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batsutousaiTitle: Abandon
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
batsutousai
Beta:magickmaker17
Pairings: Harry/Tom(Voldemort)
Warnings: This will have slash(Guys on guys, ppl.).
Disclaim Her: If you sue me, you’ll never find out what happens.
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
==================================
Chapter 23
==================================
Harry let the door to Myrtle’s bathroom lock before turning to the sinks.
“What are you doing in here this time?” Myrtle asked.
“Nothing, Myrtle.”
There was a bang on the bathroom door. “I know you’re in there, Potter!” Terry Boot shouted. “You girl!”
Harry rolled his eyes and stepped up to the sink that never worked, the way down to the Chamber of Secrets. :Open,: he ordered coldly.
“Oooh… You’re hiding,” Myrtle realised as the sink shifted. “Are you sure you don’t want to hide in my stall?”
“Thank you, but no,” Harry replied. “You can, however, not tell that idiot where I disappeared to.”
“Open the window,” Myrtle suggested before returning to her toilet stall.
Harry let out a breath of relief and hurried over to open a window before jumping down the chute that led to the underground passages. Fine day this has been. First, Tom has to call a Death Eater meeting, then I’m forbidden to go to Hogsmeade for fighting with Boot, who is now chasing me since he’s also stuck. Tom has the right idea, I’m thinking. Harry groaned, reaching the bottom of the chute with a ‘thud’.
He stood and dusted himself off as he headed down the passageway. As he walked, he made note of the carvings in the walls, which he’d been in too much of a hurry to see the first time and had been too busy talking with Tom to notice the last time.
Time sure goes quickly. It’s the end of November already. Wow…
He let his fingers trail over the carvings as he continued down the passageway, not having anything better to do, really.
“What are you doing down here?”
Harry spun to face the ghostly form of Salazar Slytherin. “Hiding from homicidal Ravenclaws, if you must know.”
Salazar blinked a few times before letting out a sigh. “What did you do to the Ravenclaw, little Gryffindor?”
Harry scowled. “Hexed him for insulting Tom. Of course, Snape just had to be following me, again, and saw it; so now I’m stuck in the school while everyone else goes to Hogsmeade.”
Salazar snorted. “And where is Marvolo?” he enquired, motioning for Harry to continue walking with him to the Chamber itself.
“Checking up on his Death Eaters, Crucioing the hell out of Wormtail to get rid of stress, setting up raids so he can have another reason to Crucio everyone when they fail…” Harry shrugged. “What he’s supposed to be doing?”
Salazar frowned at the teen’s back as Harry ordered the Chamber’s door to open for them. “Little Gryffindor, what is your family like?” the Founder found himself asking as they started through the Chamber, towards the statue.
Harry blinked at his ghostly companion. “My family?” he repeated flatly.
“Yes.”
Why the hell not. Harry shrugged. “Well, my mum and dad died when I was one, when Tom came to kill me. My godfather died a couple of years ago when his cousin hexed him through the Veil. My aunt and uncle hate me and adore their son, who’s a bully.”
“Tell me more about this aunt and uncle and cousin.”
Harry shot Salazar a dark look. “There’s nothing more to tell.”
“There’s always more to tell, little Gryffindor. How did they treat you?”
“They treated me like I had a dangerous disease, okay?” Emerald-green eyes blazed as they seemed to slice right through the ghost as they came to stand at the statue’s feet. “Like I was some scum on the bottom of their shoe that just wouldn’t come off. I got yelled at, starved, smacked, everything. I got my cousin’s too large hand-me-downs and did all the housework,” he said angrily. “Anything else you need to know, Salazar?”
The Founder shrugged. “It’s bad to keep things bottled-up inside, little Gryffindor. From what I’ve heard about you, you carry the weight of an ungrateful world on your shoulders. Marvolo hexes people to feel better, but you don’t appear to have an outlet.”
“Are you telling me I need one?” Harry growled, desperately trying to rein in his anger.
“Of course.”
“Oh, and you think you should be that one?”
“Little Gryffindor, I will not be hurt if you scream at me, and I’ve heard the tales of many troubled children; the Slytherin House is known for such students. Perhaps you should have been in Slytherin, if only to have the support, but you were in Gryffindor. Yell at me, tell me your fears. I will keep them, for that is what I have promised to Marvolo,” Salazar answered evenly. “I will be in the bedroom.” Then he was gone.
Harry kicked the statue’s big toe with a growl. Of course, Salazar was right. He did need someone to scream at.
He’d once had Ron and Hermione, but their friendship wasn’t what it once had been, and he and his new-found friends in the Slytherin House weren’t close enough to him yet to stand against his temper, of that he was certain.
Ginny was his best friend, and his confidant in most things, but he couldn’t bring himself to scream at her to let go of his frustrations.
Tom was often nearing the end of his string when Harry visited and so they never really talked, just cuddled and enjoyed each other’s silent company while they could.
