Re-Edited and Re-Posted on December 18, 2012.

Author: HatefulRodeo

Story: Harbinger

Notes: I have no clue where I'm going with this but I'm trying to keep it as believable as possible. Sorry, I just don't think Voldemort would accept Harry's sincerity and desire to join his side so easily; so we will be dealing with that. Enough babbling! Onward we go with the story... Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing and I make absolutely no money from this fic. J.K.R. owns all rights to Harry Potter. *Sniffles*

Previously:

The Dark Lord dismissed them and made his way to his study to review what he had seen in Harry's mind; the abuse and hate Harry had suffered was so reminiscent of his own childhood. Sitting his skeletally thin body down Voldemort waded through his troubling thoughts.

Nagini slithered over, making her up the large wingback chair and around her master's bony shoulders; she sensed her master's distress and offered Dark Lord smiled slightly, caressing his familiar's large scaly head, and lost himself to the dark thoughts of his own childhood.

~~~~~~~********Chapter 3********~~~~~~~

The Dark Lord glanced up from his paperwork to see the elf from two nights ago nervously fidgeting in front of him; losing his patience he waved an impatient hand, silently telling the terrified creature to get on with it.

"Master Dark Lord, sir. Please forgive Tempy for the interruption but the boy is dressed and bathed. Tempy is telling you like you asks him to Master Dark Lord, sir." Voldemort had to stop from smirking at the little creature's fear; it really was delightful to watch it squirm under his blood red gaze.

"Thank you, Tempy, you may go." The elf bowed low before disappearing with a pop, leaving the Dark Lord to collect his thought on how he was going to go about this meeting with Harry.

Two days had passed since the sickly boy had appeared into his meeting room. Since that time Voldemort had come to some tentative plans to gauge Harry's sincerity on his want to join his ranks. Was the Golden-Boy really ready to follow through with some of the things he would be asked to do?

Even if he was asked to face down his former allies in a battle? Would the Gryffindor be ready to kill them without a second thought if it was necessary? The Dark Lord knew from looking into Harry's mind that the boy believed he was but Voldemort also knew the boy was unstable at the moment, he was not thinking clearly.

Make no mistake he could really care less about the boy's mental health. For Morgana's sake Bellatrix was one of the most trusted followers he had and she had an absolutely long overdue stay in Bedlam coming.

What he really needed to know was if Harry could follow through with the orders given, not feel overwhelmed with guilt, and want turn back to the Light Dark Lord didn't want fair-weather followers in his ranks; if you joined it was for life and with you knowing fully well what you are committing to.

A weak willed follower is unreliable and a liability the Dark could not afford at this time. They had enough enemies and issues coming from external sources. Voldemort really didn't need an issues rising internally from traitors and backstabbers.

That was why their numbers were so small. It was not from lack of people wanting to follow the Dark Lord's true goals and plans but because Voldemort wasn't going to take just anyone into his ranks. When the Dark Lord accepted you into his ranks it was almost as if you joined a sort of family; dysfunctional as it was but a family all the same.

However, Voldemort knew the value of alliances and several of his Ministry spies were considered allies but not loyal Death Eaters. They worked together toward their mutual goals and of course these unmarked witches and wizards were bound by secrecy oaths or contracts.

Not even Veritaserum or torture could get his people to talk; marked or unmarked. His people were loyal but anyone could break under enough torture and pain. The result of someone cracking, and spilling their guts, would be disastrous for the Dark's cause but the Light very rarely caught any live Death Eaters; it seemed that his followers would rather kill themselves than be captured.

Evan Rosier had turned his wand on himself before Mad-Eye Moody and his Auror comrades could take him in for questioning. The only reason Evan's death happened was due to the fact that he was caught alone. If the man was with another Death Eater, or ally of the Dark Lord, they would have done everything to ensure Evan's safety but alas that was not what happened. It was very regretable, indeed. Rosier was a magical powerhouse and as cunning as they come.

The crimson eyed man knew they were ruthless toward their enemies, but many would be surprised that the Dark Lord did not support abondonment. It was the mission leaders responsibility to make sure everyone made it back.

