I do not own anything involving Harry Potter, or the Addams Family.
Hello guys, Badger here. Good news. I have successfully passed my Foundation Year at Uni and that is a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. Ever since I found out, I've found my motivation for writing and I've been writing new chapters for all my ongoing stories. As well as draft chapters for new stories, I may or may not make in the near future. Depends on how things go.
Anyway. I am glad to see people seemed happy with the duel between Harry and Lucius, with many glad to see Lucius getting put down in such a manner. This chapter takes place, nearly immediately after that. Perhaps a day or two after. Now, I want to apologise before hand if there are any mistakes in here. Some of this chapter was written at around 2 AM. So if there is a mistake of some kind let me know and I'll make sure to correct it. But that is all for now. Read on, enjoy and I will see you at the end.
Chapter 7
Are You With Me, Or Not
Narcissa was alone, in the decrepit building, formerly owned the Malfoy Bloodline. Now though, by right of conquest, it belonged to Harry Potter. She had called for assistance to have Lucius' body collected, to be prepared for a burial, and she hasn't stopped crying since, as everything that had happened processed inside her head, over and over again. With Harry Potter defeating Lucius in an Honour Duel, she was now left penniless and nameless. Just mere days ago, she held a lot of power and could receive whatever she demanded, as she was the Malfoy Matriarch. Now, within the blink of an eye, that was all gone. It wouldn't be long until the rest of the Wizarding World finds out. When word gets out that Lucius Malfoy was dead, the Daily Prophet reporters would be tripping over themselves, wanting to be the first to write an article on the matter. When that happens, the rest of the Wizarding World will know that Lucius had been killed by Harry Potter, in an Honour Duel.
Her son, Draco, wasn't around, though she had an idea as to where he was. After Lucius' body was collected, she had informed Draco about what had happened and, to say her son was outraged, would be an understatement. Draco went on a massive rant, cursing Potter's name, over and over again, swearing to whatever deity was out there, begging them to bring Potter to him so Draco can kill him himself. After ranting for several minutes, Draco turned his anger on her, putting blame on her for Lucius' death, believing that she could have stepped in to help. Narcissa had tried to explain that by law of an Honour Duel, she would not be allowed to. Draco would have none of it though and stormed out. Narcissa had a feeling as to where he went. To the Dark Lord, himself. If Draco wanted to kill Potter, he would beg the Dark Lord to accept him into the Death Eaters ranks.
Narcissa put her head in her hands, as she continued to cry. What was she going to do now?
…
At Grimmauld Place, Ron, Ginny, Hermione and the Twins sat in one of the many rooms, their concerns for Harry, still the topic of discussion. With still no word on Harry's whereabouts, they were all still scared of the possibility that something has happened to Harry, or You-Know-Who has kidnapped him. The latter seemed likely, as they had eavesdropped on the Remus and Dumbledore, where their former Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor informed the Headmaster that the Dursleys have been kidnapped with signs of a struggle. Ron, Ginny and Hermione believed they were taken in hopes of luring Harry into the open, so You-Know-Who can kill him, though Fred and George argued those claims, stating that Harry wouldn't go out of his way to save people he has no love for. Hermione, however, responded to that argument by stating that Harry is too noble for his own good and would save his relatives, even if he hates them with every fibre of his being. They continued to argue about the matter, over and over, until an owl they immediately recognised flew in through an open window, dropping a letter at their feet, flying out the same window, before anyone had a chance to do anything.
Hermione practically pounced on the letter, opening it up frantically, as everyone gathered round so they could see what the letter said. The chicken scratch calligraphy on the parchment was evident that the letter was indeed, written by Harry.
Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred and George,
If you are reading this letter, then it means Hedwig was able to deliver it to you, without any trouble. For the past few days, I've been back and forth on writing a letter to you guys. After some consideration, I've decided to just get it over with and inform you the reason for my disappearance.
To put it bluntly, I've had enough!
