Tired, Harry slumped down on the chair in front of the fireplace in Gryffindor common room, staring at the flames. It was harder than he thought, living without magic, even though it wasn't as bad as yesterday. He still felt like half of him was missing and continuously needed to suppress the urge to not panic, grab his wand and uselessly try to cast spells. Or try to grab his wand… Marvolo had been so merciful to keep it until Harry had his magic back.
Just a few more days…
The thought didn't cheer him up as much as he'd hoped…
"Harry!" His head jerked up, and he smiled as Ron literally fell in the other chair because he tripped. "Oh woops. Hey, you wanted to talk about something? Is… does… does it have to do with…" Harry bit his lip to stifle his laughter when noticing that his friend could not yet bring himself to say 'Voldemort', but did not want to call him You-Know-Who any longer either. "Him." Ron finally said, sheepishly smiling.
"Partly. Where's Hermione?"
"Library? I don't know, haven't seen her after dinner."
Harry nodded and asked Ron to cast a silencing spell, who gave him a strange look, but complied. "Oh well. Some things happened. There was something wrong with my magic so now I can't use it for a couple of days. It's out of my reach." Harry said, instantly becoming somber.
"No magic?" Ron said, shocked. "Wow… that must suck. Like… magical coma?"
"No, no, the opposite… uhm... I don't really know the whole explanation anymore. It always makes sense when Marvolo says it, but I don't remember everything. Anyways, it had to heal and shut itself down because I used it too much during summer."
"During summer? What about the Trace?"
"The wards were barely able to prevent the triggering of the Trace, a fact that Marvolo was quite irritated by. I only used it twice, but one time something really freaky happened and I had an out-of-body experience."
"What'd you do?" Ron asked, grabbing some crisps.
"I kinda… killed Bellatrix."
The crisps were instantly spat out.
"You did WHAT? Killed…? Wait, Bellatrix… wasn't that some Death Eater who was condemned to Azkaban? Dad told me about her once…"
"Yes, she was one of the Death Eaters who was broken out during summer. However, it appeared that she had a crush on my love and thought it fit to torture me to insanity. Needless to say… she didn't succeed." Harry said, vaguely wondering what had caused the fish-like look on his friend's face, before deciding that it was probably because he had mentioned the Dark lord in passing and called him 'love'.
"Ugh, this is all so confusing." Ron finally said. "I mean… I've joined a side, but I really don't have any idea what they're doing right now, or did before… The only thing I'm sure of is that most of my earlier prejudices are probably incorrect. Could you tell me more about it all?"
"It all… could you be a bit more specific?" Harry laughed.
"But I don't know anything! We could make this a question-answer thing…"
"Fine." Harry said, amused.
"For starters, of how many people does his circle consist?"
"There are a few circles. In the Inner circle, there are between ten and twenty people… The second tier consists of several groups, some which are more important than others, and then there's the rest… something around three hundred people, I guess… I don't know how many percent that is of the Wizarding population though.
"Every year, about fifty wizards and witches are born in England… the general age of well… death, is one hundred and thirty so. uhm…"
"Roughly 6500 people?" Harry asked, calculating quickly
"Pretty much. But I don't think it will be expected of anyone younger than 16 to fight in this war… and most who have passed the hundred don't either…That still leaves about 3300… we're really a minority…" Ron said with a worried look.
"Not necessarily. These are only the people who actively fight for the Dark. There are those who wish to remain Neutral and those who are merely supportive. And it's not like the rest will fight for Dumbledore. A lot of people who work at the Ministry don't wish to have anything to do with the war or are still in denial and might be converted. And there is always the back-up from other creatures."
"Such as?"
"Werewolves, Vampires, probably Giants, some Parseltongue-speaking creatures, Dwarfs and uh… Mermaids I thought."
"Woah, that's quite a lot… we might have a chance then."
"Might?" Harry said, snickering. "We're lead by the most brilliant, most powerful wizard of this time and more than half of the Wizarding population will be thrown into chaos soon. I, the one they've thrown all their hope on, is firmly Dark and we even have the support of Muggles…" he said, smiling brightly when mentioning Marvolo.
Ron gave him a hesitant, not fully convinced smile and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "How are the Death Eaters in general?"
"Fairly nice. Most of them are Slytherins though, so… very reserved. I've met a really nice group however. Lot of crazy people, but fun. Sameer is one of them."
"Our new Defense teacher?" Ron asked, gobsmacked.
"Yeah… didn't I mention he was on our side?"
"No. wow, how did he get the job?"
"Fudge thinks Sameer works for him…"
"Bloody hell… Another point though… He mentioned that you, Fred and George will leave school soon… but what exactly will happen? I mean, war will start, obviously, if you openly support him, but where will you start?"
"That's kind of vague." Harry admitted. "It depends on what I'll find in Dumbledore's memories… Marvolo is looking for something specific in them I think, which is why the war can't break out while he doesn't have that information."
"What sort of information?"
Harry blinked, opening his mouth to reply and closing it again, frowning… The one time he'd asked for it, Marvolo had answered that he wanted to know the full prophecy, but he already knew now and had discovered it was already finished… Harry himself had mooted the subject of the Hallows, and that Dumbledore might know something aboiut them, but it had seemed that Marvolo hadn't even thought about that. Further, the man had always remained unclear about the topic. He'd mentioned blackmail material once, but that was not something that would decide whether or not he would have to kill Dumbledore for what he knew, only something to be used if Marvolo decided he could live a bit longer.
