Everything is J.K. Rowlings. I only claim the plot. Everything else is hers, all the characters and the magic, all of it. Please let me know what you think though, I encourage feedback of all kinds, just be nice about it!

Keep letting me know what you think! I really enjoy the reviews, especially since this is different from what I usually do.

Also, remember, Voldemort is sane and while there will be a relationship in the future that hasn't started yet. They have literally just become allies and have some stuff to work through. So, currently, Voldemort is attempting to fully draw Harry to his side permanently using whatever methods he thinks will work, such as seduction. At the moment it is all just an act to get Harry fully on his side but that will change.

Thank You for the Welcoming Present

The next morning, Tobi woke Harry and after a quick shower, he was able to use the wand to shave and trim his hair a bit. He would either have to grow it out much longer to properly use the hair band or just keep it short and Harry wasn't sure he had the patience to grow it out. Throwing on some casual blue robes since he had no plans to leave today, Harry then followed Tobi to breakfast.

Again, there was silence as the food was served and their plates filled. "I planned on giving you the tour of the house after breakfast since we were unable to do so yesterday," Marvolo began. "Then we could retire to the library and I will teach you the spell you need. As for your dueling training, how about in the afternoons, say around two? It will provide ample time to freshen up for dinner after."

Not seeing any flaws, Harry just nodded and continued with his eggs. His anger and frustration over the situation had leaked out of him last night in the Dueling Room. All too soon, Marvolo was leading Harry through the manor. Apparently, it was the Slytherin Manor, Harry wasn't sure how Marvolo had been able to claim access to it but didn't bother asking. It was still confusing but in the light of day and with markers pointed out, Harry felt that he'd be able to navigate better.

The manor was three floors. Marvolo's private wing, which now included Harry's room, resided on the third floor. And while Harry had seen Marvolo's office, the library, the small dining room, the Dueling Room, the little sitting room off of what Marvolo called the Gathering Room, and the Gathering Room itself, there was still a lot more. There were many more bedrooms for one, which were where his followers all stayed after their release from Azkaban. There was a formal dining room with a ridiculously long table, two potions labs, a ballroom with beautiful chandeliers, and then the gardens which were breathtaking.

"Of course, as my guest, you will have free reign over the manor unless of course a room is locked and then you must not enter." Harry nodded, he didn't have any intention of doing any snooping. He didn't want to risk a Dark Curse in response.

Finally, they arrived back at the library and Marvolo began instructing him on the ink refreshing spell: 'atramento meum refrigerium'*. Having mastered it within thirty minutes, Harry asked Tobi to retrieve his trunk, mentally grumbling about the bastard being such an excellent teacher.

Taking the first journal out of the trunk, Harry nervously licked his lips and felt Marvolo watching him intently. Regripping the foreign wand, Harry cast the refreshing spell. He held his breath and shakily let it out as he watched the faded ink darken. The words springing to life like they had been written yesterday. Harry almost cried out in relief at coming closer to answers. Tentatively, Harry brought the journal with him to one of the armchairs, completely oblivious to Marvolo still standing in the library. Glancing at the inside cover, Harry read the tiny printed script: Ashur Peverell. Settling further into the cushions of the chair and drawing up his knees, Harry turned the page and saw the tiny print continued.

It has been a long time coming that I finally put into words what my life has become. The past two years have been like no other. I must confess I find it hard to even begin. So let's start at the beginning, shall we? If you are reading this, I'm sure my account will feel all too familiar and I hope to provide my descendants with some consolation.

Harry's heart thudded frantically and his fingers tingled as he continued to read Ashur's account.

Currently I am nearing my eighteenth year of birth, however, it was just before my sixteenth year that things changed. It had been the months and weeks leading up to it that I recall as being some of the worst I've ever experienced. The irritability, the fever, the itchiness beneath the skin. What misery! And during the holidays of Yule as well. I was quite sullen about it all. It was only worse in the month leading to my day of birth. Previously I had been feeling out of sorts but nothing compared to my final month. I contributed my off-put feelings to witnessing the passing of my beloved grandfather. I challenged the murderer to a duel but because I was so distraught and off-put, I must admit that I did not perform admirably nor did I fare well. I was hit by a curse that should have left me for dead. In fact, if not for this gift I would have most certainly died.

I have communed with Death himself! I have been Blessed as his Child. A Necromancer is what those in my village shriek when they see me raise the dead or when I took the life of my grandfathers killer. They do not understand the great Blessing bestowed nor the tremendous responsibility to be trusted by Death.

