"Who is this man exactly?" Harry asked, when walking through the corridors, not exactly liking the fact that an assassin of all people would have to help him with a task.
"One of my best men. He works independent from the Death Eaters though. He isn't marked either. He works for money only."
"Aren't you afraid that somebody else will pay him more?"
"I doubt they could. His price is high. Too high, I thought at first, but after I hired him once, just to try it, I noticed that it is fairly low. He never fails, never gets discovered, never leaves any trails that could even lead to the conclusion of murder and also never gives anyone the idea that I might be after it. Negative point is that he refuses to work with anyone else."
"Didn't you just say he would help me?"
"He thinks of you more as a... project, sorry for that, but it was the only way I could convince him. It is not like his usual jobs, not much killing involved either, but he is the only one who could erase any trails you might leave and spy from the shadows where you cannot, to see who you can trust."
"You mean I have to get back to Hogwarts?" Harry grumbled, but knew deep down that it was unavoidable. If he wanted a job later, he couldn't do that without finishing his education.
"Yes. I apologize, I know it will get difficult, especially because of Dumbledore, but you can't just stay here and hide forever from the world. And also... if you didn't get back, the world would panic. I know you don't like to be seen as the hero of the Light, but you must accept that that is how people see you."
"How will you get that man into Hogwarts?"
"Filch will be... retiring this year..."
"You're going to kill him off?" Harry said, shocked. He didn't like Filch, not at all, but killing was so... drastic.
"Harry, if you want to be at my side, then you really have to get over the killing issue. I won't attack your... family because you think their deaths would be unnecessary, but this one isn't. You need someone to watch out for you at Hogwarts while you fulfill your tasks, which I will explain to you later. You can't be bothered to watch your every step there. It would be too slow, and you have eyes on you everywhere. Arve can make sure they will see nothing."
"Arve? That's the assassin's name?"
"Yes, Arve. I have no idea what his family name is though, or even if he has one. He also calls himself Eyolf. A code name or something. He likes it better."
"Why doesn't he just use his normal name?"
"Why did I change my name to Voldemort?" Marvolo said, and Harry knew it was a rhetorical question. "I wanted to forget my past and ancestors. Maybe he wanted the same. I don't know, and I am not going to ask him. I give him tasks and he executes them. That's all there is. I know nothing about him, he knows nothing about me but that I am a feared Dark Lord who can give him large sums of gold. Maybe you can get something out of him, but I doubt it."
They entered Marvolo's office, where the man was already waiting for them. Harry eyed him warily. He was of medium height and wore a thick, grey cloak as if being in the coldest place possible, his hood drawn over his face. Around his middle was a leather strap with various knives, and Harry was quite sure that there would be a whole lot more of them hidden on his person. Marvolo walked around the desk and sat down in the chair, summoning another chair from the side of the room to stand next to him, on which Harry seated himself.
"So this is the child?" the man asked in a hoarse, whispery voice.
"Yes. You are to watch out for him, give him every piece of significant information you come across, and erase his trails."
"What are the extra circumstances?"
Voldemort frowned, confused. "I'm sorry?"
"The price is higher than normal, yet I see no real risks. More the opposite. I haven't had such an easy task in a long while."
"Ah, yes. That is because I was not sure you would want to take it. You see, the position Filch is currently in, is that of a janitor. I'm sure you will have loads of fun punishing kids and using the job to gather information at night, but the important thing is that never, in the whole history of Hogwarts, there has been a wizard as janitor. Wizards can get better jobs, and Muggles can't see the castle, so the position has been filled by Squibs since the beginning."
A few moments of silence went by, before the man spoke: "You want me to stay there for a year, while not doing any magic?"
"In public, yes." Voldemort said simply. "The only people who could be easily disposed of inside of Hogwarts normally, without raising too much suspicion, are the janitor and the ground keeper. You could always go for the position of Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, but then you would be occupied most of the time. Precious time in which you can't fulfill your duty. Same with the other jobs there. As ground keeper, it would be strange if you got inside of the castle, and the current one wouldn't just quit. There is no way he can vanish without getting Dumbledore on our tail. However, while hunting in the shadows, you will be able, have to, really, use magic."
Arve seemed to ponder on it for a while, and Harry was really surprised that the Dark Lord didn't force him to take the employment. He must really need, or respect the man. Judging from what he said earlier, Harry thought both.
"I have lived as a Muggle for months a few years ago for a mission, completely devoid of any contact with the Wizarding world. A year as a Squib will not be too bad, especially because I can practice magic when I am out of sight." he said. "Six thousand Galleons a month?" he asked, and got an affirmative nod. "I'll do it."
