Author: HatefulRodeo
Story: Harbinger
Notes: Harry's POV again. Thank you to all who reviewed, fav'd, followed or sis all three! Enjoy Lovelies!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I will make no money from the posting of this fic.
Previously:
Something happened that much was clear but what was it? Marvolo wasn't on to avoid people, nope, the man didn't believe in being subtle if he had a problem he would meet it head on and generally with violence.
By the fact that he ignored Bill and left the man's presence as soon as he could made Harry think it had something to do with emotions and feelings. If that was the case then it could be difficult; the Dark Lord was not emotionally in touch and if he felt hurt he would close off and revert back to the way he was.
That was something Harry could not abide by and resolved to make it right, whatever it was. Leaving the now empty cell the raven made his way to his room to think about what he would say to Bill to make the red head see that Marvolo was a changed man and truly did care for people; hopefully Bill would listen to him and keep an open mind.
~~~~~~*********Chapter 32*********~~~~~~
Harry returned to his room to give Bill some time to collect himself and rest. The raven was quite interested as to what was going on between Marvolo and Bill. Only an idiot wouldn't be able to sense the tension radiating from both men; now what caused the tension to be there?
Prior to this meeting Harry thought his father was just interested in Bill as an oddity; a possible black sheep in the impossibly light Weasely family. Now though he thought it might be more than that. Who was he kidding? It was more than that and Harry would do what he had to make Bill see Marvolo as more than the cruel, evil Dark Lord he was.
Besides the crimson eyed man needed someone to lean on sometimes, like he did with Draco. It didn't make you weak to rely on someone when you needed it. If anything it made you stronger because you had someone to fight for and protect in return for their support and strength. Marvolo needed that unconditional love and acceptance from someone in a romantic sense but could Bill be that person?
Sighing, the emerald eyed teen pushed those thoughts away. He finally found some time to himself and figured he should write a few letters to Neville, Luna and the twins. Things had been so insane lately that he hadn't had the time to catch up with his friends; he missed them terribly but soon they could all be together.
When the war was done no one would have to hide anything; Harry welcomed and waited for that time. Sometimes he just wanted to have bite to eat out with Draco and not have to consider the stares and whispers they would attract. It truly was stupid; didn't people have other things to do besides stalk him?
Aside from letter writing he had some studying to do; true his magical studies were quite advanced, almost to NEWT levels but his education in etiquette and politics was slow going. Lucius was a ruthless tutor but it was worth it when all Harry's hard work paid off during a Wizengamot sessions or when he proposed something to the Hogwarts Board.
Harry still had many things to learn in regards to proper pureblood manners but for someone with no training prior to Lucius' he thought he was doing well. These lessons were crucial to his coming years. Between his Lordships and being a public figurehead Harry would have to draw one all of his training and intelligence to not make an utter fool of himself.
It was a lot to take in for the sixteen year old. He was engaged to the man he loved, the heir apparent to the Dark Lord and already claimed his two Lordships via emancipation. Not to mention the fact that soon his father would turn himself into the Ministry to face judgment for his alleged crimes.
How Marvolo was going to dance around some of the questions asked during his trial was beyond him but Harry had faith in his father. The man had a way of twisting words to suit his needs, if you added that to his resistance to Veritaserum, and Harry was pretty confident his father would pull it off.
It wouldn't do to worry too much on it though; things would happen as they happened. If by some chance his father was found guilty and sentenced to life in Azkaban Harry and his fellows would break his father out. Under no circumstances was he going to allow another person he loved to rot away in that hell hole; even without the Dementors it was still a horrid place.
Tempy popped into the room, bowing deeply to Harry; "Master Harry sirs, Mr. Bill be asking for yous." The emerald eyed teen nodded as he stood to make his way to Bill's room, which was actually a few doors down from his. Tempy bowed again and popped out just as Harry left the room.
The raven knocked lightly on Bill's door and waited to be allowed in, a muffled "Come in" was heard and Harry did just that. Stepping into the room Harry's eyes fell immediately to a very relaxed and just bathed Bill, who was sitting in a thick sapphire robe by the roaring fire; "I see you've made yourself comfortable."
Bill smiled at Harry's smirk; "Indeed, I never actually thought I would still be breathing after I was captured. I honestly don't know what to think Harry. This is all so surreal; the Dark Lord didn't torture me, hurt me in anyway and allowed me to go free if I chose after I took the oath. I'm feeling kind of lost, you know?"