If you read this, you too have been Blessed. You too bare the weight of Life and Death.

I mentioned speaking with Death and I have communed with my Master many times and fully intend to continue. It is on his advice that I start this documentation and that all of his future Children continue this path to help guide our fellows. I questioned as to who else could be claimed as a Child of Death, eager for companionship for it is a lonely life I fear. Death declared that the Peverell Family had pleased him greatly in our honoring of the proper burials and respect of Magic. And so only one of my line would get the Blessing. However, I fear it is not so simple as that. To prove worthy of Death, one must face it. Must understand it.

To be Blessed by Death requires three previous experiences. The first is to witness the vulnerability of Life, the heartbreak of loss. The first is to witness Death. The second is to know the weight of Life, to know blood on your hands. The second is to send one to Death. The third, and the one I fear and hope so few will meet is to feel one's own Life and to embrace Death fully, yet not succumb. The third is to survive Death. And if this was not all so terrible and grievous but it all must take place during the innocence of Life. Before the crest of the sixteenth year.

It aches at my heart to know that I might be the last, but I also hope I am. I would never wish the disruption of innocence. Especially knowing the burden the Blessing brings. For all wonders come at a cost. This, my descendants, I believe you know well. Life is not easy and as one Blessed by Death, you shall stand separate from Life. It is the job of the vessel of Death to grant Life for those worthy, to ease passage for those weary, and to deliver the unworthy to our Master.

"Master Death Master!" Tobi's voice made Harry jump and fumble the journal in his hands.

"Yes, Tobi?" he rasped, heart pounding and feeling light-headed.

"It is being lunchtime," the elf gestured to the sandwich and a glass of pumpkin juice on the coffee table.

"Right, thanks." The elf bowed and disappeared.

Harry pulled the sandwich and juice closer, suddenly ravenous. The moment the food was finished, Harry turned his eyes back to the journals.

Ashur Peverell had continued to document the choices he had made over the years. The choices he had made over a person's life. Why he had saved some and condemned others. He spoke of the runic symbol on his chest. He spoke of the icy fire and how it called to him as his body called to water when thirsty when he had not unleashed it regularly. Ashur spoke of bringing people back from the edge of Death but spoke of the tremendous cost it took to deny Death, their Master.

But above all, Ashur Peverell wrote of loneliness, of the people he worked to help save shunning him and calling him a monster, a killer, Dark. He claimed that even though he was married and his wife, his dearest Antonia, was wonderfully understanding. She too couldn't understand. Could not follow him when he communed with Death. He spoke of his worries over his first child, currently still growing within an expecting Antonia. How he desired a companion but dared not risk his child attempting to meet the requirements Death demanded.

It was a Blessing, Ashur insisted. Death had chosen him and his line. It was an honor. He wrote of the joy of families after saving their innocent child for Death was not a cruel Master and did not desire the innocent and untainted. Ashur spoke of providing closure for families, allowing them a final goodbye. He spoke of Death bestowing a noble steed to him, allowing Ashur to travel swiftly and without error when he needed to ferry the individual souls' Death wished for specifically. He spoke of the guards of Darkness designed to numb those in passing by sucking memories.

The first journal completed, encompassing the first five years of Ashur Peverells life as a Necromancer, sat on Harry's lap as he stared into space. Harry's heart ached. He felt his future falling into place and he felt wetness on his cheeks. Unseeing when Marvolo entered the library and claimed the sofa to the right of him.

"Is it a Necromancers' ability to learn through osmosis?"

Jumping slightly, Harry twisted to see the red-eyed man sitting pristinely on the blue cushions. Hastily he wiped the wetness from his cheeks. It took him a moment to realize that the Dark Lord had attempted a joke. It was a strange realization but the strangeness was enough to draw him from his thoughts.

"I've finished the first journal." His voice was rough and he felt like he was in a trance. "Ashur Peverell, the First Blessed by Death. The one who gained favor from Death to honor his bloodline." Marvolo was silent and Harry was grateful. He didn't want pressing questions or leading statements. He felt raw and tender and just wanted to speak his discoveries. He didn't have anyone else at the moment since all of his friends were still near Dumbledore, so Marvolo was his only confidant in this and while it was bizarre Harry found himself not caring. "Ashur talked about how he didn't wish the burden of being Deaths Chosen on anyone but how he longed for a companion to share it with." Harry sniffed as he looked down at the journal. He could feel his eyes getting wet again but his pride refused to let them fall in front of Voldemort. "I'll always be alone, separate. Taking Life and granting it. Choosing who lives and who dies. Imparting Deaths chosen justice. Loved and hated. Shunned and misunderstood but sought out and exalted." The silence stretched for hours or seconds, Harry wasn't sure. "And you know. I suppose I have you to thank for it all."

