Finally! My beta and I were arguing about what to do about Malfoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 6

Revenge and an Old Rival

"Harry?"

Harry looked up to see Voldemort standing at his doorway. The raven put his book down and moved over so that his father could sit down, beside him.

"Yes?"

"We need to talk about this morning."

Harry felt his stomach twist. He had been hoping to avoid that for a while. He'd never told anyone about what had happened at his relatives. Well, he did tell Dumbledore at the end of his first year, but the man just blew him off.

"It's…in the past. I'll never be going back to them again, so why do we need to discuss it?"

Voldemort sighed, "Because Harry, they need to be held responsible for the abuse they inflicted upon you and punished. This is not something I'm going to just let go. They WILL pay."

Harry blinked. He wasn't used to people actually taking an interest in his home life, never mind wanting to take revenge for him.

"You deserve justice Harry." Voldemort whispered, suddenly close to his ear. "They treated you like a slave, like you were nothing. They lied to you about your parentage, about what you are; they even dared to consider themselves better than you. When in truth, you are superior to them in every way. They can't even take care of themselves without you. While you were at school they had to hire a cleaning service, a personal chief, and a gardener because they couldn't even do the simplest things like cooking, cleaning, and managing a garden. They needed you."

Aunt Petunia could only make a pudding, everything she burned, Harry thought. I cooked for them, I kept the garden looking professional, I did the laundry, the cleaning, and the polishing. I did everything!

Voldemort charted his fingers through Harry's soft locks. "And what did you get in return? You were beaten, starved, and locked away. You never even got a 'thank you' for all the things you did to make their lives easier."

A thank you? Like they would even consider wasting the words on me. They never wasted anything on me. I had to earn food, while Dudley just sat around growing fatter and fatter. They ignored me on me birthday and Christmas. They considered me nothing more than the dirt on the bottoms of their shoes.

"Harry, would it please you to know that I have your Uncle chained up, in the dungeons?"

Harry's head shot up. His mind flashed back to the 'guest' that he had mentioned to Lucius. "He's here?"

"Oh no, not here. He's being kept at the Malfoy Manor until you and I decide what to do with him." The sadistic smile was back. "Like I said, he will pay."

Harry blinked, but felt something welling up inside him. Uncle Vernon was at his mercy, his to decide what to do with. To decide whether or not he would live or die. A smile spread his way across his mouth.

"When may I see him?" And repay him for all the kindness he's given me? He added in his mind.

"Not for a while."

Harry scowled.

Voldemort chuckled, "Don't worry, you'll see him soon. But as of right now he has no idea why he's been kidnapped, and he won't be with us long."

"You're going to kill him?" Harry didn't know what to feel about that. While he still didn't like the idea of killing, if it was Uncle Vernon…

"No, it would be a waste of magic. I intent to make him suffer first, then once we're done with him, I'll whip his memory and return him to the muggle world, with a truth serum in him. He'll be admitting to everything he's ever done to you. Then he gets to suffer all over again."

The grin widened on Harry's face. It was perfect.

"Now, Harry what's the longest they forced you to go without eating?"

Harry blinked again. "Um, three weeks."

"Then that's how long it will be before he eats again." Voldemort declared. "He will also be forced, while under control of the Malfoys, to do yard work for hours in the hot sun, starting at five in the morning and stopping at ten at night. Of course that's just the beginning, it will get worse as the days go on. The house elves have been instructed to beat him with whips if he shows any signs of slacking off or slowing. And in a week I'm thinking of sending a few death eaters over to help with the pain."

Harry had to resist the urge to laugh manically. Finally, his uncle would get a taste of what he had to put up with for the last fourteen years.

"You can see him once those three weeks are up, right before we send him back. Of course then you'll see him when he's arrested for child abuse. And trust me, the Ministry will be taking this very seriously. Mostly because the Minister will have no say in it. Child abuse is a sensitive crime that is not open to the public."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. That was good, because the Minister would try to turn this into a public spectacle and make him look pathetic.

"Will discuss more of this later. Now, are you settling into your suite alright?"

