Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Harry Potter universe.

"dialogue"
"mental dialogue"
"parsel"
"mental parsel"

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Severus stalked the hallways of Hogwarts. As he went, he took some satisfaction in watching the dunderhead students flee from his path. The familiarity of the action was a soothing balm to his tattered world view. Here away from all things Potter, he could almost believe that nothing had changed and their world wasn't about to be thrown on it's head by a force of chaos nobody could hope to predict. Worse still, that he would be helping it along.

He reached the stone gargoyle and gave the password. Not waiting for the stairs to carry him he made his way to the top and knocked on the door. He entered when called for to find Minerva seated at her desk.

She looked up from her work, "Severus! I must say that I'm surprised to see you. Did some of the students get into trouble again?"

Severus sneered "Undoubtedly. However, that is not why I am here."

She peered at him through her glasses and sighed when he did not continue. With a wry smile she prodded, "And why is it that you are here then?"

Severus glanced around at all the portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses, "This is a matter of utmost caution. It must not reach the wrong ears."

At that she raised a brow, but assured him, "The portraits, as you know, are bound to the head position Severus. They cannot divulge secrets without my approval. What has you so worked up? And take a seat already, I have no desire to earn a crick in my neck staring up at you."

Severus sat and paused to consider his wording, "I have recently had contact with a certain wayward student of yours. He has requested your assistance."

He waited as she thought over his statement and noted the exact moment that it dawned on her just who he meant.

Eyes widening she spoke in barely a whisper, "Harry? Severus you have seen Harry? What of Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley?"

He shook his head, "I have only met with the brat and one other. He made mentioned that his two little friends where elsewhere, but did not elaborate further on the matter. Minerva it is imperative that what I am about to tell you does not reach anyone else. Especially the Order."

Before he could continue they were interrupted, "Severus my boy! It is excellent news that you have at last found young Harry, but are you sure that it is wise to exclude the Order from such business?"

Severus scowled. Even as a portrait the old man could be infuriating. "Circumstances beyond your awareness have changed Headmaster. Why you left that crackpot paranoid fool in charge is beyond me. He will only hinder our plans if he were informed."

Dumbledore's portrait adopted a disappointed look, "Now Severus, it is important that everyone work together to defeat Tom. He cannot be stopped alone."

Severus sneered, "Yes and that is why you sent three teenagers off on a merry chase collecting horcruxes."

Dumbledore went to speak again when Minerva interjected, "Enough! Perhaps Severus, you should explain before the two of you start bickering like schoolchildren."

He turned back to her, "Potter's plans have changed. He is taking a new approach to this war and your assistance will be required for it to succeed."

She furrowed her brow, "What is this new approach and do you agree with him Severus?"

Reluctantly he nodded, "It has some merit."

Amusement shined from her expression, "Coming from you that is high praise indeed. Especially when a Potter is concerned. What is this plan?"

He sneered for good measure, "First you need to know that a horcrux is a severed piece of soul, placed into an item to tether a person to life. Should they die, they will not pass on, but linger. I am sure you can understand the implications. The Dark Lord made multiple such horcruxes."

"What he failed to take into consideration was that the loss of soul would erode at his mind and magic. Each time he created one he fell into a greater madness until he became the monster you know."

Dumbledore was watching him intently, but made no move to interrupt, "Tell me Minerva, what do you remember of Tom Riddle from your schooldays?"

She blinked in surprise, "He was a few years ahead of me, but from what I remember he was rather brilliant. Everybody liked him. He had charm and was very handsome. Everyone expected him to join the ministry and to do great things there. I never understood how that boy went on to become such a monster, but if what you say is true..." She trailed off seemingly lost in the recollection.

Apparently Albus could contain himself no longer, "Ah, but don't let his appearance fool you Minerva. Even when Tom was a student he was cruel. A charming front, but to his loyal he showed a different face."

Severus sneered, "That might be true headmaster, but he was not irrational and so prone to anger. People did not follow him out of fear in the beginning, but genuine loyalty."

The twinkle dimmed and the old man looked at him over his half-moon glasses, "Where are you going with this my boy?"

A small part of him took satisfaction in watching the headmaster's face at his next statement. It was the same part that still resented the old man for forcing his hand in his death, "Potter intends to restore the Dark Lord's soul and have Tom Riddle reform the wizarding world."

