A New Path
AN: Firstly, this is an apology to my lovely and patient readers, I'm sorry this took so long to arrive and I apologise for its relative poorness. This chapter just did not want to be written and after a point I just had to force myself to write something. The good news, however, is that there is only one more Hogwarts-set chapter to go after this one because, let's face it, I have a better update rate when it comes to the non-Hogwarts stuff.
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CHAPTER 9 - Back to School. Again.
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Harry returned to Hogwarts with the Weasleys. The summer, as he had expected, had dragged in places but thankfully, because everyone thought he was grieving, he got to act grumpy for no reason, refusing all company, then suddenly switch and happily play two-aside Quidditch with Ron, Ginny and Hermione.
He purposely didn't discuss Sirius with them. Or the coming war. If Voldemort could keep him out of it, he thought, so could the order.
The weeks had been strange without any of the people and creatures he had got used to seeing. Harry kept waking up in the mornings expecting to find Nagini curled onto the foot of his bed because Voldemort had sent her out or for to Dinky pop in to find out what he wanted for breakfast and lay out fresh clothes.
It got easier as he began remembering why he became friends with his light friends in the first place. With the last year happening the way it did, Harry had stopped thinking of many of his old friends as friends and more as guards and observers and hangers-on and, the order. It pained him to realise how distanced he was making himself. Ron and Hermione had been his first real friends, he shouldn't just chuck them away because they didn't suit his new life.
Harry decided there and then, if he could convince them, he would bring Ron and Hermione in. But only if convince them the sun didn't actually shine out of Dumbledore's a-
"Harry! Harry dear, have you got everything? The train's leaving."
Harry snapped out of his daydream and smiled warmly at Mrs Weasley. "Yes, sorry, thanks." He boarded the train with the others.
"Really Harry, you need to stop drifting off like that." Hermione scolded, but it was only half-hearted because she was instantly distracted by a grumpy Crookshanks who didn't want to be told where to be.
Harry laughed at the ginger cat's antics.
"Good to see you smile, mate." Ron said and took the lead, finding them a compartment.
"Ron." Hermione piped up. "Perfect duty?"
Ron flushed. "Oh, yeah. Sorry, mate." He said, turning to Harry. "We'll meet you later."
The two Gryffindor prefects leftfor the prefect carriage and Harry continued to find himself somewhere to sit.
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"Hi Nev." Harry said as he sat down beside the boy.
Neville gave him a stern look. "Hi indeed. Thanks for that, by the way." He said. "This summer."
Harry smirked. "Admit it, you enjoyed yourself after you got over the company."
Across the way Luna looked at them curiously before turning back to her magazine. Neville's eyes darted to the girl quickly before he spoke again. "Maybe." He admitted.
Harry laughed and they began swapping stories of the second halves of their summers.
It was a while later that Ron and Hermione joined them, complaining about Draco's unusual behaviour and failure to join in with the prefect duties.
Harry made several not-very-subtle suggestions for Draco's actions but was shrugged off yet again by those who were listening.
"What was that about?" Neville asked quietly to the girl next to him.
"Harry thinks Draco's a death eater." Hermione explained.
Neville nodded but didn't say anymore.
A little while later, a note arrived for Harry and another to Neville in the hands of a breathless third year girl. It was an invitation to the slug club. Voldemort had warned Harry about it and he wasn't exactly enthusiastic to go.
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The lunch meeting with Slughorn was strange and at times awkward. Several other students were there, all of whom, except Ginny, was related to someone famous or important.
When it started getting dark, Slughorn, after much semi-friendly and cheerful interrogation, finally let them leave his compartment.
On the way back to their compartment, Harry suddenly excused himself and walked away. Not thinking anything of it, Neville continued on to their friends.
As Neville arrived back at the compartment a thought went through his mind. The others were hastily putting their school robes on while Neville considered what had just happened.
Neville got up.
"And where are you off to?" Hermione asked like a suspicious mother.
Neville shrugged. "I'm going to check Harry doesn't do something stupid." He said then walked out.
Neville spotted Harry a little further down the corridor and trotted to catch him up. Moments before he reached the teen, Neville blinked. When his eyes opened again, Harry had disappeared.
"Why are you following me?" A voice whispered from behind him.
Neville turned around but the immediate area was empty. "You're under your cloak, aren't you?" He whispered.
"Yes. ...Hang on."
Neville stood casually, pretending to be admiring the view when a third year Ravenclaw walked passed.
"The coast is clear, get under here."
Neville obeyed and joined Harry under his invisibility cloak. It was a tight squeeze to get them both fully under and invisible but they managed it. Partially by backing into a corner so they could focus on covering the whole of one side.