The only reason Voldemort accepted for some of his people not returning was death. If he found out anyone left another comrade behind when they could have brought them back he would punish them harshly for their cowardice. They did not have a high number of people to use and every loss was felt acutely.

When you joined the Dark you joined knowing full well what was excepted. When you agreed to serve him you agreed to do whatever it took to ensure a mission was successful and everyone made it back alive.

That was why Bellatrix was on his shit list; she had gone against orders, acted in a manner that caused the situation at the DOM to spiral out of control and causing the prophecy to be lost to them.

Lucius was the team leader that night and though the blonde failed his task the Dark Lord punished him lightly. Voldemort knew how hard controlling Bellatrix could be when she became crazed and blood thirsty. The crimson eyed man took some of the blame for the failure on himself. He should have known Bella wouldn't be able to control her baser urges.

Sighing, he stood, slipped on his outer black robe and began his trek to Harry's bedroom. Several Death Eaters were congregating, chatting in the many alcoves and sitting areas in the main living room; the Dark Lord acknowledged them with a nod as he made his way past the open doors.

His Death Eaters bowed to their Lord in respect and silenced themselves until he passed them by. Smirking at their obedience Voldemort continued until he came to his wing and a single dark wood door.

Knocking soundly the Dark Lord waited to be allowed entrance. Yes, the boy was in his headquarters and under his care but from what he had seen in Harry's mind the boy never had much privacy, or a true room, of his own. He could relate to that from his own horrid time at the orphanage and respected Harry's privacy enough to knock.

Voldemort knew if Harry was to join the Dark he would have to shatter some very twisted misconceptions of how he operated, and interacted, with his followers, plans and goals.

Hearing a soft call of "Come in" the Dark Lord entered and surveyed a recuperating Harry sitting in, and being almost completely swallowed up by, the large plush chair by the crackling fire. Yes, it was summer time but Voldemort knew Malfoy Manor could be a bit drafty at times.

Plus with Harry's obvious lack of fat, muscle and overall conditioning, was probably not helping him retain heat. Voldemort continued his perusal of the boy in front of him; Harry looked a bit healthier than two days ago. The color was beginning to return to his skin; the boy would always be pale, but now his skin was beginning to be tinged with a rosy flush.

Those brilliant emerald eyes were clearer, becoming sharper, behind the thick glasses. Harry's shoulder length hair was still wild but it no longer looked like a greasy lank mess after his scrub down. Who knew a bath could do so much for a person?

Harry stood a bit shakily, bowing lowly to the Dark Lord, and murmured a polite greeting. Voldemort waved him back to his chair, knowing the boy was still weak from his almost month long ordeal with his family. Making his way to the chair opposite Harry the taller man sat down gracefully and cast probing eyes onto his newest perspective recruit.

"So you want to truly join my side, Harry? I know you dislike Dumbledore and his lackeys but are you really ready to actively work against them, possibly torture them, even murder them if I order it of you?"

"Think very carefully, Harry. While I do not torture my followers as you have been led to believe punishments are doled out for failure to complete their assigned missions. The punishments are varied, depending on the severity of the failure in question, but I feel you should be informed of what I expect from you if I allow you to join me and mine."

Harry looked a bit taken aback by the Dark Lord's words and then fear crept in; "You're not going to let me join? But I thought you wanted me, you allowed me to stay here, fed me, and healed me. Why would you do that if I wasn't accepted into your ranks?"

Voldemort saw the confusion and rising panic in the boy's wide eyes and spoke firmly and slowly; "I allowed you to stay here, fed, and healed you because you were subjected to something no person should have to face; especially at the hands of those who should have held them."

"I would be lying if I said you actively fighting against the Order and Dumbledore isn't appealing to me but I want you to think before making this decision. If you have second thoughts about your place amongst the Death Eaters and betray me the punishment is death. That is a serious thing, Harry, not to be taken lightly."

"But what of what I said before; are you willing to slash you wand and cast the killing curse. Are you willing to watch that green flash of light slam into your enemies body and the light forever leave their eyes as they fall dead to the floor? Are you ready to do that?"

