Re-Edited and Re-Posted on December 18, 2012.
Author: HatefulRodeo
Story: Harbinger
Notes: Harry's POV; this chapter is mostly background since I never really explained why Harry turned his back on his friends. Anywho hope you enjoy it.
FLASHBACKS APPEAR LIKE; THIS
Disclaimer: I own nothing and I make absolutely no money from this fic. J.K.R. owns all rights to Harry Potter. *Sniffles*
Previously:
Even through the slight disappointment he was feeling the ex-Gryffindor felt lighter inside. He had just made another choice for himself again and it felt good, better than good, it felt great! Finally he was living his life for himself; yes he had sworn his loyalty to the Dark Lord but he wouldn't be forced to do anything more than that.
It was an odd unknown feeling of freedom; he let it bubble within his chest while smiling like a loon. His life wasn't perfect yet, but it was getting better and for that he was thankful. Rising from his chair he made it back to the queen sized soft bed and laid down under the thick blankets.
Feeling sleep creeping into his tired body one fleeting thought crept into his mind; tomorrow he would tell the Dark Lord the entirety of the prophecy.
~~~~~~~~************Chapter 5***********~~~~~~~~~~
The tantalizing smell of food hit his nose with the force of a sledgehammer, turning in the direction the delicious scents were coming from; he cracked his sleep hazed emerald eyes open, taking in the sight of a large breakfast being kept under a warming charm.
Harry would really need to thank Tempy for this; the elf really was wonderful. Sitting up rather lazily, he picked up the trey and balanced it on his knees. Everything looked absolutely wonderful to the ravenous ex-Gryffindor. But if the rising sun was anything to go by he had slept since yesterday afternoon.
Eating the food slowly, savoring every bit of it, he let his rapidly calming mind wander; reassessing his situation and what had changed in his life. He had run away from his family after he finally cracked under the abuse and made it to Malfoy Manor.
Thinking on it now when he was in a rational mind; a mind not hazed by hunger, pain, and the beginnings of madness, Harry realized just how odd it was that he had apparated directly into the Dark Lord's meeting room at Malfoy Manor. Surely there were wards or other protections to keep unwanted people out. That was something to ask Voldemort about or maybe Lucius would be better.
Filing his questions away to ask later the teen moved onto the next shift in his life and loyalties; he had abandoned the Light, well they had abandoned him first when they left him with the savage beasts they called his family. But that was another can of flobberworms that he didn't want to deal with just yet.
Sighing Harry refocused his mind; he had abandoned the Light, turning his back on his former allies and would possibly begin to work against them and their plans. He felt no remorse or second thoughts in deciding to leave the Light.
Why would he feel sadness? Some would ask if he would miss his friends or maybe Remus Lupin but he could answer them quite easily. What friends? What about Remus? He wasn't sure when Ron began to actively work with the Headmaster and not just listening to the old coot's suggestions.
Maybe it was from the beginning or maybe he joined the Headmaster in his manipulations at the end of second year like Hermione had? Harry was sure about Hermione; what he overheard between Ginny and the mudblood was enough to not leave any doubts in his mind on where Ron, Hermione and Ginny stood. They stood on a pedestal of lies with Dumbledore, looking down on Harry as he suffered alone and in pain.
Ginny was another mess in itself. The green eyed male told the little bitch that he cared for her as a sister but she just wouldn't accept it. Ginny or Ginevra kept telling him he just needed time to figure himself out. No, Harry had himself figured out in regards to his sexual desires and they did NOT revolve around soft breasts or in between a woman's smooth legs and slick folds.
No, Harry preferred tall, strong, lean and above all else a cock in between their legs. So unless Ginevra was hiding a very big secret between her legs Harry had no interest in her in any sexual way. That was before he uncovered the deceit from the three traitors. Now he'd rather watch Ginny burn than help her.
As for Remus well that was another simple answer; why should he care the man who had never cared to come and check on him for twelve years! What was his excuse? Dumbledore said he was fine and didn't need Remus to look in on him. He didn't understand that at all! If his best friends had a child and then his dear friend died Harry would want to make sure the child was well taken care of.
That wasn't his only problem; even if he could forgive Remus for ignoring him for twelve long years. How could he forgive the man for never standing up for him with Dumbledore? He had begged Remus at the end of third year not to let him go back to the Dursely's.
Harry told the werewolf that Dumbledore knew what his family was doing to him but didn't care and for a moment, one blessed moment, Harry had hope that someone would help him and take him away from his family.