You see, for ten years of my life I was mistreated by relatives who hated everything about me, simply because I was magical. I was locked in a cupboard, I was starved, I was beaten. For ten years. Then, when I was eleven years old, I received a letter that turned my world upside down. My Hogwarts Acceptance Letter. The thought of going somewhere, away from my relatives, to a place where I fit in, made me so happy and excited. If I would've known what my future would hold, I wouldn't have bothered. Hermione and Ron, I'm sure you remember First Year well. A Mountain Troll and the Philosophers Stone. After stopping Quirrell, and Voldemort, what do I get in return? Being sent back to the Dursleys!
Then there was Second Year! The year where most of the school turned their backs on me, believing me to be the Heir of Slytherin. Even when I defeated the Basilisk, and Voldemort once more, no one even apologised to me for their snide remarks. And what do I get in return. Again, I'm sent back to the Dursleys! Then there was Third Year, where I had Dementors ready to pounce on me every chance they got and the real culprit who betrayed my parents escaped, meaning Sirius was still a wanted man! And, again, sent back to the Dursleys!
Fourth Year! For a second time, most of the school turned their backs on me, after I was forced into a Tournament I wanted nothing to do with. Then I fought Voldemort for a third time, and I watched Cedric die in front of me. Then, in Fifth Year, I had to endure the Daily Prophet spouting off lies about me, with most of the school yet again, turning their backs on me. Then, after months of enduring Umbridge and her bigoted grip on Hogwarts, I watched Sirius die in front of me, after I was foolishly lured to the Ministry by Voldemort so I would get some kind of Prophecy. And what happened next? Again, I was sent back to the Dursleys! And I've just had enough!
Every year I seem to get clobbered and I have just had enough of being clobbered! I'm done! I no longer want anything to do with the Wizarding World. I want to live my own life. A normal life! I want to talk to you more about this, but it is better to talk to you lot in person. I've opened a Floo Network allowing you to come to me. And come alone! Do not bring Remus! Do not bring Moody! Do not bring Dumbledore! Do not bring anyone! I want to talk to you and you alone. To activate the Floo network to my location, just say "The Addams Villa".
I'll be waiting for your arrival.
Harry
There was silence amongst the group, as the looked at the letter in various degrees of shock. Whatever it was they were expecting when Hermione opened the letter, it certainly wasn't this. They could practically feel the venom being spouted as they read through the contents. After a moment, Ron eventually spoke up.
"He's chosen to abandon us?" He said, his tone one of outrage "He's abandoning us like a coward…how could he do that!"
"Ronnikins we knew you were stupid, but we didn't know you were that stupid!" Fred spoke up
"After reading through the letter, it's perfectly clear why he would want to leave" George continued "We suspected things were bad, but we didn't think it was this bad"
"We need to tell Dumbledore about this" Hermione said, before quickly making her way out of the room
"Hermione, wait!" Ginny called out, as the rest followed after her
The four Weasley children ran after Hermione as they made their way down the stairs of Grimmauld Place, into the dining area, where Dumbledore was talking to Remus, Arthur and Molly. The sudden interruption caused the adults to shift their attention onto them.
"Miss Granger" Dumbledore said "What is the matter?"
"It's Harry, sir" Hermione said, approaching the headmaster, handing him the letter "He sent us a letter…what do we do?"
Dumbledore took the letter from Hermione's grip and silently read through it, the other adults in the room waiting, impatiently, wondering what the letter was. Dumbledore couldn't help but sigh as he read through the contents. It was clear that the last few years has been too much for the boy, causing him to pack up and leave. However, Dumbledore felt like Harry was being too dramatic and childish with his actions. Especially with how things are now, with a war creeping closer around the corner, every passing second. Still, there was a window of opportunity. Harry still wanted to talk with his friends in person. If anyone could convince the boy to see sense and return, it will be them.
"I think it's clear what needs to be done Miss Granger" He said "To go and talk to Harry"
"Then let's go to him!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed, she saw Harry as one of her own and was one of the more eager occupants of Grimmauld Place to see him safe and sound "Where is he, did he say?"