"So? What are you following me for?" Harry whispered. No one was nearby but better safe than sorry.
"I wanted to make sure you didn't do something stupid. Like stalk Blaise to get to Malfoy and get caught. Because we both know you would. You'd do maybe one thing and it would give you away and because you'd be hidden somewhere in a compartment - we're on the train remember - you'd be cornered." Neville let out the rest of his breath. "Good enough reason?"
Harry shrugged dejectedly. "Yeah."
"Why do you think Draco's a death eater anyway?"
"I spotted him up to something in Diagon Alley while I was with the Weasleys." Harry told Neville. "There are other little things but that's the main of it."
"And? Can't you just ask, you know?"
Harry chuckled. "I could, but what if I'm wrong and he's doing something else and I get him into trouble with, him." Harry shook his head. "He was nice to me last summer. Well he was before he realised it was me, and that one time after he'd been obliviated when I bumped into him."
Neville made a soothing sound of understanding.
"He is a death eater and why would I hurt him?"
"Merlin's pants! He's listening!"
Neville choked at the realisation of who Harry meant while laughing at the teen's shocked expression.
"Of course I'm listening. You were broadcasting your every action since Diagon Alley into my mind."
Harry blushed.
"What'd he say?" Neville asked.
"Something I don't want to imagine what he saw."
"Some of it, neither do I. Get better control. You've not been doing the mind exercises I set you, have you?"
"Um, no. Sorry. Weasleys?"
"Not a good enough excuse. I would say you're well on the way to traumatising me but the truth is I see a lot worse from some of the death eaters."
Harry laughed.
Neville, watching for stray eyes, pulled the cloak off and dragged Harry back to their compartment.
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The train arrived at the station without any further troubles. Harry got off with Neville and Luna, heading off to find a carriage.
"This year will be interesting for you." Voldemort whispered into Harry's mind. "I have no doubt that Dumbledore will drag you into some scheme of his this year."
"Now that he's dying, you mean?"
"Yes, and now that you are informed. I imagine he will want you to feel included now that you have proved that you will no longer play the mindless sheep to his shepherd."
"I hate that comparison. I was never a sheep."
"To him, you were."
"Harry, we're here." Luna's voice drifted through Voldemort's reply.
Harry blinked once and nodded. They left the carriage and walked into the school yet again for another year.
"I wonder who our Defence professor is this year." Neville mused aloud as they entered the castle.
Harry was about to comment about Slughorn taking over Snape's job when they entered the great hall.
"Oh, no." He said. "It's Snape."
Neville turned to him. "What do you mean?" Luna was looking at him curiously too.
Ron and Hermione had just caught up. "What's Snape?" Ron asked from behind the trio. He looked up at the head table. "I wonder who that big bloke is?"
"He must be the new Defence professor." Hermione told him.
Harry looked up the professors. "No. He's not."
Hermione shot him a look. "How do you know? He's the only new professor so he must be."
Harry shook his head. "No, that's professor Slughorn. He's the new potions professor. Snape must be teaching Defence this year. He always said that was the job he wanted."
Hermione thought about it for a moment. "Slughorn?" She asked. Harry nodded. "I've read about him. Wasn't he the potions professor here before Snape?"
Harry shrugged. "Probably. I think so. I know he used to work here years ago, so maybe."
They went to find seats at the tables.
"Doesn't matter anyway, won't be taking potions this year." Ron muttered as they sat.
"I hear he's a very good teacher." Neville offered from beside Harry. "Gran's mentioned him a few times."
"Well I think he'll be brilliant and I can't believe you're dropping out Ron." Hermione said in her usual know-it-all tone.
"I didn't choose to drop potions, Hermione, I didn't get the grades."
"Neither did I." Harry added glumly. Voldemort had not been happy about that, the memory still stung. "I only got an E."
"Same here." Ron agreed.
"Only an E? It's better than my A." Neville argued.
Harry looked at him shocked. "An A, surely you got an E. You were doing so well in the exam without Snape watching you."
"It didn't matter, potions isn't my subject. I'm happy I got a pass."
The sorting and the feast passed quickly and soon it was the following day. Much to Harry and Ron's surprise, when McGonagall came around with their timetables they found they were still eligible for potions.
But first they had to get through Defence.
Snape had already made himself at home, the classroom was much darker than Harry remembered it ever being.
The first lesson Snape set them for the year was the casting of non-verbal spells. Harry paired with Ron and stood waiting to be jinxed by the boy who was trying desperately not to utter any incantation. While he waited, Harry found himself wondering about Voldemort's silence. This was the kind of class he'd expected hundreds of little pointers, or, more realistically, notes on failures, but there was only his own mind in his head. He decided the man must be really busy because last year all he had was constant suggestions.
