" Harry...." Voldemort whispered.

" Yes, professor?" Harry said in an emotionless tone. He thought the professor no doubt was going to say something to mock, to ridicule him again and he was not in the mood for it.

" Y-you're....I'm....H-how..." Voldemort stuttered for the first time in his life.

Harry raised an eyebrow. In all his years at Hogwarts, he had never heard Voldemort stutter once. Surely it wasn't because he proved that he was indeed the same boy from back at the bar. Voldemort had already made it clear that he wasn't interested in the boy from back at the bar the first time they met.

" You're a Parselmouth." Voldemort finally settled on saying that first.

" Yes Professor, I am indeed a Parselmouth. " Harry stated. " Sorry if I'm not what you expected professor. You must think such an amazing gift is wasted on me." Harry added bitterly.

" That's not what I meant, Po-Harry." Voldemort said sadly. He sighed. "See me in my office in one hour Harry. We have lots to discuss. Come alone and tell Severus I shall see him afterwards."

"As you wish professor. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I will check up on Sephora."

Harry knocked on the door to Voldemort's private office. He was tired after the day's events, and wished nothing better than to close his eyes. He hoped Voldemort wouldn't take too long, whatever he wanted to talk to him about.

" Enter." A rich baritone voice spoke from inside.

Harry walked into his office and was amazed by its decor. Everything was beautiful. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, illuminated by a floating crystal chandelier. In one corner, there was the famous Salazar Slytherin's dagger with its intricately-carved handle of pure jade and glittering diamond blade, displayed in a glass case on a gold stand. Next to it was an empty portrait of Salazar Slytherin.

Harry narrowed his eyes. So Sal was a two-timer....he better have not blabbed anything about him to Voldemort otherwise, Salazar Slytherin or not, Harry would permanently stick his portrait next to the annoying Fat Lady guarding Gryffindor tower and make him listen to her inane ramblings and complaints all day long.

Voldemort himself was dressed in exquisite robes of Slytherin colours. His hair was tied in an elegant ponytail at the nape of his neck and a heavy gold chain with a locket disappeared into his collar. He looked darkly attractive and Harry's heart beat a little faster.

" Harry! Come, have a seat !" Voldemort smiled warmly and gestured him to a leather couch.

Harry sat down and looked at Voldemort oddly, unfamiliar with such warmth and hospitality from the man.

Noticing Harry's look, Voldemort cleared his throat awkwardly and offered Harry a butterbeer, which Harry refused.

" Harry, oh Harry....Where do I even start? Such strong powers Harry....You are gifted in the Dark Arts... You are from Salazar Slytherin's noble bloodline...You have such fine control of your magic...I can't believe you've been hiding it all this time..." Voldemort went on with a dazed expression.

"Excuse me? Hiding it? I don't believe I have been-as you put it-'hiding' my powers. It's you all who refuse to see me for who I am." Harry said in a tone laced with barely concealed anger. " Sir." He added, not wanting to anger Professor Voldemort, who could be downright dangerous at times.

"Harry....I can't even begin to imagine how I can make it all up to you....let me start my offering you my deepest, most sincere apologies. I'm sorry Harry , for misjudging you and for being so caught up in my prejudices that I couldn't see you for the fine wizard you are. I'm sorry for being responsible for many of your sufferings all these years and for neglecting my duties when it was within my power to prevent them..." Voldemort said softly.

Harry blinked. He certainly wasn't expecting the professor to apologise. He thought he would take away points or even give him detention for his cheek.

Harry gave a stiff nod, not having it in him to hate the man yet not wanting to forgive him. At least not immediately.

Voldemort gave a loud audible sigh. "I guess I have much to atone for."

Harry gave him a look that said it all.

Finally, Voldemort broached the subject he had been desperate for.

" I haven't thanked you for saving me back at the bar that day Harry. You were beautiful and perfect. I wish for us to have a closer relationship Harry, more than that of teacher and student." Voldemort watched Harry closely to gage his reaction.

Said touchy subject broke Harry's restraint. " Did I hear you correctly sir? Me, a 'Mudblood', beautiful and perfect? I haven't forgotten the numerous terms you've used to describe me. 'Pathetic', 'Useless', 'Inept" ....Shall I say some more? I've spent my days at Hogwarts unwanted and now suddenly what? You bloody admire me or something?! I haven't changed sir! I'm still the same damn person from day one! And what do you mean more than teacher and student? Surely you can't be suggesting that we become...." Harry snapped.

Voldemort's face fell and he took on a forlorn expression. He had been preparing himself mentally for it, but it still broke his heart to hear Harry's open contempt for him. Oh well, guess he would have to switch to plan B.

He gave a fake laugh. " Of course not Harry! How could you even think that? What I'm saying is I'm going to adopt you. I'll take care of all your needs, and you can stay with me in Riddle Manor during breaks and holidays."

" ADOPT ME?! I want respect, not your charity sir! I have been doing fine by myself and I certainly don't need nor want your help now!" Harry raised his voice.

The tension in the air was palpable as Harry glared at Voldemort and Voldemort scrutinized Harry with an unreadable expression.

" Unfortunately, you don't have a choice in the matter, not when I intend to take this case up to Wizarding Family Courts. You'll be breaking the law if you don't live with me until you're of age when I'm awarded custody of you. Yes, I mean when, not if. Make no mistake, I will do whatever it takes to gain custody of you Harry." Voldemort said. "It's all for your own good Harry. You will fare better in all aspects with my tutelage, financial support and influence. Need I spell it out? Even if you will hate me for it...."

