All human sin seems so much worse in its consequences than in its intentions.
~ Reinhold Niebuhr
Harry waited in the hall with much trepidation, fingering the pendant lingering around his neck. It had been decided that only selected members of the inner circle would know who he was. The pendant was created by Tom, effectively acting as a glamour. Looking in the mirror hanging on the wall opposite, he was slightly shocked to see a brown haired blue eyed man staring back. His hair was shoulder length and his cheekbones higher, giving him an aristocratic air. His dark robes billowed slightly from the open window, the night tasted chilly on his tongue, but other than that gave him no inconvenience. Riddle Manor was exactly as it had been in his visions back in fifth year, however now the house had been cleaned up, the surfaces of the various furniture that lined the hall glimmering in the moon light. It was eerie, but beautiful. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows, intermingling with each other in some dark dance. He could hear the murmuring going on behind the mahogany double doors. Lysander and Blaise were getting their marks first, Tom had told him that he was getting something different. He smirked at the outrage this would cause amongst the Death Eaters. A newcomer getting a higher rank was likely to wound their pride.
He had been waiting for a while now. Half of him was worried that everyone would realise he was missing. He had instructed Ron and Hermione to cover for him. Although sceptical of his story they were at least not going to pass judgement until the full facts had been heard, and for that he was grateful. After the meeting he was planning to tell Tom what had occurred days prior. His stomach coiled with worry at the thought.
The doors opened, the dark ranks of the Death Eaters lined up in such a way that it created a straight path to the front of the room. Looking further up, he saw stairs leading a platform. Voldemort was sitting on a throne-like seat, Lysander and Blaise beside him. It had frightened him slightly the first time he saw his lover don the disguise, his heartbeat racing as he remembered the graveyard and the first time he had laid eyes on the skeletal features. Now, however, he could see a sort of distorted beauty in him. The was the scales glistened from the light of the chandelier, how his blood red eyes seemed to shine with wisdom and slight madness all at the same time. Harry saw a similar pendant around his neck, remembering when Tom first gave him his.
"You're really giving this to me?" he asked, eyeing the pendant. Two basilisks shaped in an 'S' held a ruby red stone between them, reminding him so much of his lover's eyes.
"You will need a glamour for the meeting. The last thing we need is for one of the incompetent fools to make the Light aware of your allegiance," murmured Tom, running his hands through Harry's hair, his spidery fingers raking along his scalp. He shuddered into the touch, moaning slightly before looking up with lust filled eyes.
"Will they not realise the connection to you?" asked Harry breathily, feeling ridiculous that such simple ministrations could have such an affect on him.
Tom chuckled, seeing his annoyance with himself. "Those clever enough to realise this will never think about going against their Lord."
"Is this how you change your features then?"
"Yes, I fashioned one in my youth, only Lucius and Bellatrix know the significance of it however," replied Tom, holding up a similar pendant, except the stone was jet black.
"Thank you," said Harry, as Tom handed him the pendant.
"Here let me help," Tom undid the ties and went behind Harry, he could feel his lover's breath ghosting on his skin, smiling when Tom planted a kiss on the back of his neck where the ties rested.
Looking at the pendant, he saw now that Tom had replaced the obsidian stone with a brilliant emerald and he tried not to smile. Now was not the time to get sentimental.
The rest of the Death Eaters looked at him in awe. He supposed his brightened eyes and fangs would intimidate them a little. It was funny to watch them squirm. Raising his head higher, he passed through the ranks, catching Tom's eye before he kneeled at his feet.
"Evan Harris, do you pledge yourself to the Dark, both body and soul?" asked Tom, his voice coming out as a hiss, caressing the name they had decided upon. It felt right.
"Yes, My Lord," replied Harry, feeling Tom's magic dance around him, binding him to the magical contract.
"Will you rule alongside me as consort to the Dark Lord?" he could hear Tom trying not to laugh at the ripple that went through the Death Eaters as they heard this question. He was surprised however, when Tom had said he would be initiated differently he had never imagined this. That said, he felt pleased that Tom would put so much faith in him.
"Yes, My Lord," said Harry, feeling the magic now coat him, making his skin tingle slightly, pleased at his answer.
"Arise, Lord Émeraude," he felt his magic respond, joining with Tom's and sealing the magical contract.
His stood up fluidly, the magic in the air making his robes swirl around him. His eyes were glowing brighter than ever and he bared his fangs into a triumphant smile. The Death Eaters were awed, but he caught a few at the back whispering, their tone indicating that they were not convinced. His frowned slightly, Tom heard it too for he bristled.
"If anyone wishes to challenge Lord Émeraude do so now," hissed Tom, looking at everyone in attendance. Harry heard the murmuring cease, however he knew that it would take more than that to dispel the dissent.
"My Lord, I feel a demonstration is in order," he said, surveying the sea of faces, some sceptical and some still awed.
"As you wish Evan," replied Tom, moving to the other end of the stage and Harry to the other. They bowed, never losing eye contact. A hush fell on the room at this unexpected display. Many were vying to get better seats, getting to see their Lords battle one another.
"One. Two. Three," said Harry slowly.
They pounced, Harry side-stepped the jet of red light, returning a blue one that pulsated. Narrowly missing it, Tom weaved a complex pattern and Harry felt constricted, as if someone was applying pressure to him and trying to squeeze him out of existence. Focusing, he imagined being free, stretching luxuriously and felt the curse shatter, falling around him like glass as the magic was torn apart. He heard the Death Eaters gasp and smirked, revelling in the power he had over these fools.
