Harry Potter and the Shadowed Light
Chapter 28
Previously
Harry nodded and looked at Neville. "What about you, Neville? Got any plans other than spending a few days with me after Yule?"
They had decided to have Neville visit from the 27th until the 31st, meaning they would have already completed the ritual for the start of Tom's return.
"Gran never attends the ball so I doubt I'll be there. Other than Yule and seeing you, I've not got a lot on."
Eventually the group settled in for the long journey back to London, Harry lulled into a doze by their peaceful chatter.
23rd December 1992, Dumbledore's office, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Albus Dumbledore wasn't one to panic. No, he planned, manipulated, and succeeded. He did not panic; however, he would admit that he was… concerned. The fool Lockhart had vanished, but how? Albus didn't know, but he needed to find him and quickly. The aurors lead by Bones would be here for him soon and Lockhart was gone. He couldn't understand how! The man couldn't spell his way out of a locked room, let alone a fully warded ancient castle, yet every spell Albus tried was coming up empty.
Gilderoy Lockhart was no longer in Hogwarts.
The news would have initially caused him great relief if it hadn't been for Sirius Black and Lucius Malfoy getting involved and forcing his hand. Now the wards were up and if Lockhart was caught, he would be ruined. He needed to find him fast and get rid of him; he knew far too much and he would bet his beard the fraud would sell out every secret he knew if it meant reducing his own sentence.
How he was managing to hide from him Albus didn't know, but he was not impressed.
After another failed attempt, Albus let out a groan of frustration, barely containing his fury.
"Having performance issues, Albie?"
Twirling around with his wand in hand, Albus looked for the intruder before his eyes narrowed on the now-shaking portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black. The old man was smirking, his grey eyes holding an almost malicious glint as he watched the headmaster plot and fail.
"I thought I had silenced you, Black."
The portrait smirked. "It's okay, dear Dumbledore, many gentlemen of a certain age are the same."
Narrowing his eyes, Albus let out a roar of fury, "Silence. I will not be mocked! I am the great Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the defeater of the Dark Lord Grindelwald—"
"Oh, shut it," another portrait grumbled, cutting off Dumbledore's rant.
"Yes, we've heard it all before."
Albus blinked a few times before brandishing his wand. "Silenceo," he roared, making many of the portraits roll their eyes.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he barely had time to blink before his fire flared with green flames - the ministry was here and he still hadn't found Lockhart. Quickly looking around his office, he restored it to its usual state, not wanting them to see the evidence of his frustration.
Amelia Bones would have said she was not looking forward to her day if one were to ask. That was, of course, a lie. She was very much looking forward to seeing Susan and having her back for Yule, but before she could go and pick up her niece she was going to have to go and deal with the headmaster yet again.
The current situation was ridiculous. The investigation had taken weeks as they had been stalled and mislead at every turn, no matter that the results were clear. Gilderoy Lockhart, formerly in possession of an Order of Merlin 3rd class, was a liar and a fraud. Amelia knew his books were ridiculous, the claims in them laughable, and even a child under 11 would recognise them as fake.
In one he claimed to have punched some vampire's fangs out, making him only able to eat mushed up carrots for the rest of eternity. Ridiculous! Firstly, vampire teeth are nearly impenetrable to force and secondly, while a vampire can consume other substances other than blood most chose not to as they gain little from it. That didn't even touch upon the fact that even fewer use their fangs to drink instead of using donated blood poured in glasses.
The claims in most of the books were all as ridiculous. However, prior to the investigation Lockhart got away with it as some of the claimed feats did happen, such as a slain mountain troll that saved a village in Peru. It did happen and Lockhart was there - though now it is clear that his claim to have been the one to do the feat was a lie and he modified the memories of those around him to get away with it. Amelia, like everybody else, had simply taken his other claimed victories such as the vampire as fiction to make his books more interesting, not realising he was manipulating and mentally damaging hundreds of people.
Feeling her alarm go off, she stood and let out a sigh. Walking to her door, Amelia paused when she heard knocking coming from it. Opening it, she saw Lucius Malfoy and Sirius Black.
"Gentlemen, what can I help you with today?"
"Madam Bones, with your permission of course, we would very much like to accompany you to Hogwarts," Lucius said requested.