It was just after the lesson that Harry received another short letter, delivered by student, inviting him somewhere.
This time, the message was Dumbledore asking Harry to meet him the coming Saturday at 8pm.
Harry stared down at the parchment.
"He likes Acid Pops?" Ron asked, reading over his shoulder.
"It's the password for his office." Harry answered automatically, he was busy going over the possibilities in his head. Would Voldemort want to watch through his eyes? Would that be safe? Dumbledore was an Occlumens, did he know? Was this a trap?
"Harry?" Harry snapped back to reality and looked for the owner of the voice.
It was Hermione and she was watching him closely. "You were staring into space again." She said.
Harry smiled thanks and stowed the parchment away.
He and Ron had a break period now but Hermione had Runes so they went their separate ways. All Ron wanted to do for the beginning of their free period was discuss Dumbledore's letter. Ron had all manner of ideas for what Harry would be learning, Harry simply nodded and commented where appropriate.
It sprang to his mind that he was planning on introducing the teen to life besides Dumbledore but with all the talk of 'kicking death eater butt' Harry thought maybe now wasn't the best time.
Time flew and soon Hermione had returned, the topic hadn't changed much but, with Hermione's presence, homework started being done.
Very quickly the first potions lesson of the year came around. Due to thinking they couldn't take it this year, Harry and Ron were forced to borrow books from the storeroom. Harry was amazed to discover part way through the lesson that his second hand copy had additional instructions that seemed to be better than the printed version. Thanks to these special notes, Harry's potion was good enough that he was instantly Slughorn's favourite new student. Harry was in love. It was like Voldemort when teaching, but in a book.
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Saturday night came around and Harry found himself making his way to Dumbledore's office. He still hadn't told Voldemort about the meeting, deciding to leave it until afterward in case it really was a trap, but one for him not Harry. Voldemort had already stated he would rescue him so Harry saw no reason to be overly worried for his own safety, not least because, if Dumbledore really wanted to cause harm to him, it would have been stupid to let others know that's where Harry was going.
When he arrived at the office, Dumbledore was waiting. It turned out that he wanted Harry to join him in understanding Voldemort's past so that they could work out how to defeat him.
Harry didn't object. It was a lot better than some of the alternatives that had passed through his mind.
This time, Dumbledore said, they would be taking a trip down Bob Odgen's memory lane. It turned out that the memory they were visiting was that of Voldemort's mother's family on the day the ministry visited a short while before the two Gaunt men were arrested. Harry knew instantly that Voldemort would want to know and see the memory. He also instantly recognised the ring sitting on Marvolo Gaunt's finger. It was currently sitting on a stand in amongst several of Dumbldore's spindly silver instruments.
"Professor?" Harry asked carefully after deciding that even if he hadn't known the origin of the ring he would probably have asked about it. "That ring? Y-you were wearing when you came to pick me up from the muggles. It's the same one from the memory, isn't it?"
Dumbledore eyes flickered down to his blackened hand just briefly before they locked on to Harry's. "It is."
Harry looked away, only half feigning awkwardness. "But how-? Have you always had it?"
"No, I acquired it very recently." Dumbledore said. "A few days before I arrived to pick you up from your Aunt and Uncle's, in fact."
"That would be from around the time you injured your hand?" Harry said, carefully making it sound like a question despite already knowing it was true. He didn't give Dumbledore time to answer before he posed the next question. "Professor, how exactly-?"
"That is for another night, Harry. You will hear the story another time. Goodnight."
"Goodnight sir." Harry said obediently before turning and leaving Dumbledore and his office.
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As he walked back to Gryffindor tower Harry thought about the lesson. Harry knew he would have to tell Voldemort eventually but he decided, before he did, he was going to get as much information as he could.
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A few days later, Harry had a surprise visitor waiting for him beside the Quidditch pitch. The pale snake hissed angrily at having to wait in the chilly air and Harry's subsequent unseeing rush past its sheltered spot.
/Brat!\/Down here, fool.\
Harry spun around, broom in hand, and stared down at the uncoiling serpent. /Voldemort?\
/Who else you insolent wretch? Now pick me up and carry me inside with you. It's freezing and I do not wish to remain here much longer.\
Too stunned to do anything else, Harry picked up the slim form, allowing the dark lord to wrap his snakely-body up and around his arm.
"Is that a snake?" Ron asked as Harry caught up with him.