What he needed was someone he trusted whom he was also comfortable screaming at. It would help if the person was used to such tales and could keep emotions off his face.
“I hate it when you people are right,” Harry muttered before turning his wand on himself to rise up to Salazar’s open mouth.
-~*~-
“Marcus?”
Tom spun and met the brown eyes of one Ginevra Weasley. “Gin.”
“What’s wrong?” Ginny slid a little closer to the Dark Lord as Tom glanced around the hallway.
“Have you seen Harry?”
Ginny scratched her head. “Harry? No. Snape caught him fighting with Terry Boot and forbade him to go to Hogsmeade. I just got back. Why?”
Tom cursed mentally as he ran a hand through his hair. “He’s missing.”
“Missing?”
“Gone. Out of sight. Dumbledore’s already asked me twice where he is. I saw Severus searching the dungeons. Some of the other teachers are also on hallway patrol. I can’t reach him telepathically, either. He appears to have blocked me.”
“Lovely…” Ginny groaned. “What about Terry? He was probably the last to see Harry.”
“Do you know where the boy might be?”
“Ravenclaw common. I don’t know the passw–“
“I do.” Tom spun and set off at a brisk pace towards Ravenclaw. “What were they fighting about?”
Ginny came into sight next to him, walking quickly to try and match his longer legs. “You; Terry called you Voldemort’s slut and an evil brute. As always, dear Harry blew up. Hexed the hell out of Terry.” The grin that tugged at Ginny’s lips told him how amusing she’d found the Ravenclaw’s choice of insults about the Dark Lord himself, if not the fight.
“That child needs serious anger management classes,” Tom muttered under his breath, pulling a peal of laughter from his companion. “Here we are. Worms,” he told the painting of a beautiful golden eagle. He stepped inside when the painting swung outwards. “Mr Boot, could I borrow you?”
“Of course, Professor.” Terry Boot stepped out into the hallway, freezing when he saw Ginny, who was glaring at him.
“Terry, where’s Harry?” Ginny enquired in a low purr.
“I don’t know,” Terry replied too quickly.
“Terry, you’re lying.”
“We need to know, Mr Boot. The Headmaster wants a word with him,” Tom cut in coolly.
“Last I knew, he was hiding in that girl’s bathroom on the second floor,” Terry responded, his voice implying just how much he thought of Harry and his hiding place.
“Thank you, Mr Boot.” Tom nodded and led Ginny down the hall and out of earshot of the Ravenclaw. “I’ll go get him, then.”
“Right. I’ll pretend I’m still looking for him around Gryffindor, throw the teachers off the track.”
“You, Miss Weasley, are a wonderful person,” Tom breathed.
“Oh, go find Harry, you great idiot,” Ginny replied with a grin before scampering off towards Gryffindor Tower.
-~*~-
“Someone just came down the chute…” Salazar hummed suddenly.
“Who is it? Do you know?” Harry enquired, looking up at the ghost from his cup of tea.
“Only two people can get down here, little Gryffindor,” Salazar replied, amused.
“Oh…yeah…” Harry scratched the back of his head, feeling very stupid. “Wonder what time it is…” He glanced at his broken watch, which he’d run into a wall the week before and hadn’t had the time to replace.
“Who cares about the time?”
“People who are alive.”
Salazar cocked an eyebrow at the teen. “My point exactly.”
“Tom does. It’s probably time for dinner or something.”
“No, no. I’d tell you if there was something important going on up there, like dinner.”
“How could you tell?” Harry asked, making a face.
“Portraits upstairs.”
“I didn’t know you could use them…”
“I’m just special that way.”
“You mean you just manipulated them that way.”
“That too.”
Harry rolled his eyes and set his cup down as the doorknob turned. “Hi!” he called brightly as Tom poked his head in.
Tom scowled. “Have you any idea how worried I was about you?”
“Why worry about me? I can take of myself,” Harry retorted.
“Harry, half the school’s looking for you.”
“So?”
“So? I couldn’t reach you. For all I knew, one of my idiotic Death Eaters had run off with you or you’d been pounded by a pissed off Ravenclaw who wanted to get you back for hexing the hell out of him!”
Harry sighed. “Sorry. I came down here to hide from said Ravenclaw and lost track of time.”
“How could you lose track of time?!”
Harry held up the arm with his broken watch on it. “Broken, remember? And Salazar doesn’t believe in clocks, at least, not as far as I can tell…” He shot a glare at the Founder.
Salazar snorted. “I believe in using them if you have them, however, I don’t see any reason to have one when I have no reason to keep track of the time. Buy one yourself if you want one down here.”
“I would, but, you see, Snape has forbidden me to leave Hogwarts grounds until such a time as he sees fit, since I get into so much trouble,” Harry responded, annoyed.
Tom frowned. “I thought Dumbledore didn’t usually let him get away with that crap.”
