Chapter 14
In a carriage alone Harry had pulled his robes tight to his body fighting off the short sting of the cold weather. There were likely less than a dozen students in the whole castle on the move at this point, and Harry knew this would be the best time to sneak off and meet the Dark Lord.
The plan was to arrive in Hogsmeade, and then sneak off into an alleyway, where he would don his invisibility cloak, and make his way to the Shrieking Shack. Tom would be waiting for him, and then with some luck, he would be able to enjoy the remainder of the evening exploring the village. If not then Harry figured there were worse ways than spending his afternoon with a teacher that was considered one of the most powerful wizards of the century.
His plan went without a hitch all the way to the most haunted building in Britain. Harry had scoffed at the legends his classmates had whispered. He wasn't certain that the stories were false initially. Afterall ghost at Hogwarts were a common site, but upon arrival to the supposedly ancient house, Harry could tell that it was all fabricated.
There was hardly a drop of magic in the place. The only residual magic he was even pulling was that of what they used to build the house in the first place. Harry wasn't quite sure where it had received its reputation, but he could safely guess there wasn't a single ghost in the entire building.
The cellar doors had been easy enough to breach, just as Tom had said, and when he entered the doors that would take him into the basement he felt a slight chill run down his spine. He could freely admit that the shack had an ominous feel to it. The walls around him seemed alive, and despite the lack of magic, there was a certain ominous feeling to the area.
As Harry made his way to the inner stairwell he climbed up one floor, and entered the main living area. It was here that he felt the first magical anomaly, and knew that his mentor was close. One more level he rose, and sitting cross legged on what appeared to be a conjured chair was Tom Riddle.
The teen did not look much different than he had a month ago, but there was something slightly off about him. Harry knew that when Tom was agitated his magic would often surge around him, and the teen briefly wondered if he was about to get a taste of his mentor's ire.
Patiently Harry entered the room, and took a seat across from the man matching his position. For the Dark Lord's part, he did not even open his eyes at Harry's arrival. Instead, he merely spoke softly in greeting, "How goes your studies, my Apprentice?"
Knowing it was best not to ask just what the Dark Lord was focusing on, Harry began to explain his most recent progress in the study of the Dark Arts, as well as curses he had been practicing in the empty classroom around the castle.
"Have you found yourself a dueling partner?" Tom asked, his eyes opening at last.
Harry felt himself gnawing on the inside of his cheeks as he considered the question. The parchment in his pocket felt heavy, and the young teen said, "Myself and Ms. Greengrass are going to have a duel tomorrow. Not sure if that makes us partners, but it could be a start."
The value of the map felt heavy in his pockets. Considering he had just received the item and not had any chance to study it he was hesitant to share the discovery with his mentor. Harry's guilt must've been written on his features however, because Tom raised an eyebrow, "Is there more to it than that?"
With a sly smirk the older teen asked, "Is it perhaps that you are once again falling to pleasures of the flesh, Harry? I said it once before, and I will say it again, you are awfully young for such things."
Quickly shaking his head Harry pulled out the parchment, unfolded it, and handed it to Tom, "It's not that." Harry said trailing off.
Tom took the map and studied it curiously before his expression turned to fascination. Harry explained, "Remember I told you that I saved the heiress in my Care of Magical Creatures class? Well, she had promised a favor, and this…well it's not quite like anything I have ever come across."
"This is magnificent." Tom said as he pulled out his wand and began waving it in tight circles just above the map's surface. Harry watched in curiosity as Tom went through several passive emotions. Tom then pointed his wand directly onto the map, and hissed in parseltongue, "Reveal your secrets."
After a moment, Tom's eyes widened in surprise as his eyes scanned the top of the page, "There appears to be hundreds of charms inlay into this map. I can also now see that there are two passwords with different functions. The map is also quite deceptive. If the wrong person were to attempt to open it, the map would insult the offending party's intelligence. The state of the parchment would also indicate that it is hundreds of years old, but there is nothing ambient about this piece of magic to indicate this. It could be as little as fifty years old, in fact, I suspect it is closer to ten, but…"
Frowning, the older teen mumbled something incoherent, and Harry peered at the map, where two phrases were penned in a neat sprawl across the top.