Harry looked down at Voldemort's nose just poking out under his sleeve. "Uh, yeah. Found him by the pitch. Snake's don't like the cold so I thought I'd bring him in, get him warm. Think he might be a little lost."
Ron simply nodded, swallowing the lie whole.
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/I've been meaning to ask, how did you get passed the wards this time?\ Harry asked while they were sat by the fire in Gryffindor tower.
If it was possible, Voldemort's snake face was smirking. /Slytherin.\ Was his only answer.
Harry stared until the man-snake said more. /I was unaware that it truly was meant so literally but as long as I mean no, serious, ill will to any student - staff are fine - I may enter as a snake. But only those of Slytherin blood. It seems Salazar was the one to originally design the Hogwarts wards and thought to include a way for himself to return should, as I believe is what really occurred, he be forced to leave without the option of returning.\
Harry took this information in. /Neat.\ Was all he could say.
/I will visit from time to time.\
/I'm surprised you didn't try earlier.\
/Harry, there are more important topics to discuss. Catch up.\
Harry blinked and looked at the snake-man. /Such as?\ He asked.
Voldemort stared for a moment, tongue flicking in and out. /Dumbledore has requested meetings with you.\
/Yes. But you already know that. We talked about it when I was at the Weasleys because he told me he would when he picked me up.\
/Yes, however you neglected to tell me that he had arranged for you to meet him this Saturday.\
/You've been sitting in the back of my mind again, haven't you?\
/Only to see how you are getting on with your new year and workload.\ Voldemort said far too sweetly. /On a related topic, you must put more effort in, you're slacking.\
/No I'm not. I'm exactly where I should be. If I was you or Hermione, then I could be considered slacking, but I'm not so get used to it.\
/The other reason I am here is something altogether more personal and I felt we should discuss it face to face.\ He continued, ignoring Harry. /I would have rathered that it had been my real face to your face but this will have to do. Had Dumbledore not decided to take you sooner than expected I would have discussed this with you during the summer. Perhaps even put it into effect.\
Harry was curious. /Go on...\
Voldemort breathed in deeply before continuing. /That can wait. First, we will deal with whatever it was that Dumbledore wished to talk to you about. You cannot be distracted and I would like to think that my offer would at least have that effect.\
He said no more and Harry knew that, even if he pushed, Voldemort wouldn't be giving up any more information tonight.
Carrying the lax dark lord to a more private location, Harry, following precise instructions from Voldemort, shared his memory of his meeting with Dumbledore with the wizard and then they discussed what it could mean.
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The days of school passed in a haze. Voldemort came and went several times over the weeks, almost always in his snake form but occasionally, when Harry called for him, via the passageways created by the Room of requirement. Once or twice, Harry even snuck in Sirius and the Weasley twins through the Room.
/Dumbledore wants to talk to me again, do you want to sit in?\Harry asked Voldemort after a few mental prods to get the snake-man's attention.
The pale snake on his pillow looked up and flicked his tongue out. /It may be better to be careful. I will come with you to his office, but I will go separately. We cannot risk him finding us together.\ He said. /If he becomes suspicious, I will leave and view your mind after.\
Harry nodded.
"Do you have to talk with it like that?"
Harry looked up at the boy who spoke. Ron was watching him and the snake Voldemort.
"Sorry Ron, I forgot you don't like it."
"No, it's," Ron backpedalled, "I'm just not comfortable with it."
Harry smiled kindly at his friend.
/I thought you said you would be hiding anyway.\
Voldemort flicked his tongue out, tasting the air and stared at Harry. /I decided a hidden snake was more suspicious than an obvious snake. You can say you found me and are nursing me back to health. I found you out because you are a parselmouth and the snakes around here know that.\
/That's going to be the story?\
/Yes. Something wrong with it?\ Voldemort didn't sound happy.
/No, no, nothing wrong. Just checking.\
Voldemort glared in suspicion at him until Harry turned away to escape it.
"We've got Charms next, haven't we?" Harry asked Ron. He knew they did but anything was better than being glared at by the dark lord and he knew he wouldn't get a decent conversation from the man for some time. Not until he calmed down. Harry didn't know what it was but something seemed to be upsetting the older wizard, he'd have to get him to talk about it somehow. By a trick, perhaps.
"Yeah, Flitwick's not going light on us either. Hermione reckons we'll be studying, some charm or other." He blushed "I can't remember what she said now. But it doesn't sound like something I'll get first time like her."
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AN: I'm sorry, a short one again and it just ends rather than getting to a point but I thought it was either post what I had or leave everyone waiting for a lot longer.
Next chapter, Dumbledore goes flying.