Harry had no idea what could be so important… information about his Horcruxes? Harry's 'mission' had also changed somewhat since he'd first gotten it… If he remembered correctly, the original plan had been to write down the labels and later get back to copy the ones Marvolo wanted to have because he thought they would be interesting… yet now he had to immediately copy all memories he could get his hands on? Well, it wasn't that he wasn't glad for the fact that he didn't have to break into the office twice, but… he had no idea why Marvolo had changed his mind, or what he even wanted with those memories…
"Harry?"
"I… don't know. I have some vague ideas but... I don't know for sure." he confessed.
"You… are going to steal something while having no idea why?"
The black-haired boy frowned, gazing into the fire. "I'm stealing them because Marvolo asked me to. I know that they'll help somehow. I trust him…" but deep inside, something coiled. Doubt. What was he doing? And why?
He shook his head, willing the thoughts away, guilty that he would even let something like that enter his mind. He'd definitely ask his lover next time he saw him though.
"Never mind that now…" Harry said, and Ron frowned, but did not press upon the matter further. "Anything else?"
"What will become of Hogwarts? If the Dark wins?"
Harry smiled. "There will change a lot, of course… Another headmaster, other teachers, but also additional courses. The school is far too light-oriented now. While it will not become the opposite, Marvolo plans to introduce the class Dueling as a mandatory course for third year and up, and Warding, Spell creation and Politics as new elective courses, while Divination will be either scratched or changed majorly… He also wants students to learn more about Healing, and a purely theoretical course about the origins and workings of magic will be added."
"Divination might be scratched? Wicked!"
"Yeah. He would also like to change Defense Against the Dark Arts into Offensive and Defensive Magic." He actually has a whole list of lots and lots of little things he wants to change too… It was in the huge stack of papers he shoved under my nose to read right after I told him I'd join him. He even went so far as to decide which portraits are allowed to stay and which aren't, or should be added." Harry laughed.
"Bloody hell… he really put a lot of thought into Hogwarts then?"
Harry nodded. "Hogwarts has always been very important to him. That has never changed, and probably never will. It's something I feel myself… this castle is the first place I felt at home." He shook his head, exhaling a breath. "Sorry for suddenly being so sentimental." he grinned. Anyways, you can expect a lot to change once we control this castle…"
"What about Muggle Studies?"
"It will be changed. He's still trying to figure out what to do with that one. It won't remain as it is. While I haven't taken the subject, I know it puts a lot of emphasis on keeping magic secret for Muggles by learning how to use Muggle Science… that won't be needed once our worlds will be merged. Perhaps the subject will deal more with different views on magic or learning to actually understand Muggles?"
"I won't take it either way." Ron grinned. "That's a whole bunch of new subjects…"
"Yeah. I can imagine it will be hell for Hermione… having to choose between all those new courses… she might want to get another time-turner, haha."
"I'll stick to my old ones…" Ron sighed. "I have too much bloody homework as it is… Spell Creation might be cool though, but Bill told me once that I'd need to have knowledge about Arithmacy and runes for that… two subjects I don't ever plan to take…"
Harry cursed as a bunch of second or third years bustled through the portrait hole and gathered near the fire, sitting on the other couch, within the range of the silencing spell. Ron glared at them, but they seemed to be oblivious about it. Finally, Harry got up and gestured for Ron to follow him upstairs. The boy's dorm was still empty, with the exception of Arzón, who had curled up on Harry's bed and seemed to be asleep. It was a miracle that the teachers had not caught the rumours about a 9-feet snake in Gryffindor tower yet, but Harry seriously wondered how much longer their ignorance would last. Although, if he had to believe Marvolo, the teachers could not do anything about it, as snakes were allowed as pets at Hogwarts.
"Was there anything else you wanted to know?"
"Nah, I think that were the main points… I'll ask Fred and George to inform me if I have other questions."
"Speaking of that, I thought you would speak to them about... all this as well?"
"Yeah, but they're SO hard to find nowadays. They're constantly disappearing to work on their inventions, and if I can find them, they always tell me that they're busy… and I know they are. They allowed me to look as they were developing healing capsules or something like that. The spellwork they used was far above their level. I really wonder how they failed on so many subjects…"
"Simple, they're just not interested." Harry clarified. "There's nothing wrong with their brains, they're brilliant, in fact, but they think school is a waste of time, if you'd ask me." Harry crouched down and opened his trunk, rummaging through it until he found a towel.
"Well, I'm going to take a shower." he informed Ron, walking around his bed to briefly scratch the snake on his head.
"Sure. I think I'll go write some nonsense in that dream diary for Divination." Ron grinned. "I wonder how I can let my dream turn out in Snape dying this time."
Harry laughed and shook his head, stalking towards the bathroom. He undressed and turned the water on, leaning against the cold wall after stepping into the stream. He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind, which was harder than he thought it would have been. Too many thoughts were flowing through his mind, and Ron's words kept coming back to him. He frowned, trying to remember if he'd ever really been told what Dumbledore's memories were needed for, but nothing else came to mind than what he'd already thought of, and he felt incredibly stupid for that fact.