I solemnly swear I am up to no good.
Mischief Managed.
"I am now uncertain as to whether the map was written by geniuses…or idiots." Tom muttered, before turning his eyes to his apprentice, "Press your wand to the paper, and try each of those phrases."
With interest, Harry did as he was told, and watched in surprise as the map appeared and disappeared with the interchanging phrases, "Wicked."
Tom shook his head, "This could be a very valuable artifact. You have a growing number of enemies within the school, and that does not even begin to mention Sirius Black. This will help keep you safe, and allow you to traverse the school undetected. Between your cloak and the map, I suspect even I would have a difficult time tracking you through the school. Use it wisely."
Realizing that Tom's interest had run out. Harry quickly scooped up the parchment, and gently stuffed it into his robes. Now that his mentor was on his feet Tom offered his arm, "Come, Harry. It is time for us to train behind the wards of Gaunt Manor."
In acceptance, Harry reached out for the man's arm, and felt the familiar pulling sensation. In the blink of an eye, the young Slytherin found himself back at a place that he had practically called home over the summer.
Gaunt Manor had transformed dramatically since Harry's initial arrival in late June. The once dilapidated house, shrouded in disrepair, had undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. The grounds, once Aunt Petunia's worst nightmare, now bore the semblance of a well-manicured estate. The wild, untamed appearance that had characterized Gaunt Manor upon Harry's introduction had been replaced by an air of order and refinement.
Harry had dedicated a significant portion of his free time to restoring the grounds to their former glory. This labor of love provided a respite from his studies, and Tom always expressed his appreciation for Harry's efforts. While the grass had grown slightly long during Harry's absence, the house itself exuded an aura of meticulous care. The antiquated shutters, though aged, retained their charm, and with the shrubbery around the area neatly trimmed, the property emanated a newfound sense of warmth and livability.
The windows, once obscured by dirt and grime, now sparkled with clarity, allowing natural light to flood the interior of the manor. The overgrown ivy that had previously clung tenaciously to the exterior walls had been carefully removed, revealing the intricate stonework beneath. The front door, once weathered and worn, had been lovingly restored, its rich mahogany finish gleaming under the afternoon sun.
The gardens, once a tangled mess of weeds and wildflowers, had been transformed into a vibrant oasis. Harry had spent countless hours tending to the flower beds, nurturing the delicate petals with the utmost care. Roses of every hue bloomed in profusion, their intoxicating fragrance carried on the gentle breeze. Hydrangeas danced gracefully in the wind, their soft, velvety blooms adding a touch of elegance to the landscape.
The transformation of Gaunt Manor was a testament to Harry's unwavering determination and unwavering commitment. The once desolate property had been imbued with a new vitality, a reflection of Harry's own growth and resilience. As he stood in the heart of the gardens, surrounded by the beauty he had helped to create, a profound sense of accomplishment washed over him. Gaunt Manor had ceased to be merely a house; it had become a home, a place where he felt a profound sense of belonging.
"I have procured some new texts for you to take back to Hogwarts with you. After today's training. For now, take a moment, and prepare yourself. I would like to see these curses you have been studying. Incorporate them into the pace of the duel." Tom said, breaking Harry from his thoughts.
"Yes, master." Harry answered.
Taking a deep breath the young teen attempted to center himself as he watched Tom stride across the grass. Drawing his wand Harry felt his partner hum in anticipation. Harry had been cautious to use some of his more dangerous bits of magic against the older Slytherins. He couldn't quite say he was holding back in skill, but certainly in spell repertoire. It was obvious that Tom was teaching him how to kill, and Harry knew that Dumbledore would not have taken kindly to the slaughter of his students, self-defense or not. In this training, Harry knew he could use any spell that came to mind, and Tom would handle it accordingly. His mind went through the dozen of curses he learned, and quickly shifted to the ball of his feet, and entered his dueling stance.
His stance modeled his mentors, and after studying the art in school he learned it was a very aggressive style. Harry had considered adapting something more defensive to rely on his skillset, but in the long run, he wished to fight like Tom. Usually, the young man dueled lazily, but Harry remembered when Tonto, the half-giant, had fought with Tom in Falmouth. The Dark Lord had taken the half-breed seriously, and his stance showed the truth.