Marvolo started and his arched eyebrows rose. "I don't understand." Oh, how much it must have pained him to admit that, Harry thought with bitter amusement.

"Three requirements to be met by the sixteenth birthday," Harry replied. "One," he said counting it off on his fingers. "Witness Death. This could have counted when you killed my parents, when you killed Cedric, or when Bellatrix killed Sirius, indirectly because of you. The second is to send one to Death, to kill. The only times I can think of are Quirrell when you were possessing him, the Basilisk that your memory controlled and it was a magical creature and probably qualifies, or your memory itself. It had almost fully drained Ginny and it was pretty solid after all. And third, experience Death. Again, you cast the Killing Curse at my one-year-old self. So as you can see, you were a pretty big influence on my obtaining my inheritance. Because of you, I have been Blessed and cursed to forever be alone as I judge the people of the world."

Harry watched with detached interest as Marvolo processed all of this and he thought he could detect some guilt and uncertainty, definitely nerves. It was fascinating to watch the crimson eyes waver in their confidence.

"I'm not sure how you desire me to respond," Marvolo finally said, his voice even and smooth but Harry detected the hesitancy. Harry had never before believed that the Dark Lord could appear so human, vulnerable. It was almost endearing… if it had been anybody else.

"No particular way," Harry replied with a shrug. "Just allowing you to know your role in all of this. Maybe understand the gravity of your impact on my life. And if anything, this just gives more validity to your helping me master what you practically created me to be." Harry scowled lightly before standing suddenly to replace the journal in the trunk. "Shall we go train now?"

Harry really couldn't describe his mood at the moment. He just felt numb and distant to it all. He had only read the first journal and Ashur Peverell was the first. Maybe those that followed were able to combat the loneliness somehow? He wouldn't despair just yet. He wasn't alone after all. He still had his friends. At least he hoped he still did. And Marvolo seemed keen on winning him over, so for the moment he was wanted and desired, if only for his power. Harry had faced loneliness before after all, understood what it meant to have no one fully understand. He could survive it if all else seemed to fail.

Rolling his shoulders, he settled into position in the Dueling Room. No, he wouldn't despair after just reading one journal. He still had nineteen more. There was still much to learn. Barely dodging a red curse that flew past his cheek, Harry felt a grim smile pull at his lips. Yes, still much to learn.

Sighing, Harry stepped out of the shower. That first training session had been brutal and he knew he would be sore tomorrow morning. Thankfully though, Tobi had left a Pain Relief Potion on his bedside table. Quickly downing it, he turned to his closet to grab some robes for dinner. The training had really uplifted his mood, he thought pleasantly as he selected some soft grey robes.

Just like last night when he had exhausted himself of his emotions, this afternoon had been much the same. After all of the information, he had learned from the first journal. Learning of the future loneliness he would have to endure and the knowledge that Voldemort was pretty much the whole cause behind him getting his inheritance. He had been numb and in shock. But the training had helped set his thoughts straight. They hadn't cursed each other though, Marvolo had him aiming at targets first but had charmed the targets to fight back.

Marvolo had explained that first, he needed to build his physical endurance in order to last in a long duel and to give fuel to his magical strength. So today had been mostly ducking and dodging while trying to shoot off the more basic spells but with deadly accuracy. Marvolo had explained that accuracy was what won a duel. Being able to fire off multiple spells was great but if none of them hit the target then it was just a wasted effort and a drain on power.

It had made sense and Harry knew he would learn a lot during those sessions. Feeling uplifted, he set off for dinner making it halfway before he had to call Tobi to help guide him the rest of the way. Things were going well for him though, considering the chaos of his life. He was finally learning about his inheritance and his family as well. He planned on finishing the journals by the end of the week to then start on the actual Necromancy practice with the guidebooks. And he was learning how to properly duel and survive in a fight. Harry still didn't understand why Dumbledore had refused to help train him, especially since the old man claimed that Harry had to face Voldemort in the end. How could he hope to survive with no training? Harry didn't understand it but he was finally taking his life into his own hands and it felt great.

He should have known his good mood wouldn't last.

Sitting down, the two sat in silence as the elves served dinner. Again the food was delicious and Harry was making plans to start on the second and hopefully third journals tonight. He would probably need his own journal as well soon, he thought absently.

