Marvolo entered the room in which Harry was sitting still, dragging Severus along. If it was true, and the man hadn't actually sworn himself to Dumbledore, but to Harry, that would be very, very convenient for their plans. His eyebrow raised when he saw Harry looking up with a 'caught' expression, and suppressed a chuckle when the boy tried to muffle some papers away, wondering what it was about. He dropped Snape on the floor, who crumpled into a heap, obviously afraid to be killed by every wrong movement. –and he was right at that-. He studied Harry's surprised expression when seeing Snape, and then confusion when their eyes locked.

"Severus here has practically admitted his treachery in front of me." He explained. "I found out that, while he isn't loyal to me, neither is he to Dumbledore, but to you." He said, ignoring Snape's gasp when noticing Harry

"Me? But… why?" Harry said stunned, and got up, approaching his potions master until he stood in front of him. "While he's saved my life a couple of times, he made it quite clear that he hates my existence. I thought he did it for Dumbledore…" he said with loathing in his voice.

"He made an Unbreakable Vow to Dumbledore to protect you."

"Unbreakable Vow?"

"If you break it, you die."

"Why would anyone do that?"

"Severus?"

The man's eyes had shifted between him and Harry constantly, not able to believe what he seeing, it seemed.

"I… When… when Lily died… you had sworn… you'd sworn to spare her… you didn't keep your promise…" Both Voldemort and Harry kept silent, so he cleared his throat and continued. "I ran to Dumbledore, not knowing who else to turn to. He used the opportunity to bind me to the Light, making me Vow to protect Lily's son, because he was the savior of the Light, and thus automatically, making me vow to be bounded to himself."

"You knew he was using you, and you didn't care? And why would you want to save my mother anyway?" Harry said, frowning at the man.

"We'd been friends." Snape mumbled, and Marvolo snorted, knowing the truth. "And no, I didn't care. I'd nothing else to care for."

"Then why do you hate me? It's not like I did anything to you."

"Not you is it that I loathe." Snape said with a pained face. "Besides, what are you doing here in the first place?"

"I believe you are not in the position to ask questions, Severus." The Dark Lord hissed menacingly, making the man cower.

"No, I want to talk to him about this. I know you loathed my father, but I'm not him. Why hold me responsible? Just because I look like him? I'm fed up with your behavior, Sir, so from now on, know that I am your superior."

"You'll never be superior to me!" Severus yelled, getting angry, but turned around, shocked, when his Lord chuckled darkly.

"I'd resent that. And Harry, really, using your position of power already?"

"What can I say? Being here has given me certain privileges. Especially after the scene you pulled during the Death Eater meeting yesterday."

~Somehow, I didn't think you minded...~

~Not at all.~ Harry smirked. ~Do you think Snape would?~

~Maybe he'll faint... can't do that to his heart, hmm?~

~Call it... suitable punishment.~Harry said, grinning evilly, and Marvolo licked is lips, his free hand twitching, aching to touch his young lover.

Severus's face was contorted in horror when Harry walked past him and slid his hand under Marvolo's top robe. Wherever the fingers touched his skin, pleasant tingles were left, and Voldemort leaned into Harry's touch before gripping the black locks harshly with his left hand, pulling the teen's head back, exposing the pale flesh of his neck. He bent down and sucked the skin, making Harry moan uncontrollably. Gasping lips sought his mouth, desperate for contact, which he gladly granted, and he had to suppress a cackle when glancing at Severus's ashen face. The boy writhed against him, searching friction, and the Dark Lord cupped Harry's ass, pushing their hips together. Panting, they released each other, knowing it would go out of hand if they continued, and neither of them wanted to have sex with Severus present.

~I thought you wanted to talk to him?~ Marvolo hissed softly, letting his fingernails rake down Harry's side.

~Yes.~ the boy replied with an unhappy tone.

~Should I leave?~

~Oh, please. I bet it will be a quite funny conversation. So, what are the facts?~

~Severus made a Vow in which he pledged himself to you. I take it that it also means protecting you and following you, and whoever you follow.~

~How far can I go? With telling him things?~

~That's up to you. Just make sure you don't reveal anything unnecessary. Try to make him see reason. He has nothing that ties him to the Light now, and Dumbledore used him for his own goals as well. I rather not lose such a valuable asset. Also, it would make Dumbledore suspicious if he were to be killed.~

~Alright.~ his love nodded, and Marvolo stole another quick kiss before sweeping past Severus, who was shocked beyond words.

XXx

"So, professor." Harry began, sitting down nonchalantly, as if he didn't just make out with the most feared wizard on earth. "Where to begin?"