His knees were hardly bent, and one arm was outstretched, as his other remained closer to his chest, but completely relaxed. Tom looked at him with a slight flicker of amusement, and offered a sarcastic sweeping bow. Harry himself had learned his lesson about bowing too low, Tom had once cursed him over the Summer with a searing hex for taking his eyes off his opponent.
"A blind opponent is a dead opponent. Keep your eyes up!"
With a slight bend of his back, Harry offered a bow to his mentor, before rising back up quickly. Tom did nothing for a moment, and merely observed his apprentice before offering a simple command, "Begin."
Harry's wand whipped in a tight circle sending the searing charm straight at the man's face. Tom slapped the curse lazily, but shouted back at him, "Smaller circle, and follow it up with something nasty. Do not just stare as the curse leaves your wand to see if it will work."
Immediately Harry attempted the curse again, but this time rotated his wand in the opposite direction and chained an eye-rupturing curse into the mix. Harry didn't stop there either as he added a gouging charm, and a blasting hex. Tom shielded each spell lazily, and disregarded Harry's efforts to display speed. When Tom didn't return spells Harry attempted another chain spell, but this time caught a bludgeoning spell to the chest.
"Do not let your guard down in between casting spells, particularly chain spells. It is easy for your enemies to slip counter curses into your defense." Tom chided.
Harry stood there, his eyes fixed on the vast expanse of the sky above him. The curse that had just been cast upon him had left him momentarily stunned, his body still reeling from its impact. Yet, despite the pain swirling within him, Harry managed to utter a single, defiant word: "Noted."
In that one utterance, Harry conveyed a myriad of emotions and intentions. There was a hint of disbelief, a touch of anger, and a resolute determination. He had faced countless challenges and obstacles throughout his life, and this curse was just another hurdle in his path. He refused to be deterred, and he would not allow himself to be defined by his misfortunes.
It took him a second to find his feet, but as he raised his wand to Tom, the man did not remain idle as he jumped on Harry with a flurry of three spells at a time. Each combination of three involved spells that would need different shields, but Harry rose to the challenge with ease. At this, Tom looked pleased.
When he stopped casting at Harry in combinations, Tom threw a much larger blasting hex at the teen that made his eyes widen, and with haste conjured a head to toe shield. The shield shattered, and pushed Harry back, but he remained on his feet.
Nodding in satisfaction Tom spoke, "Your defense is still excellent. Let us raise the stakes."
Tom raised the chain to five spells, and at the end Harry felt triumph, but it was short lived as the man hissed out, "Legillmens!"
Quickly Tom had bulldozed into Harry's mind and was watching his duel with Flint and the older Slytherins. Harry attempted to block the man with images of the Black Lake and its vast surroundings, but Tom overpowered him and observed the memory.
When Snape came charging into the scene, Tom withdrew, "Despite not keeping me out, that was well done. A lesser legilimens would've become lost. That gave you a more adept understanding of what it feels like to have a master inside your mind. Do not be discouraged."
Harry was breathing hard, but nodded in understanding. Tom continued, "Your duel with the older Slytherins was well fought. You used your surroundings, and their own foolishness against them. I suspect you will not have such an easy time in your next match. They will not underestimate you again. By the end of term, I suspect you will be beyond all of them, but that is only if you continue to be diligent in your studies."
Tom offered Harry a hand to bring him back to his feet, which the teen accepted gratefully. Tom grinned and patted Harry on the shoulder, "Back to curses. I want to see more. Including the spell we were working on. You are tired, so this will be a new experience for your training. I will let you know when to unleash it."
Harry offered a slight bow in understanding, before going through his extensive repertoire of curses he had been studying. His tempo increased as Harry found rhythm and attempted chain after chain. When Harry began to tire, Tom roared out, "Unleash Death's Shadow!"
Without hesitation Harry took a cold breath, gathered his energy, and unleashed his wand backwards, "Mortis Umbra!"
As the shadows deepened and enveloped the surroundings, a sinister cackle echoed behind Harry, sending chills down his spine. The spell he had invoked spread throughout the area, but a frown creased his brow as he grappled with its sluggish manifestation. It was evident that this spell would pose a significant challenge in the heat of combat, and he could feel the strain on his magical reserves.