"Good." Voldemort smirked, and gave him a paper. Arve signed it with something that really looked like blood, and the parchment glowed a fraction of a second before returning to normal again.
"Can I talk to the boy for a while?" Arve asked.
"You can wait in the lounge. I need to speak to him first."
The man nodded and got up, striding to the door in a fluid motion that gave away his profession.
"So." Marvolo said, and turned to Harry. Do you think you can work with him?"
"I have to, no? I can't yet say that. I need to get to know him first. Maybe if I speak with him, I can determine that."
"Very well... Now for your task. There are two actually. The contract of Arve... or let's call him Eyolf, for I'm most certain you have to get used to that, contains more than just following you. He too has several small tasks that I needed to get done. These things I didn't want to bother you with, but you have to check up with him because of it. He won't be able to aid you 24/7." On Harry's nod, he continued: "Do you know what a Pensieve is?" Harry frowned, but nodded. He had broken into Dumbledore's Pensieve last year. "It is bowl that is used to store memories" he said.
"Exactly, wait, I'll show you mine."
He got up and opened a cabinet with a few spells, carefully taking a large stone bowl out of it that was filled with swirling silver strands. He placed it in front of Harry. "As I'm sure you know then, every one of these strands is a memory. When not in the bowl, they are stored in little flasks or vials. Knowing Dumbledore, he has labeled them..."
"Wait, Dumbledore?" Harry said, sitting on the tip of his chair, fascinated by the bowl, which contained memories of one of the most brilliant and dangerous men on earth.
"Yes, Dumbledore. Severus told me he has a Pensieve. I want you to get inside of his office, find his flasks with memories, and make a list of them. You will send it to me, and I will determine which ones I deem important enough to have. Afterwards, you have to get in there once more and copy those memories for me."
Harry was absolutely baffled. It was a good plan... but how the hell would he be able to get in unnoticed? "Why do you think I can do this?" he asked.
"If Dumbledore trusts anyone, it is you. You will have to make up a great story for where you were this summer, but I will help you with that. Secondly, you have the trust of his bird, who won't see an attack from you coming. Dumbledore can communicate with that Phoenix, one of the main reasons why he is kept in Dumbledore's office. It is high likely that he spies on anyone who visits. Thirdly, word has reached me you have an invisibility cloak?"
"Yes, the Order has it now, but I am certain I will get it back as soon as possible."
"Dumbledore can see through that object, but the phoenix doesn't, and neither will anyone else. Just spy the entrance until someone goes inside to get the password. Severus has told me that the old coot only changes it once every two weeks."
"I think I'll be able to get it. I already know where the Pensieve is, so the memories won't be far away. How will Eyolf be able to help me?"
"By performing spells you cannot. The gargoyle that guards Dumbledore's office has a recording charm of everyone who got past it. He will alter those records. Also, people who might see you on places you shouldn't be will have to have their memories altered. If you need to get somewhere, he is able to insert false memories in people's minds, to provide you with an alibi. Lastly, I will give him certain tools to guard that will help you. You can't keep them yourself. It would be too risky, and some of that stuff is forbidden. You would never get it past the gates."
"Alright. What about the other task?"
"Next year, I want to recruit some students in Hogwarts. I can't yet start with that right now, for I don't know who wants to join, and, more importantly, their motives. Lucius will also tell Draco this. I know you have your differences, but with this, I need you to work together. I am sure you will need Eyolf's help here greatly. You have to escape your friends to meet up with the boy regularly. Do you think you can work with Malfoy?"
Harry sighed deeply. "I hate his guts, and he mine. But I will be able to put my hate aside for our cause. I just hope he will do the same."
"Good." Marvolo smiled. "I really need this. If I can't be certain of the loyalty of my future followers, then our goal is doomed to fail."
"Am I expected to spread word of the true goals of the Dark, instead of the rubbish Dumbledore is spouting?"
"No, it will be too suspicious. No-one but Eyolf, Draco and yourself, will know of your loyalties. And Young Malfoy only under a blood-oath, sworn to me personally."
"Didn't you just say Lucius would tell him?"
"He already knows of you, just not of his mission with you."
"So basically, you want me to spy on the students together with Draco?"
"Yes. He though, will be more vocal, while you will watch their reactions in the shadows. Most if the time, their faces say more than their words. You might want to ask Eyolf about that."
"Okay. Was that it?"
"For your tasks, yes. You are, however, not done here yet."
