Harry Potter and the Shadowed Light

Chapter 42

Previously

Looking between the two Marvolo felt himself breath, "Bellatrix, Harrison," he greeted.

"Is everything okay?" Harry asked, eying the doors warily.

"Everything is fine my darling, what are you to up to?" he asked

"I'm going to teach the little Lord some curses, lots of lovely curses," Bellatrix said in a sing-song voice.

"Oh?" he asked, sending an amused look to Harry.

"She offered, I hadn't yet decided, although some practical lessons would do me some good."

Marvolo hummed, I wouldn't mind teaching you some things," he offered.

Harry felt a smile bloom, "that would be perfect, thank you."

"Oh, you're in for a treat little one, my Lord is a very good teacher," Bella cooed.

/

Albus paced the length of his office, Mollies shrieks still rattling around in his head. He couldn't prove it, but he knew the brat was responsible for Ginny's death. The idiot girl wasn't capable of brewing a common cure for colds, let alone advanced love potions. She must have decided to go against the plan without telling them, probably hoping to impress him, as Albus hadn't had anything planned for the Potter brat yet. That she was now dead was a disaster. Now not only was the ministry calling for an inquiry into the school, but he had lost a valuable pawn, and Molly was in hysterics. He had had to stun the woman just to stop her wailing about her baby.

He had plans for the useless girl, with her his access to the Potter vaults would be easy. He just had to whelp a child on her with the brat and he would be rich... no wait, he meant, that he could use the money to fund the light cause for years, for the greater good.

He and Molly had discussed it, deciding that once Ginny had sat her OWLs she would seduce the boy, after having taken a fertility potion and given him Zeller's potion, and bare his child. The child would naturally be his heir and inherit everything. He had even stocked up on both in preparation.

That she had died, with some Zeller's potion being found at the scene, proved to him that Harry was responsible. She probably overheard their plans and thought to impress them by getting them done early. That the Potter brat caught her wasn't surprising, the boy was, Albus reluctantly admitted, smart, a true snake in ravens feathers.

This latest disruptions to his plans though couldn't be overlooked. It proved without doubt that Harry was on the Dark path, and he needed saving from himself, for the greater good. The boy was turning out just like Tom. He was out of control and Albus couldn't have that.

With Ginny dead he supposed he could use Ron. A male pregnancy potion wasn't that hard to get hold of, although their open animosity would make others suspicious. Maybe he could make a play that it was all pretend? A way to hide their budding romance and protect their relationship...? Snarling as his mind thought up more problems, he lashed out with his magic, wishing to attack the brat. Why couldn't the boy just do as he was supposed to?

He would get the brat under his control, and when he did, he would make him suffer for all the trouble he had caused. Thinking about those green eyes filled with tears, made Albus jolt, pleasure like he hadn't felt in decades, thrumming through him... Oh, he would make the boy pay.

/

Harry sighed as he closed the book in front of him. He had noticed something since returning home from the summer, his magic was acting out, yet the research he had done and pointed out no obvious cause.

"What is wrong little love?" Marvolo asked from where he was sitting, he was going through the recent laws passed by the Wizengamot. Seeing who voted for what and where certain families fell.

"I feel as though I am loosing control," he admitted to his mate.

"Control of what?"

"My magic, since the incident with Ginny it's been lashing out. I must fight to keep it contained at times."

Marvolo hummed, "I have a theory," he eventually said.

Harry turned to face him fully, waving a hand as though to say continue.

"Your magic is maturing," Marvolo said, "even though you returned with your original core unblocked, you are in a body that is currently going through puberty..."

Hearing this Harry was grateful for his occulmency shields, as hearing his soulmate talk about his body's changes in such a casual way made him want to blush.

"...your magic is likewise developing. That it is difficult to contain is a testament to your magical strength. I went through something similar myself when I was your age."

"So, my magic is going through a teenage rebellion because my body is hormonal?"

Marvolo rolled his eyes at his mate, smirking softly, "I suppose that's an apt summary."

"I didn't notice anything like this last time," Harry mused.

"With how many blocks and potions you had on you, I'm not surprised. Your magic was severely handicapped in your last life."

"How long will this last?" he asked, a slight whine to his voice.

Marvolo chuckled, "it should settle down with your hormones."

"So never?"

Chucking even more, Marvolo stood and made his way to his little ravens' side, sitting beside him and carefully pulling him into his arms.