“Dumbledore doesn’t usually have a Death Eater he doesn’t trust as a member of his staff.” Harry scowled. “Not like I can’t take care of myself, of course. I’ve lasted this long. What makes them all think I’m gonna go down to Hogsmeade and keel over, anyway?”
“Your most inefficient luck,” Tom said dryly, earning him a snort from Salazar and a grin from Harry. “Well, come on, you scamp. We can’t leave Gin alone to keep them off track for too long.”
Harry stood and stretched, a thoughtful look on his face. “Tom? You have an Invisibility Cloak in your room, right?”
“Oh, no… What crazy scheme are you concocting this time?”
Harry smirked. “You’ll see.”
Salazar laughed as Tom groaned, hiding his face in his hands. “Why me?”
-~*~-
Dumbledore looked up sharply as his hat was pulled off his head. “Peeves…”
“Kitchen, sir.” Tom came up behind the Headmaster, startling him. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to surprise you.” He gave the older wizard an innocently apologetic smile.
“No harm done. You said Peeves is in the kitchens?”
“Of course. The Grey Lady just passed by. She was looking for the Bloody Baron, I believe.”
“I see…” Dumbledore frowned.
“Is there something wrong, Headmaster?”
“No, no…” Dumbledore stepped passed his Defence Against the Dark Arts professor with a frown.
Dungeons! Harry called dramatically in Tom’s mind before swooping off down the hall. You’ve gotta give Dumbledore credit for always wearing the most ridiculous hats, he added, looking over the hat he’d swiped, which was neon pink and had purple cows on it.
Indeed…
Harry pulled up sharply on the broomstick they’d borrowed as he caught sight of the mat of black hair and smirked. He made sure Tom was in sight before flying over to Snape and plopping the hat on his head.
The prank was perfect. Snape’s dour black robes burst out in purple cows on a neon pink background. The hat grew into a mock of a joker’s hat, bells on each drooping point. His skin became red, his hair golden blond.
Snape’s scream followed Harry and Tom back down the dungeon hallway as they fled, Harry giggling madly.
You, Harry Potter, are perfectly evil.
Why, thank you. That’s a real compliment coming from the Dark Lord himself!
You need more practice to be as evil as me, of course…
Then let me start now! Harry blew some powder in Tom’s face before streaking away, still giggling madly.
“HARRY POTTER!! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!!” Tom screamed, voice growing higher in pitch as he did so. He scowled at his chest, which was definitely bigger. “I’m going to murder that brat,” he growled. “Using the sex-changing powder on me. Damn him.”
-~*~-
Harry walked into the Great Hall with Ginny, Draco, Blaise, Pansy, and Theodore, smirking and trying not to look up at the Head Table.
“What’s with Snape?” Draco managed as everyone but Harry tried not to laugh at the unfortunate Potions professor.
Harry smirked up at the man. He’d spelled the hat to stay on for the next three days, and the rest of the prank was set to the hat. “The man should know by now what sort of trouble I get into when left to my own devices,” he mentioned mildly with a wink before slinking over to his seat at the Gryffindor Table, trying to ignore the death glares sent his way by Tom, who had changed into bigger robes to hide his little issue. You don’t like it when a prank is played on you, Voldie?
Just you wait, Potter.
And I don’t suppose you’re too happy about not having the antidote, either, now are you?
I’ll get you back when you least expect it, Tom threatened as Harry sat next to Hermione.
The Gryffindors didn’t bother hiding their joy at Snape’s newest make-over. Ginny sat across from Harry, shaking her head in awe. “Harry, remind me to stay on your good side?”
The Gryffindors who heard turned to gape at Harry. “That was you, mate?” Ron asked in an awed whisper.
“Marcus helped some,” Harry responded flippantly.
“How long’s it lasting?” Dean asked.
“Till Tuesday evening, about dinnertime,” Harry offered with a knowing smile. “Unless he apologizes and I think he’s being totally honest. But–” emerald-green eyes glittered coldly, “–he doesn’t know that. Don’t anyone go telling him, either.”
“Harry…” Neville shook his head. “Have I told you lately that you’re my hero?”
Harry speared a noodle with his fork. “Not recently, no. I just know it instinctively.”
The group laughed as Harry chewed on the noodle innocently.
-~*~-
Harry popped into Tom’s rooms later that night as silent as he could be. In his hands was a small jar with a heart carved into the side. He slipped through the apartment and into Tom’s room, where the Dark Lord slept almost peacefully. He always slept in the nude, Harry knew, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. I’ll have to remember to tell him that he makes a good lady.
Harry set the jar on Tom’s beside table with a note that apologized for his fun and saying that he really did love Tom and, again, he was sorry for putting the man into a panic earlier while he was having tea with Salazar.
Then the boy leaned over to press a soft kiss to Tom’s lips before sweeping silently from the room and back up to Gryffindor Tower and his bed.
-~*~-
“Today, right?”