"What do you think you've gotten yourself into, Potter?" Snape snapped, obviously afraid, and Harry narrowed his eyes on the potions master.

"I won't take shit from you anymore Severus." he bit. "I talk, you listen and obey."

"That you whored yourself out to the Dark Lord doesn't mean you have power over me." Snape sneered, and Harry's eyes flashed in fury.

"Really? If you want, I can call him back so you can say that to his face... wonder what he'll think of your accusation of me being his whore. No?" he added, when Snape began to shake his head, eyes widening. "Then hold your tongue." He began to understand why Marvolo liked to have his followers shivering in fear. It was real fun. "Why I am here is not of importance to you. The only thing that matters is for you to keep it quiet, especially from Dumbledore. I am sane right now, and so was I when I decided to join the Dark, that is all you need to know. What I find interesting is... why did you swear your loyalty to me of all people?"

Snape stared at him with hatred, but lowered his eyes eventually in defeat. "Dumbledore talked me into it. I wanted to die that night, but give one last blow to the Dark as revenge. The headmaster saw me see reason: That I would be of better help without killing myself. I refused to bind me to him, so he played his ace: You. You are all that is left of Lily, so I swore to protect your life with mine, even if half of you was Potter's." he snarled.

"You hate me solely because of my father?" Harry said surprised. He'd thought Snape would have at least a reasonable excuse, but this was just ridiculous.

"You look like him, you speak like him, you act like him... it is as if you exist to remind me that she could never, ever be..." The last world was lost in a strangled cry, and Harry understood, -mildly disgusted-, what exactly it was Snape had felt for his mother.

"Yours." he finished the sentence, and Snape nodded, staring dully at the floor.

"Yes." he whispered. "And what now? How am I supposed to protect you when you have turned to your enemy? Her murderer? How?"

"My parent's murderer, yes, but my saviour. Besides, I know why they were killed. It doesn't mean I like it, or haven't hated him for it, still do sometimes, but it can't be changed. It's in the past, Snape. You too would do well to remember that, instead of clinging to a memory that has been dead for thirteen years.

Snape gasped and flinched as if he had been slapped, and looked up in Harry's eyes, which were devoid of emotion.

"You have to choose now, Snape. Either you will follow me, and with that, the Dark, or you die here. I'm not here for a long time yet, but I do know that once you are in here, it is for life. Either you follow me, or you die."

"That is no choice."

"If you leave and go to Dumbledore, rest assured that my life will be endangered. While knowing that, you'll die because of the Vow anyway. Stay, and work for our cause, rather than drown in the past."

"Potter..." the man said, hesitating.

"Yes?"

"The Dark Lord isn't capable of emotions as love and caring, surely you know?"

Harry laughed at that and looked at the potions master. "I thought that as well. He showed me wrong."

"How can you be with someone... someone like him?"

"I cannot explain, and you wouldn't understand. Good day further. Make sure to choose right." Harry said, and gestured for him to leave.

After taking a few minutes to think about the previous conversation, Harry got up to search Marvolo out, but even before he left the room, the man stepped in.

"You listened in, didn't you?" Harry said, amused.

"Yes." the Dark lord growled, and Harry raised his eyebrows. "I think I'll have a nice long torture session tomorrow with Severus."

"Why? I mean, he won't tell anyone, and he isn't so stupid as to not choose for the Dark."

Marvolo looked at him with an exasperated look. "How short is your memory? He called you..." a long hissing growl filled the gap where said insult should be, and Harry chuckled.

"Oh, that. Don't worry, I've heard far worse insults in my life." Harry said airily, shrugging. He didn't think it was such a big deal, and was startled when he was shoved against the desk and fiercely kissed.

"Marvolo?" he asked when he could finally breath.

"I'm sorry..." the man whispered, and cradled the teen in his arms, who suddenly understood what this was about.

"It's not your fault they treated me like they did." Harry reassured him, stroking his lover's face. It's not even your fault I was brought to them. There were hundreds of Wizarding families who would have wanted me..."

"Why won't you let me kill them?" Marvolo sighed. "I would sleep so much better."

"Cause you really had a lack of sleep these past days, I'm sure." Harry grumbled. "Please, can we not talk about the Dursleys?"

"Alright, but don't think we're done about this yet. Now, for something else... I'd promised to take you out somewhere tonight, hmm?"

"Oh yes!" Harry said, smiling happily. "You already have an idea?"

"I had a few, so I'll let you choose. Now, we can either go out for dinner somewhere, or book a hotel or do something more... special..." the man said, and Harry rolled his eyes at the dramatic tone.