Shocked silence. Ah so that was why Potter enjoyed dropping outlandish statements as if they were nothing important. He must admit there was some amusement to be derived from such actions. Not that he would ever say as much to the imbecile.

Minerva was still gaping. It was Albus that recovered first, "My boy, as laudable a sentiment as that is, I am afraid it is not possible. The soul cannot be so easily mended and Tom Riddle would refuse to see reason and press on with his anti-muggle and anti-muggleborn stance. He cannot be allowed such opportunity."

Severus merely examined his nails disinterestedly, "Then I must have imagined when I met with a very restored and sane Dark Lord only days ago. He must not have told me of his change in plans regarding muggleborns. How careless of me. Perhaps one of my potions went awry and I merely hallucinated the whole thing." He allowed his expression to speak of the unlikelihood of that.

Minerva pulled herself together, though she still looked a bit frazzled, "Severus, how can I be sure that Harry is in fact helping in this? I do not mean to discount your word, but it is a lot to believe without any proof."

He smirked and turned to look at Phineas Black's portrait, "I believe Headmaster, that should you visit an old home of yours that you will find all the proof you need."

The man raised a brow, but did not comment as he turned and walked out of his frame.

Harry was not sulking. No matter what Tom claimed, he wasn't. Both men had quickly shot down Harry's perfectly reasonable plan for him to visit Hogwarts. Just because he was on the run from the majority of the wizarding world did not mean that sneaking into Hogwarts was dangerous. All right maybe a little dangerous, but it wasn't like it would be the first time. He'd had to retrieve that stupid tiara after all. He should prank Tom to wear that tiara around for a day. See how intimidating his death eaters find him when he is sporting all that sparkle.

He huffed again and tried to return to his book. He was stuck in his old room at Grimmauld while Snape got to have all the fun at Hogwarts. He had really wanted to see Dumbledore's face when he found out about Tom's soul. He was still rather bitter that the old man had set him up to die without telling him.

Harry was pulled from his thoughts by a condescending voice, "So I see that the Potion's master was telling the truth when he said you would be here boy. Although I cannot fathom what you hope to gain from these reckless pursuits. Why do you think you, a mere boy, have the right to go against your headmaster's wishes?"

Anger shot through him and he narrowed his eyes at the man, "Things come up and plans change, Headmaster. Perhaps you should ask Dumbledore about his plan to have me walk to my death." He tapped his forehead pointedly, "After all the horcruxes need to be destroyed at all cost don't they?" He tilted his head slightly, "Forgive me if I thought it prudent to seek other options."

The man scowled down at him, scrutinizing, "You are different. What has happened to you boy?"

Harry didn't know what it was. If it was simply the last straw, the one final push needed to make the dam break or being called by that cursed word again. That word he had heard thrown at him so spitefully by his hated uncle and then so reverently by the sheep of the wizarding world. He didn't know if it was the knowledge that Phineas was a Black and a Slytherin and even as a portrait he would know better than to spread such matters around. Whatever it was, it was enough. Harry allowed a slow, dark, humorless smile to spread across his face and then he told the man.

Severus was growing impatient. He had sent the portrait off to witness the boy over thirty minutes ago and the man had yet to return. How difficult was it to confirm the boy's presence? Surely it did not warrant half an hour.

Conversation had stalled as they waited. Dumbledore was throwing him disapproving looks to which he responded with his own sneers. Minerva was drinking tea and pointedly ignoring the both of them.

Finally the former Headmaster returned to his portrait and Severus was startled to see that the proud man looked disturbed and slightly pale.

"Are you alright Phineas?" Minerva was looking at the portrait in mild concern, "Was Harry there?"

The man cleared his throat and look up, expression unreadable, "Yes, the boy is there. He has confirmed everything that Professor Snape has told us." He looked at Minerva, "I think it would be wise to hear them out Headmistress."

Severus raised his eyebrow at that. What had the boy told him to convince him so thoroughly? He knew that pressing the matter would be fruitless, but it was obvious that something had transpired between the two. He felt another headache start to form and made a mental note to brew more headache cures. He had the feeling that he would be needing them if he was to continue interacting with Potter.

Minerva turned back to him, "Well Severus, what is it that they need from me? I assume it has something to do with Hogwarts." She narrowed her eyes and pinned him with her glare, "Know that I will not allow any harm to come to the students. I do not care what plans they make if it will endanger the children. I might be willing to hear you out, if only because I trust both you an Harry, but I will not simply forget who this man is."

