True Allegiance

By: Jessarie

A/N: Yeah! I am almost to 50 reviews as I type this. You guys are awesome. Thank you very much for staying with me and this story. Warning for CD (cross-dress)!

Chapter 7: Going To Riddle Manor

"Hey, Harry." Ron said when he entered the Great Hall for dinner a few nights later. Harry's smile was odd, in that only those close to him would have seen how truly fake it was. "Ronald." He greeted stiffly the smile never leaving his face.

Ron blushed brightly and then took a deep breath. "So, are you staying at Hogwarts for Christmas?" he asked hoping to get Harry mad at him.

"Actually, Hermione invited me to her house for the break. We are both going away for Christmas." Harry answered smoothly.

Ron's mouth dropped and he began spluttering. Face beet red and clashing horribly with his hair he asked. "Why?" It was obviously the wrong thing to say because Harry did become angry.

"Why? Why would I spend Christmas with my best friend?" Harry asked back in a mocking voice. He was scaring many around them and if one looked just right, he seemed to be channeling some of the potions professor. "Hmm, maybe because I never had a decent Christmas and spending it with a friend sounds like a thrilling idea to me."

Ron still looked livid as they headed for Potions class the next morning. "What crawled up your arse, Weasley?" Draco asked as the redhead passed him. Harry was standing about a foot away talking to Hermione and looked up at the loud voice. "None of your business, Malfoy." Ron said trying to pass by. Luckily or unluckily, depending on which way you looked at it, Draco's foot shot out and tripped the Weasley boy.

Ron groaned and rolled over to a sitting position upon the cold stone floor. "What the hell?" he yelled. Harry laughed aloud at the expression upon his ex- friends face. It took a moment, but Harry noticed another more powerful magical presence nearby. Harry only had to tap into his leather weaving power and he could sense anyone's magic within a certain distance.

Harry turned and smiled. "Professor, I didn't see you there." Severus was shocked when Harry called him out. He had been hoping to allow Harry some justice for Ron's betrayals, but it seemed Harry was more powerful they he had known. He stepped forward enjoying the gasps the students made at his presence.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, and Mr. Weasley stay here. The rest of you get in the classroom and begin your potions." Severus ordered his voice soft but well heard in the soundless hallway. The students quickly shuffled off and into the classroom behind them.

"Now, Mr. Malfoy, would you care to tell me why you tripped Mr. Weasley?" He asked inserting a slight bit of venom into his voice. Draco nodded. "Well, Professor, I noticed him ragging on Potter last night for having no family to go home to this Christmas and how Potter is spending the holiday with Granger. I may be an utter rat most of the time, but I thought it was quite rude the way he went about it. That should have been discussed somewhere else, Sir." he said.

Harry was desperately trying not to laugh at the shock on Ron's face. "I see." said Severus. "Perhaps Mr. Potter should thank you, and you, Mr. Weasley." he said turning to Ron who was still on the floor. "Ought to be ashamed of yourself. I thought Gryffindor's were brave and loyal, but that is just plain stupid. If you are going to insult The-Boy-Who-Lived you may want to stop doing it in front of others. 50 points from Gryffindor for disrespect."

"But, that is not fair..." Ron began. He trailed off upon seeing the death glare on his professor's face. "You will make it worse if you continue that sentence, Mr. Weasley. Now all of you go begin your potions. Granger, work with Weasley. Malfoy, work with Potter. No fighting or I will be taking more points and I doubt the lions can stand to lose many more."

"Thanks." Harry whispered to Draco as they entered the classroom. Severus smiled behind them. "No problem." Draco answered back easily.

It was a week before Christmas break, when Harry checked his notebook once more. He and Tom had been writing back and forth between them long enough to know a lot about each other before. The silver snake was glowing.

T: Harry, I am writing to let you know that you are welcome to come to the manor for the holidays if you so wish it. I think though that before you do it would be best for you to be disguised. I know you don't enjoy your fame and wish to disappear. If you would agree to continue the disguise after school as well, we could allow you to be more active within my work and your own group. I hope this all makes sense and I wish to see you soon. Please inform Miss Hermione she is also welcome.

Harry smiled at the words on the page. He took out a quill and ink and wrote back.

H: I bet you were waiting for me. Yes! We would love to. I need to go to Hermione's first as she promised to spend a day with them before coming to stay with me (at least that's what she told them). Can you send someone to help us get all our stuff to the manor?

T: I was. Wonderful and I suspected that was your plan after Draco and Severus explained what has happened recently. I can send Severus if that is okay.

H: Definitely.

T: I am glad you wish to be near me even after everything we have been through.

H: Well, I really like you!

T: I as well, Ry. I as well.

H: I like that, Ry, it's nice. I got to go. Talk soon...

T: Very soon. Bye!

Snow covered the grounds of Hogwarts on the last day before break. Hermione had forced Harry to pack early so he was all ready to go. It didn't take long for them to be on the outside of Platform 9 3/4 walking towards Hermione's parents.

"Hermione!" Her mom said smiling. "You must be Harry, we are so glad Hermione found a friend at school." she continued turning back to her daughter. "Let's go home and eat, then get you settled for the night. Tomorrow morning we are going to open gifts since you are leaving for Harry's."

The Granger's were nice people from what Harry could tell, but he was anxious to get to Tom's house. It wasn't until 1 o'clock the next afternoon that Severus arrived. Harry had Tom alert them using the ring. Severus shrunk all their belongings.

"Put these in your pockets. Now I am going to apparate Harry first. The room we are going to is sealed off so you will have time to disguise yourself before meeting anyone else. Tom wants to talk to you. I will return momentarily for you Hermione." he said.