Determined to master the spell, Harry delved deeper into the recesses of his mind, tapping into the negative emotions that had plagued his childhood. The destructive potential of the spell was palpable as he wrestled control of the shadows, which contorted and twisted into grotesque humanoid forms. Tom observed the shadows and the spell's effects with a keen eye.
Once Harry gained control of the spell, he watched in awe as Tom effortlessly blanketed the grounds with a slash of his wand, his magic flowing with unrivaled precision. In an instant, the shadows and all traces of the spell dissipated, leaving Harry breathless and on the verge of collapse. The exertion had drained him beyond measure.
When Tom approached him Harry huffed out, "The spell is too slow to activate. How do I make it faster?"
Tom seemed to consider his question before saying, "The spell would be most effective at night. The shadows would materialize easier. During the day a good precursor to the spell would be to summon a fog, to block out the sunlight. This will allow the magic to seep its way into your enemies faster. The spell is built on fear and the emotions of hopelessness. If you could casually slip a few spells that could raise the tensions of your surroundings then it would take form faster."
In understanding Harry nodded, "I will study the necessary spells. I want it to work."
"Against dementors, it would." Tom promised, "The very feeling of the spell would cause them to hesitate."
"The dementor did not seem anxious to attack me when I first used the spell on the train." Harry admitted, "Only when I pushed all my power into it did the dementor go into a frenzy."
"I caution the use of this spell against other students." Tom advised, "Even if your back is against the wall, I would only use it as a last resort. Dumbledore would surely be more than interested if you resorted to a spell of this nature. He would certainly inquire where you learned it, and as it is a spell I developed personally it would be difficult to talk your way out of it."
Harry nodded in understanding, but shook his head, and admitted "This is a spell I will use on Black if he attempts to harm me."
Understanding donned on Tom's face, before he sighed, "I see. I thought I had him the other day. I have not yet figured out how he is avoiding me and the dementors. I am sure you saw that he was spotted in Dufftown earlier this week? I was there hours before the Ministry, tracking down a lead, but there was no sign of the man."
"I saw." Harry grunted, "He is coming for Hogwarts. The Ministry is right. He wants to finish what he started thirteen years ago."
This last part was said frostily, and Tom frowned, "I will continue my efforts to find the man. My instructions stand if he were to find you. However, between myself and the dementors, I do not think he will be able to waltz into Hogwarts."
"He has made it this far." Harry mumbled.
"Use the map to your advantage. Continue studying your spells, and look into what I told you about making Death Shadow take effect faster. As you continue to become acquainted with the spell it will take its form with increasing speed, but these other shortcuts should assist you along the way." Tom instructed.
Harry for his part just accepted these instructions with a slight nod. Tom sighed, before waving his wand. Harry didn't immediately see the effects, but after a moment three books came floating from the house and levitated a few feet from Harry, "I am satisfied with your progress, and do not wish to exhaust you. I will create a portkey out of one of these books to return you to Hogwarts. I think you should have some time to walk around Hogsmeade and enjoy the village. I do not wish to deprive you of your Hogwarts experiences."
"We can keep going." Harry offered, but more pleaded, he knew he needed the practice if he were to encounter Black.
"You have done well today, Harry." Tom complimented, "It is not the day to drive yourself into the ground. You will also want to be in proper form for your duel with Ms. Greengrass tomorrow. Make a good showing, and impress the heiress. Word will get around about your prowess, and allies will flock to you."
With a look of disappointment, Harry took the books, acknowledging Tom's understanding with a final nod. Sensing his apprentice's displeasure, Tom placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "I believe I will be here for the holidays, so you may return to Gaunt Manor if you wish."
This brightened Harry's mood considerably, "Really?"
"I don't promise to be nice to you, just because it's the holidays. If you come here, we will be working." Tom threatened, but the grin on his mentor's face told Harry the man was pleased that he wanted to keep up with his studies.
"I look forward to it then, master." Harry said with a bow.
"Have a productive rest of your term, Harry…Portus."
.o.