Harry raised his eyebrows as the Dark Lord motioned for him to come closer. He got up and went to stay next to the man, confused. He barely registered the smirk that broke through the stoic mask in a flash, before he was pulled down in Marvolo's lap, where lips immediately began to suck at his skin. Teeth grazed his nape, and he laughed, not having expected such playfulness from his lover. He hummed, and reveled in the feeling of fingers ghosting over his skin and sliding under his shirt. It brought back memories of the nights in which he would silently be waiting for cold touches to dance over his skin, willing himself to lay still. Now though, there was no reason anymore to be secretive or lie still, thankfully, and he shifted his position to lick the man's lower lip. When his tongue was sucked in, he used the move to explore the other's mouth. Lovingly, Harry caressed the side of Marvolo's face, and broke the kiss to be able to stare down at him.
"I also wanted to ask you something else..." Marvolo said, looking at him pensively. "I had forgotten, but in the library, didn't you say something about knowing a way to get inside of the castle?"
"Yes... why?" Harry said, confused about the sudden conversation.
"Several reasons. Sneaking in under Dumbledore's crooked nose would be really nice, not to mention you would be able to give me information a lot sooner than it would be in letters. Also, like this there would be no chance of the information being leaked. And thirdly... I... I don't like the idea of you being away for so long." he said, murmuring the last part.
A warmth grew in Harry's chest, and butterflies seemed to try to break through the walls of his stomach. He would be missed... For the first time in his life, there was someone who cared enough about him to know he would miss Harry. He hadn't thought about suicide ever since Marvolo came into his life, but now he remembered the endless, lonely nights, in which he had lay on his bed or the ground, sobbing and piercing his nails in his chest to get rid of the aching feeling of loneliness, now and then glancing longingly to the wardrobe, in which he had hidden his gun, his only way out. Tears formed in his eyes in happiness of the knowledge he was cared for now, and he threw his arms about Marvolo's neck, pressing himself close.
"Harry? Are you alright?" the man answered, distressed. When Harry didn't answer, he felt a gentle prodding in his mind, and let down every wall he had ever built up, inviting him.
He was standing in his own room, looking at himself, and felt the presence of Marvolo behind him. It wasn't one of the worse memories, not by far, but he still remembered how he had felt at that moment. Harry watched himself, sitting in the center of the room, staring with blank eyes at the wall. He hadn't thought how it would look to an outsider then, but found it wasn't pretty. Dark liquid seeped from his arm, where his skin had been pierced by his own grip, trying to keep himself from shattering inside by using pain... Harry recalled he had only noticed it hours later back then, when he had woken from his stupor by yelling from downstairs. The man behind him hugged Harry to his chest and turned away from the scène, obviously having seen enough already.
When the man pulled back, he didn't know what else to do than to hold the boy close.
"Harry?" he asked again, and kissed the teen softly when Harry looked at him.
"Yes?" the teen said in an unstable voice.
"I want you to know that I have come to care about you more than you might know... more than anything I have ever cared about..." Voldemort took a deep breath, knowing that for the first time in his life, he had someone who was with him for who he was, and also knowing that it would be the first time he had someone he could sincerely confess his feelings to without the fear of it backfiring somehow. "I love you, Harry." he said, and just held him as close as possible, not expecting anything back, really. However, he was surprised and severely touched when Harry spoke up.
"I love you too" he whispered, and pulled Marvolo's robe a bit back, exposing a bit more of the skin on one of the shoulders so he could press his lips to it. After some silence, Harry spoke again, changing the topic back.
"About that way inside of Hogwarts..."
"Yes?"
"There is a trapdoor in the cellar of Honeydukes which leads to a secret tunnel, going under the wards of Hogwarts, leading to the castle."
"I'll promise to make good use of it." Marvolo smiled, and leaned his head against Harry's. "And now... you better make yourself presentable, love."
"Why?" Harry said disgruntled, though his heart made a lurched at the way he was addressed.
"Because there is an assassin waiting for you. And everyone knows they aren't the kind of people you should keep waiting. They might not like it..." the older wizard whispered. Harry sighed deeply and reluctantly left Marvolo's lap, straightening his robes and trying to fix the mess that was his hair a bit.
"Then I suppose I should be going..." he mumbled. Knowing he would be here for another hour if he gave in to the temptation of kissing his lover again, he just gave him a wholehearted smile and walked out of the office, trying to get his emotions from his face, beginning with wiping the remnants of tears away. In front of the door of the lounge, he took a few moments to recollect himself and walked in, his outer appearance calm.
"So. Potter, I assume?" Eyolf asked, more a statement than a question though. Harry nodded and sat down opposite of the man. "Did the Dark Lord inform you about your missions yet?"