"You will always have to make more effort than the average wizard to control your magic as your core is larger than most. Also, the fact that you practice Darker magic's, which are by their nature more difficult to control, means you must ensure you control your magic and not the other way around."

"that's what happened to Bellatrix isn't it?" Harry asked, snuggling into his mates embrace, relishing in the feeling of their magic's mingling.

Marvolo hummed, Bellatrix suffered from the Black madness, which was in reality magic sickness, due to their Dark arts obsession and inbreeding the Blacks very family magic was unstable. It didn't cause a problem for most, but when it did it was usually extreme. Bellatrix and Wallburga being great examples. Bellatrix's case made even worse due to her obsession with the Dark arts, by practicing them from a young age without censure or control, she caused herself irreparable damage. She could function in society but mentally her capacity was limited.

"It is."

Harry nodded, wondering if that was why Marvolo was so strict in their duelling lessons, so he asked… while Marvolo would teach Harry spells and tricks, and allow him to practice them, he didn't limit what he taught to just Dark arts, no Marvolo was teaching him everything. He was however restrictive on how much Harry could practice certain spells.

"It is. Bellatrix, although growing up in a Dark family who knew the risks, was naturally weak to the damages that the Dark arts pose, so she was damaged by them. I however never had somebody to teach me, therefor I fell hard and fast into the Dark arts and caused damage to myself. I don't wish for you to suffer like we did, eventually you will not need such restrictions but until your core is fully developed, I will continue to be strict."

Harry hummed, "thank you, for looking out for me" he said, placing a gentle kiss on Marvolo's cheek.

Marvolo gently squeezed Harrison to him in response, "I will always look out for you, my little raven."

/

The twins winced as their mothers' shrieks picked up in both pitch and volume. She hadn't stopped since they returned from school. They were sitting on the stairs, their prototype extendable ears, something they had recently developed was in the kitchen, listening to their parents.

"Arthur! Arthur!" she wailed; "I know it wasn't an accident. It was that boy, he's evil Arthur! Oh, merlin save us... he killed our baby!"

Their father who looked as though he had aged a decade overnight sighed in response to their mothers' accusations, "Molly wobbles, it was an accident," he said voice horse from crying.

"No, you're wrong it was that boy!"

"Enough Molly!" their father finally snapped, causing the twins to jolt, they never heard their father take such a tone, especially against their mother.

Their mother wailed, "you don't care do you! You never care, you useless oaf! My baby girl is dead, murdered and you don't care!"

"I care! She was my daughter as well! But we have six other children to care for, six children who're sad, scared and confused, I won't have you screaming murder in front of them. Look at Ron, he's already obsessed with Mr Potter. I've had enough of this Molly! It was an accident, but one caused by Ginny's own obsession with Mr Potter. I stood by in silence while you encouraged her, but no more!"

The twins shared shocked looks.

"What are you two doing?" came a quiet voice, turning they saw Bill standing behind them. His eyes were shadowed with Dark bags and his long red hair looked greasy.

"Ermm..."

"you're blaming me!" their mothers voice shrieked through the ear's extension.

"Is that mom and dad?" their eldest brother asked

"Yeah, we were err..." George went to explain.

"Eavesdropping?" Bill asked smirking, but clearly lacking his usual flair. He had rushed back from Egypt when his father had floo'd him and hadn't slept in almost two days.

"We just wanted to know what was going on," Fred said defensively.

Bill raised his hands in surrender, "I'm not judging. What happened-" he was cut off with a sob, "what happened to Ginny was tragic, but you are old enough to know about it."

"I don't know Molly! Our daughter was brewing illegal potions... And from what Amelia said it wasn't the first time! You hid that from me, I had no idea Ginny was almost expelled. If I had known I could have helped her get over her infatuation, gotten her some help!"

Billy sucked in a gasp at what he just heard, "did you know about this?" he asked the twins.

"Yeah, Harry is our friend," George responded quietly.

The elder wizard shook his head, "what a mess," he muttered.

"She didn't need help!" Molly shrieked, though the sounds blurred, the ear quivering.

"Think we need to run some more tests," Fred said, tugging the ear so that the other half recoiled up.

Bill blinked, "you made this?" he asked, impressed.

"yeah, its still in the testing stages though."

"How is it you're only just passing charms if you can make stuff like this?"