Planting his wand in the ground he hissed "Terra scinda". Jagged gashes formed in the ground, moving rapidly towards Tom who stepped aside, holding his hand up to signal they had finished. Repairing the damage, Harry watched the cuts heal themselves before turning to their audience.
"As you can see, Lord Émeraude can handle himself well. Do not question him, I will not protect you from his wrath. I shall call you within the coming weeks. Dismissed," hissed Tom, his eyes glowing slightly as the room was filled with the sounds of sharp cracks, the Death Eaters apparating away, not wanting to linger behind.
Once everyone was gone except themselves, Blaise and Lysander, Tom touched his pendant, hissing softly before reverting back to himself.
"That went well, I am sure there will be a few Death Eaters foolish enough to challenge you, do what you will to them, just don't kill them," said Tom, a smiling pulling at his lips.
"So when you call us will this burn?" asked Lysander, staring at his Dark Mark.
"No, it shall merely heat up. It only burns when I feel particularly angry at certain followers," replied Tom.
"Unless they are wimps," added Harry, grinning at his friends.
"Right we better head back to school, Draco will be waiting," said Blaise, casting a tempus and revealing the time to be just after ten.
"You guys go on ahead, I need to speak with Tom for a minute," said Harry, seeing them search his face, wondering of there was more to it than he said. Finding nothing, they nodded and Phased on the spot.
"What is the matter Harry?" asked Tom, sitting on the stone steps leading up to the platform.
"I hadn't known you planned to make me a Lord," said Harry, taking a seat next to him.
"It seemed... fitting. I do not want them to underestimate you, this just seemed the best way," said Tom, twining their hands together. Harry smiled at the simple gesture.
"What does 'consort' mean exactly?"
"It means many things, the definition I chose is partner," replied Tom.
"Does that mean romantically?" Harry remembered the reaction of the Death Eaters.
"Yes," he could hear the smirk in Tom's voice, "Now what is on your mind? Normally I can tell but your thoughts are changing too rapidly. Something about your friends I think?"
"I told Ron and Hermione about us," said Harry after a pause, waiting for the explosion.
"Why did you not ask me first?" Tom asked a moment later, his voice simmered with suppressed anger. Harry never knew if this was better or worse.
"I wanted to get it over and done with. Ron has agreed to remain neutral, whilst Hermione wishes to do more research and then decide her allegiance. I believe she will turn to us however," replied Harry quickly, trying to calm Tom down.
"Their simple minds are not the problem. Dumbledore is one of the best legilimens in the world. If he even gets a hint of what they know then you have placed them in danger," spat Tom, standing up and pacing rapidly.
"I, I never realised," stammered Harry, feeling like a lead weight had dropped into his stomach. He had placed his friends in danger. The one thing he hadn't wanted to do and he had done it. Admittedly unknowing the full consequences, but still the damage was done.
"You'll have to bring them to me, we can set up memory blocks that should keep Dumbledore away. Give me a few days, I'll have to find a way to make them unnoticeable or that will raise more suspicion," said Tom, his voice still sharp.
"Will it hurt them?"
"What? No, they will be fine," said Tom distractedly, still pacing but slowing down slightly.
"I'll see you in a few days then," said Harry, seeing Tom was too deep in thought to want company. He was met with silence and Phased away, doubting that Tom would even know he was gone.
"Harry! How was it?" whispered Hermione when he clambered into the Common Room. They had used the same excuse he had with them and now many thought he was working on some top secret thing for Dumbledore. It would amuse him if he wasn't facing seven types of guilt and losing badly.
"What's wrong mate?" asked Ron, looking up from his essay - okay he had written the title but that was pretty good for Ron.
"He said I had placed you in danger by telling you about this," said Harry, to anyone else he would be talking about Dumbledore.
"How?" asked Hermione, closing her textbook with a thud.
"He can read your mind, see what I've told you," said Harry, trying hard to keep it ambiguous.
"What's going to happen?" asked Ron, looking a mixture of concerned and grateful that he never had to do his essay.
"He wants to meet you, to put up memory blocks. They should distract anyone attempting to read your mind."
"Was it okay?" asked Hermione, concern flashing in her eyes.
"He's angry at me for not telling him that I was telling you, but I think he'll calm down eventually," muttered Harry.
"Did he..." Ron trailed off, throwing Harry a meaningful glance.
"No, he was just really sharp, I deserved it," replied Harry quickly.
"Harry, we are glad we know. Regardless of the consequences it is better this way for us," said Hermione.
"So when does he want to do this?" asked Ron, looking back down at his essay, trying to avoid the emotional talk.
"He said it will take him a few days to come up with something strong enough. I'll let you know," answered Harry, standing up. He never felt in the mood for company right now, they saw this and let him go upstairs, giving him a quick "goodnight" before he disappeared.
Lying in his bed, he tossed and turned unable to get to sleep. When he closed his eyes he saw Tom's angry face, his friends being persecuted because of information he gave them. He knew that they would have found out eventually without him telling him. However, that never stopped the shame washing over him. He had disappointed Tom. Rubbing his fingers over his pendant, he sighed, wishing he had done things differently.
A/N: Thank you for the feedback! I was quite happy with this chapter, for once I never had to think what happened next! That said, I am surprised about Tom making Harry a Lord alongside him. Sometimes I swear these characters taken control, I did consider deleting that part but I thought it through and don't see any problems with it :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.
I apologise for any grammar and/or spelling mistakes contained within this chapter.
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