Of course, he trusted his lover, but shouldn't Marvolo have given him some more information about what his task was about? Harry ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply, and finally managed to distract himself by thinking about Quidditch.
When done, he dried himself, took a razor and just wanted to start shaving when the door opened and Dean bustled in with a towel, gaping at Harry, who quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Uhm, hi?" Harry said, feeling kind of awkward.
Dean just opened his mouth and closed it again, his eyes falling on Harry's hand.
"Are you... shaving your legs?"
"… Yes." The other boy just stood there, apparently not able to make up his mind over whether he should flee or ask a question. "I shave, so what?" Harry finally snapped, and Dean looked away, flushing in embarrassment.
"Nothing… I'll just… wait till you're done."
"Honestly…" Harry muttered, rolling his eyes.
~Is the human bothering you?~ He heard faintly, and he smiled.
~No Arzón, it's fine.~
~Pity. I've been wanting to eat something else than rats…~
Harry snickered and started shaving. When he returned, he dared the others to say something with his look, but they all avoided his gaze, except for Ron, who gave him a pat on his shoulder and yawned loudly, announcing that he was going to sleep.
Grinning at his friend, who changed into his nightclothes, tore open a bag of crisps and started eating, Harry too went to bed.
Draco nervously knocked on the wooden door that had appeared. He looked over his shoulder to the empty corridor, but could not see anyone and frowned at the door when no-one answered. He was sure that Potter had said the Dark Lord was expecting him. He knocked again, harder this time, but there was still no response. Figuring that the Room might block all sounds from inside, he pushed the door open a bit and peeked inside. Seeing no Dark Lord, he opened the door and stepped inside, admiring the room. It was lighter than he'd expected, and all through the room hung half-transparent, green drapes and some heavier curtains in the back, perhaps to separate this part of the room from another.
He was just wondering whether or not he was expected to wait here until the Dark Lord returned from whatever he was doing, when he heard muffled sounds. He perked his ears and a few seconds later, a soft, low sound that sounded suspiciously like laughter followed. He fidgeted and fought his curiousity when figuring out that it came from behind the heavy curtains. After some more noises the urge to see who was there was stronger than the fear for the Dark Lord's wrath, so he snuck over to the other side of the room and peeked through a gap between the heavy fabric. His eyes widened when seeing part of a bed, a pillow, and two entwined hands, one white and skeletal, and another one normal and too familiar. He drew back immediately, feeling his cheeks burn, and he was torn between looking again and sprinting away.
As if the image hadn't been bad enough, a low moan came from the bed, and Draco heard wet kissing sounds and some hissed words that sounded too damn sexy. He really hoped that it had been Potter who had spoken them, because if he'd ever catch himself thinking the Dark Lord was sexy, he would probably vomit.
Merlin, why me?
XxX
~You know that the young Malfoy is peeking don't you?~
~You don't seem to be too mad at him.~ Harry turned over to his side, a small smile playing around his lips as his gaze wandered over Marvolo's half-exposed torso. ~Hmm… have I told you already how sexy you look in that bathrobe?~
The man smirked and cocked an eyebrow. ~Do I now?~
~Yessss…~
Harry was pulled down in a slow, long kiss that left him breathless, and he whimpered when after it, his collarbone was traced by a wet tongue. He put his hand on the hard chest and slid it to the left, under the fluffy black fabric, trailing the smooth side. He admired the sight before him and licked his lips again, savouring the taste of Marvolo's saliva on them.
~Why would I be mad at him? It's only natural for the boy to be curious.~
Harry hummed and tightened the grip of his right hand, which was still entwined with long, spidery fingers. He leaned down to steal another kiss and draped himself over his lover, rubbing their chests together. He pushed the robe aside a bit and stuck his tongue out, pushing the tip against Marvolo's left nipple, which rapidly stiffened when he started to suckle on it. Teeth lightly bit down, resulting in a groan, and Harry felt oddly powerful, not only because of what he could do to his lover, but also because of the little voyeur, barely more than a yard away.
~Shouldn't a Slytherin reign in that curiousity?~ he asked Marvolo.
~Perhaps, but it is not up to me to teach him that. ~I always thought you would be more possessive when it came to this.~ Harry slowly ran a nail up and down the exposed skin and positioned his head over Marvolo's heart, relaxing as he heard the steady, low beat.
Marvolo laughed at that. ~I practically sucked your tongue out of your mouth while more than a hundred of my followers were watching. As long as they don't touch…~
~What would you do when they would dare to do more than look?~ Harry asked with genuine curiosity.
~Then I would do something reserved for only the greatest of crimes.~
~Which would be?~
~Let my imagination run free…~
Harry shivered and he felt himself growing aroused at those words. Marvolo hardly let go of his control, especially during torture… for him to let go… He shivered again and a cold hand curled around his free wrist, a thumb pressing into the skin to feel his wild heartbeat.
"Does that turn you on?" he whispered, and Harry was aware of that he had spoken in english.
"Immensely." The teen answered, eyes clouding over. "However, I'm not letting you run your imagination free on me…" ~not while he is watching.~
"Fair enough…" Harry raised his eyebrow when noticing his lover was looking directly at the curtains. "Now, young Malfoy… make yourself useful instead of gaping behind that curtain."