Those hopes were dashed when Remus smiled before stating that he had absolute faith in the Headmaster. Remus went on to say that he had absolute faith in Dumbledore and knew the man would never knowingly let a child suffer at the hands of his family.
Harry had just stood there, staring at the man he was beginning to think of as a surrogate uncle, and felt the hot knife of betrayal stab through his heart. No one was ever loyal or trying to help him. Nope, they were always loyal to Dumbledore. Well the ex-savior didn't need them anymore, not when he had realized that most of them did not care for him, they only cared for what he could do for them.
Harry shifted the trey from his lap and placed it on the nightstand, where it was promptly taken back to the kitchen to be cleaned. The still healing teen then stood and made his way to the bathroom to get himself in order.
Coming out of the bathroom Harry noticed it was nearly 10:30am; how long had he been in there? Well he guessed it was the fact that he rarely had a bathroom to himself, to do as he pleased in without a time limit or rushing to get to class. Yet another step up in his life; sad that a bathroom that was solely his and he could use anytime was a step up for him.
Shaking his head, grimacing at the depressing thought, Harry began to dress himself in soft boxers, black linen pants, a cotton grey long sleeved shirt and an emerald outer robe. Glancing in the mirror he was slightly taken aback at his reflection; there he stood, clean and dressed in clothes that fit and he looked quite good.
Well not totally, these glasses would have to go seeing as the prescription was wrong and they kept sliding down his nose. Maybe the Dark Lord knew of a potion he could make to fix his sight? It was something to ask. His hair well it was still a bit untamed but maybe it would rest smoother if he continued to grow it out. It seemed the longer it was the more manageable it became.
Smiling in satisfaction at his decisions to improve his appearance, the green eyed male took in the overall condition of his still healing body. He still looked starved but it was getting better. His skin was almost back to its normal pale but rosy complexion and his cheeks didn't look as hollowed.
Judging these as promising signs that he getting better, stronger, Harry looked directly into his eyes and smiled a heartwarming smile when he saw his eyes were clear and shining with warmth behind his glasses. He couldn't remember when he had looked this happy?! But he was and he was grateful to Tempy and the Dark Lord for making this happen.
Perusal of his body done he moved to the large squashy armchair near the fire and called for his elf caretaker. Tempy popped in looking pleased; "Yes young master. What cans Tempy be doing for young master?"
He could not help but grin at the little creature; "Tempy call me Harry please and I would like a book on Dark Magic preferably a beginner's book if they have them here. Is that okay?"
"Yes young master Harry. We's has plenty of Dark Magic books for yous to read. Tempy be bringing some to you in a moment." Before he could stop the elf and let him know he just needed one Tempy was gone. Sighing and waiting for the enthusiastic elf's return he leaned back in his armchair and thought about the day he had his perceptions forever shattered.
It was after the fiasco at the DOM and he was walking through the halls late at night under his invisibility cloak. It was the night before the end of term and he couldn't sleep, his mind filled with too many disturbing thoughts. He had just lost his godfather, the only person who ever tried to protect him or help him.
Since his relatives found out at the end of third year that Sirius was his godfather and a murderer the Dursleys had treated him better during the summer after his fourth year. The beasts still ignored him, not allowing him much food, but the beatings had ceased.
True he had never told Sirius about the abuse at the hands of his family. Harry had become too jaded to trust anyone to help him at that point. He had tried to tell too many people about the treatment he suffered only to be ignored or called a liar.
But maybe he should have now that he thought about it. If he had maybe everything would have turned out differently; but it didn't matter now. He had just lost his last chance at knowing what a family was like. It hurt Harry to think that he would never see his godfather again but that was how it seemed to be for him. He got a few years with the one's he loved before they were taken from him.
Now with Sirius dead what was going to happen when he returned to Number Four Privet Drive? He knew if his relatives found out about Sirius' death there was nothing stopping them from starting to physically abuse him again.
That night at the DOM after the loss of Sirius Harry had lost it, became completely unhinged and attempted to cast the Cruciatus on Bellatrix Lestrange; it had not worked. Even in that he failed! He couldn't even summon up the hatred to properly punish the witch who killed his godfather?!
When his pathetic Crucio ended and he came back to himself he came face to face with the snakelike visage of Voldemort. They hadn't spoken; Voldemort just stared at him with veiled curiosity while Harry summoned all his courage and glared back.
The raven only looked away when he felt the pressure of the Dark Lord trying to enter his mind. That was something no one would be allowed to do again; too many secrets were inside him. Snape had come close to discovering some of his secrets but thankfully had never gotten further than the surface of his mindscape.