It was early afternoon by the time Harry left the Shrieking Shack and made his way back to Hogsmeade. From the time he left the abandoned house, Harry felt as if he was being watched. His eyes continuously shifted around trying to find what was making him so uneasy, but the only thing he managed to see was a large black blur on the edge of the forest. It was far away enough that Harry wasn't quite sure what to make of the creature, but shaking it off Harry continued without haste to the village.
Hogsmeade was a charming place, but Harry quickly found it distasteful due to the large number of students and people mulling about. A quick lap around the village told him that it wasn't his scene, but after stumbling around the side streets in search of something interesting he came across a worn-down sign labeled "The Hogs Head".
Glancing around he noticed there weren't as many students lingering in the area, so decided to try his luck for some lunch. His training with Tom had worked up an appetite, and he hoped for a more quiet afternoon.
Cautiously Harry entered the front door, and realized he may have found his wish when in search of a quiet place. There were very few patrons in the establishment, and if Harry were to describe it as run down, it would have been a generous description. A lone cloaked man sat at the end of the bar, while two shady-looking men were sitting in the back area, talking in hushed whispers. There were no students in the dingy little pub, and Harry relaxed as he pushed into the room.
Taking a booth near the window Harry slid in and glanced around to see if anyone was looking his way. When he realized he had some privacy he pulled the shrunk down books Tom had lent him from his robes, and enlarged them. It seemed like a good way to spend his afternoon, lunch, butterbeer, and a book on, "Defending the Mind."
Opening the book Harry found a note scrawled inside. Unfolding the small piece of parchment with a frown Harry instantly recognized the scrawl of his mentor, and read carefully.
Harry,
Your improvements in the Mind Arts are coming along nicely.
This will be a good assistant to make you formidable.
T.
With a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, Harry carefully unfolded the mysterious note, his heart pounding with anticipation. As he read the intricate words, a surge of gratitude washed over him for his enigmatic mentor who had guided him through countless challenges. He couldn't help but feel a glimmer of excitement for the adventure that lay ahead.
With a gentle sigh, Harry closed the note and turned the page of his ancient textbook, eager to immerse himself in the world of magic that awaited him. However, before he could even delve deeply into his studies, a low grunt resonated from his left, drawing his attention away from the parchment. His eyes shifted upwards, and his breath caught in his throat as he beheld a figure unlike any he had ever encountered before.
Standing tall and imposing, the mysterious man possessed a long, flowing beard that cascaded down his chest. Its dark gray hue, coupled with the piercing gaze of his deep-set eyes, sent shivers down Harry's spine. An uncanny resemblance struck him, and his mind raced with the possibility that this could be the mysterious dark twin of Albus Dumbledore.
While there were subtle differences in their appearances, the man's unkempt hair and the absence of Dumbledore's characteristically twinkling eyes only served to heighten the eerie similarities between the two. Harry couldn't shake the feeling that he was in the presence of something significant.
"What do you want, boy?" The large barkeep barked.
Swallowing hard and shaking off the eerie familiarity Harry spoke firmly, "Butterbeer with fish and chips please."
"Only thing on the menu is Roast today. Take it or leave it." The man demanded.
Slightly bewildered by the man's hostile demeanor, Harry nodded and replied, "Very well." It's no wonder the place was deserted, he mused.
The large man grunted, and returned back to the counter where he aggressively banged things around and set about preparing Harry's order. Taking a breath Harry shook his head and opened his book to page 1.
Occlumency requires absolute control over your thoughts and emotions. Imagine your mind as a fortress, impenetrable and secure. With a deep breath, you could visualize a towering castle, its walls high and unyielding. Slowly, you begin to fortify each section, brick by brick, until the distractions of your mind fade into the background.
Remember, the trueest of Occlumency is not just building barriers, but maintaining them in case of attack. The pressure of such attacks can feel intense, but if your castle is fortified enough it will protect your mind. The Mastery of Occlumency is a lifelong pursuit, requiring constant vigilance and practice.
The plate hitting the table made Harry flinch, and the thud of his butterbeer made the teen think his server could really use a lesson in tableside service. The man did not say anything to Harry after that, and the teen mumbled his thanks.
The roast was surprisingly good, and despite the dust around the butterbeer bottle, it tasted normal enough. Harry imagined he would frequent this place more in the future to find a quiet place to work in Hogsmeade. Glancing out the window to see the occasional pedestrian made things seem less lonely than working in the solitude of the castle. Harry thought this would be quite the spot in the winter, with soft glowing snow on the ground.