"Please, calm yourself Molly" Dumbledore said calmly "Whilst I understand you want to see Harry safe, he has requested that only the children go and see him…he strongly requested that they go alone…I fear that if he sees an adult with them, he may run off again"
"You're sending them alone?" Remus spoke up "Albus, this could be a trap!"
"Hedwig was the one who delivered the message" Hermione pointed out "And only Harry has handwriting that looks like that…I'd know his handwriting anywhere!"
"I understand that you worried Remus" Dumbledore said, seeing the Marauder about to speak up again "However, this may be our only shot for Harry to see sense and return to us…If anyone can get through to Harry it will be them…I'll open the Floo network connection, we will wait for your return…hopefully with Harry"
…
Inside the Addams Villa, Harry made his way down to the basement, where the Dursleys had been locked up for the past few days, with shackles chained to the far wall. This was the first time he came down here, not wanting to see them. He wasn't sure what he would do, if he was in their presence. He took one look at his whale of an uncle and cousin and it was clear their diet of stale bread and warm, dirty, water had taken a physical affect to their body. They already seemed to be losing weight, with their clothes looking baggier then they were before. Harry couldn't help but smile. After years of being starved by his, so called, relatives, he loved that he was giving them a taste of their own medicine. Grabbing a nearby stool, Harry sat down a few feet away from him, where his uncle was spouting all kinds of insults, not realising he had been silenced, with a Silencing Charm. Harry took out his wand, as he glared at his relatives. With a growl and, much to his surprise, raised his wand and uttered:
"Crucio!"
Immediately all three of his relatives began twitching and writhing in pain and agony. There were screaming in pain but, due to the Silencing Charm, no noise was leaving their lips. A cruel smile made its way onto Harry's face as he watched the pain being inflicted on them, however, after a few moments, he shook his head realising what he was doing and dropped the Cruciatus. Ignoring the strange feeling that was spreading through his body, Harry waved his wand, removing the Silencing Charm, as he leaned forward in his seat, with one question on his mind.
"Why?" He asked "You abused me, physically, mentally, verbally…for years…I did nothing to deserve such treatment…ever since I was placed on your doorstep, I've been nothing but a slave to you three, treated me worse then some House Elves in the Wizarding World…why did you do it?"
"Because…Because you are a freak!" Vernon yelled, after a moment, still in pain from the Cruciatus Curse "A no good freak, like your freakish father and that whore you called a mother…"
Vernon was interrupted by Harry, as the boy jumped out of his seat and, without hesitation, used the Cruciatus Curse, once more, on his uncle, who's screams rang across the basement. Petunia and Dudley watched in fear, as Vernon writhed in pain, as Harry's eyes were practically glowing with murderous rage, his wand arm shaking from how hard he was using the Cruciatus Curse. He kept the spell up for several moments before dropping the curse, causing his uncle to begin panting heavily. Ignoring the pounding in the side of his head, Harry walked towards his uncle and pushed the tip of his wand against the man's throat.
"Never…call…my…mother…that…again!" Harry growled, pushing his wand more against his uncles throat, to the point where he was drawing blood "My parents weren't freaks…if you ask me, you are the freaks…I am heavily tempted to kill you right here and now…but I won't…yet…if I hear you call my mother, or father, derogatory terms again, I'll see that you bleed like a sick pig!"
With a wave of his wand, Harry reapplied the Silencing Charm on his relatives, before turning on his heel. Not giving his relatives a second glance, Harry made his way out of the basement, leaving them alone once more. Harry rubbed the side of his temple, where the pounding in his head began to seize. The sensation he felt when using the Cruciatus on his uncle…he was ashamed to admit, he loved it. Opening the door that led back out to the main halls of the Manor, Harry came face to face with Gomez, who had a gleeful look on his face.
"I heard the screams" He said "I hope you gave him what he deserves?"