"Harry." Blinking, Harry raised his head to look at the man across from him. A flicker of unease curling in his stomach. "I shall be holding a Gathering tonight, informing my followers that you are off-limits. It wouldn't do for you to feel the need to avoid them when they make their reports and my Inner Circle sometimes share meals with me throughout the week." Harry swallowed his bite of chicken parmesan, trying not to shudder at the thought of Death Eaters roaming the halls. It was appreciated that Marvolo was giving him the heads up to expect them though, but Harry felt like this wasn't all. "You will be in attendance tonight as well."

"What!" Harry gasped, dropping his fork. "No."

Marvolo raised a pale hand to halt further protests and continued smoothly. "If we are to be allies than you must be introduced as such. It will not be much of a meeting, merely an...introduction to make them all aware of the change of status. It wouldn't be much of an alliance if you weren't even present for the announcement." Harry bit back the angry growl that was building in his throat. He felt like he was walking into a trap and hated the feeling. The logic was sound though and that made him even madder. "Besides, wasn't this one of your deal agreements, that I could hold you over Dumbledore's head? I believe presenting you at a Death Eater meeting qualifies." The smirk made him want to scream while the glitter in the rubies staring at him made him want to shiver.

"An introduction?" Harry repeated slowly, trying to keep his temper in check. Luckily his body was still tired from the training earlier so it was a little easier. Maybe that had been Marvolo's plan all along?

"Yes, no need to fear any initiation rituals," the man chuckled lowly. "Just an introduction of who you are."

"They already know who I am. And they saw me show up the other day asking for a deal. Your minions aren't that thick are they?"

The red eyes narrowed and the lips tightened into a line. "No, my Death Eaters are not thick, as you so inelegantly claimed and not all of them were present the other day. It is the ceremony of the matter, above all else" he continued tersely. "This is a statement to be made, a formality of the arrangement. And with your new Lordships, it is vital to make the statement of your allegiance and your place among them."

"I am not one of them. I have no place among them," Harry gritted out, tired or not his anger was beginning to mount higher.

"Exactly," Marvolo hissed, his lips twisted in a semblance of a smile. "You are not one of them and that should be made clear. You are above them."

This made Harry pause. Above them? He was just an ally though, this was all just temporary...right? He felt his chest tighten and felt like he was being backed into another trap that he couldn't see and couldn't fight. He licked his lips as he tried to find a response but his mind was blank.

Marvolo must have taken his silence as acceptance because he swiftly continued. "Tobi will have your robes ready. The Gathering is in two hours. I expect you waiting in the side room half an hour before then." Harry frowned at the order, feeling very much like a scolded child as Marvolo rose and left the room.

"Bastard," Harry muttered, pushing his half-eaten meal away. Appetite soured completely at the thought of later that night.

The next hour and a half was spent with Harry silently stewing in his anger and frustration while playing doll for Tobi and Mimsy. And now, he was dressed in ridiculously expensive robes standing in the small sitting room where he had made his deal with Voldemort.

He pulled at the sleeves of his robes once more, they were finer than anything he had ever worn before and he had no idea how Marvolo had had the time to get them made. But they definitely made an impression. They were silky black and felt like water rushing over his skin. The trim was golden and Harry wondered if it had actually been spun with real gold the way it shimmered every time the light touched it. And instead of a family crest adorning his breast the gold formed the mark of a Necromancer, it shone golden directly above where the mark was tattooed into his skin. The rings on his fingers seemed to shine brighter as if knowing the importance of what was about to occur and wanting to make an impression. Mimsy had even helped tame his hair. It had taken the majority of the hour and a half he had been given but it did look better. It was still a mess but now it looked purposefully done, gently tousled is probably what Hermione would call it, Ginny would call it freshly shagged. And the edges had been trimmed up giving him what he remembered Dean calling a fade, not to the skin but close.

So now, without his glasses and his hair taken care of and dressed in robes fit for royalty, Harry felt a surge of confidence that he had never felt before. He knew he looked good and the thought shocked him before a voice that sounded like Ron told him to just embrace it, at least for tonight. Because tonight he needed all of the confidence he could muster.

The door opened and Marvolo walked in looking just as elegant as he always did but his robes were also of a finer quality. Nagini slithered in at his side, Harry had wondered where the giant serpent was and judging by her hissed commentary at her Masters' side, she had been hunting.