"In what capacity?"
"We're both parents and members of the school board. It was also us who brought the concerns to light," Sirius said, sounding strangely serious.
Amelia nodded. She didn't mind and, to be honest, she wanted to watch more of the interaction between the new Lord Black and the headmaster. "Well then, feel free to join us. We shall be leaving shortly, I just have to gather my men."
The two Lords nodded and stepped aside.
"Shacklebolt, Green, McCallion! You're with me," she called out to gain the attention of the room, happy to see the three aurors that she had picked were already ready and waiting.
Turning back to the two Lords, she said, "Follow me." as she walked to the DMLE's main floo.
Once in the headmaster's office, Sirius found his eyes automatically drawn to the portrait of Phineas. He had forgotten to talk to the matching one located in Grimmauld Place recently and realised that he should have - his ancestor probably knew most, if not all, of the old goat's plans.
"Headmaster," Madam Bones greeted professionally, if not slightly cold.
"Madam Bones, how good to see you—and of course your companions are also welcome," the man said, his voice sounding genuine. It made Sirius want to curl his lip in distaste.
"Indeed. Headmaster, I have a warrant here for the arrest of one Gilderoy Lockhart," she said, not wanting to waste time
Albus sighed and made sure to look sad. "I see. However, I am very sorry to inform you that it appears as though Mr. Lockhart has somehow managed to find his way out of Hogwarts."
Sirius allowed an eyebrow to rise. "How unfortunate."
Albus held back his snarl. "Forgive me, I do not see how he managed to accomplish this."
Amelia didn't allow her anger to show. "I was lead to believe you had locked him into the wards?"
"Yes, but—"
"—but?" Lucius interrupted, pleased to see the old man was no longer infallible.
"I'm sure that Sirius - I mean Lord Black can attest to there being a number of secret passageways into the castle that the wards do not completely cover. It's not unbelievable to say Gilderoy may have managed to escape through one of these weakened gaps."
Amelia allowed her scepticism to show. "You believe him capable of, not only finding these secret passageways, but also getting through the wards of Hogwarts? Even weakened?"
Sirius jumped in then. "I also find that hard to believe. The passageways are, as you say, secret."
Albus honestly didn't think it was possible, at least not with his help, but it was the only explanation. The man was gone and Albus hadn't had a damn thing to do with it!
"It is the only plausible explanation. The portraits and ghosts are unable to locate him and all of my spells keep coming back negative. He is no longer within the walls of Hogwarts."
Sirius pondered that and realised Harry probably had something to do with the situation, however he couldn't let it show. "That seems very convenient."
He trusted his heir enough to know that he wouldn't be caught. Well, hopefully.
"What are you implying, Lord Black?" Albus asked. He was insulted that his reputation was so diminished that a previously incarcerated Dark wizard could get away with questioning him so bluntly.
"Nothing, of course," Sirius said, although the room knew that was a lie.
Amelia sighed before straightening out. "Headmaster, when was the last time Lockhart was seen?"
"I saw him at breakfast yesterday," Albus said. He had been watching the man closely, trying to work out a way to get him out of the castle before he was arrested and potentially spilled his secrets.
"I see. And do you know the last time he was seen?"
"He was not at the Christmas leaving feast."
"So he potentially had 24 hours to get away?" Amelia said, clearly not impressed with this news.
"Potentially."
"And you didn't think to inform the DMLE of this?"
Albus frowned. "I wasn't sure he was missing; sometimes staff do not attend feasts." He had the portraits watching him, but they hadn't seen anything and the ghosts couldn't find him.
"However, the man was bound to the wards and under criminal investigation. I would have thought you would want to keep a closer eye on him."
"I understand, but I did have the portraits keeping a lookout, as well as the Hogwarts' ghosts."
"I see," Amelia said, exasperated. She would now have to issue and find funding for a manhunt.
"Ma'am," Auror Green interrupted, hesitantly.
"Green?"
"I think it would be beneficial to check the wards, just in case they have been changed," he said, making Albus want to hurt the man. How dare he accuse him of changing the wards and letting Lockhart escape? He wasn't foolish enough for such an obvious ploy.