"He's alive, though if he insults my parents again, I can't guarantee he will be" Harry shrugged, where Gomez noticed the discomfort on Harry's face
"Is there something wrong my boy?" He asked
"I don't know…there might be" Harry replied "I've always refused to use dark spells, or anything involving the Dark Arts…however, I've used dark curses twice now and…the feeling I've felt…it's nothing like I've ever felt…and it feels good...I guess I'm just…worried about becoming bad, is all"
"I see" Gomez said, as he took out another cigar "If you want my opinion Harry, there is nothing wrong with the 'Dark Arts'…I may be biased, as the Addams Family's history is full of Dark Magic…but, I don't see it as a bad thing…I mean, you haven't used Dark Magic on an innocent civilian have you?"
Harry took a step back, as he thought about that. He has only used Dark Magic three times. Once was on Bellatrix, after she had killed Sirius. The second time was on Lucius Malfoy, during the Honour Duel and the third time was on his Uncle. Every time he had used Dark Magic, so far, had been on those who deserved it. Child Abusers, Death Eaters and Killers.
"No…I haven't" He said, after a moment "So…are you saying I should…delve more into Dark Magic?"
"That is your decision to make my boy" Gomez replied, a gentle smile on his, usually eccentric face "However, you may want to think about that later…there is something more important that I came to tell you about"
"What is it?" Harry asked
"You have visitors waiting for you in the main sitting area" Gomez replied "I'm guessing they are these friends of yours, you've told us about…seems they listened to your letter"
"Thank you Gomez" Harry said "If you don't mind, I would like it if everyone else kept out of the sitting area for a while…I'd like to talk with them in private"
"Way ahead of you there, my boy" Gomez said, jovially "I've already instructed the others to keep out of the sitting area whilst you talk to your friends, take as much time as you need"
Nodding, Harry made his way towards the main sitting area, opening the double doors that led to the large, elegant, and a little ominous, room, where he saw his friends sitting, each one looking around the room, a little nervously. His presence immediately shifted their focus onto him where they all had a look of relief cross their faces. Hermione was so relieved to see Harry was ok, that she nearly jumped from her seat to give him a tight hug. However, there was something about the look in his eyes, that kept her seated. She wasn't sure what it was but it unnerved her. Not seeing anyone else present, Harry removed his wand and cast a Revealing Charm, where he was happy to see that no one was hiding under a Disillusionment Charm.
"I'm happy to see that you did as I asked and came alone" Harry said, as he took a seat opposite them "In all honesty, I was expecting someone like Dumbledore to be hiding somewhere, waiting for the right moment to pounce and drag me back to Grimmauld Place"
"Are you saying you no longer trust us Harry?" Hermione asked, feeling hurt
"I'm saying that I am no longer taking any chances" Harry replied, leaning back in his seat
"So…" Ron said, as an uncomfortable silence filled the room "Where are we?"
"The Addams Villa" Harry shrugged "Formerly known as Malfoy Manor"
"Malfoy Manor!" Ron exploded in a rage "We're at bloody Malfoy Manor!
"I said, 'formerly'" Harry replied, calmly "It's a funny story actually…I received a letter from Gringotts about claiming both my Potter and Black inheritance…when I did so, the Goblins told me something very interesting…it turns out the Malfoys have been taking money out of the Black Vaults for years…money they had no right to take…so, as the new Lord Black, I had all that money forcibly returned, with the money taken out of their own vaults, as well as taking any assets bought with said money…as it turned out, this Manor, was one of those assets…so I took the Manor as my own and booted the Malfoys out"
"So you took their money and their Manor from them, as it was, technically yours?" George said with glee
"Harry, we bloody love you!" Fred finished, causing Harry to smile at the Twins, with a roll of his eyes
"So…where are the Malfoys now?" Ginny asked
"I don't know where Narcissa and Draco are" Harry shrugged "But I can honestly say that Lucius is, most likely, six feet under by now"
"You killed him!" Hermione screeched, the others paling "Harry how could you do such a thing?!"