Harry hid his sniggers by pressing his face in Marvolo's chest when a very un-Malfoyish yelp was given as reply. When the blonde finally emerged from behind the curtains, Harry looked up, pleased to notice the other had a green shade over him and was fervently chewing on his bottom lip. Well, he supposed it wasn't everyday that you were caught spying on the Dark Lord and his lover, both whom were half-naked. He went rigid as a finger leisurely travelled up his spine, sending sparks through him. If it hadn't been for the other teen in the room, he'd have mewled… Instead, he glared at Marvolo, who threw him an amused smirk, and red eyes shone with mirth. Harry released a suffering breath and untangled himself from his love's arms, turning to face Malfoy.
"So, Draco… had a good look?" he commented airily.
The blonde spluttered, his eyes bulging out, and Marvolo clacked his tongue, pushing himself up. "Nevermind that. But just for good measure…" he pointed three, long fingers at Draco, who immediately sank to his knees, his head thrown back as he screamed as unimaginable pain surrounded him. When the curse was finally released, he sat up, his eyes opened wide like a frightened rabbit.
~What was that curse?~ Harry asked with curiousity. ~It didn't look like the Cruciatus…~
~It's a nerve-tearing curse. The Cruciatus curse only inflicts metal pain, trying to fool the brain, while this one actually rips nerves apart, only to heal them instantly. It has no aftereffects either.~
~I've never heard of it…~
~No offense, but I think there are many dark curses you haven't heard of… we shall need to mend that when you will have moved to the manor.~
Harry nodded slowly, trying to not openly show his excitement. He tried to send a thought through their link before cursing inwardly, realising he still had no magic. It had become easier over the days, especially when in the rather… distractive company of his lover. His love, who perhaps was only…
He sucked harshly on the inside of his cheek, wondering where that thought had suddenly come from. He quickly masked his uncertainty. He would not lose the grip he'd had on himself since that conversation with Ron. And if he would, not in front of Malfoy of all people.
XxX
Draco, who had become even more nervous because of the hissed conversation, glanced up to the two men on the bed, hurriedly averting his gaze again when the angle allowed him to see more of the Dark Lord than he'd ever wanted. He was very glad that the man was at least wearing something, but still… Draco shuddered when seeing the protruding ribs, and did not succeed in understanding how anyone could stand to touch this man, let alone like it.
"Well, young Malfoy?" the Dark Lord said, sitting upright and covering himself with the bathrobe. "Have you achieved progress in your mission?"
The blonde bowed his head, nervously licking his lips. "Yes, My lord… I have spoken personally to everyone in Slytherin in the upper years, broaching the subject about their views on this war. The students with Death Eater parents helped me spread word of your vision, and more and more students stand either behind you, or have become more lenient in their thinking. I am trying to collect information about students in Ravenclaw currently, but I have found that most of them are reluctant to openly give their opinion."
"Of course, they would rather be conversant about me and my cause first, and they also need time to check their sources, weigh their options… after speaking to them, Draco, give them that time and move onto Hufflepuffs… Not the Gryffindors yet… I doubt you will have much luck with them. I will set other people on the task of changing their views"
"Yes, My Lord..." the teen mumbled "I will succeed. I have made a list with names of the students in Slytherin who support you." he hesitated and looked up, taking a scroll out of his robes and handing it to the Dark Lord after getting a sign of approval.
"You did well, Draco. Now, go back to your dorms…"
The boy got up and turned around, looking over his shoulder only once and immediately regretting it when a white hand suggestively slid over Potter's exposed back, pressing his ass against the Dark Lord more firmly. Hurriedly, he slipped past the curtains again and walked away, followed by hissed laughter.
XxX
When Malfoy was finally gone, Harry smiled and sank back against Marvolo's chest, but his cheerfulness over making Malfoy feel so awkward disappeared quickly as questions he'd tried to forget popped up in his mind again. Sensing Harry's mood, Marvolo turned the boy around, giving him an odd look.
"At moments like these, I wish the link was restored again. What is on your mind, love?" Harry bit his lip and wrapped his arms around his torso, not daring to meet the piercing crimson stare. "Harry?"
I'm a coward.
"Nothing."
Something changed in the man's posture, and Harry felt like a sudden barrier existed between the two of them, a thin layer of ice. "You lie." it was a flat statement, which they both knew to be true. The teen clenched his hands into fist, not paying attention to the sharp stings of pain where his nails broke through the flesh. Of course he knew what he should ask, but he was afraid. A highly irrational fear, but it was still there, and there was a very small chance that it was not unfounded. A chance that took over his reasonable side at the moment.
"Tell me." Frustration now, anger, and also worry. If his feelings had not been in turmoil right now, he would have laughed. He had learnt to read this man, the fearsome Dark Lord, so well in the short time they had been together. So well, but still not enough to know for certain that he wasn't being used.
There, I've admitted it to myself. The thought surprised him. He had not doubted the man before. Not his love, not this trust, certainly not his lust… when had it changed?
When you were asked to do things without being told why. When there was no mind-link anymore constantly reassuring you of his feelings. But he had felt them… they had been there, and true. No, he still did not doubt that Marvolo loved him, wanted him. But…
"Do you trust me?" The teen blurted out.
