, we had a guess that it was just another lie made up by the old man to get under the Minister's skin."
"Did he survive?" asked Harry, his ice-blue eyes slowly reddening at the thought of what could happen.
"Yes," Ginny told him, "But it's weird: according to St Mungo's, he shouldn't have survived, which is why…"
"We suspect foul play," chorused the twins, looking to Harry with eyes of knowledge; obviously, because of their oaths and Harry's little privacy charm, they couldn't speak of it here, but, as he looked at them, the Dark Prince knew what these suspicions were.
"Well," Harry spoke up, "Don't worry and thank you all; your information has helped the Inquisitorial Squad and I believe that the time has come for us to stop hiding. I know all about the Room of Requirement; I have all of you acting on the inside and I have more and more people defecting from Dumbledore with each passing day. Draco," he then added, looking to his right hand, "Show them the parchment."
Reaching into his robe, Draco pulled out a folded parchment, which was sealed by the Riddle Coat of Arms as well as a strong wave of magic; handing it to Harry, Draco then watched as the young Riddle hissed, {Open in the name of darkness,} before the seal cracked and the parchment opened, revealing what looked like a list.
"This," explained Harry, "Is your final act of allegiance: you see guys, I have a confession to make: I did suspect you would betray me, but, given what you have done today, I know I can trust you so: Fred, George, Ginny, Neville, Hermione, Luna, and you too Daphne: you can choose to not sign this, but then I'd have to wipe your memories, so, take a look and see."
Looking at the parchment, the Gryffindors all shared a glance with the Slytherins, before Neville and Luna shared an awkward glance with one another; before them, the parchment read:
SOCIETY OF SHADOWS
I, the undersigned, solemnly swear on my life and magic never to betray the secrets and magic I will learn under the Society of Shadows and under our commander: Harry James Salazar Rasputin Riddle
Signed:
Draco Alexander Malfoy
Dudley Jonathan Evans
With a slow look at one another, it was Hermione who asked, "Will this enable us to…talk to you properly?"
"Yes," Harry told her, "And, if you sign it, then you will also be answering to me and not…my Father."
They all signed it, before Hermione asked, "What's our plan, Harry?"
"First," Harry answered, "We take down the Army: it's time for the king to be knocked off his throne!"
New Powers, New Allies and a New Year: looks like its time for the moment you're all waiting for: THE FALL OF DUMBLEDORE, but will it be so easy and what about the SOS and their allegiance to their Lord?
Keep Reading to Find Out…
In the Next Chapter: DA VS SOS: 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...
Chapter 17: With Dumbledore gone and a new Headmistress in charge, Harry begins to sort those who are loyal to the SKOS from those still loyal to the Light; plus, the Black Lord finds out some information about the White Paladin and there's a surprise return from an old mentor…
Chapter 18: Harry has dreams about a strange room; Severus tries to help his Lord while keeping his secret from the Light; the White Paladin is revealed and the sorted students pledge their allegiance to Harry, but what's with the voice in his head repeating the Prophecy?
Chapter 19: Sick of the voices, Harry ventures to the DOM to get some answers; while there, he gets more than he bargained for; plus, the Golden Boy takes on the Silver King and Harry suffers a terrible loss, but it's NOT who you think…
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…