Harry glared at the man. "It is a simple introduction, nothing so horrifying," Marvolo said completely unruffled by the glare. "Besides, it isn't just my followers. But many of their family members who have also proven their devout loyalty are in attendance as well." Harry blinked, not expecting this. So his classmates would be there too. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. "This is a message that all on my side need to be made aware of and I won't rely on any word of mouth but my own." It made sense, Harry supposed, he still hadn't expected an even larger crowd and it wasn't helping his nerves or temper. "Now, this is your first impression on my followers as an ally so it needs to count. You shall stand at the side of the stage with Nagini. Understood?"

Harry still glaring, nodded and crossed his arms. "Yeah, I get the importance of it but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I still don't agree with your side and a good majority of those minions out there have tried to kill me."

"As have I, and yet here we are," the man countered.

"Just keep Bellatrix on a tight leash. I will not be held accountable when she is around. She is demented and needs to be put down and I am perfectly happy with doing so."

Harry half expected a defense of the woman whom he had thought was the man's right hand but there was none. Instead, Marvolo tilted his head to the side and swept his crimson gaze over Harry's appearance once more and the corners of his lips twitched into a soft smile. It was a smile that held expectation and a hunger for more and Harry had to look away.

He directed his gaze to the snake on the ground instead just as large as he remembered. "Hello, Hatchling," the snake hissed, raising her head off the ground.

"Hello, Nagini," Harry replied. He figured it couldn't hurt to be cordial to the giant man-eating snake. They would be sharing the house after all.

"You shall wear this until I announce you," Marvolo continued, pulling forth a heavy cloak.

Harry accepted it and quirked an eyebrow. "Dramatic much?"

"It is the little things that keep the days interesting," Marvolo sighed wearily.

Harry snorted and couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped but managed to change it into a cough, he didn't even want to think about what it meant that he could laugh at a joke made by his former enemy. Harry was aware that this was not the first joke that Marvolo had attempted to make but it was the first that Harry had reacted to.

Gruffly clearing his throat, Harry almost missed the warm? look on Marvolo's face, maybe not warm but definitely astounded and pleased. He wondered when the last time someone had felt at ease enough to laugh at one of his jokes had been and felt an unwanted twinge of sympathy. Swinging the cloak over his shoulders he clasped it at the front and Marvolo stepped forward to raise his hood. Harry thought the gesture was unnecessary because he could clearly cover his own head but kept frozen and silent at the close proximity.

"Now," Marvolo hissed before waving his wand and transformed before Harry's eyes into the snakey monster of his nightmares. It was a terrifying sight to behold. The man's hair shrank into his scalp, his skin turned ghost-like and he grew almost a foot and his skin tightened around his bones, and his nose and lips sank back into his face.

Harry was grateful for the hood covering his face now because he didn't think he could hold back his horrified look. He was also pretty sure that he was the only one in existence given the privilege of witnessing this transformation and later that night he would probably wonder at the significance of that but for the moment he was trying to reign in his emotions.

Sadly, or maybe purposefully, he wasn't given much chance because Voldemort -because he was no longer Marvolo at this moment- had turned and exited the room, giving Harry no choice but to follow with Nagini at his heels. The large refurbished ballroom was still empty but Harry knew it wouldn't be empty for long. Voldemort stepped onto the dais with the catlike grace that Harry didn't think was fair. And Harry, uncertain and nervous, stood facing the doors on the ground beside the stage.

His face was still concealed and his entire figure swamped in the extra-large cloak but Harry could easily watch when not but five minutes later all of the masked Death Eaters arrived, many with wives and some with older children in tow. Harry remained still, his heart pounding. Again the constricted feeling of being trapped overwhelmed him and Harry was almost positive that he would have bolted if not for Nagini.

The snake must have sensed his unease or maybe she had been warned of his importance because she kept up a steady stream of hissed gossip about almost all of the minions that arrived that kept him his panicked thoughts distracted. Some of it was truly gruesome gossip but a great deal was humiliating information like who had wet themselves the quickest at being threatened with her presence. He knew that his cloaked presence was gaining questioning looks but those arriving remained silent and dropped to their knees to wait for the rest of the group to arrive. Even the children and wives knelt before Voldemort.

Harry was admittedly shocked at seeing the level of subservience demonstrated and wondered at how Voldemort had done it. Fear was a great contributor but it didn't inspire this type of loyalty. Maybe there really was more to the Dark side and Voldemort than he had originally thought. Everyone arrived within ten minutes which was also astounding. Punctuality had never been a point of favor for Dumbledore's Order.

"Rise!" Voldemort demanded in that smooth baritone that seemed to reach every corner of the room. In one fluid movement, everyone stood and it was an oddly captivating sight. Harry refused to turn his head to look up at Voldemort though, no matter how much he wanted to. Instead, he observed the crowd from under the hood of his cloak, again no one wore their masks.