"I didn't really have a choice Hermione" Harry said, calm and collected "After forcibly taking some of his money and all his assets, Lucius challenged me to an Honour Duel in hopes of getting it back and taking the Potter fortune along with it…needless to say, it didn't end well…so now, not only am I Lord Potter and Lord Black by birth and by inheritance…but, by right of conquest, I am now, also, Lord Malfoy…or I will be when I officially claim the Family Ring from Gringotts…however, we are getting way off topic, for this is not why I asked to meet you here"
The others shared a look with one another, whilst Ron looked jealous about Harry having three Lordship titles. After composing themselves, they all sat comfortably in their seats, as Hermione spoke up, with one question that had been repeating over and over again in her head.
"Harry, how could you leave like that?" She asked
"I think it's perfectly clear why Hermione" Harry replied, coldly, his calm demeanour beginning to shatter "Did you read my letter, or do you want me to repeat everything written on it…I told you in that letter that I seem to get clobbered, no matter what I do to help people…and I am tired of it…I feel like a punching bag for the Wizarding World, all because I have a target on my forehead, in the shape of a lightning bolt scar…I don't want to keep living like that…so I left, in hopes of finding some other place to continue learning magic…away from Dumbledore…away from Voldemort…away from everything, so I can live my own life…however, I don't want to cut everything out of my life…I want to still be friends with you…however, for us to still be friends, you have to accept that I am moving on and starting a new life elsewhere…if you can't, them I'm afraid we can't be friends anymore"
His friends were silent as they processed everything Harry had told them. There were several seconds of silence, before Fred and George stood up and approached Harry, where they bowed dramatically, in perfect unison.
"We understand the reasons why you left Harry" Fred said
"We didn't know how bad things actually were" George continued
"We understand and accept that you wish to move on and we wish to keep being friends with you" They said in unison "For, we may not share blood, but you are our brother"
Harry smiled and he couldn't help himself. He got up from his seat and hugged the two pranksters. A hug they returned. Out of everyone, Harry hoped they would understand the most. He always looked up to the Twins. They were so carefree and done everything they could to keep the atmosphere light-hearted and warm. They had also stuck by his side and helped him more then once. Removing himself from the hug, Harry looked to Ron, Ginny and Hermione, who seemed to be fidgeting in their seats.
"So…what about you three?" He asked
"We…we don't know Harry" Hermione said, as she shared a look with Ron and Ginny "We don't know if we can accept it…we can understand why…but we don't know if we can accept your decision to leave us…especially with everything going on with You-Know-Who…Death Eater attacks have been happening more frequently ever since You-Know-Who was seen in the Ministry…please Harry…please come back"
Harry closed his eyes, as he sighed. He should have expected this. Hermione was a sucker for authority, law and order. No doubt Dumbledore told them to bring him back to Grimmauld Place and as a sucker for authority, Hermione would do so without question. That was one of her flaws. She believed everyone with some kind of authoritative power was infallible. Harry, however, knew better.
"I'm not coming back" He said, eventually "I have cherished your friendship for the past five years…but if you can't accept my wishes then I'm afraid I can't keep being friends with you three…I guess I've learnt all I need to know…you can leave now"
"Wait, Harry…" Ron spoke up
"No!" Harry interrupted "If you can't accept my wishes to move on with my life…away from everything going on in the Wizarding World, then I can't keep being friends with you...seeing as there is nothing else to say, you lot can leave, now"
Hermione, Ron and Ginny, looked to the ground, as they stood up, to make their way back to the fireplace. They knew they couldn't keep arguing with Harry. The boy's stubbornness was extraordinary. However, as they started getting ready to head back, the Twins had more to say.
"Fred and I are staying here" George said
"What!" Ginny exclaimed, as the three turned to face them "You can't!"
"Why can't we?" Fred asked "Me and George are of age, so we can do as we please…and besides, we dropped out of Hogwarts, so we are staying here with Harry"
"And that's final!" The Twins finished in unison
"You heard the two of them" Harry smiled "Oh and you can tell Dumbledore, to not bother trying to come through…as soon as you leave, I'll cut off the Floo Network…and the Manor has preset wards preventing anyone from entering via Portkey or Apparation…if you change your minds, feel free to send a letter"
Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but Ron stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder, as he gave Harry an angry glare, whilst leading Hermione and Ginny into the Floo. Harry watched as the three were engulfed in green flames, before turning to the Twins, as the flames died down.