Harry kept his focus on the ridiculous fountain in the Ministry's atrium but never let his guard down; the Dark Lord could attack at any time and he would be a fool to give the crimson eyed man an easy opening. But nothing happened until they heard running and the floo's beginning to flare.
As quick as Voldemort and Bellatrix were there they were gone, disappearing with a flash of green flame into one of the vacant hearths. Dumbledore was there; of course the old bastard came too late to actually help, along with a sleepy, irritated looking Fudge.
Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you looked at it, the Minister had not seen Voldemort and scoffed when Dumbledore tried to tell the man that the Dark Lord had in fact been there. Harry watched as the pudgy useless man waddled away, cursing Dumbledore and his lies before disappearing into the elevators; no doubt to begin the paperwork dealing with the destruction inside the DOM.
Not only had Voldemort and Bellatrix escaped the Order but so had Rodulphus, Rabastan, Rookwood and Avery. Lucius Malfoy was there with the Aurors, summoned no doubt by Fudge, explaining what he had been doing there. The blonde even had papers to justify his presence inside the normally closed Department of Mysteries.
In the end the Aurors were forced to let the aristocrat go when the blonde became irate and requested to see Minister Fudge. Knowing they were beat the Aurors allowed Lucius to leave, a smug smile was plastered on the handsome face of the Malfoy Lord as he stepped into the floo.
It made Harry feel useless; not only had his foolishness lost him his last link to family but they hadn't even managed to apprehend anyone. All in all the night had been a complete and utter loss. To make matters worse it seemed his friends were distancing themselves from him, acting like he meant to get them hurt.
He hadn't he would never want to hurt his friends and they had chosen to come with him; the only ones still acting normally were Luna and Neville. He was grateful to them both; they were indeed odd but true in their friendship to him. Hermione, Ron and Ginny were another matter altogether, it seemed like they were tolerating him, humoring him, when he talked to them.
He walked through the silent halls of Hogwarts, deep in thought; turning down the hallway that led to the Transfiguration classroom he heard hushed whispers. Moving silently toward the classroom where the voices were coming from Harry realized the people in the room were Hermione and Ginny; by the lack of silencing wards he figured they weren't expecting to be overheard.
Their oversight was his gain it seemed as he listened in on their conversation which revolved solely around him. "Hermione when will all this end? I don't think I can keep this up anymore! Harry doesn't even give me the time of day when I try and seduce him. How am I supposed to get him to propose and marry me when he won't even give me a chance?"
Harry was stunned by Ginny's words, anger lanced through him but he pressed it down, he needed to hear the rest of the conversation. "Ginny, you know what the Headmaster said; it won't matter if Harry wants to be with you. Dumbledore is looking into a way of having a marriage contract drawn up between you. Once the Headmaster had figured out how to do so it won't matter what Harry wants."
"Besides that's why they have Love Potions isn't it? I just never realized that being Harry's friend would be this troublesome. I mean first year was a bit fun but when I told the Headmaster I would help mentor Harry during our second year I never thought it would lead to me almost being killed on several occasions."
"Ron is getting tired of dealing with Harry as well. But we all need to stick this out for a little bit longer. When it's all said and done we will have the Potter and now the Black vaults since Sirius apparently named Harry his heir. Once Harry is out of the way we will be well off and I can finally step out of Harry's shadow and everyone will recognize all the good I've done by helping Harry."
He sat there and seethed. None of them cared for him! From what Hermione, or Granger as he thought of her now, said she had stopped truly being his friend in second year. When did Weasely begin to work with the Headmaster? As for Ginny, she could take that marriage contract and any thought of being with him and show it up her arse!
Having heard enough he left before he did something that would get him into trouble, trouble he did not need right now. He had much to think about in regards to his life so far and what would happen now. He had no allies left to him now that Sirius was dead.
How did one go about organizing a marriage contract? The answer popped into his head rather quickly; Gringotts. Well that was something he would have to look into but how would Harry be able to when he only had tonight and tomorrow morning before his isolation began at Number Four began?
Making a quick but smart decision he ran to the owlery and prayed Hedwig was there. Making it to the drafty tower Harry looked around for his faithful owl and breathed out a breath of relief when she flew down to land on his thin shoulder.
"Hey Girl; you up to deliver a message?" A hoot and loving nip to his ear was the answer he received. Taking that as a "Yes" in owl speak, he transfigured a quill, ink and parchment from the bones lying around on the stone floor.