Upfront stood the Malfoy, Nott, and Greengrass families. There were a few others that he recognized from their mugshots printed in the Prophet during the Azkaban breakout like the Lestrange brothers, Rookwood and Dolohov. The Parkinson and Davis families stood just behind them with Blaise Zabini and a woman who could only be his mother. Harry thought he saw the Goyles and Crabbes closer to the wall and he spotted Severus Snape in the second row just behind Lucius Malfoy. The sight of the Potions Master startled Harry and he wasn't sure how he should act towards the bitter man. Then there was Bellatrix Lestrange looking just as besotted with the man on the stage as ever and her lips twisted in a remnant of her crazed laugh. Just as his anger started to rise though, Voldemort continued to speak and Harry quickly looked away from the crazed witch.

"Welcome, my loyal followers. How it pleases me to see you all standing before me just as eager to see the fruition of our goals as ever. I have called you all here to impart an important piece of information that will most certainly see the tides of the war shift in our favor." It's just temporary! Harry mentally insisted. "Allow me to introduce our newest ally." At this, Harry did glance up at the stage and saw that Voldemort had gestured down to him with his skeletal hand.

"Go," Nagini hissed. "Stand beside him."

Harry started at this. That had not been what they discussed! Harry wanted to curse the bastard for putting him on the spot like this. He felt the weight of the outstretched hand enclose around him and his heart beat faster. The significance of standing beside that man before all of his followers and their families was not lost on him. It was declaring his place. Voldemort was showing his minions that Harry was above them just as he had said earlier.

It's just temporary! Harry mentally insisted as he felt his legs numbly and stiffly move up the steps. Somehow he was standing on the dais now and wasn't even fully consciously aware of doing so. What was happening! They hadn't agreed to this. But this was a momentous statement and he was admittedly curious as to how this was going to go.

Still covered by the cloak, Harry stared into the red eyes besides him. They were eerily familiar. The only thing that Marvolo and Voldemort shared. Marvolo had proved different, saner, than Voldemort of the past. So maybe the two sides shared more than just their eyes? He shook himself. This was the monster he had made the deal with though. This was the monster he couldn't forget no matter what else happened. Harry had known that it was Voldemort he had stood before earlier declaring an alliance, he couldn't let Marvolo cloud his judgment. But staring into those familiar eyes Harry felt the pulse of energy building between them and wondered if he was just imagining it.

"Our newest ally," Voldemort continued and Harry realized that his progress onto the dais had only taken about a minute. He felt his blood pulsing and could hear the nervous apprehension of the crowd. Voldemort gave an almost imperceptible nod and Harry realized it was time to drop his cloak. Merlin the bastard really did have a flair for the dramatic, Harry thought bitterly amused.

Taking a breath to still his shaking hands, Harry undid the cloak in one movement to match the dramatic mood, shed the cloak in one flourished movement and tossed it towards the back of the dais. There were multiple gasps at the sight of him but Harry remained locked in a staredown with Voldemort. The bastard had put him on the spot and he was not impressed. He wasn't about to back down though, he quirked an eyebrow, waiting for the bastards next move. The snake man gave a slightly smug smirk with his lipless mouth as if identifying the challenge in Harry's eyes.

The energy continued to build between them and it sent tingles down his bones. The man gestured elegantly again for Harry to face the crowd. The energy dying off as they broke eye contact and Harry felt oddly empty without it. Deciding to just roll with it for the moment because a fight wasn't called for right now, Harry lifted his head proudly. He was not ashamed of his choice after all. He had needed protection and he needed to learn. Adopting the cool and indifferent persona that he had seen Marvolo and the Malfoys portray, he spun smartly to face the crowd.

"Allow me to introduce, Lord Harry Potter-Black-Peverell, Necromancer, and the Darks' newest ally." The bastard was smug as he spoke and it was evident as the words draped over Harry like a cape. At the mention of his titles, Harry couldn't help but smirk a little and raise his ringed hand to brush invisible lint off his embroidered crest to emphasize the points. "I wish for all of you to take note of his placement. From this moment forth, he is above you all. He is second to none but myself and you anger him at your own risk. You will receive no sympathy from me." Again, the proclamation had not been expected, but Harry strove to keep his face smooth and continued to stare out at the crowd. "His place among us is also to remain secret. If I discover that one of you has mentioned Lord Potter being here, nothing will protect you."