“Five minutes.” Harry nodded to Ron and watched with amusement as the Gryffindors all turned to stare intently at Snape again. The green-eyed boy had been hinting, constantly, that, when the spell ended, something that would make the hat, robe, hair, and skin seem inconsequential would happen.
Tom was chuckling at the Gryffindor Table’s attention to their Potions professor and said professor’s nervous reaction. They’d best hope he doesn’t get so nervous that he leaves early.
I don’t think that will be a problem.
Oh?
I talked the house-elves into making sure he stayed put throughout dinner.
You didn’t…
Two more minutes.
Harry James Potter, I do believe I’ve misjudged you.
About time you admitted that, Harry replied, leaning back in his chair so he could see Snape better. Tom just chuckled.
“How much longer?” Neville asked.
“Thirty.”
“Brilliant. No one blink!” Dean hissed quickly.
Then, before everyone’s eyes, the robe and hat disappeared as the colour on Snape’s hair and skin faded. The only problem was that this left Snape in only a pair of black silk slacks.
The Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws burst out into laughter while the Slytherins attempted to hide smiles and giggles.
Snape attempted to stand, as if to leave, but quickly found that wasn’t possible, as a Sticking Charm was keeping him in place. His eyes sought out the Boy-Who-Lived and he impaled the teen with the deadliest glare he could manage, under the circumstances.
Harry took that chance to stand and bow, which got more applause and laughter, as, by then, the whole school knew who was behind the prank. With his hands, he silenced his audience. “Professor, the chair will let you go once you apologise for the abysmal way you have been treating me over the past six years,” he informed everyone.
Snape gritted his teeth. “I apologise for my treatment of you based on your father,” he ground out reluctantly.
Harry nodded and waved his wand. The professor’s black robe appeared on him and his chair let go. Harry sat down again amongst the silence as the Hall stared after the Potions professor while he left.
As the teacher’s door closed on the bat-like man, the Hall burst into cheers.
“Six years and you finally got an apology out of the man.” Hermione sighed. “Did you have to go about it that way, though?”
Harry cocked an eyebrow at his best friend. “How else would I have done it?”
Hermione shook her head as the students crowded around Harry to congratulate him. “I don’t know.”
Harry just grinned at the students around him.
“ORDER! ORDER!” Dumbledore shouted. The Hall silenced and everyone turned to look at him. He didn’t look too happy with Harry. “Mr. Potter, if you will come with me to my office, please?”
Harry stood and slid through the silent crowd and out the doors to follow the elder man.
-~*~-
“That was inappropriate and childish,” Dumbledore berated Harry seriously as soon as they were both seated. He hadn’t even offered Harry tea or a sherbet lemon, not that the teen would have taken them if he had.
“Professor Snape’s attitude towards me for the past six years has been inappropriate and childish. I intended to fix it before I left this school. Now, if he feels the need to glare a hole through my head, he has good reason,” Harry shot back coldly.
“Did Professor Brutùs tell you this?”
Harry narrowed his eyes. “You think everything that I do that’s different or that you don’t want me doing has to do with Marcus. Give me a break. I came up with this all on my own.” Which wasn’t a complete lie, since Salazar had only mentioned that getting his tormentors to apologise would probably make him feel a little better.
“Harry, you’ve never been known to attack teachers in th–“
“No? What about attacking Professor Quirrell in my first year? Or Professor Snape back in third year?”
“This is very different. It’s serious.”
“Then expel me,” Harry hissed, eyes flashing. “I dare you. Kick me out. Give Snape his just desserts and all that. It’s about damn time you stopped favouring me, Professor. I’m a big boy now, and guess what?” Harry stood swiftly. “I’m tired of being Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Forgot-To-Die. I’m tired of being naïve and watching everyone around me dying. This is the real me, and you can deal with it, just like everyone else.” And, with that, Harry spun and stalked from the office.
Dumbledore sighed. “This was not part of my plan…”
============
============
A/N: Heh. Poor Sev. I’ll make it up, swear. He’ll get better, promise.
Dumbledore’s a manipulative old coot. Kinda fun, really. *winks*
Harry’s really angsty in this chapter, isn’t he? *sweatdrop* I decided this has been lacking in humour lately and added in the pranks as a last-minute sort of thing. Came out okay, I guess. Lengthened the chapter, too. Hope ya’ll are happy!!
~Batsutousai ^.^x
Abandon & Reclaim Series:
Abandon the Prequel: Sixth Year
Abandon Chapters:
01 || 02 || 03 || 04 || 05 || 06 || 07 || 08 || 09 || 10
11 || 12 || 13 || 14 || 15 || 16 || 17 || 18 || 19 || 20
21 || 22 ||23 || 24 || 25 || 26 || 27 || 28 || 29 || 30
31 || 32 || 33 || 34 || 35 || 36 || 37 || 38 || 39 || 40
41 || 42 || 43 || 44 || 45 || 46 || 47
Reclaim Chapters:
One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine || Ten
Eleven || Twelve || Thirteen || Fourteen || Fifteen
Epilogue
Side Stories:
Ginevra Weasley & Theodore Nott
Minerva McGonagall || Minerva McGonagall (again)
Author:
batsutousaiBeta:
magickmaker17Pairings: Harry/Tom(Voldemort)
Warnings: This will have slash(Guys on guys, ppl.).