"Seeing as you're itching to take me to that 'special' place... what is it exactly?"

"Ah, it's a place of great magical and historical value, and quite beautiful on top of that..." he said mysteriously, and Harry smiled at him.

"How long have you been waiting before you had someone you could show it to?" he said, but didn't get an answer. "I'd be delighted if you'd take me there."

"I had a feeling you would say that." the man smirked and extended his hand.

Curious, Harry took a small stone that lay in it. Immediately, he a spinning motion and the telltale feeling of a hook behind his navel. Just as he thought his head would burst from all the spinning, it stopped, and he was somewhere else, outside. The air was hot and moistly, full of all kinds of sounds, and there was green all around him. Marvolo's arms were barely able to catch him before he hit the ground.

"I'm sorry, I would have apparated, but as you know, your magic would have been picked up."

"Apparated" Harry panted disbelievingly, still trying to catch his breath. "I absolutely loathe Portkeys, but apparation even more so."

His lover smirked at him in amusement. "You will have to get used to apparation one day love... how else do you think you'll transport yourself back and forth in the future?"

"I'll just take a broom..." Harry grumbled, and Marvolo laughed. "Where are we anyway?"

"I wanted to show you one of the most magical places on this world. We're in the Amazon rain forest."

Harry looked around, amazed. The vegetation was thick, and there weren't real paths. He closed his eyes in concentration until he felt the magic tingling in the air around him like a thick blanket. He opened them again, and the colours seemed brighter, the leaves, rocks, and even the insects all shining with a layer of pure, old magic. He was dragged along through the plants, but, other than he had expected, he didn't get scratched by branches or thorns. Instead, it seemed the green parted for them. After a couple of minutes they arrived at a nearly vertical cliff that emerged from the green all of a sudden. Marvolo halted in front of it, causing Harry to almost bump into the man, but the Dark Lord didn't pay attention to it.

"Ostendu sum vestri secretum." the Dark Lord said in a commanding voice, and the rock began to rumble.

A faint sound came from behind it, like a gong that became louder with each passing moment. Cracks appeared in the stone and it began to melt away so an archway appeared, something which made Harry think about the passageway to Diagon Alley. He peered through the hole, and what he saw made his eyes widen. It looked like a massive, triple stone circle, overgrown by the wilderness, but no less intimidating and powerful then it would have been if it had been brand-new. Harry felt infinitely small and powerless when he walked through the rock, which was, he now saw, only a few yards tick. Intrigued, he noticed that the resonating sound of a gong came from within the stones themselves, and symbols that were carved in the stones seemed to glow. Surprised, he noticed that they were in a huge cave, and the light came from holes in the stone ceiling and the stones of the circle. Multi-coloured birds flew up, their screeching and shrieking sounds echoing through the cave. He'd forgotten he wasn't alone, so a shock went through him when a cold hand gripped his.

"Don't get lost." Marvolo said oracular, and Harry looked at him with puzzlement. "People have gotten mad here." he explained. "They were drawn to the stones, and forgot the world around them, becoming lost in their minds."

"What is this place?"

"It's the first stone circle that has been created, carved out from a mountain. The ring of stone that forms the cave is the shell of the mountain. It has been carved out by magic, starting from the top."

"Wizards did this? They hollowed out a mountain with magic?"

"Yes, it took generations to complete, but they managed it, by courage, will, and perseverance."Aren't those Gryffindor qualities?" Harry laughed, and Marvolo sent him a playful glare, but didn't deny Harry's statement.

"Come, I brought you here for a reason other than to tell you about the history of our race. Feel free to ask anytime though... Rather, we are here for what lies in the center..." the man said, and they walked past the first ring, stepping on a stone platform full of carved lines which looked like water had once flowed in there, and past the second and the third ring, to come to a halt in the middle of it. Harry let his gaze wander around. It felt so powerful here that he could easily understand how people had felt themselves becoming detached from the rest of the world. "Come, stand here." Marvolo said, and Harry turned around, arching his eyebrow when he eyed the block of stone Marvolo was pointing at suspiciously.

"What exactly are we here for?"

"Trust me." the Dark lord simply said, and the teen sat down on the block, which had undeniably once served as an altar, or maybe even a sacrificial block. "Lie down on your back. I'm going to show you an amazing piece of magic, something we in modern times have been able to imitate, but never like this again."

Harry did so and noticed that there was some sort of bowl scraped out in the block, filled with a silver substance. "Is this..." he said, shocked, but Marvolo just smiled and said:

"Something like it, but not the same."