It was an odd feeling standing above the large crowd, everyone staring up at him with looks of surprise, fear, and awe at his status and inheritance. There were a few that looked spiteful and disgusted but Harry didn't care too much. But standing next to Voldemort as all of the Dark side looked up at them gave Harry an odd surge of confidence. There was something to be said for having the likes of Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, and Severus Snape being placed beneath him. It tasted sweet in his mouth.

"I'm sure many of you are wondering how this situation came to light. I will enlighten you. Lord Potter and I came to an arrangement, an alliance, one that is mutually beneficial to both of us. He resides here now as my honored guest in our mutual quest to destroy Albus Dumbledore." There was heightened murmurs of surprise but it all sounded eager and anticipation thickened the air. "A destruction that will pave the way for the Dark to rise once more. For the Dark to claim our rightful place in the world. For the Dark to step out from the shadows." There was a loud cheer at these passionate words and Harry felt moved slightly at the speech but had to hold himself back. He didn't want to give Voldemort any ideas that his manipulation might have influence.

"Our priorities will be changing," Voldemort continued, his tone turning stricter. Harry was surprised that he was about to conduct an actual meeting and wondered if he should step down. He had been given no indication and so remained standing on the stage a step in front of Voldemort. "We will increase our infiltration within the Ministry and begin taking down Dumbledore from all sides. This means our information must be impeccable. Am I understood?"

"Yes, my Lord," came the chorused answer.

"It pleases me to hear this, though it seems that there are gaps in our intelligence gathering." The tone was colder now, more sinister, the voice that Harry best attributed to Voldemort and felt unease flickering in his gut. Things were not going as planned. "Avery! Step forward," the man hissed and a slender man in his late thirties with russet curls and a neatly trimmed beard stepped forward. The man held his head high despite looking terrified. "You provided me with false information in regards to Lord Potter's familial claims." The cold whisper crept into every inch of the room and Harry had to stop himself from shivering.

"Stop!" Harry snapped out as he saw Voldemort raising his wand, luckily remembering to glance at Nagini briefly to call upon his Parseltongue since it still wasn't natural for him. The Gathering Room fell deathly silent at his interruption and he felt more than saw the Death Eaters tense as he shifted to fully face Voldemort. "What happened to this being just an introduction?"

"I'm not requesting you curse him," Voldemort replied. If he had been in his human form, Harry was sure a slight frown would have been disrupting his brow. Harry could feel the energy building between them once again and he could forget their audience.

"Not the point. There is no reason to curse him. No one knew about these Lordships. Sirius didn't even know he was Lord Black, so he couldn't have known that I would inherit off of him. And the Peverell Line was thought extinct. There is no need to punish him." Voldemort remained silent as he stared at Harry intensely but Harry held his gaze and refused to waver. "You said yourself this is a night of ceremony and formality. Families are here. This is not one of your minion meetings."

There was a silence that seemed to stretch for hours, the energy hummed and vibrated in the air and Harry felt enlivened, despite the seriousness of the situation. "It seems Avery that you are spoken for," the lipless mouth twisted into a sinister grin. Harry tensed and stared hard at Voldemort. What was he saying! Harry sensed eyes widening in the crowd to pair with the few muffled gasps. "Since it was Lord Potter that you failed to learn about. I will leave you at his disposal as he continues to learn his craft." Harry heard Avery whimper softly but didn't drop his gaze. The crowd faded as he stared into those ruby eyes that turned back to him and hated to admit the eagerness he felt at feeling the energy build again. "Does that sound agreeable to you, Lord Potter?"

Damn him. Damn him. The rotten bastard! Harry cursed in his head. He refrained from clenching his hands and tilted his chin up. He forced himself to ignore the energy that pulled and called at him. He needed to think. He was put on the spot and he knew the part he needed to play at this moment. The part Voldemort was all but forcing him to play. This was his introduction. The first impression as the Darks ally. He couldn't back away from the challenge gleaming in those eyes. "Very agreeable. Thank you for the welcoming present," he replied coolly. He must have said the right thing because the red lightened into one of...approval? definitely not happiness or something soft like that, but the look warmed Harry in the oddest way as he smirked coldly.

Voldemort gave a slight nod once again and Harry returned to facing the crowd and glanced down at Avery. The man looked decidedly pale and his gaze kept flickering from Harry's face to the crest of the Necromancer on his chest. He would have rathered Bellatrix because he would actually practice his craft on her but the man might prove useful, he pondered clinically.