"Yes, I have to-"
Eyolf raised his hand to silence him. "I already know. Lucky for you, or I would have to scold you for your thoughtlessness. The more anyone besides you knows, the more can be found out by outsiders. I, for example, will not involve you in my tasks, seeing as they are not relevant to you. Never tell anyone lightly about your tasks, not even if you think they should know. The Dark Lord will decide who should be told, understood? If you really need someone to do something and you think they can be trusted, it is alright, but never reveal more than they should know for that moment. Don't reveal the whole scheme. Not to anyone, understood?"
Harry nodded, taking the words to heart.
"Good, now that you understand, I can get to the point of why I wanted to speak to you. I want you to have an idea of what I will be doing: I will look out for you, and you can come to me if you come across trouble or need to get done something you are unable to do yourself, got it?"
"Yes sir." Harry answered.
"Very well... besides yourself, I am the only one aware of what you should do. I know you have no experience in this, so don't hesitate to come to me with any trouble you come across." the man said, on a friendlier tone now.
"I have to admit that I am not familiar with anything like his, but I will try my best. Can you perhaps give me any tips? You know, on how to stay secretive and the like?"
"Alright..." he said, and raised his head, stroking a grey, wild beard while thinking. "Firstly, always act on a worse-case scenario. That way, you'll be prepared for everything, and the execution of your plans can only turn out to be more positive than you thought. Secondly, don't act on the spur of a moment. Think every step through. Try to erase the trail of a step you take by the next one, or better yet, cover it with the one before it if you can. Lastly, use everything you've got. Any skills, any tools. It doesn't matter if you think of it as 'cheating' or 'low'. Use it. Because it is only your goal that matters, not how honorable you achieved it. Got it?"
"Yes... sir, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Why have you agreed to this? I know you normally work alone."
"Ah, but I do work alone... even now." he said with a thin smile. "Potter... I am not working with you at the moment. I am working for you. Understand the difference? You are a... project."
Harry laughed, and the man raised his eyebrow. "Well, I'm glad you're honest with me. I already knew that actually..."
"Then why ask?" It was a rhetorical question. Harry knew that the man knew the answer, but he said it nonetheless.
"A test."
"Well, I hope I passed?"
"You did. I can work with you. Or let me say, let you work for me."
Hey pup.
I just needed to write you. Hermione and Ron said they already were able to sneak a letter through the security, and have just received your response. We're all glad you're safe, of course, but it makes me wonder where you are? To give you a little update on life here: Everybody is nervous, and Herm, Ron and I are pretending we are. Dumbledore seems to have gone insane. He has forbidden anyone from trying to reach you until he found you. Why? I don't know. You're obviously not kidnapped as Dumbles says you are, judging by your letter. We don't really know what it is that he is doing to find you, but he's gone most of the time. Personally, I don't really notice much of the heightened security around the place. I couldn't leave anyways. Ron and Herm are fine. They haven't had any arguments since they were here, and it seems to me that they are rather fond of each other...what's your opinion?
Hold tight,
Snuffles.
"Will you tell him?" Marvolo asked, and Harry bit his lip.
"I don't know. He's from a Dark family, but he has followed the Light from since the time he was twelve or so, not to mention that he has been an Auror. He won't take kindly in my decision to help you, I think. On the other hand, the most advice he has given me in the past have the lines: 'Be Happy' in it somewhere. I think for now, I have other things to concentrate on. I'll try to keep him happy by writing a bit about how I am without giving him any concrete information. It will be more difficult at Hogwarts, when Ron and Hermione are there, to hide my story..."
"Harry, remember this: I trust you to make a good decision on this. I you think they can be trusted, it is alright to give them the answers they want, as long as you will not reveal any of your tasks, or Eyolf's role, because that could bring the Dark in danger."
"I know. I'll think about it..."
"Good. I have somewhere to go for the afternoon. I trust you can stay alone for a while without getting in trouble again?" Harry huffed, pretending to be offended, and Marvolo chuckled. "See you tonight, love."
Harry shivered, and ducked his head to not show he was blushing.
"Yo!" someone said, and Harry looked up from the book he was reading, only to see a woman with dark red hair standing in front of him, her hands at her at her sides. She looked like she was hovering, and only when Harry looked at her feet he knew why. She was leaning forwards while standing on her toes. It was one of the Death eaters he remembered from the meeting.
"Devaki?" he asked, unsure if it was her or her sister.
"Uhuh. What are you doin' here?"
He lifted his book so she could see the cover, and she rolled her eyes. "I can see you're reading. but what're you still doin' here? I mean, don't you have somewhere to go? Missions and the like?"
"No, not yet."
"Hmm, that makes two of us..." she said, and ungracefully slumped down on the couch, next to him. He rather liked her. He wondered if she was even Slytherin. She seemed to be way too bold for that.