Harry grasped his father's arm and winced at the feeling of being sucked down a drain. He gasped when his feet were once again firmly planted. "Harry!" Tom's voice cut through the fog and Harry opened his eyes.

"Hey, Tom, Sev said you wanted to talk." Harry said walking over to a squishy couch in the middle of the room. "Yes." Tom responded.

"Okay." Harry said curling up in the corner of the couch. "What is it?" he asked.

Tom sat gracefully beside him and began speaking. "I want to know how you are going to disguise yourself while here." Harry smiled pulling his trunk from his pocket. "Can I use magic here?" He asked.

A nod of Tom's head and wave of Harry's wand and Harry was digging in his trunk. Tom watched avidly as he pulled out another shrunken trunk. It was resized and opened. The Dark Lord gasped aloud at what lay within. "Girls' clothes?" he asked.

Harry blushed brightly and looked up with shy eyes. "It that going to be a problem?" he asked softly. Tom's answer was interrupted by a loud pop. Harry watched as Severus and Hermione took in the situation. Severus spoke first. "You're going to cross-dress?" he asked. Harry only nodded turning a wee bit redder.

Hermione to the rescue. "I know it seems odd, but I had him try it out and he is really convincing. The only thing is we can't call a girl 'Harry'. It will kind of defeat the purpose."

"Why would you choose this as your solution?" Severus asked transfiguring the only other chair into a couch. He and Hermione sat. "Well, I didn't want to take over someone else' life like with Polyjuice and a glamour can't hide the scar. Stupid cursed thing. Plus, I like the feeling. No one but the few I trust will know it's Harry Potter." Harry answered.

"C.." Severus was about to ask another question when Harry held up a hand. "At least let me show you first, then we can work from there." he said pleading for acceptance. Severus gave a quick nod.

"Is there somewhere I could change?" Harry asked looking to Tom. The older man's wand was out and a door was opening before Harry had even finished. He grabbed some clothes and disappeared into a small but adequate bathroom.

Ten minutes later a beautiful girl emerged from behind the door Harry had disappeared. Gone where the glasses and the scar. Her face looked bright and happy. Light make-up brought out the best features. Her hair was loose about her face. She was dressed nicely sporting a black long sleeved dress that stopped about mid-thigh. A rich purple vest in a sweater material was unbuttoned over top. Knee high black boots covered her feet.

Severus stood and crossed the room pulling his son into a hug. "You look beautiful." Harry laughed puling away and turning to Tom. "So?"

"Your father is definitely right. Stunning." He responded. "But how did you cover the scar?" Harry's grin had been expected, but the laugh from Hermione had not. "Muggle make-up can cover most anything as long as it's a decent brand." the clever witch answered for her friend.

"Harry?" Tom said. "What will we call you?"

Harry looked deep in thought for some minutes. "Ryder Rhea Parker..." was the response. "But how are we going to explain 'Mione being my friend and why I am not at Hogwarts?"

Tom grinned. "I love the name, Ry. That is actually a decent question too. I would say Hermione is your friend from the muggle world. You both found out you were witches by mistake and became rather close. You are home-schooled by your family due to the family traditions."

They all looked at the Dark Lord in shock and it brought an outright laugh bubbling up. He chuckled merrily for a moment then his face turned serious. "Ry?" he question softly. The beautiful creature in his arms smiled up at him. "I know we haven't talked about this, but I do wish to pursue a relationship with you once you have graduated and we can get to know one another better. What I need to know is..." he hesitated. "Would you allow me to introduce you as my future consort?" Harry gasped breath catching sharply in his throat. "Yes."

"Tomorrow morning a meeting will be called at 9 sharp. Severus, inform the house elves that breakfast will be served and hour later than usual." Tom said. "You two come with me. I will show you to your rooms."

He led them out of the room they were in and to the right. They went down two more halls before coming to a stop outside a pale blue door. "Hermione. I feel this should be adequate. Severus and Sirius are down there on the same side. The door is silver with a dog and cat in gold. I am all the way at the end of the hall, make a right and follow that all the way down. The door is blood red. The door in between the end of the hall and mine is green and will be Ry' room. Sleep well." Tom said opening the door. Hermione gasped in awe. Everything was different shades of blue except the furniture. That was done in a rough white wood. They left her to her own devices.

Harry reached out about half way down the hall and took Tom's hand shocking the older man. "Ry?" he asked. "I wanted to touch you." was the soft response Harry gave. "Anytime, Ry, anytime." Tom said. They stopped once more before an emerald green door with a snake slithering about the frame.

Tom opened the door and led Harry inside. It was similar to the room Hermione was in, but everything was done in darker shades of green and the furniture was a glossy black. Harry smiled. "It's perfect."

"That it is." Tom responded. It took Harry but a moment to realize that Tom was not looking at the room, but at him. Harry gasped lightly when a smooth hand rose to stroke his cheek. Tom's head lowered and cool lips brushed Harry's. Shocked his mouth opened and the lips pressed harder. Fire coiled deep within Harry as a wet tongue touched his bottom lip. It entered his mouth for a second stroking a few times before disappearing completely. The soft, sweet kiss tapered off as Tom pulled back and smiled. "Sleep well, Ry, for tomorrow a new day dawns bright." Harry blinked and he was gone, the sound of the door closing unregistering in Harry's foggy brain.

That night, Harry slept peacefully...

A/N: I probably won't be able to update after tomorrow, so I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. This is one of my fav chapters. I am sorry to anyone who doesn't like CD, but I won't be using it a lot. Thanks!