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!
Here we are, again let me know thoughts on Severus Snape and I've had some complaints about the potential Voldemort/Harry pairing so I'm willing to consider another pairing, just vote for it:
Voldemort. Draco Malfoy. Daphne Greengrass. Another Death Eater perhaps?
Let me know what you think.
Welcome to the Dark, Potter
"So, you wanted to make a deal. I'm listening, Harry Potter."
Harry was unsure how to proceed from here though he knew the goals he wanted. He was still slightly reeling from the fact that all of this was happening. A week ago he was stuck at Privet Drive in pain and suffering, mourning Sirius and hurt over the lack of contact from his friends. And now he had been tortured by those he thought his mentors, was a Necromancer and was turning to the Dark to meet his goals.
Licking his lips, he took a deep breath to get a loose grasp on his thoughts before speaking.
"There are three things that I want and all three I think will only serve to benefit you," he began. "The first, I need information and training. I have received my magical inheritance as a Necromancer and need to learn how to control it and learn what all of that entails. I'm sure you can see the benefits of this." Harry paused and the snake man gave a slight nod, his red eyes observing everything. "However, speculation says that Necromancy was a Family Magic of some kind and records have been lost. It is my hope that you might have come across information that might lead me in the right direction." Harry paused again but Voldemort gave no indication to respond so he pressed forward. "Second, I need protection, at least until I can control what I can do, from Dumbledore and the Light. This allows you to keep an eye on my progress while also allowing you something to hold over Dumbledore's head." Harry hoped that this was enough incentive even though he hated making himself sound like some prize that the two Leaders could place on a mantle and flaunt, however accurate it might seem. "The third, I want revenge." This caused Voldemort to raise a hairless eyebrow in interest. "Dumbledore has fucked with my life for far too long and trying to torture and kill me is the final straw. He needs to pay for everything he's done to me. And it is my understanding that you also want to ruin Dumbledore, I figured having a Necromancer might be prudent to your goals in this."
There was silence as Harry's heart pounded waiting for Voldemort to speak. He hoped he had made it an appealing offer.
"You make an interesting offer in demands, Potter," the man began. "Yes, I can see the benefits of this arrangement, but I want some additional concessions." Harry tried not to appear too nervous at this. "First, I want the prophecy, I know you heard it all." That was easy enough to give Harry thought but remained silent. "Second, I want assurance that once I have assisted in training you that you will not turn your skills upon me." Again, made sense and while Harry felt incredibly conflicted over it, he was pretty sure he'd agree. "Third, which is more of a clarification. What are your plans after your revenge on Dumbledore is complete?"
Harry sighed. "In all honesty, I'm not sure. I know that the old man needs to be dealt with and that is my focus. After that, we shall see. Why?"
"What if you had a place within my ranks?"
"No."
"Excuse me?" Harry witnessed the fury flare in the red depths at the outright refusal.
"No. For two reasons. One, I am not one of your minions and I never will be. I will not bow to you ever, so I cannot be in your ranks. Second, just because I require your assistance and that our goals in the destruction of Albus Dumbledore align, it doesn't mean that the rest of our ideas do."
"What do you know of my ideas, Potter?" Harry was about to speak about the mindless killing and supremacy of Purebloods but held back. What did he actually know that wasn't spouted by Dumbledore? Luckily, Voldemort didn't seem to expect an answer. "How about this?" He continued, forcing Harry's attention once again. "I will offer my protection within the Dark and provide you with any and all the tools necessary to train and educate you in your inheritance. In exchange, you will recite to me the prophecy, you will swear to not turn your powers against me after my generosity. Together we will take down Dumbledore as allies. However, I request that after the revenge is complete you reconsider my offer to officially join me. Do we have a deal?"
Harry thought it over. It couldn't hurt to reconsider in a couple of months, he supposed. He didn't think he'd really change his mind but agreeing to think it over wouldn't hurt anything. "Two things. I want a promise that you also will not kill me, if I swear to not kill you I need the same assurance. Same with torture, again I'm not your minion, I'd be your ally, you can't just Crucio me anytime I annoy you. Second, I want protection for my friends as well. The ones that helped me escape. They aren't siding with Dumbledore much either these days."
