Hi everyone, I hope everyone is doing good this holiday season and staying safe.
I decided as a "gift" I'd surprise everyone with a longer bonus chapter this month. It gives a little more of a story about how I'm going to be changing Voldemort's character to where instead of a chaotic evil, he's more of a lawful evil or lawful neutral. My plans are that while he will still not be the best character, he'll be more of a force working against Dumbledore and trying to change the wizarding world for the better, but not always doing it in the most legal ways.
I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. I love getting to read everyone's reviews and getting to hear y'all's thoughts and suggestions for the story going forward.
Reminder: You can find me on Facebook under the name Snowbeam
You can also join a discord server that is easier to reach me that both readers and writers alike are welcome to join. C8zrjDCtRa or click the link on my linktree / StarStruckPanda
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE ORIGINAL HARRY POTTER CHARACTERS
"The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it." – Rafiki, The Lion King
Chapter 30
Voldemort's Tale
Harry was silent as he sat in one of the trees near the black lake, his defense journal resting in his lap. His gaze was less on what he'd been attempting to read and more on watching the Giant Squid in the Black Lake, seeming to be playing in the water. Voices growing louder as they got closer finally pulled his attention away from the magical creature. He knew whoever it was hadn't seen him since he'd decided to use a Notice Me Not charm, knowing Tonks and Remus were probably both looking for him after he'd skipped his morning training with them.
"Dumbledore isn't happy about how much time Harry is spending with Malfoy and his group." Hermione's voice complained. She crossed her arms as she glared at Ron, a clear look of annoyance on her face. Harry frowned as he listened, once again wondering just why the headmaster wanted to meddle in his life so much. He still hadn't been able to bring himself to ask the Malfoys about when he was taken, and Izzy hadn't wanted to tell him much about when he'd been placed with Lily and James.
"I don't understand why we have to keep trying to be friends with that traitor. He clearly thinks he's too good for us." Ron complained.
"Because without him we don't get monthly payments. Headmaster Dumbledore can't get into his vaults without Harry's permission since he went to meet with the Goblins during the summer." Hermione reminded. She had a tone to her voice that made it sound like the answer should have been obvious and she shouldn't have been reduced to having to answer it. It irritated her to no end that she hadn't been able to buy as many books she'd wanted before the start of the term because she didn't have any money left in her vaults. She'd been sending Harry letters since Dumbledore told them about Harry retaking control of his vaults, trying to act like that concerned friend that just wanted to know that he was safe. But she hadn't gotten any type of responses from him and then he'd suddenly turned up at Hogwarts with Lupin and that auror and they hadn't had many chances to get close to him no matter what they tried. Hermione had thought that when she'd hit him with a spell she'd found in one of the books from the forbidden section of the library, she'd manage to get some time to talk to him while he was stuck in Madam Pomphrey's office.
"Why does he have to hang out with the snakes? We'll never get to talk to him with them around." Ron dramatically groaned. The anger in Harry burned as he continued to listen to their conversation. The Gryffindor part of him wanted to confront them, to demand why they had betrayed and used him, however, the Slytherin part forced him to remain hidden, having to remind himself that they would get the karma that was coming to them.
"Well, I'm going to go speak with the headmaster again. You should really get started on your homework assignments Ronald." Hermione stated with her better than you attitude before stalking back inside.
"Stupid Potter. Stupid Snakes. Stupid Know-It-All." Ron grumbled, harshly throwing a rock into the lake before heading back towards the castle. Harry let his charm fall once he was sure he was alone again, thinking over what the conversation he'd heard. Something Hermione had said confused him, something he needed to speak with…the Dark Lord about.
Severus glanced up from the homework assignments he'd been working on grading when there was a knock on his office door.
"You may come in." He called, watching as the door opened just enough for whoever it was to slip inside. Harry shifted slightly as he attempted to regain his confidence before walking towards his second godfather. Severus leaned back in his chair as he watched the youngest Malfoy walk further into the room.
"Is there something I can help you with Mr.…. Malfoy?" the potions master questioned. Even after discovering the truth about Harry's heritage and the truth of his own past that had been blocked away, it was difficult not to call him Potter. The Malfoy and Potter blood running through his veins gave him the blended look of both proud and powerful lines.