Harry shot him a dark look. He squashed the hope and blossoming happiness in him when he heard Voldemort wanted to adopt him. Maybe Voldemort wanted him only to use his dark power or Parselmouth ability. Or worse still, maybe he wanted Harry to become some sort of follower like those hand-picked Slytherins. Only difference was that he was more bound to Voldemort through family ties. Perhaps that was what Voldemort wanted? A dark follower who would aid him and who would be under his constant watch, never able to leave his side? Harry swore to never let it happen to him. He would be on his guard.

"Harry? What do you think?" Voldemort watched him with a pleased look in his eyes.

" Seeing as I don't have a choice in the matter, does it matter what I think?" Harry shot back.

He stiffened and forced himself not to move as Voldemort reached out a hand and brushed a stray strand of hair away and tucked it beind his ear. He forced his body that was desperate to reach out and touch Voldemort back to remain still, as Voldemot placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and whispered in his ear, " You're special Harry. I'm sorry if I made you think otherwise. I'll make it up to you, even if it takes the rest of my life."

Voldemort would not be so easily forgiven. Not until Harry knew his true motives and feelings then would he consider it.

Severus Snape nervously entered Voldemort's office. He was unsure what Voldemort wanted with him so late at night, after curfew even. Probably it was about Harry. What should and shouldn't he tell Voldemort? Who mattered to him more, Harry, his best and only friend all these years, or Voldemot, a powerful influential wizard whom he greatly admired and wanted to follow? He wished things weren't so confusing. Though there was one matter he would have to broach to Voldemort, one that Harry would be angry at him for later. Nevertheless, it was inevitable. Lesalier Lestrange had to be removed.

" Severusssss.....Do you know I plan to adopt Harry?" Voldemort wasted no time and jumped straight to the topic.

Severus's eyes widened. He was surprised that Voldmort, a wizard who had many followers and admirers but was always unreachable, would allow another person into his world. It seems his hunch was right. Voldemort and Harry did shared some history back. He felt a brief flash of jealously, but that was soon replaced by genuine happiness for Harry. Harry would no longer suffer at the orphanage and would get the guidancet he needed in order to reach his full potential.

Voldemort, who was inspecting Severus's face carefully, read his expression and nodded approvingly. Severus would make a true friend for Harry amidst all the lies, jealousy and betrayal that was to come.

" I was hoping that you might be able to persuade Harry to feel more...happy towards this turn of events. His reaction was rather....unfavourable." Voldemort elaborated.

" Yes I will sir." Severus said obediently.

" Sir, may I ask a favour from you?" Severus said timidly. " I know Lesalier Lestrange is your favourite, but could you perhaps, like remove him...."

Voldemort undertook a dangerous expression. If Severus Snape thought he could be his favourite just because he was close to Harry, he was sorely wrong.

" No no! That's not what I meant professor. I mean Lestrange has been...err...doing things to Harry that is not reciprocated. Yeah that's it."

Voldemort frowned. What was the daft boy trying to say?

Severus Snape then told Voldemort all about Lesalier Lestrange and his sexual advances and threats towards Harry. When he finished, he flinched as Voldemort crushed his wine glass in his hand, whipped out his wand, and stormed off with a murderous expression on his face.

He shuddered. He so didn't want to be Lestrange right now.

The next day at breakfast, total silence followed Harry. All eyes zeroed in on his every movement. Even the teachers surreptitiously watched him from the corner of their eyes. Hushed whispers, subtle glances, and elbow nudges reigned everywhere. Harry sat down next to Severus indifferently and begain buttering a roll. Big difference, Harry snorted. Yesterday they were all too disgusted to talk to me, now they are too afraid to talk to me. What a bunch of idiots.

He could see the Slytherins looking at him with reverence and admiration. Some were even fidgeting, prbably dying to walk up to him and bombard him with questions, no doubt about the Parselmouth and dark abilities, but a daggered glare sent their way stopped them. As if I will let them talk to me and be friends with me, the 'Mudblood' and 'disgrace of Slytherin'. Stupid hypocrites.

Just then, a majestic golden eagle swooped into the Great Hall and dropped a parcel in front of Harry. There was no mistaking who that owl belonged to.

Harry opened the letter that was attached to the parcel. It contained Voldemort's elegant spidery script handwriting.

Harry,

I have been granted custody of you, seeing as we are both from the noble line of Salazar Slytherin, which makes us related already. As you are now officially my adopted son, my protection and influence extends to you. Enclosed in the parcel you will find the golden locket that many have seen me wearing all the time. That locket belongs to Salazar Slytherin and I'm now giving it to you as a symbol that you're my heir and also because it contains numerous enchantments that I have added to it for your safety. Do not forsake your safety by not wearing the locket just because of your resentment for me. I have spoken with Salazar Slytherin and he wanted you to have his locket too.

In addition, Lesalier Lestrange has transferred to Durmstrang. Rumor has it that he was heavily injured and threatened to remove himself from Hogwarts by some powerful and angry wizard.

I swear to fulfil the duties that I had neglected in the past, and as both your Head of House and guardian, I hope you can tell me anything Harry. You can trust me to look out for you from now onwards. I am deadly serious on making it up to you and taking care of you for the rest of my life.

P.S. Should you wish to, you can call me Voldie like you called Salazar "Sal " IN PRIVATE ONLY

Voldemort

" Merlin, he's serious." Harry whispered in awe and surprise.