Placing the parchment on the window sill Harry began to write quickly to the only Goblin he knew who could help him and he trusted;
Griphook;
I'm writing to you in regards to a serious matter that has been brought to my attention. It seems Dumbledore is trying to arrange a marriage contract for me. I have no desire to marry the woman he is forcing on me. Hence the reason for this letter.
I don't know what gives the Headmaster the authority over me to make this kind of contract but I think someone should look into it. If you could check to make sure everything is in order in regards to my vaults and any other entitlements I have I would be grateful to you.
Please don't respond to this letter. I will be unable to take post for the summer. Please do not let anyone into my vaults but me or make any contracts that involve me without my express consent. Since I will be unavailable for the summer no one should be able to access my vaults and no contracts should be made on my behalf.
I, Harrison James Potter, have never given Dumbledore permission to use my vaults or anything else that belongs to me. I have never given him permission to make a marriage contract or any other contract on my behalf.
Also, I have never heard my parents' wills read. Is it possible to do so if I were to come to Gringotts? If so please have them ready for me.
I think that covers it and if not I will try to get into Gringotts as soon as I can.
Thank you Griphook.
Harrison James Potter
When he was done writing Harry bit his thumb and smeared it across the signature before tapping it with his wand. Letting his magic pulse into the blood and ink, sealing his signature with his blood and magic.
Now there would be no doubt that he wrote the letter to Griphook and hopefully it would buy him some time. He would do anything to stop those leeches from stealing his money or marrying him off to some harlot!
The green eyed teen rolled up the parchment, sealing it with as many privacy and security wards as he could remember before tying the letter to Hedwig's leg with a piece of twine he found on the floor. Letter now secure Hedwig took off with a hoot and flew into the night sky.
He would hopefully be able to go to Gringotts at some point during the summer but he wasn't sure if he would be allowed out; sighing Harry decided to deal with it when it came. With that thought in mind he walked morosely back to Gryffindor Tower.
He felt dead inside. The people he had called friends weren't really his friends, they were his wranglers and keepers. Well maybe they still cared for him but they cared about themselves more. That was quite clear from what he overheard from Granger and the Weasely whore just over a half hour ago.
He just needed to sleep and collect his thoughts. Tomorrow he would make a plan and he hoped it would all work out in the end for him. But at this point maybe death would be preferable to the manipulations, false friendships, lies, death threats and yearly murder attempts.
Making his way to his four-poster, he laid his glasses on the nightstand and lay down, snuggling under the blankets. He finally let his tired eyes slip closed while his worn body relaxed. Thankfully for once his sleep was peaceful and deep; no nightmares or horrid memories creeping into his slumbering mind.
Harry came out of reverie with a scowl on is face; unfortunately he had never gotten the chance to plan further. When he had stepped off the Hogwarts Express with his traitorous ex-friends he found the Order speaking to his rather irate looking uncle. The Order members had informed his Uncle about his godfather's death and stripped away the only protection he had.
The bloody Order had even gone so far as to warn his Uncle to treat him right over the summer. Harry knew that the Order thought they were helping him but the effect was the opposite; from the moment he stepped inside Number Four he was merely trying to survive another day.
He knew Dumbledore was behind the Order's message, unlike the Order who probably thought they were trying to help him, Harry knew Dumbledore had done it to make sure the abuse continued now that there was no one to protect him.
He had contemplated leaving the Light since the middle of fifth year when Dumbledore kept ignoring him and his manipulations were becoming clearer and clearer to him but he never had the courage to do it. Plus, he didn't want to leave Sirius and he knew his godfather would never join Voldemort. Now that he had lost his last precious person he had nothing to lose by joining the Dark Lord.
He knew he didn't have much time left to him; his magic could barely heal him anymore due to his lack of rest, food and constant abuse. Harry made his decision to leave that night in a haze of pain and borderline insanity. In a haze he made his way out of that cursed house as if someone else was controlling his body, somehow making it straight into Malfoy Manor.
The rest as they say is history, but he didn't feel any regret for the choice he made not when for the first time during a summer, excluding his time spent with the traitorous Weaselys, Harry felt safe, full and cared for.
Hearing a firm knock he shifted in his comfy chair and called for the person to come in. He was not surprised to see the Dark Lord; who else could it be? Glancing over the emerald eyed teen noticed three books on the side table next to him. He really must have been deep in thought not to notice Tempy dropping off his requested books.
Turning to the now seated Dark Lord, he waited for the older man to speak...
I hope you enjoyed chapter 5.
Next chapter we will return to our favorite despot's POV.
All Mistakes Are My Own!