"You guys didn't have to stay here, you know" He said
"We know, but we said in our letter that we'll be happy to provide any help you may need" Fred said
"Besides, things are kind of hectic back at Grimmauld Place" George added "And we've wanted to get out of there for a while now"
"So you aren't getting rid of us that easily" Fred finished, where the two of them gave Harry a toothy grin
…
Across the country, inside Macnair Manor, Draco was knelt on one knee, bowing in front of the Dark Lord himself. After learning that Potter had killed his father in an Honour Duel, Draco immediatley stormed off, in hopes of getting vengeance against the filthy Half-Blood. After telling Macnair that he wished to join the Death Eater ranks, he was led to the Dark Lord, who was sat in his throne. Bowing before the Dark Lord, he waited, as Macnair explained what Draco informed him. There was several moments of uncomfortable silence, before the Dark Lord spoke.
"So, young Draco" Voldemort said, his voice cold and dangerous "You wish to join my ranks and become a Death Eater?"
"Yes, my Lord" Draco said, looking up to make eye contact with the Dark Lord "I wish to become a Death Eater and get my revenge on Potter, for killing my father!"
"Ah yes" Voldemort chuckled "Macnair informed me of what happened, Lucius was a fool for underestimating Potter…however, young Draco…your father challenged Potter to an Honour Duel…and lost…you can't just become one of my Death Eater without offering me something in return…however, as Potter took the entire Malfoy fortune by right of conquest, you have no money or assets to offer me…so tell me young Draco, what can you offer me, in return, for becoming a Death Eater?"
Draco paled. He had no answer for the Dark Lord. He thought that he would be made a Death Eater, if he asked. Especially when he swore vengeance on Potter. Voldemort chuckled, darkly, as he stood up from his throne, removing his wand.
"You can't offer me anything can you" He said, his voice cold, as he approached the boy "You are useless to me…I should just kill you where you stand!"
Voldemort raised his wand, aiming it at the boys temple, where the tip began to glow an ominous green. Draco immediatley closed his eyes tightly, shaking, as he waited for the Killing Curse that was sure to follow. Several seconds passed and Draco was confused that he was still alive. Opening his eyes, Draco saw that Voldemort still had his wand pointed at him, however the green glow on the tip was gone.
"However" Voldemort continued, lowering his wand "Maybe you may have your uses…I will give you a chance young, Draco…a chance to prove yourself…a simple task…if you are able to complete this task, and prove you are more competent then your father, before the end of your upcoming Sixth Year at Hogwarts…I will make you one of my Death Eaters"
"What is my task, my Lord?" Draco asked, eagerly
"Your task, Draco…is to kill Albus Dumbledore!" Voldemort replied
…
And that is the new chapter done. What did you guys think?
I will admit. This chapter was longer then I thought it would be. Probably because of Harry's letter to the others. I wasn't expecting the letter to be that long, I promise.
Anyway. Harry torturing his relatives with the Cruciatus. This is a moment I wanted to include, as I wanted to continue laying the foundations for Harry delving more into the Dark Arts and learning all kinds of Dark Magic. Plus, he's torturing the Dursleys. I think everyone wants to see them tortured a bit. Also Umbridge, but I don't know if I can squeeze her in somewhere so she can get tortured. Then there is the talk between Harry and his friends. In all honesty, I could have written this a little better, but after a few rewrites, this is the best I could do. Don't get me wrong, I like what I've done, I just think I could've done better. The woes of being an artist and a writer. And yes, the Twins stayed with Harry. I want them to play a bigger role in this story instead of being just side characters like some of my other stories, so expect more frequent appearances from now on. I don't know what to do with Narcissa though. If you have any ideas, let me know.
That is all for now, though. I hope you all enjoyed, if you have a story request feel free to let me know, and I will see you next time, in whatever story I see you in.
Badger Out