"Right now you are emotionally unstable. Before you try to deny it know that I will know you are lying to me, and to yourself, so save your words. For right now I will be satisfied if you took an oath swearing your loyalty to me. The oath will state that you will not interfere in, or disrupt, any current plans or plans made in the future by myself or my Death Eaters when we carry them out."

"Would that be agreeable to you at this time while you figure out your decision in regards to joining my ranks?" Harry looked away, staring directly into the fire's writhing flames, deep in thought, before turning back and looking into Voldemort's eternally guarded red eyes.

"I can accept that for right now while I work through what I really want. Yes, joining you was a great way to get back at Dumbledore and his flunkies. I know I'm okay with fighting and injuring them in battle but the thought of killing them I'm not sure on."

"You're right, as much as I hate to admit it, I am unstable right now. Sometimes I want to rip their throats out with my bear hands. Other times I'm just apathetic and can't muster the strength to care. But I will take your oath of loyalty to show that while I may not be ready to join the Death Eaters you and your people are no longer my enemy and I have no wish to impede your plans or goals."

"If you ever require anything like information from me or I can be of any help please let me know. You've been kind to me and I would like to repay that kindness. That I'm grateful to you for your care should show you the depravity, and neglect, I suffered at the hands of my former family, mentors, and friends."

"I mean shouldn't the Light have been the ones to take me in and ensure my health and safety? It is a sad day when the man who has courted my death since I was fifteen months old is the only person to show a lick of care, or worry, for me. None-the-less I'm thankful to you and in your debt."

Harry stopped his verbal rambling and looked a bit sheepishly at the thoughtful looking Dark Lord in front of him. Really, the little Lion was just too damn good for this world. The Dark Lord knew what Harry had been through and the fact that the boy still retained some qualms about killing, and death, showed Voldemort how pure Harry's soul still was.

It infuriated the Dark Lord tremendously. How could the bastards on the Light side have left this boy at the not so tender mercies of his muggle family? How could they have known the treatment he was being subjected to and not stepped in to save the one capable of saving them all from Voldemort's rule?

It seemed Dumbledore hadn't learned anything from his past mistakes. The Dark Lord still remembered pleading with Dumbledore to allow him to stay at Hogwarts over the summer and the at-the-time Transfiguration teacher just smiled and told him that, and he quotes; "It couldn't be as bad as Tom was making it out to be."

The old fool even approached Headmaster Dippet and told the man that Tom was just exaggerating his situation so he didn't have to go back to the orphanage. The then teen aged Dark Lord was furious when he went to appeal to the old Headmaster to let him stay and had been turned away as a lying, attention seeking, child.

The hell he was! If Voldemort, or Tom as he went by back in his school days, hadn't begun to strike back at his tormentors when he was younger in the cruelest ways he could he would have been beaten to death. Yes, the workers and other orphans had stayed away from him in fear after he began to frighten them. They constantly mumbled under their breaths that he was the devil but they stayed away from him.

Voldemort couldn't bring himself to care when he was at the orphanage, or even now; he was safe and that was what mattered to him. He was after all the Lord of Slytherin so the skill of self-preservation was deeply ingrained in his psyche and nature. It was simple strike, or kill, them before they can strike, or kill, you. Survival by any means necessary was how he lived his life and still did to a point.

He scoffed at his memories; those miserable muggle worms had the nerve to call him evil and a devil but they had created him with their cruelty and abuse. Voldemort was born out of their hatred and abhorrence, thrived and fed on their fears and terror.

Those muggles created him with their own disgusting hands, created their worst fear and nightmare, and Voldemort wasn't one to disappoint them. But the simple fact that Harry hadn't turned into what he had become, wasn't willing to let himself fall completely into darkness, was surprising to the jaded Dark Lord.

He felt himself softening just a touch towards the wayward Lion in front of him. Harry was so much like him, yet so different. Maybe the Dark Lord could help the boy; teach him, care for Harry in his own detached way, let the boy embrace his talents and powers without fear of punishment or unwanted negative attention.

But he would wait to tell the little Lion about his plans until later. The boy had enough on his mind already.