"I can swear to not kill or harm you during your time under my protection, however, if you decide against my offer after our goals are met then I cannot be held to the same promise."
"Fair, I get the same luxury. I'd need to protect myself after all," Harry said with a cheeky smirk.
"As for your friends, if they swear to not raise wands against me and mine, I can promise the same."
"I'll let them know and inform you of the decision," Harry said. He wasn't going to promise his friends wouldn't still fight the Dark just because they didn't trust Dumbledore anymore. That would be their choice.
Voldemort gave a regal nod of his head. "So do we have a deal, Potter?" The man held out a skeletal hand.
Harry stared at the hand for a moment, his thoughts racing and his heart beating painfully in his chest. Was he really ready for this? Yes, he wanted revenge and he wanted to learn how to control himself so he wouldn't harm others unintentionally. It wasn't like he was signing his life away. This was just temporary after all, just until he learned all that he could. Right, just temporary, just business. A quick dose of revenge and then he'd be out. His thoughts persisted along this train of thought but as Harry reached his hand out he couldn't help but feel his heart flutter in the realization that nothing in his life was ever that easy. However, the abnormally long, cold, pale fingers were closing around his dark, warm, calloused hand and Harry couldn't help but feel his fate being sealed. A pulse of pure magic flashed from between their clasped hands, cementing their deal in the eyes of magic.
"Welcome to the Dark, Potter," Voldemort said with a smirk on his thin lips. Harry swallowed hard as their hands dropped apart and all he could do was nod, his hand still tingled with the after effects of the magic. "I will have an elf escort you to your room for the time being. In two hours we will have an early dinner and discuss things more thoroughly." Again, all Harry could do was nod. This was all so surreal. "Mimsy," Voldemort called out and a female House Elf popped into the room. She wore a simple dark green smock and looked fairly young.
"Yes, Master? Master be calling Mimsy?"
"Yes, this is Harry Potter, he will be a permanent resident with us for the foreseeable future. You will treat him as our honored guest. Do you understand?" The young elf bobbed her head, looking excited at the prospect of another wizard to serve. "Please inform the other elves. Now, have a room cleared and settled for him. In two hours we will have an early dinner in the small dining room. Please see that it will be ready."
Mimsy nodded once again and turned fully to Harry. "Come Harry Potter sir, follow Mimsy, sir." Harry stood stiffly as the elf turned and walked away. Harry glanced back at Voldemort who was still reclining on the plush couch who was still eyeing him with great interest like Harry was some insect to dissect. Swallowing, Harry fumbled for a minute on what to do before just turning and leaving.
Harry was grateful for the little elf because he was sure he would have gotten lost. He knew they were on the third floor but aside from that he wasn't sure. The manor was dark and felt both spacious and cramped. He was sure that if there were more light and a better paint job it would help the place tremendously. He brushed those thoughts aside though. He was here to vlearn all he could about Necromancy not redecorate the Dark Lord's home. He shivered in revulsion at just the thought.
Finally, Mimsy stopped before a solid dark wood paneled door. "This is Masters' Wing, Harry Potter sir. The most protected wing it is, sir. But sir is Masters most honored guest so Master will be pleased," the little elf rattled on as she opened the door and led Harry inside. Slightly horrified at learning he would be in the same wing as Voldemort, Harry pushed the thought aside and focused on his new room.
It was beautiful. There was a large four poster bed with dark blue covers and the walls were a soft grey that felt incredibly warm and comforting. There were two doors off one wall and Harry guessed they were the bathroom and closet. There was a dark wooden desk pressed against one wall that was covered with a large window that let in an incredible amount of light. The floor was also a dark wood paneling but with a beautiful large rich blue rug that stretched from under the bed to the two armchairs at the foot of it facing a quaint fireplace. In the corner where the windowed wall with the desk and the wall containing the two doors met there were three large bookshelves with a few books already on them but otherwise fairly bare. Harry smiled at the sight of the room.
"Harry Potter sir, needs to be getting new clothes, sir." Mimsy's voice brought him back and he looked down at the little elf. "Harry Potter sir needs to be letting Mimsy be taking his measurements, sir. Masters orders." Harry wasn't sure when Voldemort had ordered that but not wanting to upset the elf and agreeing that he needed new clothes, Harry agreed. Stripping out of the borrowed clothes, Harry left them in a pile on the floor and faced Mimsy so she could measure him.