"I assure you that has already been taken into consideration Minerva. No harm will befall the brats. Potter and the Dark Lord have decided to stage a battle here at the school." He raised his hand to stop her protests, "They intend it to occur over the summer when there will be no students present."

"Potter has requested that you assist in calling the Order and aurors to the fight and to allow Potter an exception in the wards so that he might apparate in."

She looked at him confused, "I don't understand. Why would they want to plan a fight at the school? Why give us the forewarning?"

"A battle yes, but not in the way you are thinking of. They plan to stage the demise of the Dark Lord and then set up Riddle under an alias in the ministry. The intend to change things from the inside Minerva. If they succeed in this the war will be over. The only war to continue on will be in the political arena."

"Their goals are not limited to the ministry alone. They have many plans for wizarding education and Hogwarts itself. I know they are hoping to meet with you soon to discuss them."

Dumbledore, the meddlesome fool, of course couldn't remain silent for long, "I do not find it believable that Tom would be willing to throw away the name Voldemort so easily my boy. Do you not think it possible that he is merely trying to trick you? Perhaps he suspects you of being a spy?"

Severus clenched his jaw and tried to reign in his frustration. He sarcastically drawled, "Perhaps Headmaster you would like to ask him yourself? A simple floo call is all it would take."

The two matched stares. Severus contemplated if it would be possible to paint out that infernal twinkle. Perhaps portraits should be a little less realistic. He should have known that the man would manage to meddle even from beyond the grave.

"If he is willing to give an oath of non aggression, that might be for the best. I would like to see this with my own eyes. Perhaps Phineas you could ask Harry to join us? Tell him I will open the floo."

Severus had too much control to show his surprise, but he could admit inwardly that he had not expected that from his colleague. He turned to Minerva and noted that she was being completely serious. He considered for a moment and decided that if nothing else it would be entertaining to watch the Dark Lord clash with Albus' portrait.

Tom stepped gracefully out of the fireplace into the office. He took in the room and narrowed his eyes when he caught sight of the old fool's portrait. He deliberately avoided looking at it. The old cat was sitting at her desk, shock evident as if she could not believe who was standing before her. Tom smirked at her surprise. It seemed that Severus had failed to mention his return to his old body. Without looking away, he carefully removed his wand, held it up and gave the standard oath of temporary non aggression.

Before anyone had a chance to react, the fire flared green and out stumbled a person with a familiar mop of hair. Potter landed an in undignified heap on the floor and Tom barely refrained from a sigh.

"Potter I thought we discussed how it was not a good idea for you to come to Hogwarts considering you are still technically on the run and in hiding." He added, "And get up off the floor. Typical that even the floo network can't seem to stand your presence for long."

Potter pulled himself upright and started to dust himself off, "You only said it was a bad idea for me to sneak into Hogwarts. I was invite and expected. No sneaking involved. Besides if the ministry or Order does decide to barge in we can just charm Professor Snape's robes a bright sunshine yellow. They will be so stunned they won't even notice me."

Tom turned to the now scowling man and pretended to ponder the statement. He nodded thoughtfully, "Yes, I agree. That would be a suitable distraction." He inwardly smirked as the man's scowl only deepened.

He noted that Minerva was now watching them with her brow raised in continued surprise. If anything their banter only served to heighten her stunned disbelief. Even though it was upon her invitation that he was here at all, she did not seem like she would be collecting her wits before a certain twinkly-eyed menace stuck his abnormally crooked nose into affairs.

As if hearing his thoughts, "Harry my boy! It is a relief to see you well after all this time. I admit I was greatly concerned with your prolonged absence." The jovial expression morphed to the equally frustrating pleasant serenity he always seemed to don in his presence, "Tom I must say that you are looking better than the last time we spoke. I see you have regained your former appearance. I must admit that I am quite curious as to how you managed it." The portrait popped a lemon drop in his mouth and continued to watch him expectantly.

Tom sneered and replied mockingly, "Then it is a shame that I will have to leave your curiosity unfulfilled. Unfortunately, I am not in the habit of sharing personal information with meddling old fools. I am afraid my hands are tied."