"Charms are boring-" Fred said.

"-We don't need to know how to make a pineapple dance," George added.

The eldest shook his head, "you're incorrigible, the pair of you."

"Thank you," the twins replied together.

"Was dad right... Had Ginny done something like this before?" Bill asked them quietly.

"Yeah... mom, Ginny and Ron. They're like obsessed with Harry."

Bill frowned, "why?"

"We don't know... Harrys a good kid, but he's just a kid," Fred said, he trusted his brother, but he couldn't tell him everything, not just because of the secrecy charms but because he didn't want to share Harrys secrets without his permission.

Bill could tell the twins had more to say but he saw their reluctance, so he didn't push. Since coming home and finding out what had happened, he was confused. Things didn't add up and now his baby sister was dead. He hadn't been as close to his youngest two siblings, they had been babied by their mother, but he still loved them, that Ginny was now dead... he shook his head.

/

Harry winced as his back collided with the floor harshly, winded as his breath escaped him in a painful whoosh.

"Are you okay?" Marvolo's concerned voice said, coming from the other side of the room

Rolling onto his hands and knees, he stood with a wince, "I'll live."

Marvolo grimaced, "I thought your shield would hold out longer," he replied in defence of himself.

Harry stretched, relishing in the pull of his muscles, "lets see how long your shields hold when they're being battered by dozens of curses," he muttered before sending a smile at his mate, to reassure him that he wasn't hurt or bothered by the treatment.

"Your stamina is increasing, you're holding out for longer now," Marvolo commented, "you would be able to stand against most duellers."

Harry smiled, "hopefully I won't lose all this progress when I'm back at Hogwarts."

"Your skills are beyond commendable for your age, so long as you practice, I don't foresee you having any problems."

"it's the practice that's hard, Flitwick helps by letting me use his office but I'm finding the restrictions of being at school difficult."

Marvolo hummed, he had considered this, "its only a few more years."

Scowling Harry crossed his arms, "I know, still I hate that I have to be separated from you, and that I have to pretend to be a child. I just want this over."

Marvolo walked to his pouting mate, not that he would point out that he was pouting, and pulled him into a hug, "once dumbledore is gone and we reshape our world, you will realise that this suffering is worth it."

"I know that, still it doesn't mean I have to like it."

/

The twins were once again glad that Bill had returned home for the foreseeable future as their eldest brother packed them, along with Ron, off to Diagon alley to get their school shopping done.

Bill hadn't return to Egypt after the funeral and instead picked up a temporary position in the London branch of Gringotts… which helped him realise just how much was wrong with wizarding Britain. While gaining his mastery he had been exposed to different cultures and avenues of magic, and realised just how biased and frankly, behind, Britain was compared to the rest of the world. Britain's pro-light dogma was stifling them, and Bill was shocked to see that the rest of the world viewed the majority of British wizards as mediocre because of their beliefs. Not to say that the rest of the world practiced Dark magic, but rather they practiced all magics, with few restrictions.

"Do you to promise to be safe if I let you go meet your friends?" Bill asked the twins.

"We do," they promised together.

"Why do they get to go off without you? They're the ones who're friends with death eaters, they should be locked up, you should be watching them, not me!"

Bill rolled his eyes, "you're just proving to me that you can't be trusted on your own Ron! Unlike you Fred and George have shown me they can be mature and trusted to meet their friends to do their shopping. I don't know what's happened to you, but your attitude is disgusting, the twins are our brothers, and yet you accuse them of such vile things. This attitude of yours needs to stop!"

Ron visibly fumed, "you don't understand, its all going wrong! They're ruining it, they stole my best friend, My future! I was supposed to be his friend not them; I should be the one going to meet him! I was promised to be great; a hero and he's ruining it; he's killed Ginny and you don't even care!

The twins shared a look before turning to Bill, "well good luck with him, I hear St. Mungos takes in crazies for free, so maybe try going there first?"

Shaking his head, Bill shot the twins an annoyed look, though he couldn't blame them, a part of him was starting to wonder if maybe his youngest brother did need a mind healer, "off with you."

"Later brother," Fred said, sending a wave while George just smirked.

After leaving a fuming Ron and an exasperated Bill, it didn't take them long to find their friends. Luna had passed the message along to them at Ginny's funeral, the young blonde having come to offer her condolences as she lived across the fields from them.