Disclaim Her: If you sue me, you’ll never find out what happens.
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
Chapter 23
==================================
Harry let the door to Myrtle’s bathroom lock before turning to the sinks.
“What are you doing in here this time?” Myrtle asked.
“Nothing, Myrtle.”
There was a bang on the bathroom door. “I know you’re in there, Potter!” Terry Boot shouted. “You girl!”
Harry rolled his eyes and stepped up to the sink that never worked, the way down to the Chamber of Secrets. :Open,: he ordered coldly.
“Oooh… You’re hiding,” Myrtle realised as the sink shifted. “Are you sure you don’t want to hide in my stall?”
“Thank you, but no,” Harry replied. “You can, however, not tell that idiot where I disappeared to.”
“Open the window,” Myrtle suggested before returning to her toilet stall.
Harry let out a breath of relief and hurried over to open a window before jumping down the chute that led to the underground passages. Fine day this has been. First, Tom has to call a Death Eater meeting, then I’m forbidden to go to Hogsmeade for fighting with Boot, who is now chasing me since he’s also stuck. Tom has the right idea, I’m thinking. Harry groaned, reaching the bottom of the chute with a ‘thud’.
He stood and dusted himself off as he headed down the passageway. As he walked, he made note of the carvings in the walls, which he’d been in too much of a hurry to see the first time and had been too busy talking with Tom to notice the last time.
Time sure goes quickly. It’s the end of November already. Wow…
He let his fingers trail over the carvings as he continued down the passageway, not having anything better to do, really.
“What are you doing down here?”
Harry spun to face the ghostly form of Salazar Slytherin. “Hiding from homicidal Ravenclaws, if you must know.”
Salazar blinked a few times before letting out a sigh. “What did you do to the Ravenclaw, little Gryffindor?”
Harry scowled. “Hexed him for insulting Tom. Of course, Snape just had to be following me, again, and saw it; so now I’m stuck in the school while everyone else goes to Hogsmeade.”
Salazar snorted. “And where is Marvolo?” he enquired, motioning for Harry to continue walking with him to the Chamber itself.
“Checking up on his Death Eaters, Crucioing the hell out of Wormtail to get rid of stress, setting up raids so he can have another reason to Crucio everyone when they fail…” Harry shrugged. “What he’s supposed to be doing?”
Salazar frowned at the teen’s back as Harry ordered the Chamber’s door to open for them. “Little Gryffindor, what is your family like?” the Founder found himself asking as they started through the Chamber, towards the statue.
Harry blinked at his ghostly companion. “My family?” he repeated flatly.
“Yes.”
Why the hell not. Harry shrugged. “Well, my mum and dad died when I was one, when Tom came to kill me. My godfather died a couple of years ago when his cousin hexed him through the Veil. My aunt and uncle hate me and adore their son, who’s a bully.”
“Tell me more about this aunt and uncle and cousin.”
Harry shot Salazar a dark look. “There’s nothing more to tell.”
“There’s always more to tell, little Gryffindor. How did they treat you?”
“They treated me like I had a dangerous disease, okay?” Emerald-green eyes blazed as they seemed to slice right through the ghost as they came to stand at the statue’s feet. “Like I was some scum on the bottom of their shoe that just wouldn’t come off. I got yelled at, starved, smacked, everything. I got my cousin’s too large hand-me-downs and did all the housework,” he said angrily. “Anything else you need to know, Salazar?”
The Founder shrugged. “It’s bad to keep things bottled-up inside, little Gryffindor. From what I’ve heard about you, you carry the weight of an ungrateful world on your shoulders. Marvolo hexes people to feel better, but you don’t appear to have an outlet.”
“Are you telling me I need one?” Harry growled, desperately trying to rein in his anger.
“Of course.”
“Oh, and you think you should be that one?”
“Little Gryffindor, I will not be hurt if you scream at me, and I’ve heard the tales of many troubled children; the Slytherin House is known for such students. Perhaps you should have been in Slytherin, if only to have the support, but you were in Gryffindor. Yell at me, tell me your fears. I will keep them, for that is what I have promised to Marvolo,” Salazar answered evenly. “I will be in the bedroom.” Then he was gone.
Harry kicked the statue’s big toe with a growl. Of course, Salazar was right. He did need someone to scream at.
He’d once had Ron and Hermione, but their friendship wasn’t what it once had been, and he and his new-found friends in the Slytherin House weren’t close enough to him yet to stand against his temper, of that he was certain.
Ginny was his best friend, and his confidant in most things, but he couldn’t bring himself to scream at her to let go of his frustrations.