Harry nodded, "Yes, it's much better than anything I've ever had before." That was an understatement. This suite was better than anything at Hogwarts. Rooms all to himself, his own astronomy tower, he even had maids that would bring him anything he wanted. Gods, Ron would've been freaking out over the Quidditch pitch and Hermione and that library…

Harry froze. He had completely forgotten about his friends. He's been gone since last night, then must be freaking out trying to find him.

"Something wrong?" Voldemort asked, reading Harry's face like an open book.

"People at Hogwarts must have noticed me missing by now. Should I been worried about someone coming to look for me?"

Voldemort gave him a calming smile, "Don't worry Harry, I've already taken care of that. Last night after the adoption, I sent one of my deatheaters back to Hogwarts glamoured like you. And since there is only a month left in the school year, I don't think we'll have to worry."

Harry blinked. Wow, he really did think of everything.

"Also, I'm here to tell you that the Malfoys will be here tomorrow. Now I am aware of your relationship with the young Malfoy has been…tedious, but I want you to try to remain civil tomorrow." The Dark Lord continued.

Harry resisted the urge to snort. HE was always civil with Malfoy, okay not always, but 75% of the time he was. Malfoy was always the one who challenged him.

Voldemort sighed, "I know that he is a … privileged child, but do try to get along with him. You'll find in time that a Malfoy can be a very reliable ally."

Harry scowled, but nodded.

"Good. Dinner should be ready," Voldemort rose to his feet and headed for the door.

Harry followed, but then stopped when a question entered his head, "Why do you have human maids rather than House Elves?"

Voldemort smirked at him, "For one, they can use proper grammar and are more diligent in their work, and if you ever want to know something, the term 'the maids know everything' is very accurate."

"My Lord, the Malfoys have arrived." A young maid said, coming into the parlor.

"Ah, good. Show them in." Voldemort declared, vanishing the chess set that he and Harry had been playing. Well, he had actually been teaching Harry to play, seeing as he defeated Harry within five minutes in the first match.

Harry fought to keep the nervousness off his face. What was he suppose to say to the Malfoys now? He just went from being their enemy to being the future Dark Lord. He was still having trouble getting used to that thought.

All three Malfoys entered the room. They all bowed.

Lucius looked the same as when Harry had seen him at his hearing, just as smug and pleased with himself. Narcissa Malfoy didn't look as pinched face as she had at the Quidditch World Cup, she seemed gentler and calm, yet still held a sense of strength and regality. She gave Harry a soft smile that gave him a feeling of warmth and assurance.

Malfoy was just staring at him. His eyes followed Harry's every move, wide with uncertainty and shock. Harry couldn't help but feel a little smug. After all, now he was of higher status than the so called, 'Slytherin Prince.'

Now I'm the true Slytherin Prince.

"Welcome Lucius," Voldemort greeted, motioning for them to take a seat.

"Hello My Lord, Master Harry," Lucius smiled, "I apologize for being late, but we had some trouble when we took Draco from school this morning, also my wife insisted on taking him to a doctor to have him examined, even though he never used the quill."

"Just being in the area of such a dark object can cause damage to the magical core. I just wanted to be sure that there wasn't any problems." The lady sighed, padding Malfoy on the head. Malfoy scowled.

"Understandable." Voldemort said, "Now Lady Narcissa, did your husband tell you why I asked for you here today?"

"Yes My Lord. And I would be honored to assist in any way I can." She smiled.

"Good. Now, we don't have much time to work with. But I believe it would be best to hold the adoption party at the beginning of June. It will just be the higher rank death eaters and a few select followers."

"Of course My Lord." Narcissa nodded, she had taken out a pad and was jotting down notes.

"Now as for his Debut, it will be when I formally introduce Harry as the heir to the title Lord Slytherin. There will be Pureblood families and many potential suitors there. We need to start plans now."

Narcissa smiled, "It will be no problem. I just need a little information to begin with. Starting with a theme."

The Dark Lord smiled, then turned to Harry. "Harry why don't you and young Draco take a walk in the gardens?"

Harry could read between the lines.

He and Malfoy stood up and walked out the parlor.