Pulled out of his reverie by the sound of the door creaking open, Harry's eyes lifted from the parchment before him, his emerald orbs widening slightly in surprise. Striding confidently into dingy pup was Blaise Zabini, his head held high and his posture radiating an air of nonchalance. Dressed impeccably in his custom pressed robes, Blaise hardly spared a glance at his surroundings as he made a beeline towards Harry's table.
The Slytherin teen's presence was undeniable. With an air of entitlement, Blaise halted in front of Harry's table, his dark eyes meeting Harry's curious ones.
"Mind if I join you?" Blaise inquired, his voice smooth and silky, yet carrying a hint of mockery. Harry blinked, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected question. He had never shared a meal with Blaise outside the Great Hall before, and could hardly fathom why the Slytherin would want to do so now.
"Sure," Harry replied slowly, his wariness evident in his tone. Blaise smirked, his lips curving into a knowing smile. Without waiting for an invitation, he slid onto the bench opposite Harry, his piercing gaze never leaving his roommate's face.
An awkward silence settled between the two boys as they regarded each other, each trying to decipher the other's intentions. Harry couldn't shake the feeling that Blaise had an ulterior motive for seeking his company, but he couldn't pinpoint what it could be. With each passing moment, the tension in the air grew palpable, and Harry found himself wishing he had declined Blaise's request to join him.
Despite his anticipation, Harry refrained from making any gestures, allowing his budding ally, Blaise, the opportunity to speak. Blaise, however, displayed his first sign of nervousness, shifting uncomfortably. Recognizing that Blaise's confidence was merely a facade, Harry almost made the decision to return to his book.
As Harry's gaze lingered on the book covers, Blaise appeared to perceive his thoughts and turned to glance at them. Harry realized that it was futile to conceal the covers any longer. However, instead of expressing judgment or asking questions, the dark-skinned teenager merely nodded. "I had a hunch you were familiar with Occlumency. Ever since last year, you have been pretty difficult to get a read on. When did you learn?"
Swallowing hard, Harry shrugged, attempting to appear nonchalant, "I picked it up over this past Summer."
Blaise raised his eyebrows, "You learned Occlumency over the course of a single Summer?"
"Well I can hardly call myself a master, but I have the basics down. No one can read my surface thoughts without penetrating my mind. Are you familiar with the Mind Arts?" Harry challenged.
Grinning, the teen leaned back in the booth before shouting over his shoulder, "Butterbeer please."
A lone bottle floated across the bar, and landed on their table, causing Blaise to scoff, "Why choose here instead of the Three Broomsticks? If nothing else Madame Rosmerta is pleasant to look at."
"Too many people." Harry shrugged, "I prefer my privacy."
Snorting Blaise said, "I'll say. It's been damn near impossible to learn a thing about you."
Frowning at the teens' tactics Harry considered Blaise for a moment. It was obvious his fellow Slytherin had been surveying him, but now he was openly admitting it. Deciding to stay quiet and see what he could learn Harry just observed. Blaise seemed to realize this and said, "I started studying Occlumency the Summer of our first year. My family back in Italy is the secretive bunch."
"Are you any good?" Harry asked curiously.
"I'll let you have a shot if I can." Blaise said with a grin.
Wincing Harry took a long swig of his butterbeer before admitting his shortcomings, "I haven't studied legilimency at all. I have had the spell used on me dozens if not hundreds of times, but I've never had the opportunity to practice it."
Blaise seemed surprised by the admission, but Harry incorrectly assumed it was about not knowing anything about legilimency when the dark-skinned teen said, "You've had someone penetrating your mind over and over again?"
Nodding Harry answered, "It's how I learned. Is that not normal?"
"Not for kids." Blaise answered softly, "Some Auror programs do it that way in other countries, but certainly not here in Britain. They also only usually teach it that way if the Auror has zero experience in the Mind Arts. It's a way to teach a crash course, and prepare someone quickly for a legilimency attack."
"And you think you can teach me legillmency?" Harry asked curiously.
"I know I could. We could call it even after that, or you could teach me something in return." Blaise offered.