"I need to get to Malfoy Manor." Harry stated.
"I'm sure Mr. Lupin or Auror Tonks would be able to take you. Why are you asking me?" Snape questioned; the confusion clear in the tone in his voice. Harry knew that if he asked them, they would take him to Malfoy Manor or ask Lucius to come to Hogwarts, but something was telling him that they wouldn't let him talk to the Dark Lord by himself. They didn't trust the older wizard and honestly neither did Harry. But he knew there were answers to questions he had that Marvolo possibly had.
"Because if I ask them, they're going to want to go with me. And this is something I really need to do alone. And I know you have access to the manor without having to request permission sir." Harry explained. He hoped Snape couldn't tell just how terrified he truly was at walking into Malfoy Manor with the intent of speaking with Lord Slytherin. The godfather oath may protect him from the wizard, but something told him it wouldn't stop anyone else from causing him harm on the man's orders.
"You can you my floo. But I want you to promise me that you will be careful, Harry." Severus offered, gesturing to the fireplace. The younger wizard quickly nodded before rushing over before he grabbed a small amount of floo powder, glancing over his shoulder again before throwing it down, calling out Malfoy Manor.
Lucius smiled at his wife as they walked through the garden, enjoying the nice day. One of their house elves popped into view in front of them, dropping into a bow low enough their ears dragged against the ground.
"Master Lucius, Mistress Narcissa, Little Master Hadrian be in the family room. He wish to speak to you." the house elves stated. They shared a look before quickly hurrying inside. Worry coursed through Narcissa as she attempted to determine why their youngest would venture into the manor alone, without telling them he was planning on visiting. Harry was standing in front of the bookshelves when they entered the room, glancing over his shoulder when the door was opened.
"Harry? Is everything alright?" she questioned, quickly making her way to him. He offered her a reassuring smile as she placed her hands on his cheeks, clearly searching for any signs of harm.
"I'm fine mom. I was hoping I could…speak with Lord Slytherin? It's about something important I heard Granger and Weasley talking about. Something that Dumbledore told them." Harry explained. He didn't miss the bright smile that appeared on Narcissa face at the use of mom, knowing it was something she had been hoping she would call her when he was comfortable. Since returning from the goblins and finally having all the blocks and charms removed, he didn't feel as torn as he had upon learning the truth. He still considered James and Lily his parents because they did raise him for the first year of his life and they died protecting him, but his magic recognized the Malfoys as his parents too. Lucius couldn't help the concerned look that crossed his face for a moment before he nodded. He headed to his private office, intending to attempt to floo call his own godfather. After the ball Marvolo had connected Slytherin castle's fireplace to Malfoy manor so it wouldn't be nearly as difficult for them to speak.
"How are you feeling? It's been a couple days since the task. Draco wrote to us concerned that you haven't been acting like yourself lately." Narcissa responded softly as she led him over to one of the couches. Harry couldn't help the blush the dusted his cheek, thinking about what had been on his mind since the task. Since he'd had to rescue Draco at the bottom of the lake and he'd found himself feeling relieved that Daphne hadn't been used as his hostage, he'd been thinking about how much he wanted the truth about his heritage to come to light. He didn't want to hide the fact he was a Malfoy heir anymore; he didn't want to hide the fact that he had been accepted by the Potter family magic as the next lord.
"I…I've been thinking about asking Daphne Greengrass on a date to the next Hogsmeade weekend." he muttered, reaching up to rub at the back of his neck embarrassed. "After the task I realized how much she means to me. I was scared when I saw Draco under that water. I really don't know how I would have felt if it had been her."
"I think that's wonderful sweetheart. You two looked lovely together during the Yule Ball and she is such a charming young lady." Narcissa gushed, hugging her son. Both mother and son looked up when Lucius stepped back into the room, followed by Lord Slytherin.
"Lord Potter, your father informed me that you wished to speak with me about something?" the older wizard questioned. He had a guarded look on his face as he watched the younger male who had been falsely prophesied to bring his downfall.
"Yes sir. I wanted to speak with you about that night in Godric Hallow. When you…killed my adopted parents? I want to know what happened. No one alive knows what happens and right now the only two I could possibly question are still frozen in a painting." Harry stated. He didn't miss the looks of surprise that Narcissa and Lucius shared, realizing he hadn't actually told anyone that Lily, James and Regulas portraits had been brought to Potter Manor. They still hadn't been able to figure out what was keeping them asleep.