However, she gasped, her tennis ball eyes widening to an insane degree. "Harry Potter sir is a Death Master?" she asked in trembling awe. Harry blinked and looked at the mark on his chest. He supposed that sounded accurate for a Necromancer and so he gave a small nod. Mimsy gasped again. "Oh, Mimsy has heard only stories of the Death Masters! Mimsy is greatly honored to be serving the Harry Potter Death Master! Mimsy will be getting Master Death Master anything he wishes, just call on Mimsy, Master Death Master." The little elf was rushing out her words so quickly that Harry was having trouble following.
"Mimsy it is alright, thank you for your service to me. What stories have you heard about the Death Masters, Mimsy?"
"Mimsy be hearing how the Death Masters be the balance of all. The Death Masters be the sword and shield they be. The Death Masters be justice." Harry blinked. That was not the stories the wizards had spread...he wondered when the change in stories had occurred but he quite liked Mimsy's view over the wizards.
"Thank you Mimsy, do you know much else about them?"
Sadly, Mimsy shook her head. Her large ears flopping and drooping. "No Master Death Master. Mimsy be sorry. Mimsy will be asking the other elves if they be knowing more stories."
"Thank you Mimsy," Harry said kindly. He really did appreciate any information he might get at the moment and the House Elves apparently had a whole other view to provide. Glancing down at the elf he realized he was still naked. "Um...Mimsy? Do you think you can finish measuring me?"
"Oh, yes Master Death Master. Of course, Mimsy is being sorry, Master Death Master." The elf rushed out as she began snapping her fingers and drawing forth tape measures from thin air. Harry had the feeling of being put under the intense scrutiny of Madam Malkins and Ollivanders all at once with the flying measuring tapes.
After about a minute all of the flurries stopped. "Mimsy be having it all Master Death Master. Mimsy be getting you your robes and be back before the meal with Master."
"Thank you Mimsy," he said before the little elf disappeared. Harry sighed, he was alone once more and completely out of his depth. He really needed his wand though, he wouldn't feel completely safe until he had it once again. If only he could pop around like a house elf. Wait! "Dobby?"
Harry could have laughed in delighted relief when the familiar little house elf popped before him, decked out in socks and hats. "Dobby!"
"Master Harry Potter sir called for Dobby?" Dobby asked looking as enthusiastically eager as ever to please Harry. When Dobby gasped suddenly, shock and awe replacing his enthusiasm. "Master Harry Potter is a Death Master?" Harry blinked and realized he was still naked but had nothing to cover himself with.
"Um...yes...it seems I am. Is that alright, Dobby?" Mimsy had seemed thrilled with it but Dobby had always been an odd elf.
"Alright? Dobby is beyond honored to be in Master Harry Potter Death Masters' presence! Dobby wishes only to please Master Harry Potter Death Master." Harry grimaced at the mouthful of a title.
"Just Harry, Dobby please. The rest is too much of a mouthful." Dobby nodded, still staring up in awe at him.
"Dobby always be knowing Master Harry Potter was a great wizard, and now Master Harry Potter is being a Death Master!"
"Yeah, look Dobby I need your help with something."
"Anything Master Harry Potter. Dobby lives to serve the Great Harry Potter."
Harry grimaced again but pressed on before realizing something. "Wait, you live to serve? But I thought you were a free elf."
Dobby looked incredibly embarrassed and ashamed and ducked his head, wringing his ears. "Dobby is being a free elf, Master Harry Potter sir, technically."
"Technically?"
"House Elves be needing a wizard bond, Master Harry Potter sir. So Dobby did bind himself to Master Harry Potter sir but it is not complete and so Dobby is being technically a free elf."
Harry was reeling. Dobby had bound himself to him! "Why isn't it complete?"
"The binding is being needing both parties, Master Harry Potter sir."
"Do you want me to complete the binding, Dobby?" Harry asked, trying to stay calm about all of this and look at the upside. Having his own house elf would definitely have its benefits.