The raven nodded, understanding completely. After all it wasn't too long ago that Harry was in a similar position as the red head in front of him; "Trust me Bill, I know. When I came here I was expecting to be tortured and killed but it didn't turn out that way. Marvolo took me in and cared for me, taught me everything I needed to know about magic, still is teaching me actually."
"Marvolo is my father and through him I have found a family, a fiancée and happiness. He really isn't the monster most think he is." Seeing Bill was about to interrupt Harry raised his slender hand to halt the red head's word; "Do not misunderstand me Bill; Marvolo is cruel and sadistic toward his enemies."
"He punishes his followers when they fail but not overly so; the punishment suits the offense. I have never seen him kill any of his allies or be overzealous in his punishments. True, using Crucio may seem cruel but it is effective. You just have to accept that the Dark Lord has two sides to him; one side is Voldemort, the leader of the Dark and the other is Marvolo, my father and a man who has a great ability to love those he cares for."
Bill sat there once Harry was done; obviously the teen had given the elder male a lot to think on about his father. While the elder male marshalled his thoughts and responses Harry moved to take the chair opposite Bill's, settling in to have a chat.
The emerald eyed teen did not blame the blue eyed male for his possible confusion; many would have problems reconciling that Marvolo was both a murderer and a caring father figure. But that was what he was and if Bill wanted to get close to his father he would have to accept both sides of the crimson eyed man, not just the soft side but the bloody, murderous one as well.
Bill cleared his throat, looking a bit unsettled and nervous; "Harry, I...well it's kind of hard to explain really...he interests me and I want to get to know him but I don't know how Harry. He killed my family! He has killed so many people...why do I want to get to know someone like that?"
Harry cocked his head to the side and dove right into answering Bill; "First of all Marvolo hasn't killed any of your family; yes, he gave the order for the raid on your Order's Headquarters but I was the one who allowed them into Number Twelve. So your bitch of a mother's death is as much my fault as his."
"Also, I can tell you now if Ronald and Ginevra weren't captured in the raid I would have caught up with them eventually. It was only a matter of time until their lives were forfeit and that has nothing to do with Marvolo; the man doesn't kill children. So blame me for your siblings and your mother's death but I assure you they had it coming Bill. I do not just kill people for no reason."
That Harry hadn't actually killed Ronald and Ginevra was beside the point, they would be dead soon enough and there was no point in telling Bill exactly what was happening to his siblings at the moment. That information would only cause pain in the elder male and Harry didn't want to hurt Bill if he didn't have to. "Now, as for him killing people...well what can I say he has and he has no remorse for it. The man is no saint; he doesn't claim to be, not like Dumbledore did, with Marvolo you know where you stand. If he cares for you he will never lie to you and give you pretty words to sooth you. Marvolo will always be honest in his praise as well as his condemnation."
"So to answer your question of why would you want to get to know someone like that. Because Marvolo is worth it, because you know deep in your mind and heart that if Marvolo gave you his love he would never take it back and he would do everything he could to make sure you were happy, safe and cared for."
"He is a good man with many faults but a good man nonetheless; you just have to want to see it. But I warn you Bill if you hurt him in any way I will hurt you."
The red head gulped, nodding quickly in understanding. While the young raven cared for Bill he adored his father and no one would hurt him if Harry could help it. Bill looked at Harry dead in the eye before he began talking; "Why do you hate my mother, Ginny and Ron so much?"
The emerald eyed teen pursed his lips, collected his thoughts and explained in detail about the theft from his vaults, the attempt to force Harry to marry Ginny, the false friendships; all of it came out in a torrent of bitter words and by the end Bill looked shocked. After a few minutes the elder man collected himself; "Bloody hell Harry, gods I'm sorry they did that to you. I don't agree with killing them but I can see why you would. Merlin, this is a lot to take in...may I have a few hours to assimilate all this."
Harry nodded in understanding; "Well then I'll leave you to sort it all out. Oh your father was released earlier today. He's at the Burrow and Kingsley is still in the dungeons, his choice by the way. I can ask if you will be allowed to visit with them in the future. Charlie is still safe in Romania and Percy is still at the Ministry; feel free to write them if you like."