The twinkle blasted full force, "Not a problem my boy. It is merely an old man's idle curiosity after all. Although I must insist you tell me what you did to convince poor Harry here to assist you. I admit that I find it hard to believe he would go to you willingly. I find it just as surprising that you have not tried to kill the dear boy yet."

He waited for the indignant outcry from the brat, but a quick glance at Potter told him that it would not be coming. Potter's expression had gone unusually flat as he stared at the portrait of his former headmaster. Tom raised an eyebrow and studied the boy's posture and countenance.

He was rigid with his hands clenched in tight fists. Everything about Potter screamed tense and the boy's emotions told him that he was warring between anger, hurt, betrayal and an odd sense of resignation. The anger being the most prevalent.

Severus was lurking to the side, watching the exchange impassively. Minerva had her lips pursed in disapproval and was shooting a glare at Dumbledore. She looked to be on the verge of interrupting her predecessor.

Then, to his surprise, Potter did speak. It was stilted and the effort it was taking to restrain himself was plain to see, "I went to him first Professor so he couldn't have tricked me. Also he is under oath and cannot harm me while it is in effect."

Dumbledore just peered at the boy over his glasses, "There are ways around oaths my dear boy. You cannot be sure that this isn't just another plot to lure you out. I'm afraid that he likely has other less savory reasons for keeping you alive. I am worried that there is more at work in this situation than you realize Harry."

Something in that typically vague response must have held some greater meaning to Potter. Tom felt a wave of rage hit him and in the moment of his brief disorientation Potter had moved and was standing directly in from of the portrait. A snarled word and wave of his wand and a bubble of silence was erected around the two. Tom raised his eyebrow when he noticed the strength of the spell.

The Headmistress took a hurried step towards the now silently shouting Potter. She raised her wand to cancel Potter's spell. Nothing happened. She tried again. Nothing.

"Leave it. You will not be able to bring down Potter's spell. It was fueled by potent emotions and his own blood. It will only come down when he allows it to or is too exhausted to maintain it."

She turned he glare on him practically hissing, "What do you mean his own blood? I saw no such thing. It was just an area silencing spell. Nothing that would require blood."

Severus, who had been silent since his arrival, clarified, "His hands were bleeding from where his nails had dug into his palms. While normally that would not have much, if any effect on an average spell, his magic was reacting to his anger which triggered the blood that touched his wand. If he had not cast that spell it is likely we would be dealing with rattling objects and broken glass that are more typical to Potter's usual emotional outbursts."

Tom picked up the explanation, "The result of which you see here. An overpowered silencing dome that is keyed solely into Potter's blood and magic." It was actually quite impressive. Not just any wizard would be able to achieve the effect. Most wouldn't have the raw power to fuel something of this nature.

He watched as Potter continued to shout at the old goat. The twinkle completely absent from the man's eyes. Potter eventually tapered off, breathing heavily from all the yelling. The old man was looking stricken, but his face practically crumbled at whatever Potter said next. The two faced each other. Potter again looking tired, worn, and too skinny. Dumbledore looked older than Tom had ever seen him in life. What had the boy said to the man?

After another few moments where the whole room waited in tense silence, Potter raised his wand and casually broke his spell. With a final almost regretful glance at the Headmaster he turned and without a word took a seat next to Tom.

He ran his hands through his hair, "Sorry about that. I hadn't thought about there being a portrait here when I left." Then almost to himself, "I don't know how I forgot about it."

Minerva snapped herself out of her shock and drew herself up sternly, "Mr. Potter that is no way to treat the Headmaster, portrait or otherwise. Just what was so important that you could not discuss it in a calm reasonable manner?"

The boy smiled sheepishly, "Sorry Professor, but that's something between me and the Headmaster. You know I've never been the best at keeping my temper."

Her lips pursed, but there was fondness as she looked at the boy, "I remember that quite clearly Harry. You were rather notorious for you temper during your fifth year."

He grimaced, "Yeah that year was not my best." Then he turned a glare to Tom, "That was actually partly your fault you know. With your constant obsessing over the prophecy. I had dreams for months about that stupid ministry hallway."

Tom raised his eyebrow at the boy and responded dryly, "My condolences."

"So you really are him then." Minerva was openly scrutinizing him, "I must say that I had not expected you to look so similar to the Tom Riddle I knew from school." A wry look crossed her face, "And so young."