"Oh yes, Master Harry Potter sir. Dobby would be honored to be the Great Harry Potters elf!"
"Ok, Dobby. What do I need to do?"
"Master Harry Potter sir needs be only accepting Dobby, magic be doing the rest, Master Harry Potter sir."
Accept him? It was rather vague instructions but Harry complied. Willing himself and his magic to accept the house elf before him. He wasn't sure it was working until Dobby glowed and the hats and socks dissolved leaving Dobby in a clean pressed black outfit with a golden crest of some kind on the left breast pocket.
"I guess it worked?" Harry asked stunned at the change in appearance.
"Oh yes, Master Harry Potter sir. Dobby is being yous own house elf now. Dobby is feeling the powerful magic of Master Harry Potter and Master Harry Potters' Death Master magic. Dobby is honored Master Harry Potter sir!"
Harry could only nod. Dobby could feel his magic? He supposed that was why the bond needed to be a two-way thing. He would have to look into it. "I'm glad you're happy Dobby. But listen, I need you to do something for me."
"Anything Master Harry Potter sir." Those tennis ball eyes were shining in awe once again.
"A lot has happened this summer Dobby. I've become a Death Master but Dumbledore and the Light didn't like that and tried to torture it out of me. No! Don't- stop Dobby! It's OK, I've escaped. My friends helped me." Harry placated the horrified house elf before the creature could go into a rage on his behalf. "Now listen. When I was captured I didn't have any of my things and I don't know where they are now. But I need you to retrieve six items: my wand, my invisibility cloak, the Marauders Map, Hedwig, my photo album and my Firebolt. Please Dobby, if you have to choose, choose the first four. Now, I don't know where any of them are and they might already be destroyed. But do what you can to retrieve them. Check my relatives' house at Privet Drive first there is a loose floorboard in my room that I hid a lot of my things in. And then check Grimmauld Place that's where I was held captive. Please, do not be seen. Especially by Dumbledore, Moody or Kingsley. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and the twins should be able to help you if need be. OK?"
"Yes, Master Harry Potter sir. Dobby be getting his things as quickly as Dobby can."
"Great thank you, Dobby. But before you go, you need to know where I am now." Dobby paused and looked at Harry oddly with a tilt of his head.
"Master Harry Potter sir is being with the Dark Lord."
"How do you know that?" Harry asked in shock.
"Dobby is being Master Harry Potter sirs' elf. Dobby is being knowing where he is being."
"Right, sure," Harry said dumbly. The elf seemed obviously fine with that knowledge and so Harry didn't press. "Anyway, yeah, get those six things for me. Please. And remember, don't be seen except by those I trust. Thank you, Dobby."
Dobby gave a small bow with his ears flopping and disappeared with a crack. Harry sighed. Knowing Dobby was working on it made him feel rather relaxed. Dobby wouldn't let him down, of that Harry was certain. The room was suddenly feeling very empty again and so not sure what else to do, Harry went to the doors in the room. He opened the first and saw that it would be the closet when he had clothes. For now, it was an empty walk-in closet of a decent size, bigger than his old cupboard and just a little smaller than his bedroom at Privet Drive. Harry doubted he would have enough clothes to ever fill it fully but shrugged it off. He wouldn't be here forever after all, just until his revenge was complete.
Going to the other door, Harry opened it and saw the bathroom. Again, it was bigger than his bedroom at Privet Drive. It had white tiled floors and marble counters with an absurdly large bathtub taking up one corner and then a huge shower in the other corner. Having nothing else to do for the moment and not wanting to pass up the chance, Harry went to the shower. He may have only just showered that morning at the twins but he still felt dirty from the lack of showering he'd been able to have throughout the summer. And he still had a little over an hour before his meeting and meal with Voldemort.
Stilling struggling to come to grasp with all of the changes that had occurred in his life in just the past week let alone in the past twenty-four hours, Harry sighed as the hot water splashed against his skin. He would get through this. He would figure out what Necromancy was all about. He would train himself and gain control. He would protect his friends and those still loyal to him. He would destroy Dumbledore for all he had done to him. And hopefully, he wouldn't lose all grasps on his sanity by actually siding with the Dark, even if it was temporary, and living with Voldemort.