Harry felt a wave of relief when he saw them, they didn't look as bad as he feared, paler and more tired than usual yes, but not overly so. Still although he knew it was selfish, he couldn't help but hope that they could forgive him, or if not at least understand why he had to do what he did. His fear must have been clear as before he could offer them greetings, he was abruptly drawn into a three-way hug, and His fears were quickly laid to rest.

"What?" he gasped out

"Oh, my Lord, can you ever forgive us?"

"Forgive you? It's me who should be begging you both for forgiveness."

Seemingly ignoring his last statement, the twins continued, "forgive us for being related to her. To them?"

"…we know what she tried to do…"

"…how can you even bare to look at us? To joke about us forgiving you when you did nothing wrong."

Shocked Harry tightened his grip, "I would never judge you for your family, you are both your own people, that you're related to them, just makes you stronger."

Fred felt his eyes water, "I hate them, Molly, Ron and Ginny. I hate them for what they're doing… For what they're going to do…"

"Oh, my twins," Harry said, subconsciously wrapping his magic around them in a comforting embrace, "you deserve so much better."

The words seemingly were the last straw as tear spilled down Fred's cheeks, while George just gripped them both tighter.

"We will all get what we deserve," Luna said softly, yet her words seemingly rang through everybody minds clearly.

/

Bill took in the subtle changes surrounding the twins and was relieved, they had always been the sneakiest of his siblings, therefore they managed to hide their emotions the best, but he had seen their stress and fear since he came home. It was why he had wanted them to see their friends, he had hoped being with them would help his brothers and judging from the light now back in their eyes, he had been correct in his judgement.

Still, he didn't like what he had been hearing, since going to the meeting with Dumbledore he had been doing some digging, and what he had found wasn't good and he worried for the twins. Not that he thought Harrison Potter-Black had done anything wrong, no, the boy was a child, but Dumbledore was obviously obsessed with him, and he feared the twins would be hurts because of their friendship with him. Both Dumbledore, his mother and youngest brother all seemed fixated on the young heir, which Bill knew wouldn't end well.

"So did he admit it then?" Ron screeched as the twins returned to them.

"Did who, admit what, Ronniekins?"

"Potter? Did he admit to killing our sister? Or were you to do busy sucking his cock to ask him? I bet that's why he keeps you both around, you fucking faggots, not like you have any other uses!"

The twins shared a look that promised murder, yet before they could kill their youngest brother a resounding slap was heard.

Ron clutched his throbbing cheek, "you hit me!" he bellowed at a red-faced Bill.

"Never have I been more ashamed to call myself your brother," Bill hissed at his youngest brother.

"What for telling the truth? They're useless faggots who will only get somewhere spreading their legs!"

Bill closed his eyes and visibly restrained himself, "when we get home, you're to go straight to your room. Just because you're grieving does not excuse what you have just said."

Ron let out a soundless shriek, "that's not fair, I've done nothing wrong. He did kill Ginny and they know it!"

"Enough Ronald!" Bill hissed, sounding almost animalistic in his anger, "you will not speak again until we return home."

Ron opened his mouth to protest yet something in Bills eyes apparently kick started his survival instincts and his mouth closed with a sharp clink.

Still, he felt a shiver go down him when the twins looked at him, for once no mischief or humour was in their gazes, no, their eyes promised pain.

/

Lucius felt a headache brewing as he re-read the letter. He wondered just what was going through the headmaster's mind for him to go this far.

"Lucy did you get a Lett- oh you did? What are we going to do?" Sirius demanded as he bound over to the other Lord.

Pinching the bridge of his nose Lucius sighed, "we will have to tell our Lord and see what he says, but I fear our year just got more complicated."

"You don't say, you would think the old goat would need our approval before hosting such a dangerous tournament."

"I would agree, but we all know how wily Dumbledore is, that he's managed to get the tri-wizard tournament reinstated isn't shocking."

Sirius flinched remembering what Harry told him about his first life, oh merlin is pup will be going against dragons… "I just know this is another one of his plots to harm my poor pup."

"Undoubtedly, but Harrison knows he has all of us and our Lord to turn to for help."

Sirius grimaced, "I can't wait until he's finally gone for good. Why hasn't your Lord just killed him yet? Or exposed him?"

"It's not for us to question The Dark Lord, he has a plan."