Tom was often nearing the end of his string when Harry visited and so they never really talked, just cuddled and enjoyed each other’s silent company while they could.
What he needed was someone he trusted whom he was also comfortable screaming at. It would help if the person was used to such tales and could keep emotions off his face.
“I hate it when you people are right,” Harry muttered before turning his wand on himself to rise up to Salazar’s open mouth.
“Marcus?”
Tom spun and met the brown eyes of one Ginevra Weasley. “Gin.”
“What’s wrong?” Ginny slid a little closer to the Dark Lord as Tom glanced around the hallway.
“Have you seen Harry?”
Ginny scratched her head. “Harry? No. Snape caught him fighting with Terry Boot and forbade him to go to Hogsmeade. I just got back. Why?”
Tom cursed mentally as he ran a hand through his hair. “He’s missing.”
“Missing?”
“Gone. Out of sight. Dumbledore’s already asked me twice where he is. I saw Severus searching the dungeons. Some of the other teachers are also on hallway patrol. I can’t reach him telepathically, either. He appears to have blocked me.”
“Lovely…” Ginny groaned. “What about Terry? He was probably the last to see Harry.”
“Do you know where the boy might be?”
“Ravenclaw common. I don’t know the passw–“
“I do.” Tom spun and set off at a brisk pace towards Ravenclaw. “What were they fighting about?”
Ginny came into sight next to him, walking quickly to try and match his longer legs. “You; Terry called you Voldemort’s slut and an evil brute. As always, dear Harry blew up. Hexed the hell out of Terry.” The grin that tugged at Ginny’s lips told him how amusing she’d found the Ravenclaw’s choice of insults about the Dark Lord himself, if not the fight.
“That child needs serious anger management classes,” Tom muttered under his breath, pulling a peal of laughter from his companion. “Here we are. Worms,” he told the painting of a beautiful golden eagle. He stepped inside when the painting swung outwards. “Mr Boot, could I borrow you?”
“Of course, Professor.” Terry Boot stepped out into the hallway, freezing when he saw Ginny, who was glaring at him.
“Terry, where’s Harry?” Ginny enquired in a low purr.
“I don’t know,” Terry replied too quickly.
“Terry, you’re lying.”
“We need to know, Mr Boot. The Headmaster wants a word with him,” Tom cut in coolly.
“Last I knew, he was hiding in that girl’s bathroom on the second floor,” Terry responded, his voice implying just how much he thought of Harry and his hiding place.
“Thank you, Mr Boot.” Tom nodded and led Ginny down the hall and out of earshot of the Ravenclaw. “I’ll go get him, then.”
“Right. I’ll pretend I’m still looking for him around Gryffindor, throw the teachers off the track.”
“You, Miss Weasley, are a wonderful person,” Tom breathed.
“Oh, go find Harry, you great idiot,” Ginny replied with a grin before scampering off towards Gryffindor Tower.
“Someone just came down the chute…” Salazar hummed suddenly.
“Who is it? Do you know?” Harry enquired, looking up at the ghost from his cup of tea.
“Only two people can get down here, little Gryffindor,” Salazar replied, amused.
“Oh…yeah…” Harry scratched the back of his head, feeling very stupid. “Wonder what time it is…” He glanced at his broken watch, which he’d run into a wall the week before and hadn’t had the time to replace.
“Who cares about the time?”
“People who are alive.”
Salazar cocked an eyebrow at the teen. “My point exactly.”
“Tom does. It’s probably time for dinner or something.”
“No, no. I’d tell you if there was something important going on up there, like dinner.”
“How could you tell?” Harry asked, making a face.
“Portraits upstairs.”
“I didn’t know you could use them…”
“I’m just special that way.”
“You mean you just manipulated them that way.”
“That too.”
Harry rolled his eyes and set his cup down as the doorknob turned. “Hi!” he called brightly as Tom poked his head in.
Tom scowled. “Have you any idea how worried I was about you?”
“Why worry about me? I can take of myself,” Harry retorted.
“Harry, half the school’s looking for you.”
“So?”
“So? I couldn’t reach you. For all I knew, one of my idiotic Death Eaters had run off with you or you’d been pounded by a pissed off Ravenclaw who wanted to get you back for hexing the hell out of him!”
Harry sighed. “Sorry. I came down here to hide from said Ravenclaw and lost track of time.”
“How could you lose track of time?!”
Harry held up the arm with his broken watch on it. “Broken, remember? And Salazar doesn’t believe in clocks, at least, not as far as I can tell…” He shot a glare at the Founder.
Salazar snorted. “I believe in using them if you have them, however, I don’t see any reason to have one when I have no reason to keep track of the time. Buy one yourself if you want one down here.”
“I would, but, you see, Snape has forbidden me to leave Hogwarts grounds until such a time as he sees fit, since I get into so much trouble,” Harry responded, annoyed.
Tom frowned. “I thought Dumbledore didn’t usually let him get away with that crap.”