"Call for Tempy if you need anything and I'll be around later to collect you for dinner." Bill stood and walked Harry to the door; "Thanks, Harry. I have a lot to think on but I'll see you later for dinner. What time should I expect you?" The raven smiled; "Be ready by seven." With those words the shorter male left the room and returned to his own suite to finish sending the letters to his friends.
Luna and Neville would be at Hogwarts, classes had started again and Severus was now Hogwarts Deputy Headmaster. Minerva certainly was full of surprises but Harry knew Severus would make a damn good Deputy. The man may be a right bastard sometimes but he would never allow a child to be hurt if he could stop it.
Minerva would make a good Headmistress; once she atually got into the Headmaster's office. Evidently the old coot had warded the gargoyle against anyone entering his rooms. Severus was working on breaking the ward and the new Deputy Headmaster was confident he'd get inside within the next few days.
Harry wondered how Fawkes was fairing and why the firebird hadn't appeared to McGonagall yet? This didn't sit well with him at all and he just knew somehow that Dumbledore was behind Fawkes' odd demeanor.
The phoenix, to Harry's understanding, was bound to Hogwarts and served the Headmaster or Headmistress; that he had not gone to Minerva was disconcerting to say the least. Well once Severus broke down the old bastard's ward they'd figure it. He knew nothing could kill the firebird but he didn't like to think that Fawkes was suffering some horrid fate imposed by Dumbledore and his mad grasp to stay in power.
Not to mention Minerva was livid to say the least at being barred from her rightful oddice but she had faith in Snape's abilities. That was what was great about McGonagall she was fair, firm and intelligent. She may not like Severus but she respected him as an accomplished wizard and had nothing against deferring to him on things he knew better.
Hogwarts would be in good hands between the Lioness of Gryffindor and the Head Snake of Slytherin. Now that they had a decent unbiased Headmistress the Board could begin to push through more reforms in regards to magical education.
At least they had succeeded in making Hogwarts a better place for learning; little victories were what made them continue forward. That the victory at Hogwarts was totally bloodless was quite refreshing to the raven haired teen. He knew they could have stormed the school, used violence and slaughtered the resistance but that would pave the way for rebellion in the future.
It was for this reason that Marvolo was seeking a trial; if he was found not guilty no one could contest his place on the Hogwarts Board or the Wizengamot. He would have legitimacy, making it harder for people to go against him since he was doing everything legally. Harry was proud that his father was thinking in this way and had mostly given up on the way paved with violence and blood.
Marvolo would never truly let go of his more violent tendencies but he wouldn't be the Dark Lord if he did. The crimson eyed male just managed his anger and rage better nowadays, probably because he had people around him to talk to and share some of his burden when he was angry or upset.
The man must have been bottling up his emotions for so long that eventually the smallest thing would set him off. Now though he could talk to Lucius or most of the time Severus. The potions master could understand Marvolo on a fundamental level, much like Harry could, but he knew that Severus had seen more, experienced more in his life and was a better listener and confidant for Marvolo because of that.
Hopefully, Bill could become someone his father confided in but only time would tell. For now Harry would focus on doing what he could so for their cause. Albeit at this point in time it was mostly waiting for Marvolo to turn himself in so they could hold his trial. The waiting did suck but at least it was almost over; once his father was innocent the war would be done.
They could legally move about and make the changes they wanted to in the Ministry and Wizengamot without having to move in the shadows. Soon their world would be running smoother than it ever had and magical people would flourish instead of wallowing in stagnation. Harry looked forward to the day it all came together and would take great pride in the fact that he had a part in it.
He didn't know if his parents or Sirius would agree with some of the things he did or would do in the future. He liked to think they would be proud of him for having the courage to fight back and make a better world for all magical beings. Harry would never know though and maybe that was for the best, it would hurt if his parents or Sirius didn't approve of his actions but they were dead and he would never have the chance to speak to them again.
Biting his lower lip he settled down into the cushy wingback chair by the fire and summoned Tempy. Once he handed over the letters and instructed the little elf where to send them to the raven grasped his thrice damned etiquette book and went back to the grind; he swore after this if he ever saw another etiquette book he would scream and then banish it to the deepest depths of hell.
Next chapter Marvolo sports a new look, Bill speaks to our dear Dark Lord and Marvolo turns himself in. It's all coming together lovelies and soon it will be the end. I hope you've enjoyed the ride so far!
All Mistakes Are My Own!