"Thank you, Lucius," a smooth voice interrupted causing both Lords to jump.

"My Lord-"

"-erm yeah, what he said..." Sirius said, half bowing.

Restraining himself from cursing the idiot before him Marvolo took a breath and counted to ten before releasing it, "you have something to tell me?"

"Yeah, how did you know?" Sirius sked.

Raising an eyebrow Marvolo smiled blandly, "Lord Voldemort always knows. Now what is it?"

"Dumbledore has somehow managed to get Beuxbatons and Durmstrang to agree to Hogwarts hosting the tri-wizard tournament," Lucius said, "he had hidden his manipulations up until now, we as board members have just been told, yet I've heard nothing at the ministry nor Wizengamot meetings."

"Same, the sneaky bastard."

Marvolo hissed much like a snake, "you will find out everything, I want to know who's organising it, who approved of it, and I want to know what they have planned. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, my Lord," Lucius replied, having paled drastically at the hiss, reminded of times when he first served under a much different Lord.

/

Marvolo watched his little raven pack his trunk with a bittersweet fondness. He would never begrudge Harrison an education or a childhood, especially after all he had been through, yet a part of him recoiled at the thought of them being apart. It especially didn't help that Harrison would be right in the viper's nest so to speak, with Dumbledore watching his every move waiting to pounce.

"You're staring," Harry commented without looking up, he was packing his formal dress robe, something he had been surprised to need. When he had seen their inclusion to this year's Hogwarts list, he had felt faint, knowing what was coming, or rather what was likely to come. He couldn't believe the tri-wizard tournament would again take place. Yet a part of him wasn't surprised, he had always suspected Dumbledore played a bigger part in getting the tournament to take place last time, especially after he had found out about the old man's other schemes.

"I'm memorising, when I see you again over Yule, you'll look different."

"Hopefully I won't look like such a child."

"You don't look like a child, you look like a teenager, and although mentally you may be older, you should enjoy this chance. In a few years you'll be an adult again, which as you know comes with more than a handful of responsibilities."

"I know that, and I am, or rather I am trying, though at times I find the restrictions of childhood are frustrating. It also doesn't help that bumblefuck is following my every move."

Raising an eyebrow at his mate's colourful name for the old man, Marvolo asked, "is something wrong little bird?"

Harry sighed, resting his hands n his now packed trunk, "I don't know, I feel tense. As though something bad is going to happen..."

Marvolo hummed and walked towards the teen, "I won't lie, Dumbledore is a dangerous enemy. But you're not somebody to be overlooked either. I trust you to be safe my little mate, to return to me hale and whole, because if something was to happen to you, well I would burn this world to the ground."

Harry shivered at the promise those words held, "I wouldn't want that," he murmured against the chest he was now snuggled into.

"Then you will be fine."

Laughing, "I don't think the universe works that way, or fate, whatever."

"Then show 'the universe, or fate, or whatever' that you're stronger than them, then you don't need to worry."

Smiling, "I will miss you."

"I will miss you as well. Do try no to kill the old man just yet. A few more months and his reputation will be in tatters."

"No promises."

/

Harry felt a mixture of amusement and pity as his friends excitedly discussed the upcoming tournament as they sat on the train returning to Hogwarts for what would be his fourth year. He warned them that the tasks would be dangerous, but they laughed him off and instead discussed their excitement over the chance to see the other school students, in particular a certain quidditch star, who this time around Harry hadn't met, as neither he nor Draco had gone to the world cup final during the summer, nor had the twins this time around.

"It will be different this time my Lord," Luna murmured, unlike them, she had gone to the world cup and seemingly enjoyed herself. Which he supposed wasn't surprising as this time there hadn't been any attacks, after all, Marvolo was keeping a firm hand on his followers.

"That's what I'm worried about," he grumbled. At least if it was the same, he knew what to expect but he worried that as Dumbledore was becoming more desperate, he might become more dangerous... Like a cornered animal, lashing out.

"Krum, Harry! He's the best seeker in the world!" Draco exclaimed, drawing him back into the conversation.

"He is, and that's very impressive, but he probably has enough fans following him around like crump puppies; the poor man is probably fed up with expectations and demands, so try to give him some space if he does attend."

Draco looked vaguely horrified at being compared to an animal, "but... but... he's Krum! You don't understand, you're not bothered by quidditch!"