Voldemort was a little taken aback by this wish to help Harry. But maybe he wasn't just doing this just for Harry. Maybe he was doing it for the boy he, himself, had never gotten the chance to be. No one could ever accuse Voldemort of being stupid and he knew better than to lie to himself; it seemed Harry had somehow wormed his way into the Dark Lord's black heart.

But then again the Dark Lord always found a way for the plan to benefit him. While he was training Harry he would be endearing himself to the sixteen year old wizard, forging a bond with the other that would make Harry even less likely to turn his back on Voldemort. Factor in the oath and Harry would be completely and irreversibly loyal to Voldemort and the Dark.

He really loved it when his plans came to fruition so beautifully! He refocused on Harry once again; "Harry, you will hold you wand in your hand and repeat after me, alright." Seeing Harry summoning his wand, and doing as Voldemort asked, he continued speaking; "I, Harry James Potter, do swear my allegiance and loyalty to the Dark Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Marvolo Riddle, and by extension his Death Eaters and any others working toward the Dark Lord's goals."

"I, Harry James Potter, will not interfere or impede the Dark Lord, or his followers, in their plans, tasks and missions. Violation of this oath will result in immediate death. As I have spoken so mote it be." The Dark Lord finished speaking and glanced to Harry who had a look of determination and resolve on his still haggard face and repeated in a rough voice everything the Dark Lord had spoken.

A white stream of light connected the two of them before splitting and slamming back into their bodies. Both men shifted as the oath now settled in their magical cores. The Dark Lord smiled slightly; "Thank you, Harry. You have proven yourself to me by doing this but the oath was not just for my protection but for yours."

"Should you ever be captured it prevents anyone from obtaining any information you know. Even Veritaserum will be useless against the oath. However, I have things to attend to so I shall leave you to your rest. If you need books, parchment, or anything else call for Tempy and he will see to your needs."

"I must ask one more thing of you; do not leave this room. The Inner Circle knows you are here but the other lower ranked Death Eaters do not. They will undoubtedly try to injure you if they see you wandering Malfoy Manor. Can you do that Harry?"

The young man nodded his agreement to the Dark Lord's request before expressing his gratitude again to the the elder male, who waved him off once again. He was a monster but not the mindless killer Dumbledore liked to claim he was. Finally, hurting Harry, who had the potential to help him win this war, would be completely stupid and short sighted.

Voldemort excused himself from the room, closing the door and warding it excessively to deter anyone from getting in and a rebellious lion from getting out. Walking back to his office he lost himself to his musings, not even acknowledging the people who greeted him.

No one took offense to the Dark Lord ignoring their greeting; they knew what their Lord was like when he got to thinking or plotting. Continuing on Voldemort thought about how much he had changed since his rebirth in the graveyard at Little Hangleton.

When he had first regenerated and emerged from the cauldron he had been disoriented. He was almost half out of his mind from the pain he had just endured. Needless to say Harry's first impression of him, not counting his first year, wasn't flattering and probably played into Dumbledore's accusations that Voldemort was insane and cruel.

Sighing, the man pushed those thoughts away. Harry's misconceptions, and delusions, would have to be remedied in the very near future. The boy needed to know what the Dark Lord and his side were truly working toward, what their real goals were, and how they went about achieving them.

Resigning himself to reading and completing more paperwork, but looking forward to explaining his side to Harry tomorrow, Voldemort sat in the comfortable chair behind his large desk and began reviewing the reports submitted by his spies. Merlin couldn't Dumbledore just keel over and just be done with it! That would make things so much easier for them all. If only life was that easy...

Well that's Chapter Three. I hope you enjoyed the crazy ride this story is becoming as the plot bunny takes me deeper down the rabbit hole!

Next chapter will be in Harry's POV; I'm trying to vary my style depending on whose POV I'm writing in. I wanted to do this since I believe Voldemort & Harry have very different minds, speech and mannerisms.

Oh and Harry will not be super sly and hiding his intelligence, but his tendency to rush forward into conflict will be relaxed. Basically a more Slytherin Harry will emerge.

They will both be a bit OOC. I will try and keep Harry as sweet & lovable as always. While Voldemort will still be the sadistic despot we all know & love.