"Of course. Why?" It was such a quick, natural answer that hope flared up. Peeking up at Marvolo, Harry saw the man was taken aback, and he relaxed slightly, although doubt was still gnawing at his insides. He grabbed a white hand and traced the palm with his fingers, a bit more frantic than he wanted to. "You told me to steal those memories. But you never exactly told me why. You gave some vague hints but… I still don't know what you hope to find in there that is so important that it could change how you will start a war… I never questioned my task before, but why do you not trust me with that information?"
Finally, the words were out, he'd voiced his thoughts. Silence fell over the room, and slowly, Marvolo slipped his hand from Harry's grasp. Fearing he'd crossed a line, the teen closed his eyes and tensed up. He was shocked, however, when he felt a feather light, icy touch on his cheek. "Harry, I'm sorry. I had no idea that something like this was bothering you… I have had much on my mind… did I really never tell you?"
Harry felt like he'd suddenly been picked up from a cold space and dumped on a comfortable couch with a blanket. "So you... you didn't… not tell me on purpose?"
A single, thin eyebrow rose. "Why would I? This is not just my war. I don't use people without telling them why." He furrowed his brow, appearing to be thinking. "Or well, no people who are important to me. But I doubt Crabbe or Goyle would understand the reasoning behind their missions. In fact, I doubt they understand much of anything at all." Despite himself Harry laughed. He laughed until he couldn't stop and it had turned into something of a hysterical sobbing. He was embraced and pressed tightly against a cold chest. "Harry, Harry, stop this! What is wrong with you? Placida!" Suddenly feeling drained and oddly calm, he stopped and slumped against Marvolo. "Harry?" there was uncertainty in the voice now, and finally, he could acknowledge it, both to himself and his lover.
"I was afraid. Afraid that nothing had changed after all. At the Dursleys, I was beaten and used as a slave. Other than that, I was ignored. At primary school, I had no friends either. Everyone was either in Dudley's gang or too afraid of them to speak to me, and thus, I was shunned. The only people who spoke to me were my teachers, sometimes. When eleven, I was suddenly dumped in this world. Everyone knew my name, but no-one knew me. They thought they did, and put not only their hopes on me, but also prejudices and expectancies. Still, few cared to actually tell me anything. About the war, about you, I had only heard snippets of information, and it was still expected of me to fight you. I thought that what I did was right, and if I did it, that I would finally be recognised as myself, for my own deeds, not for something I hardly remembered. And what I feared, more than anything, was to give away the control I had finally gained over my own life. But they forced me to. First Dumbledore, although I did not know back then about his plans, then other students, other teachers, and last year even the Ministry."
Marvolo gave him a compassionate look. "I'm sorry Harry. I had not wanted to give you the impression I was using you for my own gains. I am not. Even if you turned your back to this all, to the war, I would be content to have you with me as nothing but a lover, instead of also an ally. I admit I may have been too pushy, too fast… I understand if you want to abort the mission-"
"No." Harry interrupted him. "No, that's not what it's about. I know that I completely agree with your plans for this world, and I'll try to do anything I can to help you. But please, tell me why I do something before you ask me to do it."
"Of course love. So, the memories... It is actually not some great evil plan or something. I merely want to to find out how much Dumbledore knows about everything."
"Everything being..?"
"My plans, the possibility of you being on my side, my immortality…Especially my immortality. And perhaps I can find some blackmail on Dumbledore as well. I know he has done nasty things he doesn't want others to know of. If he goes around Obliviating students just because they're concerned for the wellbeing of his 'weapon' I can only imagine what other things he might have done. And also… I know how much you love your godfather, and that his rejection really hurt you during summer. He firmly believes in the light, but I can't help but wonder how he ended up in Azkaban without a trial. Sure, it was the norm back then, but if Dumbledore knew of the secret keeper being switched to Peter, he could have easily protected Sirius."
Speechless, Harry merely hugged Marvolo tightly again. "I'm sorry." he whispered. "For doubting you, I'm so..."
A finger on his lips hushed him. "Don't mention it, my love. I'm to blame as well."
The words didn't make Harry feel much better, but he nodded. "I wish my magic was back again. The initial feeling of it missing has faded somewhat but… it's hard to think straight. I never thought I'd say this but, I also miss the thought of you constantly being in my mind."
Lips were pressed against his cheekbone, and Harry smiled, letting his head rest against a hard shoulder. "It will be back soon, love… and you might regret those words later."
Harry rolled his eyes and curled up to Marvolo again. " But before, you said that what you would find might mean that you would have to kill Dumbledore even though you'd rather not... What information exactly could have you make such a decision?"
"My Horcruxes. I need time for this war, Harry. If Dumbledore knows about my Horcruxes and goes hunting for them, I would have to give that priority even while already waging a war. I can't do that. If he more then has a vague idea about the reason I am immortal, then I will have to kill him before the war starts."
"I understand… Thank you, for telling me all this."
"I should have told you sooner." Marvolo said on a somber tone.
Instead of answering, Harry merely hugged him.
The man rolled his shoulders, which hurt after a day of hard work, and he turned to peer at the dark forest that surrounded three-quarters of their camp. Someone called his name, but he ignored it, waiting for movement, a sign of life, a sign of…
He smirked when a roaring flame was hurled towards him, carefully aimed to avoid the dry wood of the trees. He jumped to the left, ducked and rolled over the grass, laughing. A giant, dark sapphire dragon approached him and looked at him with scorn.