Harry lay down and made sure he lay stable on the block before dipping his head backwards in the stone basin. He gasped when everything around him changed. Sunlight shifted, and the burning planet passed the holes above him, and again, and again, each time faster, from the west to the east. He saw the trees around him becoming smaller, saw rain fall back into the sky, and cracks in the rocks healing. When it stopped, there was no trace of vegetation in the cave, and he sat up, bewildered when noticing he was translucent and devoid of colour, like a ghost. Or a memory... He heard rattling sounds and jumped, only now noticing a large group of people, dressed in ceremonial robes. Fascinated, he watched as they held some sort of ceremony.

"Today..." one of them said, an old man whose voice sounded like he was far away, "Our lifework is complete, and we can finally hold our first ritual here. A new era begins, one where we as Shaman population will not have to bow anymore to the laws of the unknowing. Let us bundle our strength, and live as we were supposed to, gifted by the Gods themselves..." he said, and the rest of the group mumbled among themselves, pleased.

Harry noticed that, when he concentrated hard enough, he could hear they spoke in some sort of ancient, foreign tongue, but it sounded like English to him. It was like speaking Parseltongue. He heard something that sounded different in reality, but it was hard for him to hear that difference.

It dawned on Harry that what he saw right now, was the original Wizarding population, and that their goals, thousands of years ago, didn't differ from what the Dark wanted. To stand up for themselves and show the world who they were, their superiority. Was it here that Marvolo had obtained his ideas?

He watched the rest of the ceremony, which was seemingly meant to consecrate the circles. They used various spells that Harry recognized, though the original spells hadn't been as precise as in the modern days. The spell Aguamenti, for example, that made water appear, came from a spell that was roughly translated just Water, a charm that made water vapor in the air slowly condense, forming little water drops before being guided in a chalice. When finally, the group left, still in a festive mood, he lay on his back again, dipping his head once more in the bowl.

"That was... amazing!" he exclaimed when he returned in his own time, and he felt honoured to have been allowed to have witnessed such a scene. Surprised, he saw it was a lot darker then it had been when he had 'left' and Marvolo was now sitting on the stone floor, a sight that gave him the strange urge to giggle, although he still looked dignified enough, more than Harry would ever be able to pull off when sitting on a ruined, broken slate of stone covered in grime and dirt. "How did you discover this place?"

"When I was travelling across the world, I also got to know a few wizards of a small Amazon tribe, who still referred to themselves as 'Shamans'. They showed me this after I had gained their trust. They too, thought wizards should be able to practice magic out in the open, just like what their ancestors had fought for."

"Thank you. For showing me this."

"Shall we go home? It is quite late. One of the house-elves can make some dinner for us before we go to bed."

"Let's." Harry said. "How long was I gone?"

"Hours."

"Hours? It seemed like minutes to me!"

"It was... time-travel is strange. For you, it seemed minutes, but in reality, you were gone for hours."

"Wow... I guess that's why I'm so tired."

"Too tired for a broom?" Marvolo grinned, and Harry shot him a dirty look as the man got to his feet and offered his the small stone again. Harry huffed and took it, waiting for the awful feeling, which soon came.

When they arrived at the Manor again, they ate in silence and went to bed, both tired from the day. Harry snuggled in Marvolo's arms and fell sound asleep.


The next day, Harry slept in nearly all morning, but when it was about noon, he dragged himself out of bed and headed to the library, where he read random books for a few hours. Suddenly, Harry jumped up at glanced at the clock, cursing under his breath. He had almost forgotten the meeting. He practically ran to the meeting room and sighed in relief when seeing it hadn't yet started. He glanced around to see if anyone of the group he had met during the previous meeting was there yet, but he saw none of them. Devaki had said that they were busy, but he didn't know if they should report or try to come even if they were ill... Instead, his eye fell on a person who was coming his way. Someone he didn't like. And following that person was someone else he didn't like.

"Potter." the blond man said coolly, eyes cold as steel. "I wonder what our Lord was thinking when he decided you would be of use to him.

"Mr Malfoy..." Harry said in a voice that clearly showed he was annoyed. "Draco..."

"Potter." Draco nodded, though he didn't have the same air of superiority around him as his father. "I wish to speak to you, preferably before the meeting begins."

Harry nodded and walked away to a more quiet place, expecting Draco to follow, and completely ignoring Malfoy Sr. He was really getting used to this 'I'm the boss.' thing, he noticed gleefully. After always being expected to do what others said –though he hadn't always listened-, he found it a nice change.

"So your father told you about the task yet?" Harry begun, and spun around, relieved Lucius hadn't followed them. Maybe he was offended... Harry hoped he was...

"Yes, he did. I only want to make some concrete plans. How do you think you can realise this?"

