!*!*! ATTENTION... ופמערקזאַמקייַט ... SLYW !*!*!
Disclaimer: Does one of the Weasley twins get killed? Yes, and that's how you know I didn't write it. I would never harm those wonderful pranksters, which is why in this fanfic I can bring them back! Muhahahaha...
Lord Voldemort arrived at the bookstore again the next day, disguised as his new persona, Thomas, and dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a charcoal grey sweater.
He pushed open the door to the bookstore, a small smile on his lips. The smile vanished completely when he saw who was sitting behind the desk. His smile morphed into a faint scowl.
It wasn't Harry Potter.
Instead, it was a woman. He stared at her. She was pretty, he supposed, in a muggle way, with wavy brown hair that went past her shoulders and fair skin. She looked up at him, setting down some books, and gave him a polite, warm, professional smile.
"Hello. May I help you?"
He nodded, forcing a charming smile to his lips. "Yes, you can. I was looking for Harry? Harry Evans?"
The polite expression vanished off of her face faster than he could cast a crucio. "You must be Thomas," she said, arms crossed over her chest.
Voldemort blinked. She was giving off waves of hostility. What on earth had Harry told her about him? He nodded slowly. "Yes, that would be me."
She seemed to argue with herself internally for a moment, and then said through gritted teeth, "Harry told me, if I saw you, to tell you that he only works here until three. After that he works at Balance, down the street."
Voldemort withheld a smirk. Well, apparently Harry wasn't averse to seeing him again. Thomas, that was. How would the boy react if he knew who it really was? Still, none of that explained why the woman in front of him was glaring at him as though she'd dearly love to throw him off of a cliff, especially in there were pointy rocks waiting below.
He nodded at her courteously. "Thank you."
Then, they stared at each other for a while, neither blinking. Finally, she looked aside. Really, no one could out stare him. It was very useful for intimidating people.
"I want you to stay away from him," she said bluntly.
He waited for her to continue, but she didn't. "And why would that be?"
She looked back at him and narrowed her hazel eyes. "Just stay away from him. He's good and kind and…"
"And you like him?" Voldemort interposed.
She flushed but nodded. "Yes, I do. When he mentioned you, I got a bad feeling. I don't know how to explain it, but I did. I have a sort of second sense about these things. Now, I want you to listen to me. I'll admit it; I like Harry. I like him a lot. And I think you're bad for him. Whatever you want to do to him or use him for, don't even think about it, because I will drop kick your ass out of his store. Got it?" She was glowering at him now.
Voldemort looked at her thoughtfully. He sincerely wished that he could kill her, first of all. No one talked like that to him, but, unfortunately, that would be rather out of character. Oh, well. He could always have her tortured later. Secondly, it was interesting. Perhaps she had some sort of second sight? It might be possible, because what she had said was awfully close to the truth.
He stepped closer to her, delighting in the slight flinch she gave. "Unfortunately, I can't agree to do what you say." He paused dramatically, and then continued. "You see, I find Harry so very interesting, and I'd like to get to know him better."
Her face turned pink, from embarrassment or anger he couldn't tell. "So, you like him, too?"
He didn't say anything for a moment, trying to figure out what she was talking about. Then, suddenly, he understood what she was asking. Did he fancy Harry Potter? He managed not to burst out laughing… barely. What a ridiculous notion. He'd had had lovers over the years who had shared his bed, but they had been few and fleeting.
Yes, Harry Potter had grown up into, dare he say it, an extremely handsome young man, but he'd spent the majority of the last two decades trying to kill the boy. That wasn't exactly conducive to a healthy relationship. It was more of a hate-kill than a love-hate thing. But, if this muggle wanted to think that, why not? It seemed to annoy her.
He gave a broad, almost roguish grin, and said, "Maybe I do."
Her face turned an alarming and rather unflattering shade of pink. "You!" The word was practically growled.
"Me?" he asked innocently.
"I'm warning you for the last time. Stay away from Harry!"