"Yes yes, I know boy, I should have seen you sooner." he snickered. "You're getting rather good at hiding these days though, despite your size…
"Charlie!"
Charlie rolled his eyes and barked back: "What?" to the men sitting around the campfire.
"Stop playin 'round with the damned beast! Put it in its cage!"
The redhead gritted his teeth and sneered at the others before turning to face the dragon once more.
"This one doesn't belong in a cage Rick, and you know it!"
He didn't wait for a reply and stroked the shimmering scales, resting his head against the flank of the mighty creature. With small, slow gestures of his his hand he tried to tell it what he wanted, and after repeating the series of movement a second time, he finally got a reply in the form of a stubborn stamp on the ground. Charlie sighed. "It's not up to me to decide boy, you know I would let you fly free if it was…"
The dragon curled its back like an angry cat, causing the spikes on it to gleam dangerously in the light, but finally, the creature resented and went to the large cages on the other side of the field. The man stared at those, his heart clenching at the sight of the defeated dragons. Of course, he knew it was better for them to live here… If Muggles would see them they would be killed on the spot.
Follow your heart, Dragon Heart…
He shook his head when remembering the words of the Elder Centaur. If he would heed that advice, he might very well lead those dragons to their deaths, including his beloved Xaphia. Could he risk such a thing?
"Charlie, you coming?" one of the men shouted. He turned on his heel to go to the fire, but something, an uneasy feeling, stopped him, and he looked back to the trees. His heart sank when he saw another of those damned horse-men.
Can't they just leave a man alone?
Sighing, he headed towards the Centaur, who galloped away before Charlie could speak to him. He shrugged. He knew where to go anyways.
After a long trek through the forest, he finally found the caves where the Centaurs resided and grimaced at the hostile glares directed his way. As if he wanted to be here.
"Ah, Dragon Heart… Welcome. I'm glad that you did not resist the call of your Fate."
Screw Fate.
"Chief." he grumbled, bowing his head slightly. "Why did you call?"
"I saw war… war in your head, war in your heart. Why do you struggle so much when your path is clear?"
"Because it's not!" he exclaimed, raising his head to look at the silver-haired centaur. "How can I follow my heart when it could lead to the deaths of my friends? The death of…" he choked and shut the thought out of his mind. He could not even think of it. The Elder Centaur sighed and walked towards him, his hooves sounding dull, muted by the tapestry of fallen leaves. Charlie looked at him, and the Centaur studied his worn face, the bags under his eyes, and the patches of burn scars on his skin. "Please…" Charlie whispered softly. "For once, could you give me clear advice?"
"Come with me." The horse-man turned and slowly went into one of the caves, followed by a wary Charlie.
The cave was large, and very different than the man had expected. It looked more like another part of the forest than a real cave. Sunlight was filtered through the leaves that almost wholly covered a large opening in the ceiling, and green moss and shrubbery obscured the stone walls. To the left side, large stacks of dried grass lay on the ground and a small stream stubbornly made its way through the nearly horizontal floor of the cave.
The Centaur gestured for him to sit down on a fallen tree trunk, so he did, making himself as comfortable as possible. He watched in fascination as the other sank down gracefully on the floor and started to make a fire. He wanted to say something, but the Centaur raised a hand to silence him, took some herbs from clay pots and threw them in the fire. Blue flames flared, hungrily licking the floor and stone around it, but nothing caught fire. After a few moments of being exposed to the blue light, he grew dizzy, and covered his eyes, but the blue light still seeped through it. He saw flashes of something, and voices boomed in his ears, resonating through his body. He tried to gasp for air, but felt like he was drowning within himself, in the voices swirling around and in him.
He opened his eyes, breathing in deep, and his eyes had to focus a few seconds before adjusting to the dark cave. The bright fire had long died down, and there were only embers left. Charlie groaned and rolled to his side.
"You know what to do now, Dragon Heart?"
The man groaned again and flicked his eyes up to glare at the Elder Centaur, who looked as composed as he'd been hours ago. "Yes." he finally admitted. "A warning would have been nice."
A faint smile was his only answer as he rose and brushed the dirt off his shoulders. With an unsteady pace, he wobbled back to the entrance, leaving without a word.
"Ah, Xaphia, my love…" he mumbled when he was outside again, and he looked at the moon of which the silver light was so bright that it could not be blocked by the trees. "It's time to dance once more…"
Harry slumped down on a couch at the far end of the library, looking pensively at the books he had selected, letting his fingers drift over the faded titles. Finally, he just decided to take the top one and cracked it open, searching for something more interesting than the introduction on the index page.
"Presence of magic…" he mumbled, frowning, and searched the page.
Chapter 3: Presence of magic
As mentioned in chapter 2, magic is not an essential part of the body, and, in a way, not even a part of it at all, as it works as a separate force. Magic, which flows through the Sianelu system of a magical person, never merges with other parts of the body unless it is forced to do so. This does, however, not mean that magic is separate from the wizard, just as the soul is not. Indeed, the presence of Magic can be compared with the presence of the soul, although magic is, other than the soul, detectable. –with exception, of course, of the result of the first legal use of an Unforgivable in 1103ad.-
"Legal?" Harry muttered, frowning. He thought the author of the book was making quite some assumptions as to the knowledge of the reader about the subject he spoke of.