"I like the game just fine; I just have more important things to worry about."

"let's all agree to disagree... We promise not to bother Krum too much when Durmstrang get here, and Harry will try and have fun this year and not worry too much!" Pansy interrupted, before they could fall into another Krum fuelled tangent, "now more importantly, how're you two?" she asked the twins who had been quieter than usual but not distressingly so.

"We're okay," Fred said, "with Bill about, mom and dad have given us more freedom."

"Ron's been on fine form though, so good luck with that little Lord."

"Oh yeah, fine form," Fred agreed Darkly.

"What happened?" Harry asked

The twins shared a look before they told their friends about some of Ron's comments, both trailing off when they felt Harry's magic flare.

"I'm going to kill him," he said calmly.

"Not before we do," George argued.

Harry stilled realising what he had said, and the fact that his friends now realised that it wasn't just an idle threat but rather a promise, "if that is what you want, but..."

"It's okay," Fred interrupted, "we've come to terms with the fact that our brother, and more than likely mum, are not going to survive the reshaping of our world."

Harry winced, "I wish it didn't have to be this way,"

"We know, and we appreciate that, but they made their beds."

"Yeah, you didn't start this, so don't feel bad for ending it."

Harry nodded, "one day it will all be worth it?" he said, making it sounds more like a question.

"It will my Lord," Luna replied.

Draco shook his head, "do you actually know these things, or do you just like to sound mysterious?"

Luna giggled, "wouldn't you like to know dragon."

Flushing Draco sent the other blonde a playful glare before dramatically rolling his eyes and turning back to the twins, who were now discussing business ideas, and how to set up a potential company.

/

Dumbledore was scarcely able to suppress his smirk as his plans finally started to come together. He had been planning this since last year, slowly but surely using hi influence and favours owed to him to keep it quiet, and now it was paying off. He had used his power over the dirty traitor Igor Karkaroff in order to force Dumstrang into competing in the tri-wizard tournament, after which convincing Madame Maxime was easy. Olympe couldn't stand the idea that her school might be skipped over in favour of one of the other wizarding schools. Her pride easy to manipulate.

Now with the tournament going ahead, Dumbledore had a valid reason for being around Potter. He would twist and mould the boy. His entry into the tournament would cause a rift from his friends, teenagers are after all easy to manipulate and control after all, and once alone Potter would be forced to turn to his headmaster, for support… And if he happened to get hurt along the way… well accidents do happen. Maybe it would teach the brat some humility, show him his place.

It would also serve to introduce Ron and Harrys new relationship, once separated from his friends, Harry could easily find comfort in the arms of a new ally. Which Ron would be, or so help him, he would skin the boy alive! He had had to put up with weeks of the youngest Weasleys whiny and Molly's shrieks.

/

As the train pulled into the station Harry and his friends started to get off, with them all being swept up in the crowd. Until suddenly Harry realised it was only him and Neville walking together.

"Do you think that Dumbledore is going to try anything this year?"

"I wouldn't put it past him,"

"I don't understand, his obsession with you is getting out of hand."

Harry hummed, "I know... hey Neville, have you ever had an inheritance test done at Gringottes?"

"An inheritance test… no, why?"

"I had one done, Dumbledore, he had been messing with my vaults and had placed a few compulsions and things on me."

"He what?! That's illegal Harry! Why haven't you had him arrested?"

"He will be, eventually. We want him to dig himself into a grave that even he cant escape from."

Neville shook his head, though that didn't hide the mirthful smirk tugging at his lips, "why am I not surprised?" he asked.

"Because you know me so well," Harry joked back, fluttering his eyes, and laughing when Neville playfully shoved him away.

"Maybe save that for your... what do you call him?"

"By his name usually, he's my soulmate but I don't tend to call him anything cutesy."

Neville pulled an odd face, "does... does he call you cutesy names?"

Harry smirked, "my soul, little raven, just 'mine' in general. He's quite possessive."

"I can call you mine instead you like," a grimy voice said from behind them, drawing their attention.

"Excuse me?" Harry said turning to see Ron behind him.

"You could be mine, what do you think Harry?" he said, in what Harry now realised was his attempt at sounding seductive.

Harry almost gaged at the idea, "I think you're getting desperate; I know your opinion on same sex relationships, what was it you said I was again...? an 'unnatural freak' I believe."