He checked his watch with studied deliberateness. "Well, as interesting as this has been, I have better things to do with my time than get threatened by a love-struck female who seems to be all talk and no substance."
Like torture some people and run an entire world.
"So, I think I'll take my leave. But don't worry, I'll be back later… to visit Harry."
He could almost see steam coming out of her ears.
"I warned you," she started, but he cut her off. "Yes, well, I've never much been one to listen to warnings." Before she could say anything else, he gave her a short, mocking bow. "I really must go. Next time I'm here, I'll be sure to tell Harry how delightful you've been." And with that, he left the shop, leaving the girl standing there, cursing under her breath and calling him some highly unflattering things that would have made a sailor blush scarlet and cover his ears.
He turned the corner into the alley and quickly and quietly disapparated back to his office at the ministry. Not even bothering to take off his disguise, he flopped down into his chair and closed his eyes meditatively.
Annoying muggle girl. Apparently she was completely infatuated with Harry, as well as thinking Harry shouldn't be around him. Well, she was right on that account at least. But Harry… He had left such an impression on the boy that he had given the muggle a message to tell him if he came in again. How delightful. Yes… it wouldn't be much time at all before he became even closer to the boy.
No, he corrected himself. Man. Harry Potter was most definitely a man now, and a very intriguing one at that.
He'd formulated several theories about why he'd vanished from the wizarding world, but he couldn't know if any of them were right. There were some other things that bothered him as well. Little things. Like working in a book store. The several times that they'd met, a bookworm and well read could possibly have been the last things that could describe Harry. But perhaps he didn't know him well enough?
Maybe a second opinion was in order…
Before he could scheme any further, a knock sounded at the door and Luna's blonde head poked in. "Tom?"
He gave her an icy glare at the use of her name, and she ignored it, something which seemed to be their routine.
"What?" he demanded.
"Your four o'clock appointment with the Australian wizards about the control, funding, and sale of dragons is here."
He didn't groan, but it was a close thing. "Please tell me that that's my only appointment for the day?"
"No, you also have to discuss trade-tariffs with the magical communities overseas, and Aregimina Flask is here again, this time with supporters, demanding that muggle hunting become legal again."
"I told that blasted woman no!" Voldemort snarled.
"I know that, but she's come up with the idea of only hunting… hobos."
The Dark Lord's eyes widened. How dense was the woman? He would have thought that after last time, which involved several cutting curses and crucios, she would have understood that no meant no.
"Leave her appointment for last. I may need some one to… unleash my frustrations on."
Luna nodded, only looking faintly disapproving, and her head popped out of view again.
Voldemort sighed, waving his wand over himself and watching as Thomas Deldir melted away once again. He rather liked his new persona. It was almost… relaxing.
He shook his head and turned his mind to the issues at hand. Right, time to run his empire… and curse a few people.
Hello! Sorry for the long wait for this chapter, but I've been out of town... kidnapped by my own parents... to a place without internet. The horror, right? But, I'm back now and can continue the story. Sorry if not much happens in this chapter, but I wanted to have a muggle, who Voldemort couldn't hurt, to be sort of a thorn in his side, and this chapter was needed to set some things up for future chapters. So, hope you all like it.
Ja ne,
Rumer Hasit
Gemini Perverell: Well, thank you very much. When I was thinking of writing up a Harry Potter story, I kept thinking how fun it would be to do it from Voldemort's point of view. And I'm glad that you think I make it real. I do try.