“Dumbledore doesn’t usually have a Death Eater he doesn’t trust as a member of his staff.” Harry scowled. “Not like I can’t take care of myself, of course. I’ve lasted this long. What makes them all think I’m gonna go down to Hogsmeade and keel over, anyway?”
“Your most inefficient luck,” Tom said dryly, earning him a snort from Salazar and a grin from Harry. “Well, come on, you scamp. We can’t leave Gin alone to keep them off track for too long.”
Harry stood and stretched, a thoughtful look on his face. “Tom? You have an Invisibility Cloak in your room, right?”
“Oh, no… What crazy scheme are you concocting this time?”
Harry smirked. “You’ll see.”
Salazar laughed as Tom groaned, hiding his face in his hands. “Why me?”
Dumbledore looked up sharply as his hat was pulled off his head. “Peeves…”
“Kitchen, sir.” Tom came up behind the Headmaster, startling him. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to surprise you.” He gave the older wizard an innocently apologetic smile.
“No harm done. You said Peeves is in the kitchens?”
“Of course. The Grey Lady just passed by. She was looking for the Bloody Baron, I believe.”
“I see…” Dumbledore frowned.
“Is there something wrong, Headmaster?”
“No, no…” Dumbledore stepped passed his Defence Against the Dark Arts professor with a frown.
Dungeons! Harry called dramatically in Tom’s mind before swooping off down the hall. You’ve gotta give Dumbledore credit for always wearing the most ridiculous hats, he added, looking over the hat he’d swiped, which was neon pink and had purple cows on it.
Indeed…
Harry pulled up sharply on the broomstick they’d borrowed as he caught sight of the mat of black hair and smirked. He made sure Tom was in sight before flying over to Snape and plopping the hat on his head.
The prank was perfect. Snape’s dour black robes burst out in purple cows on a neon pink background. The hat grew into a mock of a joker’s hat, bells on each drooping point. His skin became red, his hair golden blond.
Snape’s scream followed Harry and Tom back down the dungeon hallway as they fled, Harry giggling madly.
You, Harry Potter, are perfectly evil.
Why, thank you. That’s a real compliment coming from the Dark Lord himself!
You need more practice to be as evil as me, of course…
Then let me start now! Harry blew some powder in Tom’s face before streaking away, still giggling madly.
“HARRY POTTER!! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!!” Tom screamed, voice growing higher in pitch as he did so. He scowled at his chest, which was definitely bigger. “I’m going to murder that brat,” he growled. “Using the sex-changing powder on me. Damn him.”
Harry walked into the Great Hall with Ginny, Draco, Blaise, Pansy, and Theodore, smirking and trying not to look up at the Head Table.
“What’s with Snape?” Draco managed as everyone but Harry tried not to laugh at the unfortunate Potions professor.
Harry smirked up at the man. He’d spelled the hat to stay on for the next three days, and the rest of the prank was set to the hat. “The man should know by now what sort of trouble I get into when left to my own devices,” he mentioned mildly with a wink before slinking over to his seat at the Gryffindor Table, trying to ignore the death glares sent his way by Tom, who had changed into bigger robes to hide his little issue. You don’t like it when a prank is played on you, Voldie?
Just you wait, Potter.
And I don’t suppose you’re too happy about not having the antidote, either, now are you?
I’ll get you back when you least expect it, Tom threatened as Harry sat next to Hermione.
The Gryffindors didn’t bother hiding their joy at Snape’s newest make-over. Ginny sat across from Harry, shaking her head in awe. “Harry, remind me to stay on your good side?”
The Gryffindors who heard turned to gape at Harry. “That was you, mate?” Ron asked in an awed whisper.
“Marcus helped some,” Harry responded flippantly.
“How long’s it lasting?” Dean asked.
“Till Tuesday evening, about dinnertime,” Harry offered with a knowing smile. “Unless he apologizes and I think he’s being totally honest. But–” emerald-green eyes glittered coldly, “–he doesn’t know that. Don’t anyone go telling him, either.”
“Harry…” Neville shook his head. “Have I told you lately that you’re my hero?”
Harry speared a noodle with his fork. “Not recently, no. I just know it instinctively.”
The group laughed as Harry chewed on the noodle innocently.
Harry popped into Tom’s rooms later that night as silent as he could be. In his hands was a small jar with a heart carved into the side. He slipped through the apartment and into Tom’s room, where the Dark Lord slept almost peacefully. He always slept in the nude, Harry knew, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. I’ll have to remember to tell him that he makes a good lady.
Harry set the jar on Tom’s beside table with a note that apologized for his fun and saying that he really did love Tom and, again, he was sorry for putting the man into a panic earlier while he was having tea with Salazar.
Then the boy leaned over to press a soft kiss to Tom’s lips before sweeping silently from the room and back up to Gryffindor Tower and his bed.
“Today, right?”