"So..." she began, getting a Cheshire grin. "It seems there is more to you than meets the eye Mr Potter... Do you know how many women have tried to seduce our Lord?"
"Do I want to?" he grumbled.
"Probably not, but I'm sure you want to know how many succeeded. None."
"And how many men tried and succeeded?"
She frowned at that. "Sorry, no idea. why don't you ask him?" she joked, obviously seeming to believe that even the mere thought was hilarious.
"Maybe I will..." he said, a sly grin crossing his face, and she abruptly stopped laughing.
"Are you insane or just a masochist?"
He laughed at her expression. "I highly doubt he will curse me for it."
"Oh? Why, he's expressed his love for you Harry?" she sniggered on a sarcastic tone, and he made sure he got the most dreamy expression he could muster.
"Yes... oh, he's so cute..." Okay, maybe he shouldn't be saying things like this, because it would probably piss Marvolo off if he were to ever find out, but he knew the chances were slim. The silence that followed was deafening, and he hummed, returning to his book.
"Definitely insane." she mumbled, but he heard it nonetheless.
"So sure?"
"Yes. And welcome by the club, by the way." she said, smiling brightly.
"Who's in it besides you? If you say Bellatrix, then I'll kindly say no"
"She probably should get an honour seat in the insane club, yeah... but she's too much of a bitch to be invited. Nah, the club exists of me, my cute little sister and Alian. We tried to convince Ryder and Laveena to join, but they refused, the little bastards. But we love them anyways... And of course, there is Sameer, but no-one dared to invite him officially. Between you and I, though he seems collected most of the time, he's the nuttiest us all." she grinned.
"Consider me in." Harry smirked. I'd love some people to socialize with. Where are the others by the way?"
"Laveena fell ill, and Alian made up some lame excuse about having an appointment, but we all know he's probably sitting at her bedside, holding Laveena's hand. They're not so subtle about it, though they think they are... The rest is on a mission."
"Ah, and thus, you decided to annoy me?"
"Hey, don't get too cheeky, eh? I have some curses that need to be practiced..."
"Really? I'd love to learn them." he shot back, and her eyebrows raised.
"They ain't pretty."
"You're a Death Eater. I hadn't expected rainbows and fluffy rabbits to come from your wand."'
"Good. Have you been in the training room yet?"
"Nope... but I'd love to see it."
"Then let's go..."
After hours of learning some pretty nasty curses later, Harry was exhausted, and even Devaki admitted she was tired. Harry grinned. It had by far been one of the best lessons in his life, and he had actually been able to perform some of them at the end. He'd always had a knack for Defense, but now he noticed the same was true for the Dark Arts themselves.
"You're a good student Harry, congrats." Devaki complimented him, grinning while she was catching her breath, sitting out the rush that Dark magic evoked.
"And you're a brilliant teacher." he said, trying to get his heart from beating out of his chest because of the adrenaline rushing through him. "Particularly that whole 'I shoot and you try not to get hit'."
"Is that sarcasm I hear? Do you not approve of my methods?" she asked sweetly, and Harry barked out a laugh.
"It's just that you're sometimes a tad too enthusiastic.'
"Well honey, I'd say: Deal with it."
"When's the next lesson?" he asked, curiously.
"You are one strange creature, Harry Potter..." she said, shaking her head. "If you want to continue these sessions... what about the day after tomorrow? There's another meeting planned. Just a short one this time, and not for everyone, but I've been summoned. I could teach more after it, unless I get assigned an urgent mission."
"I understand. Thank you anyways."
"Don't mention it. I find you rather interesting. I do this as much for myself as for you."
"Wouldn't be fun otherwise, agree?"
"We've got like minds, you and I, like minds indeed... till then, okay?" Devaki said, and waved before walking out of the room.
Harry crawled up from the stone floor where he had been lying, and noticed it was late. He wondered if Marvolo was home already. Rubbing his eyes and yawning, he walked to the stairs to go to the bedroom, but suddenly halted in front of the marble staircase. Where the hell was he supposed to sleep? The first night, he had been appointed a room. After that, he and the Dark lord had happened to be in the same room when falling asleep, and last night, he had been brought to Marvolo's bedroom –which only occurred to him now, actually...- He didn't want to breach the man's privacy, but he didn't feel like sleeping alone either. Making a decision, he walked up the stairs to the second floor and walked to the bedroom of his lover, only having to think about where to go once. He was glad to be able to find his way here without getting lost so soon. He had thought it would take longer. There were an insane number of unused rooms. When he finally opened the door, he saw Marvolo was asleep. He snuck inside, rid himself of his clothes and crawled under the sheets.
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xx GeMerope