Theories that wizards would not be able to live when losing their magic has long been rejected. While the mind might not be able to fully heal, physically, magic is not needed to sustain the body, and thus being cut off one's magic would not affect the physical state of one.
Oddly enough, while magic can be detected through magic, there has not yet been found evidence for its existence in the human DNA. There is also other evidence that magic is not (per se) a genetic trait. There are Witches and wizards who have no traceable magical ancestors, and inbreeding does not affect the power of one's magic. While many magicians would like to deny the following statement, it is also proven that blood purity has nothing to do with the strength of one's magic. While not equal in knowledge, the average Muggleborn is not magically weaker than the average Pureblooded wizard.
The only way to detect the magic of another person is by sensing it with your own. 'Magical tracing' spells, in fact, form a connection between your own magic and the magic of the person you wish to trace, rendering you able for a short period of time to feel one's magic stronger than normally for an extended period of time. It is not the spell that traces that person, it merely heightens your own, already present, ability to do so.
"What are you reading?" Harry looked up, facing a curious-looking Hermione.
"Theories on the workings of magic." Harry answered her. "The presence of Magic, currently. It's quite interesting."
"Oh, that one." Hermione said, and Harry really wasn't surprised that she had read it.
"Moine, do you know what the author means with 'The first legal use of the Unforgivables?"
The girl frowned, as if thinking of a rather unpleasant memory. "No." she answered curtly. "I tried to find more information about it as well, but the books on Unforgivables are in the restricted section, and I felt… compelled to never go there…"
Nodding in understanding, Harry sighed. "Pity. I'll ask Marvolo, he'll surely know."
"You think?"
Harry gave her an incredulous look. "Moine, he knows everything. That man is way too brilliant."
"Why thank you." An amused, haughty voice sounded, and Harry flushed, turning around to face Marvolo, who had taken on his disguise as Thanos. "And yes, I do know about that particular information."
"Is no-one going to be suspicious if you constantly prance through the castle?" Harry asked, irritated.
"Your teachers know about your escapades out of the castle, and are thus aware that it is quite easy for me to sneak in as well. And whatever would I, the nice owner of the local apothecary, possibly have up my sleeve?"
Harry rolled his eyes, sighing deeply as he wrapped his arms around the man's torso. "Bloody arrogant bastard." He muttered.
"So, how have you been faring?" His lover asked on a serious tone.
"I'll cope." He replied, a wry smile on his face. "I decided to use the time to delve deeper into some things you've told me about. So, what is this about 'legal use of an Unforgivable'? Did someone have permission to use the Imperius curse or something?"
"Ah, no, no. The event which is mentioned was in 1103ad, when there were other curses who were deemed Unforgivable than now. And just a little fact, the Cruciatus curse was not illegal back then, nor were the Imperius curse, or even the Killing curse. Those were only made unforgivable in 1717. Instead, there were two other curses which were unforgivable, or rather, two branches of magic. The most severe of the two was magic which would affect other generations, and the other was time-magic, which is, as you undoubtedly know, still frowned upon but certainly not Unforgivable anymore.
During this time, however, there had come a group of people into power that hunted down families with new-born babes, and decided whether they were magical or not. If this was the case, the children were taken from their parents and trained to become part of a 'holy' army to fight against heretics. That was when Arglwydd Seren, a rather eccentric wizard, entered the scene. He was part of a rebellion group who fought against the enslavement of the children. During his life, however, he had never paid heed to rules, merely learning and practicing whatever magic he found, thus also magic deemed Unforgivable during that time.
He promised the rebellion group that he would stop it all, but that he himself would decide how, and he made them promise that no punishment would follow his actions if he had to break the law for it. And so, he created a spell, which, sadly, cost him his own life in the end. He bound his magic to the earth, giving it the purpose to conceal and suppress the magic of children younger than six years old. Through a mistake in his spell work, magic is indeed not tangible in children, but it depends on the strength of one's magic how long they are protected, and magicians with very, very weak magic can never use their magic, thus remaining Squibs for the rest of their life, even if they are no full Squibs."
"So to summarise that, once magical power grows beyond a certain level, the protection is broken?" Hermione thoughtfully said,
"Yes. And, as this affected later generations, the magic fell into the category of Unforgivable magic."
"But the rebellion won?" Harry asked.
"Indeed, and, in honour of Seren's death, his work was declared as legal, thus being the first recorded case of legal use of an Unforgivable."
"But… is that why children cannot use their magic until they're about five?"
"Yes, and the aftereffects are the accidental outbursts of magic that follow because it has been suppressed for such a long time. However, it is better than slavery…"
"How powerful was Seren then? If it affects children even now…"
"Magic bound to earth does not fade. It is like a spirit, who still wanders this earth after centuries, no weaker or stronger than before. There is, of course, a limit to its reach. When travelling the world, the thing that amazed me most of all was the control children had over their magic at ages of two or three… it is because their magic was never concealed. There have been cases though, when there as well, toddlers were rounded up and trained as soldiers."
"Has no-one tried to repeat Seren's spell then?"
"Several, and some have succeeded. In West-Europe, Northern America… Russia… It is why magical schools are so important there as well. Children cannot learn it during their early childhood and have to be educated afterwards."
"I never knew…" Hermione suddenly mumbled, appearing shocked.
"I'm sure you would have if Dumbledore hadn't influenced your mind" Harry tried to soothe the girl. "It kept you away from any subjects you thought were dark… including anything about Unforgivables but the basic information, surely."