“Five minutes.” Harry nodded to Ron and watched with amusement as the Gryffindors all turned to stare intently at Snape again. The green-eyed boy had been hinting, constantly, that, when the spell ended, something that would make the hat, robe, hair, and skin seem inconsequential would happen.
Tom was chuckling at the Gryffindor Table’s attention to their Potions professor and said professor’s nervous reaction. They’d best hope he doesn’t get so nervous that he leaves early.
I don’t think that will be a problem.
Oh?
I talked the house-elves into making sure he stayed put throughout dinner.
You didn’t…
Two more minutes.
Harry James Potter, I do believe I’ve misjudged you.
About time you admitted that, Harry replied, leaning back in his chair so he could see Snape better. Tom just chuckled.
“How much longer?” Neville asked.
“Thirty.”
“Brilliant. No one blink!” Dean hissed quickly.
Then, before everyone’s eyes, the robe and hat disappeared as the colour on Snape’s hair and skin faded. The only problem was that this left Snape in only a pair of black silk slacks.
The Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws burst out into laughter while the Slytherins attempted to hide smiles and giggles.
Snape attempted to stand, as if to leave, but quickly found that wasn’t possible, as a Sticking Charm was keeping him in place. His eyes sought out the Boy-Who-Lived and he impaled the teen with the deadliest glare he could manage, under the circumstances.
Harry took that chance to stand and bow, which got more applause and laughter, as, by then, the whole school knew who was behind the prank. With his hands, he silenced his audience. “Professor, the chair will let you go once you apologise for the abysmal way you have been treating me over the past six years,” he informed everyone.
Snape gritted his teeth. “I apologise for my treatment of you based on your father,” he ground out reluctantly.
Harry nodded and waved his wand. The professor’s black robe appeared on him and his chair let go. Harry sat down again amongst the silence as the Hall stared after the Potions professor while he left.
As the teacher’s door closed on the bat-like man, the Hall burst into cheers.
“Six years and you finally got an apology out of the man.” Hermione sighed. “Did you have to go about it that way, though?”
Harry cocked an eyebrow at his best friend. “How else would I have done it?”
Hermione shook her head as the students crowded around Harry to congratulate him. “I don’t know.”
Harry just grinned at the students around him.
“ORDER! ORDER!” Dumbledore shouted. The Hall silenced and everyone turned to look at him. He didn’t look too happy with Harry. “Mr. Potter, if you will come with me to my office, please?”
Harry stood and slid through the silent crowd and out the doors to follow the elder man.
“That was inappropriate and childish,” Dumbledore berated Harry seriously as soon as they were both seated. He hadn’t even offered Harry tea or a sherbet lemon, not that the teen would have taken them if he had.
“Professor Snape’s attitude towards me for the past six years has been inappropriate and childish. I intended to fix it before I left this school. Now, if he feels the need to glare a hole through my head, he has good reason,” Harry shot back coldly.
“Did Professor Brutùs tell you this?”
Harry narrowed his eyes. “You think everything that I do that’s different or that you don’t want me doing has to do with Marcus. Give me a break. I came up with this all on my own.” Which wasn’t a complete lie, since Salazar had only mentioned that getting his tormentors to apologise would probably make him feel a little better.
“Harry, you’ve never been known to attack teachers in th–“
“No? What about attacking Professor Quirrell in my first year? Or Professor Snape back in third year?”
“This is very different. It’s serious.”
“Then expel me,” Harry hissed, eyes flashing. “I dare you. Kick me out. Give Snape his just desserts and all that. It’s about damn time you stopped favouring me, Professor. I’m a big boy now, and guess what?” Harry stood swiftly. “I’m tired of being Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Forgot-To-Die. I’m tired of being naïve and watching everyone around me dying. This is the real me, and you can deal with it, just like everyone else.” And, with that, Harry spun and stalked from the office.
Dumbledore sighed. “This was not part of my plan…”
============
A/N: Heh. Poor Sev. I’ll make it up, swear. He’ll get better, promise.
Dumbledore’s a manipulative old coot. Kinda fun, really. *winks*
Harry’s really angsty in this chapter, isn’t he? *sweatdrop* I decided this has been lacking in humour lately and added in the pranks as a last-minute sort of thing. Came out okay, I guess. Lengthened the chapter, too. Hope ya’ll are happy!!
~Batsutousai ^.^x
Abandon the Prequel: Sixth Year
Abandon Chapters:
01 || 02 || 03 || 04 || 05 || 06 || 07 || 08 || 09 || 10
11 || 12 || 13 || 14 || 15 || 16 || 17 || 18 || 19 || 20
21 || 22 ||
31 || 32 || 33 || 34 || 35 || 36 || 37 || 38 || 39 || 40
41 || 42 || 43 || 44 || 45 || 46 || 47
Reclaim Chapters:
One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine || Ten
Eleven || Twelve || Thirteen || Fourteen || Fifteen
Epilogue
Side Stories:
Ginevra Weasley & Theodore Nott
Minerva McGonagall || Minerva McGonagall (again)
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