There was steal in her gaze as she continued, "You should know that the only reason I have allowed you here today is that I trust the judgement of these two boys. If you so much as harm a hair on either's head or any of my students I will personally show you why it is that Hogwarts is considered a place of safety despite any who try to break down her doors."

He had to give it to her. She exemplified the better qualities of her house admirably. If only more Gryffindors would follow her example. A pity that most of them seemed to equate bravery with loud and brash.

He inclined his head in acknowledgement of the threat. He might not be convinced that she could truly stop him if he did decide to attack the school, but he would concede that it would not be easy.

"I have no intention of anything of the kind so long as I am not provoked. As I am sure Severus mentioned the battle to take place here is mostly for show. Potter and I both agree that unnecessary deaths is something to be avoided."

She furrowed her brow, "I must say that is not something I would have expected from you of all people. Why this sudden change of heart?"

Tom caught Potter's grin from the corner of his eye and inwardly groaned. He knew that look all too well. If the expression on Severus face was anything to go by, the other man was equally wary.

"I don't know if it was so much a change in heart Professor as it was being bashed over the head with cold hard facts. Repeatedly."

Tom shot the brat a glare and only received that cheeky grin for his trouble.

"I am not incapable of reason brat. As unbelievable as it is, your arguments were well presented and sound."

The grin didn't falter, "Oh so you didn't spend weeks running around trying to refute my claims in anyway you could manage? I bet you even snuck a few blood samples to test the lineage of a few muggleborns. If you hadn't been under oath to give my research fair consideration I bet you would have set it on fire out of shear stubbornness long before you even came close to accepting the results."

Tom felt his eye twitch. It irked him how accurate Potter was. He had in fact tested a few muggleborns and squibs. He made a mental note to foist Nagini on him for a week in revenge. Her newfound camaraderie with Nimsey was starting to unnerve him. He would never admit it, but it was eerie whenever he came across the pair of them together. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were plotting something.

He leveled a glare at the brat, "I am a dark lord Potter. I do not simply blindly accept whenever somebody questions my methods. You are lucky that the oath prevented me from torturing you for the impertinence."

He felt his eye twitch again when Potter's only response was to wave airily, "Yeah, yeah. Pain, torture, menacing glares, intimidating aura, use whatever you want. Doesn't change the fact you just didn't want to admit you were wrong." That cheeky grin again, "Which you were by the way."

A sort of strained cough which sounded suspiciously like an attempt to stifle a laugh came from the former transfiguration professor. She looked at the two of them in clear amusement, "I see. Well if you truly mean no harm to the students then the least I can do is hear you out. Severus stop skulking over there in the corner and join us like a civilized adult." She leveled her stern gaze at the three of them, "I trust that you gentlemen will explain everything and that I won't find out later that somebody failed to mention anything important."

Tom inwardly sighed. Leave it to Potter to reduce his intimidating reputation to shreds in the matter of minutes. With a glance at the still oddly subdued and silent portrait of one Albus Dumbledore, he took consolation that it was not just him the boy seemed to throw wholly off balance. Although he resented the implication that he shared any common ground with Dumbledore. Perhaps two weeks with Nagini would be better. He pushed the matter out of mind for now and turned back to the conversation at hand.

He paused outside the building and not for the first time questioned the intelligence of this plan. Lucius looked at the flashing displays and garish orange color and felt the sneer of disgust cross his face. He had no choice, but to follow along for now. He would get Potter back for this indignity.

He supposed though that if this crazy idea of Potter's did work he could grant the boy some leniency. It was such an utter relief to find his Lord sane once more. When he was told that his family would no longer be in danger and that he might even be able to salvage his family name... Well maybe he could let Potter off this once. Not that he would forget the incident. Unfortunately.

As he looked up once more at the orange monstrosity before him he reconsidered his decision to allow Potter off unscathed. He steeled himself, making sure his face was placid as any respectable Pureblood's should be and strode into the store of Weasley Wizard Wheezes as if he owned the place.

At the bucket of glitter that was dumped on his head when he passed through the door, he felt the beginnings of his patience fray. When his attempt at removing the glitter with magic only served to make it start sparkling like little stars, he felt that patience fray a bit more. Finally, when upon setting eyes on him, the two red headed menaces simultaneously reacted by launching some electric blue goop they had been holding at him, he felt his control slip just a bit more. When that gloop started to sing off key muggle romance songs he vowed that he would get Potter back for this. One way or another that boy would pay.