Harry focused on the hot water and the way the soap lathered up in foaming suds on his darker skin to try to not think about the tailspin his life seemed to be in. It wouldn't help anything to lose focus. So at the moment, he was finding it best to just not think of anything, not even his friends, though he was desperately hoping they would all be fine and that Dumbledore hadn't caught them in their deceit. Shaking his head again, Harry pushed those thoughts away. Nothing good would come of the worry.
He wasn't sure how long he had stayed in the shower trying to escape his problems but he finally relented to stepping out of it after his fingers resembled soggy raisins and his skin was more red than brown. Spying a fluffy grey towel conveniently hanging on the hook near the shower door, Harry took it and mentally thanked whichever elf it was that left it.
The towel was soft and felt wonderful against his skin. Running it over his hair he realized that he didn't have any actual clothes besides the ones that he had been given by Hermione. And those were still in the main bedroom and he doubted the elves had left it there. Frowning slightly, he caught sight of a robe hanging behind the door in the same dark blue as the bedspread. Slipping it on, he sighed at the softness before continuing into the bedroom. He didn't see any changes and the clothes he had dropped for Mimsy to measure him were no longer on the floor. He wasn't sure what the time was and he didn't have his wand to check, but was certain that an elf would come to get him when it was time for dinner. So, Harry stood nervously in the middle of his new room that Voldemort had provided.
Chewing on his lower lip, Harry rocked on his heels trying to decide what to do. Spying the bookcases, he mentally shrugged and wandered over to see what the few books on the shelves contained. There were ten books spread across the shelves, seemingly random. Harry spotted three books about potions one of which resembled his textbook, two about advanced charms creation, three about the Dark Arts, one which looked like an Ancient Runes textbook and then one which looked like a child's fairytale book. Blinking at the oddity of seeing a children's book on the shelf, Harry picked it up and read the cover, The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Not really wanting to read anything to strenuous with how overloaded his mind already was, Harry took the children's book with him to one of the plush armchairs and curled into the chair.
Flipping through the first few pages he saw the Table of Contents and couldn't help but be amused at the titles of the stories. The Wizard and the Hopping Pot, Babbity Rabbity and the Cackling Stump, and The Warlock's Hairy Heart were some of his favorite titles. Absently he skimmed over the pages, not fully reading them but picking up on a few things that stood out to him. He had just reached a story titled The Tale of the Three Brothers when a pop sounded and Mimsy was in front of him again.
"Master Death Master sir needs to be getting dressed he does. Master is being expecting him for dinner soon." Harry placed the fairytale book on the end table and smiled at the elf.
"Of course Mimsy, thank you for alerting me. But I don't have any clothes yet."
Mimsy looked at Harry as though he was incredibly stupid. "Master Death Master, youse clothes is being in the closet, sir."
Harry reddened. He probably should have checked that. "Oh, right. Thank you Mimsy. Um...do you mind helping me get ready? I don't know what is expected for me to wear." He said walking to the closet doors to hide his embarrassment.
"Mimsy is being honored to help dress Master Death Master," the little elf said in delight and popped into the closet just as Harry was opening the door to gape at the wide expanse of clothes that had suddenly filled the formerly bare room. Harry gaped. It had only been about an hour. How had Mimsy gotten so many clothes?
Chalking it up to elf magic, Harry accepted the dark green robe with black trimming that Mimsy shoved into his hands and silently got dressed. He glanced at the full length mirror that was hanging on the back of the closet door and couldn't help but be impressed. The robe fit him incredibly well and matched well with his eyes. He almost looked regal. Harry doubted he'd ever be able to pull off the look in public like Malfoy could but it did boost his confidence a bit. Sadly his hair was still just as untameable as ever.
"Alright, Potter. Can't back out now. Time to dine with the devil," he whispered to himself in the mirror before following Mimsy back through the maze of hallways to the dining room.
Harry entered the dining room that Mimsy had guided him to and stepped in trying to swallow his nerves. However, the sight before him made him freeze. What the bloody hell! Harry stared in shock at the man sitting at the head of the table. It could only be one person. Though older than when Harry had previously encountered him, there was no doubt. Looking like he was in his late twenties sat Tom Riddle.