There was silence for a few minutes with the man still standing in front of the crowd at the foot of the stage, as Harry gazed impassively down at him. Suddenly Harry realized that they were all waiting for him to do something. "We shall speak later," he drawled out in a bored tone he copied from Malfoy and flicked his ringed hand in clear dismissal. Avery bowed, a mixture of relief and nerves battling in his posture, as he backed away.

Nothing unusual sure, this was a follower of Voldemort but the man bowed to him! Avery had bowed to Harry! Voldemort had declared Harry was above them all but Harry had thought it would be more of a protection statement, he hadn't expected the bowing. He remained impassive so that the delighted flip in his stomach at the action wouldn't be noticed and took a calming breath. Merlin what was happening to him!

The Gathering concluded shortly after. Voldemort made a few more demands of his followers and reiterated their instructions before the mass of black at the foot of the stage dispersed and Voldemort and Harry were left standing on the stage. Once the ballroom doors shut, Harry whirled on the monster only to find the man already leaving the stage and heading to the small side room. Feeling his anger that he had kept buried engulf him, Harry stormed after him.

Entering the small room, Harry was relieved to see Marvolo, not Voldemort, standing in the room. "Yes?" the man asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"What the bloody hell was that!" Harry shouted.

"Your introduction ceremony. Was that not obvious?"

The man was mocking him. "That was not what we planned! What was with me standing on that stage with you? What was with claiming me second to no one! What the bloody hell was that with Avery?" Harry was fuming and wished he could curse the look off the bastard's face. The man looked positively smug. "This is all your manipulation of me. Don't think I haven't noticed. And I won't stand for it. I will not be backed into corners like that."

"You promised you would give my offer of joining me a fair evaluation when this was all over. This was simply my way of demonstrating how things would be with you at my side." The man stepped closer so that they were a foot apart. "And I must say you did magnificently," the man purred, leaning closer.

Mere inches separated them now. Harry could see different reds reflected in the man's eyes, showing a surprisingly enticing depth to them. Harry denied the flush that crept up his neck and took a step away, crossing his arms to create distance. "Imagine how much better I would have been if I had known and been prepared!"

"You will be in the future. I wished to see how you would react on the spot. If you could handle it." Harry glared at him and the energy building was intoxicating. "Judging by your magic I would say you are more than equipped to handle it."

"My magic?"

"Can you not feel it, Harry?" The man asked softly. Harry frowned and the energy pulsed.

"You mean that? Feeling? That energy? That's my magic?"

"Well yours and mine reacting to each other," the man corrected. "Mine is bringing yours out, it is why it is felt so intensely when we look at each other. It only happened tonight because I have mine on display, allowing mine to call yours forth and challenge it. It provided quite the show for my followers, I can assure you. I'm surprised they were able to remain standing." The man began to circle around him and Harry swallowed thickly. "I can teach you how to bring it forth at will, you know. Teach you how to constantly feel your magic, to push it out, to put it on display, to bend others to your will."

"I am not you. I don't want others to bend to my will."

"You can keep telling yourself that. But I saw how you reacted when Avery bowed to you. I saw you soaking in the pleasure of being placed above the others. You can't lie to me, Harry," the man whispered coming up behind him, placing his words directly in Harry's ear. Marvolo's warm breath tickled his neck. Harry dug his nails into the palm of his hand to suppress the responding shiver. "Your Necromancy and Lordships will already give you a position of respect among the Wizarding World. But being in touch with your magic and expanding it, in addition to your dueling, will make you untouchable." Harry licked his lips. "Just think of the people you could protect with that kind of power," the man continued to whisper, the breath of his words curling around the shell of his ear. Harry struggled to breathe.

This was just Voldemort trying to manipulate him, Harry scolded himself. Voldemort with Marvolo's face. He wasn't so weak-willed as to fall for it though. He didn't desire power like Voldemort or Dumbledore. He just wanted to be Harry.

"But you were never just Harry, were you?" Marvolo asked, making Harry realize he had spoken the last bit out loud. "You were made for greater things. Extraordinary things. It is time you accept this and embrace it." Marvolo was suddenly gone and opening the door, leaving Harry feeling lightheaded and breathless. "Oh, and Harry," the man continued smoothly, ice coating his words now, pausing before stepping out of the room. "Never interrupt me in front of my followers like that again."

Harry was suddenly alone and his knees gave out. Collapsing onto the sofa he had sat in only three days ago to make a deal with the devil. Gripping his hair and hunching over so his elbows dug into his knees, Harry took a shaky breath.

By Merlin, he was so far in over his head.

*ink refreshing