"There are many empty spaces in my mind right now from that night, but I will answer what I remember." Marvolo stated, sitting in one of the chairs next to the crackling fire. Harry glanced at his mother for a brief moment, internally debating on asking them for a bit of privacy. Lucius placed his hand on his youngest shoulder, having it a reassuring squeeze before taking his wife's hand. He watched them leave, having to remind himself that the wards around the manor would keep him safe. That the godfather's oath wouldn't let the older wizard use his magic against him.
"Tell me why. Why did you go after them? What made you target them?" Harry questioned. Marvolo released a deep sigh as he leaned back in the chair. His gaze lingered on the dancing flames, thinking about how badly he had spired those few years before his downfall. He'd discovered a hard truth that had caused him to lose the last bit of sanity he'd managed to cling onto.
"One of my spies that was placed near Dumbledore overheard a prophecy that prophesied a baby, born as the seventh month dies bring my downfall. Normally I wouldn't have placed much faith in something like that since I personally am not a believer in divination. However, by that point I had let myself fall, my sanity hanging on by a mere thread." He explained after several awkward moments of complete silence as from the occasionally crackling. Harry couldn't help the frown that crossed his face for a moment, quickly having to push his magic down as it flared in anger. He'd overheard Sirius and Remus briefly talking about when James and Lily had gone into hiding, however, they quickly discovered him eavesdropping and sent him to his room.
"Why did you go after them though? There had to have been plenty of children that would have fit that prophecy?" he demanded.
"That has a bit to do with one of Dumbledore's men that I foolishly trusted. Peter Pettigrew was never loyal to me. He was always loyal to the ones he thought had the most power to give and I never saw that until it was too late. He used my sanity, or lack thereof, against me. Whispered in my ear about how much of a threat the Potters had become." Marvolo stated. "And when they foolishly chose him as their secret keeper, he was very quick to return to my side with the location. Further fooling me into believe he was on my side of the war."
"That makes no sense! Sirius said they went into hiding because they wanted to protect their son. That they wanted to get away from the war, away from the death!" Harry snapped, his magic once again crackling around the room.
"I did many things in my life I am not proud of. And while I have no one to truly blame but myself, your glorious leader of the light started my descent down that slippery slope." Marvolo added, sparing a glare at his godson's child.
"If you haven't realized sir, Dumbledore has done so much to ruin and control my life that he is no leader of mine. I don't know what type of image you think you have of me, but I am not Dumbledore's Golden Boy savior." Harry snapped, meeting his gaze. Marvolo looked away after a moment, standing up. Harry watched as he walked over to one of the windows, seeming to watch the snow start to fall, blanketing the gardens in a fresh blanket.
"No, I suppose it doesn't fit you. Seeming as you are a child of someone very close to me." He stated. Harry didn't miss the soft tone in his voice, finding himself wondering if he was talking about his father or someone else.
"Did you know I was married? Did Dumbledore ever tell you that?" Marvolo questioned, keeping his gaze on the blanketed landscape.
"No sir. But Dumbledore never told me much. He just…gave me testes to make sure I was ready to defeat you." Harry responded; confusion clear in his voice. He didn't understand where the statement came from, wondering what that had to do with his question about what happened that night.
"She was the love of my life. I met her during my fourth year at Hogwarts when she transferred during the second month. We were married a year after we graduated during the Yule Holidays surrounded by her family and the followers who were considered my family. Of course, at that point Dumbledore had already started to paint me as a Dark Lord, twisting my agenda, telling everyone I was incapable of feeling love and blocking me in every direction. I learned about a form of Dark Magic during our 7th year that I had only used twice at that point. After we'd gotten married, she made me promise not to do it again because she was worried about…me going further than she could follow." Marvolo explained. A small smile slipped through his masks for a moment, giving Harry some type of hint just how much his wife had meant to him. It also made him wonder just what had happened to her since he'd never heard Dumbledore speak about her before. The headmaster had continuously told him about how Voldemort wasn't able to love, that it was an emotion that he wasn't capable of feeling.