Neville drew his wand, "keep walking Weasley," he warned.

Ron glared at his fellow Gryffindor, "why? Want him for yourself Longbottom?"

Neville rolled his eyes, "my love for Harrison is strictly platonic, although that may be hard for you to understand, given yours and Ginny's shall we say, 'close' relationship."

"And I also happen to already be in a relationship," Harry added before Ron had a chance to explode, which judging by the colour of his face since Neville made his comment was imminent.

"SHUT UP you little traitors! I know it was your fault I was slipped those potions!" he bellowed, before visibly forcing himself to breathe, seemingly remembering something, "you need to stop this Harry… you deserve to be with somebody on the right side, not some evil Deatheater. You need to realise your place and do your duty to our world."

Harry felt himself grow cold as anger surged through him, "do my duty? And exactly what duty is that Weasley?"

"To marry into a light family and be our champion. To beat the Dark Lord... to be our hero, Harry."

"And I'm guessing the light family would be yours?"

"We deserve it, we've helped the light and sacrificed so much for the greater good."

Neville scoffed, "we all know the kind of help you've been giving, so walk away Weasley. This is my last warning."

Ron growled, "oh yeah and what are you going to do? Everybody knows you're basically a squib, if it wasn't for your parents, and everybody feeling sorry for you because of what happened to them, you wouldn't even be here!"

Harry blinked, "oh you've done it now," he muttered almost silently, which is good as the world seemed to freeze as Ron muttered those cursed words. Neville was a genuinely good person, in Harry's opinion; he didn't judge or hold grudges against most people, and was loyal to a fault, but bringing up his parents… well Harry supposed now was as good as any for Ron to meet his end.

Neville felt his magic stir and wondered if this is how Harry felt every day, "would you like to repeat that?" he asked, voice cold and devoid of life.

Ron seemed to realise he had messed up and took a step back, "I mean, erm… this isn't about you anyway Neville. This is between me and Harry."

Harry, realising that if he didn't step in, Neville would probably do something he would regret, he really was an innocent soul, took a step forward, "and I'm telling you, nothing would ever happen between us, now walk away Wealsey."

Ron moved faster than Harry had ever seen in his haste to escape his demise. Still, it was only once the red head was far enough away that he felt he could lower his guard, with Ron gone, he gently placed a hand on the back on Neville's neck.

"Breathe," he instructed.

"I wanted to hurt him," the blonde admitted.

"But you didn't," Harry reassured, which was more than he could say about himself if he had been in Neville's shoes.

"How do you manage to keep calm?"

"Occlumency, and the knowledge that one day they'll get what's coming to them."

Neville huffed a laugh as he felt his magic settle, "you know at first I was worried that you would do something to him, not that he wouldn't reserve it, but I know you want to lay low for a it after last year. But it was e that almost…"

"Whatever you would have done he would have deserved so don't dwell on it."

"Still maybe I should focus on my occlumency shields some more."

"If you want help, just ask," Harry offered.

/

The sorting seemed to drag this year as Harry and Luna sat together at the Ravenclaw table. Harry already knowing where most students would go, or rather trying to remember, he hadn't interacted with many younger students before, something he sort of regretted now looking back on his previous life.

Still one shocking thing had occurred already, barring Ron's newfound tendency to make moon eyes at harry, and that was the man sitting at the head table. Alastor moody, and it was moody this time, harry had checked his map, was again going to be Harry's 4th year defence teacher.

"Before we start, I have some announcements to make," Dumbledore said, ignoring the whispers, even the students were talking about him before of skeeters articles.

"As many of you have probably gathered this year, we are being treated to another new defence teacher, it is my pleasure to introduce you all to Alastor Moody, who many of you undoubtedly know by reputation. Still let's all give him a hand," dumbledore said, clapping.

A few students clapped, Harry being one as he did respect the scarred auror. He hoped that the man would realise Dumbledore was going senile and abandon him and his cause.

"My other announcement is that this year, quidditch will be cancelled, in favour of something even more exciting" the initial reaction cut off then as people waited t see what was about to be said, "This year, Hogwarts will be the proud hosts of the Tri-Wizard Torment."

The whispers exploded again at the announcement; Harry however frowned, he couldn't shake the feeling something bad would happen.

"I know you're all excited, I trust whoever is chosen will give a good showing and prove to be a great representative of Hogwarts and our values."