Amelia nodded. "I was thinking the same myself."
Dumbledore held in his rage and stood to get the ward book. Handing it over, he frowned when Madam Bones not only read it, but cast multiple charms and detection spells, not trusting him.
"Everything is in order, I presume?"
Amelia admitted she was surprised when the ward book proved to be not tampered with. "Yes, thank you headmaster."
Dumbledore contained his smug satisfaction. "If that is all, I'm sure you each have work you need doing?"
"Not quite. Green, Shacklebolt, McCallion, I want you to split up and search the castle top to bottom. I will go back to the office and round up some more aurors to join you."
"Yes, ma'am," the aurors said together, nodding their heads.
"My dear, that really isn't necessa—"
"Yes, headmaster, it is. The manhunt shall start here if he really has escaped and each member of the staff shall be questioned to see if we can't create a timeline of his exit."
"Now see here—!"
"No, you see here. This is an official ministry investigation. We have to search the castle for a convict that was last seen here and bound to the wards."
"But—"
"If you continue to argue headmaster, I will charge you with obscuring the course of this investigation."
Sirius barely held back his smirk and shared a look with Lucius, who appeared to be having just as much trouble.
"Very well then, but do to try to remember that this is a school and that there are still children here. Your investigation will cause upset to their Christmas spirits."
Amelia withheld her snort at the man's flimsy excuse. "My aurors will be discrete. Now, if you could round up your staff so that they are here when I return, that should speed along the process." With a nod, she turned and didn't wait for Albus to reply.
Walking towards the floo, she stopped near Sirius and Lucius. "Gentlemen, if you would like to follow me I do believe you both have sons who will be returning home today."
The two Lords nodded and sent glances at the now furious Dumbledore. "Indeed, Madam Bones," Lucius said, following her back to the floo.
22nd December 1992, Platform 9 3/4, King's Cross Station
When the train finally pulled up to the crowded station, Harry was glad to be home. It wasn't that he didn't love his friends, he did, it was just that being with them was exhausting. He was an adult and it didn't matter how mature they were, they were still children to him.
"See you in the New Year, my Lord," Luna said, pulling him out of his thoughts.
Harry smiled and nodded to the small girl. "Have a good Yule," he said, watching as she seemed to melt into the crowd and disappear almost instantly.
Quickly grabbing his trunk, Harry followed the crowds out onto the platform and silently scanned for Sirius, not surprised when he saw him standing with Lucius. What did shock him was seeing him wear wizarding robes instead of the normal fashion he favoured.
"I see your father, Draco," he said, nodding towards the man to show his friend.
Turning to the rest of his friends, he smiled. "I hope you all have a great holiday," he said honestly before he started to walk towards Sirius.
"What's with the get up?" he whispered while hugging Sirius in greeting.
"What? You don't think I look dashing? I shall have you know that these robes are of the highest quality and any witch or wizard with an ounce of taste shall swoon as soon as they see me."
Harry couldn't help but blink blankly at him before shaking his head. Sirius was... odd. "Sure," he said, shaking his head at his guardian's antics.
Lucius watched with an impassive face but inside he wanted to laugh. The dynamic between the two was intriguing to say the least, an almost role reversal.
"Harrison, I hope you had a good term," he greeted.
"Hello, Lucius. Thank you, my term ended surprisingly well," Harry said, smiling as he remembered Lockhart's fate.
"That is good to hear," Lucius said, suspicion raising within him.
Sirius withheld his snort with some difficulty and instead placed a hand on Harry shoulder. "Come on pup, let's get you home. I know Remus is dying to see you and I'm sure you have a lot to tell us. There are also a few things that still need setting up for Yule. Lucius, Draco."
Harry nodded and sent smiles at the two Malfoys. "I shall see you both soon," he promised before he felt the familiar tugging sensation in his naval and was enveloped in a world of disorientation and nausea.
Shaking his head when he felt his feet hit solid ground, Harry turned and gave Sirius an unimpressed look. "I hate side along," he grumbled, fighting the queasiness it always gave him.
Sirius grinned at the look; Harry reminded him of an upset kitten. He knew that that wasn't the case here, that Harry was dangerous and Dark, but looking at him you wouldn't realise. He looked almost angelically cute with his slight pout and mushed hair.