"I don't remember what made me go back to studying and performing the Dark Arts but before I knew it, I had dived so far in I had strayed from my ideals and plans. I had crossed the point of no return, and I didn't seem to care. I later found out Albus had managed to convince a member of my inner circle to betray me and had been using them to dose me with forbidden dark potions. It's been so long since then I don't even remember what they were. By the time I managed to purge my system I'd already done too much damage to turn back. And…she left to stay at one of the other Slytherin homes, saying she needed space." The dark lord continued, finally turning back around to face the teenage wizard.
"And because I wasn't in my right mind, she was alone. She was pregnant with our first child, and she didn't want me there for any of it. Because I wasn't there, she wasn't able to defend herself when the cottage was attacked. She was killed protecting our daughter from the precious members of his order. And for 20 years I thought my daughter was murdered by that blasted fool only to find out she had been placed with a muggle family and grew up knowing nothing about her heritage, her ancestors or her bloodline. And I killed her because once again I trusted someone in my inner circle that I shouldn't have. Because of that meddlesome man I lost everything. Because I fell further and further into blasted dark magic because I wanted power to protect our world." Marvolo growled, his magic flaring. Harry found himself flinching back further back onto the couch, his magic reacting to the malice and anger directed at him.
"But you didn't lose everything. You still have your godson. You have Draco, the heir to the Malfoy family. You still have the…inner members who were your family. Who didn't turn their backs on you!" Harry suddenly snapped back. He surprised himself by responding, knowing if he wasn't careful Lord Slytherin wasn't going to care about the Godfather oath, that he wouldn't use his magic to harm him, he'd simply use his bare hands. However, he found himself not caring. He was tired of the pity me attitude everyone around him seemed to always be wallowing in, whether it had always been Ron and Hermione or Professor Snape. He even had to admit for a time when everything was coming out, he did it too. He only wanted to feel sorry for himself instead of accepting what he'd found, what had been right in front of his face. His magic settled as the older male's words sunk in, making him realize just who he'd been talking about, why he seemed so upset about that night in Godric's Hallow.
"You still have me! My mom isn't here anymore but I'm here. I'm your family too." Harry stated, attempting to keep his voice firm. A familiar feeling washed through him, a feeling that always seemed to protect him when he got in over his head. Instead of protecting him or causing flashes of anger, the feeling was more like a comforting embrace. Marvolo faltered for a moment, his magic seeming to shutter in surprise at his words.
"And…and I think she knew. I think in the end she found out and she knew." Harry whispered, wrapping his arms around himself. Lucius suddenly burst into the room; frantic worry written across his face. Marvolo watched in silence as his godson took his youngest in his arms, holding him tight. Harry was startled by the sudden embrace, stiffening for a moment before he relaxed.
"Your boy…is special, Lucius." Marvolo muttered before he turned to leave them in peace, easily getting lost in his thoughts. The familiar sound of a house elf popping into the room startled the three wizards. Harry pulled back, ducking around his father when he saw Izzy. She wore a frantic expression as she looked around the manor sitting room. He noticed how she relaxed for a minute when she saw him before bounding forward.
"Master Harry I be's worried. You cannot disappear without letting wolfy or padfoot know!" she stated, grabbing his hands in her small ones. Harry offered her an embarrassed look; figuring having disappeared to Malfoy Manor without saying anything probably hadn't been his greatest idea.
"Mistress Lily and Master James are awake." Izzy suddenly stated, giving him a wide smile as she looked up at him. Lucius and Marvolo froze as they shared a look, both having different thoughts running through their heads but both surprised by the house elf's announcement. Harry glanced at them for a moment, an idea forming in his head.
Reminder: You can find me on Facebook under the name Snowbeam
You can also join a discord server that is easier to reach me that both readers and writers alike are welcome to join. C8zrjDCtRa or click the link on my linktree / StarStruckPanda
I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter and please remember that reviews are always appreciated. I always read through all of them and try my hardest to respond to all thoughts, opinions, suggestions and any comments about mistakes I might have made. However, please remember that flames are not needed. I know this type of story is not for everyone and I would be happy to give possible suggestions to other fics I've read that might be a little more up someone's alley.
I truly appreciate all my readers for sticking with me as this story continues. And to everyone have a happy holiday and a merry Christmas.
Until next chapter,
Snowbeam12