"It will be difficult, for I'll have to get rid of the Gryffindor hurdles that are always with me, but I'll manage. I have some quite handy tools, and enough experience with sneaking around. And I also have someone covering me, though I'm not sure if I am allowed to reveal him."

"Father hinted at it already."

"He's been informed?" Harry said, surprised. "I suppose I should tell you then as well, but it is not significant now. I'll go into detail at school. Now, for recruiting students... What will your approach be? You are, after all, the one who'll have to do this openly. I will only have to watch from the shadows, and maybe use magic on them to convince them. Only if we are absolutely sure of their loyalty to the Dark, can I be open."

"Though there also might be some people who'll join if they know you have changed."

"We must not get people to join because they like me, but because they agree with our goals, and can work under Voldemort." he said, and grinned when Draco flinched. "Oh, don't tell me you're still afraid of his name..."

"That you aren't just shows your insanity." Draco huffed.

"Are you allowed to be present during meetings?"

"I? Don't be ridiculous, Potter, I'm not even a Death Eater yet, though Father has hinted that I will be soon, in a year at the most. "

"Your father didn't tell you then?"

"Told me what?" Malfoy frowned, clearly annoyed.

"If you think me insane already for daring to speak out his name, what would you declare me when knowing I'm his lover?" Harry said, smirking smugly when Malfoy's mouth fell open.

"Tell me you're joking, Please tell me you're joking."

"Sorry, but no."

"You are the most masochistic person I've ever met, Potter, seriously, let your head be checked one of these days! Why?"

Harry shrugged. "You wouldn't believe my reasons, so I won't try to explain."

"Why'd you tell me anyway?"

"To get back on him. He kissed me full on the mouth in front of everyone during the last meeting. I also thought it unfair to you if you were denied that little juicy detail. Plus, he'll be coming to Hogwarts once every few days. I'm just preparing you..."

"What do you mean?"

"You remember how I snuck to Hogsmeade in third year, even though I wasn't allowed to?"

"Yes. I still have to get you back for that..."

"Didn't you already?" Harry said, narrowing his eyes, not liking the idea of another fight. "I know you don't like me, and I don't like you either, but we have to work together. We better start that by stopping our fights."

"No way!" Malfoy protested. "What do you think that will do to my image? Imagine, me being nice to Saint Potter? And what'll your little minions say?"

"Other than you, Malfoy, I don't have minions, but friends. Ron won't like it, but he'll just grumble and get over it soon enough, and Hermione will congratulate me for growing up. Something I do need to do if I will ever hope to achieve something for the Dark. I don't care what it will do to your 'image', it's an order."

"You can't command me!"

"Oh? Did your father leave that little bit out? I can and I will, if you have complaints, go to Voldemort. Now, what will your approach be?"

Malfoy glared at him, but shut up and got down to business. "I'll begin with the people who have ties to the Dark already. Children of Death Eaters, then purebloods...We're practically assured of their loyalty already. Many of them hold a grudge against Muggles."

"Yes, why exactly?"

"You mean you don't know?"

"I was raised by Muggles, and only found out I was a wizard when I turned eleven. And after that... One word: Binns."

"Ah, okay, let me give you a summary... In the ancient times, before the Statute of Secrecy was established, it were the Wizards, the ancestors of purebloods, who ruled the society, both magical and Muggle... That is what we want to get back, though it will be hard to maintain... the Statute of Secrecy was established for a reason. But with the Dark Lord, I don't think things will get out of hand..."

"Yes, I do know that the Dark wants to be out in the open... and I agree, Voldemort can rule this world better than the Ministry of Magic as it is now."

"Is it true that he's immortal?" Draco said, curiously.

"He came back just a month or so ago, right? That should say enough, though I don't know how. What are the rest of your plans?"

"I want to use the people who are loyal to the Dark to find dark spots on the Light and their leader, so they will waver in their faith, before we will strike and announce our goals, for the Light doesn't want to listen."

"Many believe everything Dumbledore says, that included me till before summer, sadly enough. I thought the Dark just wanted to destroy the world and the Light, so a small group of purebloods would lead this world to its downfall..."

"I'm glad though, if you can be convinced, then everyone can be..." Draco grinned, and Harry found himself grinning along.

"I have to go now." he said, looking to the meeting door, where the last people were slipping inside.

"Are you a Death Eater then?"

"No, but I do have certain... privileges. See you around, Malfoy."

"Bye, Potter."

Did I just have a civil conversation with Malfoy? Harry thought, before walking through the doors.


Ostendu sum vestri secretum: Reveal you secret.

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xx GeMerope