"So… Lockhart?" Sirius asked immediately.
Harry let a smirk appear on his face. "Sadly I don't think he shall be seeing the inside of Azkaban anytime soon," he said solemnly.
Sirius snorted at the tone. "What happened to him?"
Harry hummed, "For some reason he thought it would be smart to go after Luna. I took exception to that."
Sirius nodded and allowed his own anger to develop. Luna was just a little girl and although Harry was mentally and magically gifted, he still looked like a child.
"What did he do?"
Harry explained Lockhart's plans and watched as Sirius grew still. "That man! I can't believe he stooped so low as to attack innocent children—" hearing Harry snort at being called innocent, he corrected himself, "—well, children at least."
"I'm sure he came to regret his actions by the end."
"The end?"
"Aithusia apparently thinks peacocks tastes like chicken, but slightly stringier."
Sirius frowned before remembering Harry mentioning the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets was called Aithusia. Realising what this meant, he paled slightly before shrugging off his guilt and barking out a laugh. "Remind me to never get on your bad side."
"Why's that?" Remus asked, walking into the parlour.
Harry shrugged before walking to the werewolf and giving him a hug. "I'm scary," he deadpanned.
Remus smiled and pulled Harry in tighter. "Even if you're terrifying we'll still love you."
Harry smiled into his cardigan before pulling out of the hug. "That's nice. Also, Remus, how do you fancy teaching? The Defence Against the Dark Arts post has just become available."
Remus blinked. "I'm not surprised. Has Lockhart been arrested?"
Harry grinned darkly. "No, not arrested; however, he has faced his judgement."
Sirius burst out in more doglike laughter at that before telling Remus what Harry had done and why. By the end of the tale Remus' eyes were flashing gold, showing just how Moony felt about his cub being threatened. The idea of teaching was immediately forgotten.
"A fair punishment, I'd say," he all but growled out.
Harry laughed lightly. "I'm glad you both approve. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to unpack and have a quick shower before dinner."
"That's fine," Remus said.
For Harry, the days leading up to Yule were filled with both a sense of serenity and anxiety. Remus, by leave of Sirius, had been left to collect all of the required ingredients for the ritual which would bring Harry one step closer to being reunited with Tom.
It was not an overly complicated ritual. It did, however, require the caster's blood willingly given and them to be of pure heart—meaning they had to want the person who created the horcrux healed and made whole with their entire being.
"Are you ready for tonight?" Sirius asked. They had declined the Malfoy's invitation to celebrate Yule together in order to perform the ritual at the correct time.
"I believe so," Harry said, placing a mark in his book and turning to look at Sirius.
The dog animagus truly looked like a different man from the one he had known. His hair was thick and healthy, any traces of premature grey gone. His eyes, although still older than they should be, lacked the horror and pain they once held. His body was no longer gaunt and frail, instead he stood tall and proud, lightly muscled and tanned.
Smiling slightly, Harry considered is next words and their impact. "I believe we should bring Lucius in on a few things. He is a Dark wizard and a supporter of Tom's after all, as well as being in close contact with us both."
Sirius surprised Harry when he didn't outright object - but Harry hadn't seen them when they were alone together out of the public eye, when they didn't have to maintain a certain level of decorum, so he didn't know just how close their friendship had become.
"I think you're right," he said eventually.
Harry nodded. "Maybe Severus as well." Sirius smiled at the mention of the Potion Master's name, making Harry consider him for a second.
"They will probably be like you and Remus."
"What?"
"I don't think that Dumbledore will have limited himself on who he dosed."
Sirius looked confused for a moment before s look of understanding and anger passed over his face. "There are probably hundreds of witches and wizards…."
Harry nodded. "I know," he said, not concealing his disgust. An image of a young Tom Riddle filled his mind; he wasn't sure, but he would bet his Gringotts vault that Albus Dumbledore was the reason behind Tom's eventual unravelling and psychosis.
23rd December 1992, Grimmauld Place, London
Lucius was pleasantly surprised when he entered Grimmauld Place. The last time he had been inside, the townhouse was practically a cesspit; it had been dark, dank, and poorly kept. Narcissa had visited her aunt shortly before she had died, the old woman insisting on seeing the remains of her family. Now however, the house actually felt like a home, the furnishings clearly new and well-kept.