ChocolateSnowflake: Yes, poor, poor Harry. I think I'll enjoy making life hilariously difficult for him in this story. I mean, making him Vodlemort's new puzzle? There's a dangers thing to be. And I'm glad you like Luna. I must say, she's one of my favorite characters. And, yes. I've made him a closet bookworm. I mean, I love books, and all those years hanging out with Hermione must have rubbed off on him at least a little, right?
itachisgurl93:Yep. Voldemort just seems like the sort of person who would enjoy puzzles, particularly if they had to do with people. Glad you liked the chapter, and I hope that you liked this chapter as well.
bookwornqueen7: It's good? Well, I'm glad you think that the story is good. I do apologize that I didn't update sooner. I would have if I could have, but I couldn't... sadly. But, I do hope you enjoy this short chapter.
noelnoel2: Ummm... Wow. Longer chapters and updates every hour? I seem to have disappointed you. Er- sorry about that. But, I am glad that you've enjoyed reading it so far. And, yes, I do think that Voldemort will be able to lure Harry back to the wizarding world eventually, I mean, if they don't kill each other or anything like that.
BKwriter: Thank you! I was wondering if anyone would recognize Deldir as being Riddle. I mean, he loves anagrams, so I had to keep that going. But really, it's awesome that you noticed that. I'm not sure if anyone else actually did. Kudos, man. And I hope you keep reading to find out what happens.
Reader-anonymous: Well, as to why Harry didn't check the amulet for spells... *Clears throat* It was given to him by a muggle acquaintance/friend who creates jewelry and it doesn't exactly look like an amulet. Does that make sense at all? And, yes, Thomas Deldir. Thomas is just another form of Tom, and... Well, the second part's an anagram. But, thank you for reading and reviewing.
Fireotaku18: Ah, I've got you hooked on my story? Brilliant. Then, I hope that means that you're going to keep reading. But don't pull your hair out over the story. I swear... No, wait. You might want to actually.
Anon: Well, I'm not really sure that Harry is gay. I think he's more bi. And as for Voldemort realizing that fact that Harry is bi? I think he'll realize it very soon. I thought it would be nice for Harry to work in a bookshop, too. I mean, hello, Hermione? That has got to rub off on him a bit. Plus... I love books.
xxxblast: Glad you think that the story is interesting so far, and sorry for not updating sooner. And really, thanks for the advanced "Merry Christmas". I hope you had good holidays as well.
Emriel: Exciting? Interesting? Thank you, glad you think so. I promise that you'll find out why Harry left the wizarding world in a bit. I might take a few chapters, though. And as for Nagini... I just wanted to make her smart. I like her. And, no. Voldemort doesn't know about Harry being his horcrux.
Mystia Katsuragi: Well, I'm glad that you're caught up and that there weren't too many mistakes. I do try to keep them out, but a few always seem to slip through. And I just had to have Luna in the story, and I though she'd be a nice person to sort of pair with Voldemort. Hope you liked this chapter, too.
LIGHTNSHADOWS: Thank you. Okay, you had a lost of questions, and I swear they'll be answered... in time. See? I'm evil. But I mean we've always known that Voldemort's sort of obsessed with Harry, and so of course he'd be interested in the puzzle that is Harry. But... You'll have to keep rading to find out the rest.
LarryTheBalrog: You think it's original? Wow. Thanks. I mean, that's one of the highest complements that I could get. And you think it's well written. Even better. Plus, you think I kept Voldemort in character. Thank you, thank you, and thank you. I'm thrilled that you think so, and I promise to keep the story going.
mountain ash: Well, thank you very much. I do try to keep my characters in character. It makes things more real to me. Does that make sense? Maybe? But, I'm glad you think I'm going a good job so far and I swear I'll keep writing.
Isabelle Eir: Ah, you're making me blush, Isabelle. New and brilliant? Well, thank you. It's nice of you to say, and I'm very glad that you think so. And I think you may be right about Voldemort doing the comedy circuit, or at least going into asking. He really does have a flair for the dramatic. Anyway, I hope it made you laugh, and that you'll keep reading.
Leo Lovely: Ah, you're dying for more? Well, sorry to make you wait, but I do hope that you enjoyed this short chapter. I promise that there's more to come.
Izara Sprightly of Redmont: *takes a bow* Well, thank you much. It's nice to know that you enjoy the story.
Ms. Vader: It's nice to know that you think my story's going to be great, and I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Thank you for reviewing.