"What would you like to know?" Harry asked cautiously.
"Word around the house is that you used some pretty fancy curses to hand the older Slytherins their asses. I would be interested in learning a few of those." Blaise admitted.
"Done." Harry said without much thought. He had been considering Blaise as an ally for a while now, and working with the teen would give him a measure of his worth. Perhaps they would learn to trust one another…to a point.
"That was much easier than I thought it would be." Blaise said with a grin, "I thought you would be difficult."
"Well, it would be pretty low of you to turn on me, while you owe me a favor." Harry countered, "I don't know if I can call it trust, but let's just say I would expect you to be the last person in our house to curse me in the back."
Blaise raised his butterbeer, "To not cursing each other in the back then."
Harry grinned at this and raised his glass to the teen and tapped them together, while both took a long swig. When they sipped their butterbeers down Blaise looked repulsed, "This place really is a shit hole."
This made a genuine laugh escape Harry's lips, "It's dingy enough to keep some of our more annoying classmates out. I like it. Might even be a regular here and see if I can get this barkeep to grow on me."
"You do like to make things difficult, don't you, Potter?" Blaise chided, but there was nothing truly malicious in the jab.
Harry didn't answer that, before asking, "What made you come here, today? I am assuming you saw me in the window, but why approach?"
Blaise considered the question, took another swig of his butterbeer, and then answered, "I told you a while back that you were interesting. Now I know not only are you interesting, but you have some serious potential. Potential to make some big changes in Slytherin House, and I'd rather be on the right side of history than against it. I could hardly believe you took down Flint and his goons, but after spending the last two months observing you, and now knowing that you are well-rehearsed in the Mind Arts, I think I still underestimated you."
Trying to downplay his skills Harry shrugged, "I worked hard over the Summer. Like I told the others-"
"Black is after you." Blaise finished for him, and then glanced around, seeing they were alone, and then whispered, "But I know ritualistic magic when I see it. Your progress is not natural."
Harry felt his stomach drop. If Blaise had recognized the type of magic he had used then surely others had as well. Dumbledore had obviously been suspicious, but perhaps it was more than that. Blaise seemed to sense his rising anxiety and raised his hands placatingly, "Don't worry. No one could prove what you did. It's much too late for that. Deny, deny, deny. I admit my family has historically dabbled in similar types of magic, but my mum was against me trying anything too young. I think I am another year or two from convincing her to let me dabble into my family's magic. You will get no judgment from me. In fact I am more impressed than anything. Whatever you did, caused a pretty massive change. What did the ritual require?"
"Just pain and some magical ingredients." Harry finally admitted.
Blaise whistled in appreciation, "I bet that hurt."
"You have no idea." Harry said, wincing at the memory, "But like you said the changes were instant. I didn't even need my glasses anymore."
"Dead useful that was then." Blaise said with a tip of his head, "Maybe you can teach it to me sometime."
Harry felt more at ease with Blaise in the dingy little pub than he ever had. It felt nice to talk to someone about less common magic with someone closer to his age and skill set. Talking with Tom always made him feel slow and stupid at times. Blaise seemed impressed with his knowledge, and Harry had to admit it was a nice feeling. He could only hope that it would be the start of an alliance.
"Well, I won't hold up your studies anymore. I need to pick up a couple more things around the village before heading back to the castle." Blaise said as he rose to his feet and reached for his pockets to pay the bartender.
"Drinks on me." Harry offered, "This was a nice change of pace, to the normal conversations I have with our housemates."
"Cheers then." Blaise said with a slight nod of his head, "Catch you later, Potter."
Zabini was out the door in a matter of seconds, and Harry leaned back into the booth in deep thought. Tom would need to be made aware of his updates with Zabini. He also needed to be sure Blaise would not discover his secrets in their studying of legilimency. Regardless, Harry felt that he may have just made his first ally.
(A/N) To Not Cursing Each Other In The Back! Harry's social tendencies are obviously not the best, but this is definitely something you will see drastically improve over the next 20-30 chapters, just remember, you can't go from being Mr. Recluse, to Mr. Popularity over night.
You can read through Chapter 20 on my Discord for freek! Pat(reon) is currently showing up to Chapter 27, and it is only 1$ so join today for exciting new content!
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