The morning mist had finally evaporated. The flowers and leaves were still sprinkled with dew. A soft breeze swept in over the wall, causing the vines and weeping willows to sway.

Harry started down the path that his father had taken him down yesterday, in the rose garden. Malfoy walked beside him, not saying a word. Honestly it was unnerving. Here he was taking a walk with the guy who made his life miserable for five years. What exactly was he suppose to say?

"P-Harry," Malfoy started, turning to face him.

Harry froze. That was the first time that Malfoy had ever called him by his first name. Then again he couldn't be called a Potter anymore, not since the adoption.

"The day we met, I…" Malfoy actually looked nervous, "My behavior towards you and your friend was…"

"Foolish, hateful, snobbish?" Harry suggested.

A blush appeared on Malfoy's face. "Yes, those would be the right words to use." He muttered, "I was just trying to show you that some people aren't the best to hang around with. No offence but Weasley isn't the best company. And I don't mean that because of his poverty."

Harry knew what Malfoy was trying to explain. He meant Ron's jealousy.

"I just thought you would prefer to be friends with someone who could actually be a friend to you, not just because of your fame." Malfoy continued. "But the only thing I did was act like a prat. You had every right to behave the way you did and I'm truly sorry for what I put you through. But considering recent changes, I'm hoping you would give me another chance." He was looking at Harry with hesitant eyes, his hand extended.

Harry stared at the extended hand. He flashed back to first year on the train, when Malfoy had first extended his hand. He couldn't help but wonder what would've happened if he had decided to take it instead of staying with Ron. And now he was being offered that chance again.

But this time it was different.

Maybe Malfoy just wanted to be his friend because he was the next Slytherin Lord and he just wanted to secure his place within Harry's own circle. That would be what Malfoy would do, but the hesitant, nervous look on his face threw that idea out the window.

Besides, Malfoy was a Slytherin, and unlike Gryffindor, Slytherins always seemed to stand by each other.

He smirked, then gripped Malfoy's hand in a firm shake, "Hi, I'm Harry Slytherin."

A real smile appeared on Malfoy's face, "Draco Malfoy."

"Master Harry!"

They both jumped as Selene ran over towards them. "Please alert one of the maids when you are going outside, I just wasted a lot of time running all over the castle looking for you."

Harry blinked as she suddenly started holding different colored fabric up against him. There were blues, greens, and grays.

"Ha, I knew it. Midnight green, emerald green, silver, and black. I told her that, but nooo, she makes me go to check to be sure." She muttered, walking back to the house.

"What was that?" Harry asked.

Draco chuckled. "My mother must have sent her out here to see what color scheme to use for your adoption party. Who is she anyway?"

"Selene, my governess."

"Well mother with be keeping her busy for weeks."

Harry couldn't help but feel sorry for her, then he remembered something. "Draco, what's a Debut?"

Draco blinked. "You don't know?" he actually sounded shocked.

"I was raised by muggles and only became a Slytherin two nights ago. I haven't had time to learn anything." Harry snapped. Honestly, did Draco forget about his lack of knowledge at school?

Draco flushed again. "Right. A debut is for a male from an aristocratic family who has reached the age of sixteen, or the age of magical maturity. It's a way to introduce them to upper class society, and to display him to eligible suitors and their families. It's also a way to show everyone who the future Slytherin Lord is going to be."

Harry blinked. Well that was…unnerving.

"Wait, suitors?"

"Yes. You know, potential people for marriage." Draco shrugged.

"Marriage?" Harry froze. "Um, I'm not even sixteen yet."

Draco started to snicker, which turned into laughter, causing Harry to scowl. "Sorry, but it doesn't mean that you're going to get married, a debut just introduces you to potential people who you could marry once you decide to get married. Sixteen is when you're allowed to enter an engagement or courting contract. Please tell me you know what courting is." He actually looked like he was begging.

"Yes." Harry was relieved there was something he finally understood.

"Good, you're not completely hopeless."

Harry glare at the blond.

Being friends with Draco Malfoy. This is going to take some getting used to.

I'm about to start going back to school so my updates might be longer apart, sorry!

Review! But please no flames.