"No talking!" A sharp voice suddenly said, and the three of them looked up at Madame Pince, Marvolo sneering. Harry saw him finger his wand for a moment, but stopped him by touching his arm, shooting him a warning look. With another glare at the woman, he huffed and turned around, followed by Harry and Hermione.
"And what about this thing about magic not being genetic?" Hermione asked when they were out of the library.
"It isn't. It is not known how exactly wizards and witches are 'chosen' by magic, but it is indeed not genetic."
"But," Harry objected, "The children of witches and wizards are nearly always magical themselves."
"Indeed, but not necessarily. And children of Muggles who have never come into contact with magic can be magical… It is still a mystery how it happens, but my theory is that someone needs to have a certain compatibility with magic for it to settle. The chances that a child of two magical beings is compatible with magic themselves is pretty high. It would also explain why some families are very good at healing, or dark curses, or other areas of magic. Compatibility…"
"That would make sense…" Hermione said, frowning. "When I found out I was a witch, I tried finding out if I had magical ancestors, but found none… Therefore, I also concluded that it could not be a genetic trait. However, shouldn't it mean that I am 'not compatible' with magic, like my parents?"
"No. Muggleborns are born for the same reason Squibs are. You have half of your father's genes and half of your mother's, but that does not mean you are exactly like them. There are parts you might not have inherited that not suited well with magic."
"Trying to dissect magic?" A humoured, haughty voice asked, and they turned, seeing an arrogant-looking boy. "Fools. Magic is, why should you question it? It is just a tool."
"And who are you?" Harry rudely asked, narrowing his eyes at the other.
"Zacharias Smith.
"Well, Mr Smith." Marvolo said on an icy tone that made the boy falter for a moment. "I certainly have no idea why you would be granted magic, but you have it, and should try to use it with a bit more respect."
"Respect? For what? It's mine! Oh, why did I even bother speaking to you...If you're associating with that liar of a Potter, then you're a lost case either way. Good day."
Before Harry could stop Marvolo, a white wand was out and a Cruciatus curse followed a quickly thrown silencing spell. Smith fell to the ground, his mouth opened in a silent scream. Perfectly composed, Marvolo sauntered over to the boy he was torturing and kneeled down, lifting the spell, waiting till the child's eyes focused on his face.
"You will never call him a liar again, understood?"
With an ashen face, Smith nodded, tears leaking from his eyes.
"Good. I'm glad that we understand each other."
"Who are you?" Smith asked with a quivering voice after the silencing spell was lifted.
"Thanos du Fuga."
Baffled, the boy looked up to him. "The owner of the apothecary in Hogsmeade? But… why... how…"
Another chilly glare shut him up. "Nevermind the why and how… and you will, of course, not speak of anything that happened here. Or else, you'll face consequences far more painful than that." Marvolo stalked back to Harry and Hermione, the latter looking as white as the tortured boy.
Harry latched onto his arm when Smith had turned and fled, and looked up, worried. "How are you so sure he won't immediately run to Dumbledore or another teacher?"
"Compulsion charm combined with an irrational fear of what would happen if he would go against my word."
"Not that irrational." Hermione muttered, ducking her head quickly when now crimson eyes flicked to her face. "I just meant to say, my Lord…" she hesitated and looked up in fear, stiffening when he shot her a cruel grin, his white teeth flashing.
"Indeed… not that irrational. Now, Harry, as you know, I have to leave for a few days…" Harry's face fell, but he nodded reluctantly. "You will most likely have your magic back by then, and are ready to get those memories. Have you already found a way to deal with the phoenix?"
"Yes, I have." Harry nodded. "And when I have my magic again I will try to learn that freezing spell as soon as possible. Eyolf already agreed to teach me for a whole day, so I'm sure I will be able to execute it by the time his lesson is over. I already practiced it a lot, after all. He said that, even though it did not work before because of my inability to cast the spell, I would most likely be able to pick it up very soon now."
"Good. Don't try breaking into Dumbledore's office before I'm back, you understand? If something goes wrong…"
"I won't."
"Well then… good luck. I'll take my leave now."
"Now? Already? I thought you would leave in the evening!"
"Rosier informed me there was some commotion in the ranks… I want to know what that's about as soon as possible, so yes, I'll leave immediately."
"Be safe." Harry said, and got an incredulous look in return.
"Of course I'll be safe. They're my subordinates."
The teen merely shrugged and hugged the man tightly, pressing his head against a cold chest. "Still… just, be safe."
"I promise. Goodbye, my love."
He leaned forward, briefly capturing Harry's lips before pulling away and turning around, marching through the long corridor. Harry smiled, wondering if Snape had learnt the whole cloak-billowing thing from the Dark Lord…
"Well Mione, shall we go back to Gryffindor tower?"
"Actually, I still have a lesson. Arithmacy. I have to go now."
"Ah, right… I still need to catch up on my potions homework… that git really wants to kill us with it, it seems."
"Harry! He's still a professor!"
"And my subordinate." Harry whispered with a devilish smile, laughing when it was met with a roll of the girl's eyes.
For those of you who are interested to know: The information about 1717 being the year the Imperius, Cruciatus and Killing curse were made Unforgivable is canon.
Read and Review!
xx GeMerope