"Welcome, Lord Malfoy," a slightly gravelly voice said, drawing his eye to an elderly house-elf. Before he could speak another figure emerged from the green flames.
"Lucius," Severus greeted after flicking his wrist to rid himself of any dust the floo had left behind.
"Ah, Severus. I didn't know you were also invited."
"Indeed. Have you any idea what this is about?" The Potions Master asked.
"No, though I hope it shan't take too long. I hate to leave Narcissa and Draco alone for long on such a holiday - Yule is a time to be with family."
Severus rolled his eyes at the jab. The blond had been trying to get him to join them for such celebrations for years.
The opening of a door drew their attention and both looked up when Remus entered. The wolf looked much healthier than he had in years and Severus was reluctantly pleased about this.
"Gentlemen, thank you for coming," Remus said.
"It's no bother," Severus said quietly. He was still slightly uncomfortable around the man.
"If you would follow me, I believe Harry and Sirius are waiting in the family parlour for us."
Harry watched as Sirius paced. He loved the man dearly and he found his nervous anxiety humorous, but it was slightly annoying.
"You said you trusted them," the preteen reminded.
"I did—I do, but…."
"Calm down Siri, it will be fine."
"I know, but—"
Before he could worry himself further, the door opened and Remus walked in followed by Severus and Lucius. Seeing how worked up his friend was, Remus shook his head and asked, "Has he been pacing since I left?"
Harry snorted lightly. "Yes."
Sirius pouted slightly and threw himself into an armchair, sprawling out yet somehow managing to look elegant.
"Please take a seat gentleman," Harry said, indicating to the other chairs.
Once everybody was seated, Harry smiled. "Can I offer anybody a drink?" he asked, proper manners refusing to be ignored.
Lucius and Severus shared a quick look. "I believe we are fine for now, Harrison. Perhaps you should tell us instead why you asked us to be here?"
Harry nodded and quickly filtered through what he planned on saying before throwing caution to the wind.
"So, tell me, what do you know about horcruxes?"
Both men sat in shocked silence trying to take in everything they had just been told. Neither was surprised that their Lord had been less than sane in the end if he had really created so many of the abdominal things.
Harry watched as they both seemed to lose themselves in their thoughts. He had not told them about being Master of Death or returning and re-living his life - instead he spoke about the compulsions and binds Dumbledore had put on him, his soul bond, and how his soulmate had tried to become immortal through the use of horcruxes. He told them that they should go to the goblins and see about having themselves checked over for compulsions and how tonight he planned on starting the process of bringing Tom, their Lord, back.
"You really want to bring him back?" Severus finally asked, shocked that Harry of all people would want to bring Voldemort back.
"He won't be the same man you knew," Harry said, hoping to have their support. Lucius still looked shocked but Severus was clearly torn.
"But he killed your parents. Murdered Lily!"
Harry sighed and shut his eyes for a moment. "Even when insane he offered her a chance to move aside and live. She refused and sacrificed herself, saving my life."
Severus sat back. "Then how can you consider bringing him back?!"
"I need to! Without him I will die. He's my soulmate," Harry said, stressing the words.
"Do you have all of his horcruxes?" Lucius said, finally forcing himself out of his panic.
Harry looked at him and smirked. "Yes, even a certain diary."
Lucius gulped and paled considerably. "How…?"
"I have my ways," Harry said, confusing the other occupants of the room. "Don't worry, I can keep how I managed to gather that particular one secret."
Lucius stared at the young man before him and felt a wave of relief. He still remembered his Lord's instability and how curse happy he had been by the end. "Thank you," he said honestly before continuing. "This ritual, it will return to our Lord both his sanity and his life?"
"Yes, he will be as he was supposed to be."
Lucius nodded. He remembered the stories his father had told him about their Lord and his goals and, for the first time in a long time, he felt hope. He had honestly resented having the Dark Mark by the end of the last war; he had taken it as a teen, thinking it was a great honour, but the Lord his father had praised had been gone by that point and in his place was a mad man. If this ritual could restore the man his father had idolised, whose dreams and ideals he had grown up hearing about, then he would be honoured to help Harry.
"Then I will help you with whatever you need," the blond vowed, bowing his head to Harry in a sign of respect.
"Thank you," Harry said. "I honestly don't need help with the ritual tonight, but your willingness to aid me is appreciated."
Severus was still hesitant. "How can you forgive him?" he asked the teen.
"He wasn't in his right mind. The Tom who I will be bringing back will not be Voldemort."
Severus sighed and nodded his head in slight defeat. "I will stand by you in this," he vowed. He had sworn to protect him and if Harry could forgive his Lord, then he would try.
"Thank you. Both of you," he said.
"You really should try and see the goblins sooner rather than later as well," Remus said, reminding the room of that.
"These compulsions and binds, how bad were they?" Severus asked.
"Well, mine made me hate anything remotely Slytherin and Dark in magic. They also made me reckless, careless, and oppose to authority. I was also made to hate certain people, members of my own family and even—" he cut off, looking at Severus, before continuing. "Now don't get me wrong, I was always rather free thinking when it came to magic, but I was a Dark wizard and accepting of that until I went to Hogwarts. Then suddenly the slight resentment I held towards my parents grew to me hating everything Dark, my harmless pranks grew to me becoming a bully. My godfather bond to Harry was also blocked."
The two men nodded. "I see," Severus said, shocked at the emotion he saw in the animagus' eyes.
Lucius looked contemplative. "You were the Black Heir, didn't your ring protect you?"
Sirius blinked. "I didn't have the ring when I got my Hogwarts letter. The Blacks, like most families, don't usually give the Heir ring until the Heir's 13th birthday. Harry is the most recent exception as he needed the protection and he had already claimed it along with his other titles while I was… indisposed. I suspect that after I had it, I didn't gain any new compulsions, at least until I ran away. I had left the ring here as I didn't want to be associated with my family."
"I see," Lucius said, going silent as he thought about his own behaviour after he entered Hogwarts.
This time Remus spoke up. "Mine were similar in nature. I was made to be ashamed of myself, submissive, loyal, and grateful to Dumbledore. I also had a poison in my blood, making me weaker. It would have eventually killed me, probably within the next few years."
That shocked the two men, leaving them completely baffled. Severus was disgusted at how far Dumbledore was willing to go, and confused as to why.
"You're fine now, though?" Lucius asked eventually.
"Yes, I was healed by the goblins."
"My own compulsions were not as deadly. I was placed under a blood glamour, making me look like my father, and I had a magic binding on my core," Harry added.
That caused the two men to react violently; both knew the danger of putting such bindings on children. They could cause irreparable damage to both their magical and physical development.
"He what?" Severus asked, his voice going cold and causing shivers amongst the other occupants.
"He bound my magical core and attempted to bind my other inherited magics. I also had a slew of compulsions similar to Sirius' which would have made me a weak willed and feeble-minded Gryffindor, besotted with Dumbledore and easy to manipulate. I had them all removed when I re-entered this world, but the fact he tried sickens me. There is also the theft from my vaults which I immediately stopped."
"He stole from you?" Lucius asked.
"A few thousand galleons, pocket change in the large scheme, but still."
Severus was startled by this, though he hid his derision at the casual dismissal of such large sums of money in favour of letting his anger at the situation prevail.
"Why are you telling us all of this now? You have said that you don't need our help, so I question your motives."
Harry smirked at his question. "True, I don't need your help but Tom is still your Lord and I wanted to test your loyalties as well as warn you of Dumbledore's manipulations." Harry focused on Severus for the last part, emerald green eyes boring into black.
Severus felt like his very soul was being searched before he nodded. "I see."
"If that is everything, I think it's best if we retire for the evening. You have your ritual to prepare for and Narcissa and Draco are waiting for me," Lucius said after a beat of silence.
Harry nodded. "I agree. Good evening, gentlemen. Oh, and happy Yule."
AN: Updated &Beta'd 19/08/17- Big thank you to Miisticalwrites!
Remember people that reviews are always appreciated but I won't hold the story to ransom for them.
Updates should come every few days and like usual this is being posed on Ao3 under the same name.
Hope you enjoy reading
~ Annie