batsutousai (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
batsutousai) wrote2005-01-07 01:10 am
batsutousai) wrote2005-01-07 01:10 am
FIC: Abandon ~ 33 ~ Tom(Voldemort)/Harry ~ R
Title: Abandon
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
batsutousai
Beta:magickmaker17
Pairings: Harry/Tom(Voldemort), Seamus/Blaise, Ginevra/Theodore, post-Ron/Hermione
Warnings: This will have slash(Guys on guys, ppl.) , Dumbledore bashing, Ron bashing
Disclaim Her: ATTACK OF THE PLOT!!!
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
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Chapter 33
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Harry scowled as he travelled down the train’s corridor to the compartment he felt Lisa’s necklace in. The girl had slipped him a note when she’d run into him on the platform, asking for him to come find her once they were moving. He opened the compartment door with a forced smile.
“There you are! Was it difficult to find us?” Lisa asked, standing quickly.
Harry glanced around. Mandy and Morag were sitting on either side of Terry Boot, who was glaring furiously at him. The Patil twins were sitting on the same bench as Lisa had been. “What do you want, Lisa?” he asked, leaning back against the door frame once he’d closed the door.
“You didn’t answer her question, Potter,” Terry spat.
“Terry!” Mandy turned to glare at the boy. “You said you’d behave.”
“I didn’t know this all important person you wanted me to talk to was Potter!”
“I shouldn’t have to tell you–“
“Enough,” Harry ordered softly. Mandy’s mouth slammed shut and she turned to frown at the passing countryside. “Terry is set in his ways to hate me. So be it.” He glanced back at Lisa, who was still standing in the middle of the carriage nervously, while Terry gaped at him in shock. “I assume you have a reason for calling me here?”
“You’re the last person I expected to see working for You-Know-Who.” Parvati said before Lisa could speak. “But, Padma and I would like to join your side, none-the-less.”
“Why?” Harry replied calmly.
“What?”
“Why do you want to join us?”
“I’m not stupid. The Ministry is slowly falling into You-Know-Who’s hands. Dumbledore’s not holding our world together like he used to,” Padma said sharply.
“Ah.” Harry nodded. “Self-preservation is a wonderful thing, but, if Dumbledore starts pulling the Light back up, then what? Will you ask to help him again?”
“That’s not going to happen,” Padma said firmly. Parvati didn’t look so sure.
“I’m asking you if it does. Nothing in this war is set into stone, Miss Patil. If the Light started winning again, would you switch back and support them?”
The twins traded nervous looks. “We–“ Parvati started.
“I’m not Voldemort. Feel free to speak freely around me,” Harry added. “I don’t kill people when they give me the wrong answer.”
“I’m not certain,” Parvati said after a long moment of silence.
Harry nodded. “Think about it, then. Death Eaters don’t have any back doors. If you’re caught double-crossing us, chances are you’ll end up very dead very quickly. Supporters may do what they wish.” He turned to Terry. “And I’m assuming I should be giving you the same speech, hum?”
“I don’t need a speech; I don’t want a back door, but I don’t want to work with you,” Terry spat.
“Then you cannot become a Death Eater. You will settle your differences or slide into the position of a supporter. Your choice.” Harry turned to leave. “Is that all?”
“Yes.” Lisa gave a slight bow. Morag and Mandy followed suit.
Harry nodded. “See that those rumours get spread.” Then he slipped out the door and out into the hall. Fuck, but this is stressful!
I hate to say it, but, I told you so.
Prat. Harry ruffled his hair as he started down the hall. I really wish you were on the train.
I know, Harry. And I wish you were here. These damned teachers meetings are boring!
What would you do, hide me under the table?
You always manage to have the best ideas.
Harry laughed quietly and shook his head. Teenage hormones. Now pay attention before Dumbledore offers you a sherbet lemon to reclaim your attention.
Ew…
Harry rolled his eyes and slid back into his compartment. Draco, Theodore, Hermione, and Ginny were all out spreading rumours and getting information. As he yawned, he got an idea.
“Okay, naptime!” he called cheerfully to the empty compartment before conjuring himself a pillow and curling up against the window for a nap.
-~*~-
“Harry? Harry, you need to wake up.”
Harry blinked up at Ginny sleepily. “Huh?”
Ginny’s smile came in to view as she slipped his glasses on his face. “We’re at Hogwarts, hun.”
“Why didn’t you wake me sooner!” Harry stood quickly and had a moment of dizziness. “Whoa…”
“Because you looked like you needed the rest,” Hermione offered.
Harry scowled at the two girls. “You make my life difficult. Where are Ted and Dray?”
“Last I saw, they were both yelling at Crabbe and Goyle for doing something stupid,” Ginny supplied as she and Hermione led the green-eyed teen from their compartment.
“Why am I not surprised?” Harry groaned, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. “Herm, what’s the password to the prefect’s bathroom?”
“Why?” Hermione asked suspiciously.
Harry shrugged. “You all have a nice tub.”
Ginny laughed while Hermione glared at her friend. “I shouldn’t tell you.”
“I’ll ask Dray, then. Or Pan.”
Hermione let out a strangled sound. “Fine!” She leaned over to whisper the password into his ear. “It’s ‘feather soft’.”
Harry smiled and gave her a quick hug before hopping into the carriage they’d come to a stop in front of. “Thanks, Herm.”
“Don’t worry. He wouldn’t know a rule if he sat on it and it shattered,” Ginny offered, following Harry and sitting next to him.
Hermione laughed, getting in and closing the door behind herself. “I know.”
“Where’s a male when ya need a mate?” Harry muttered to the roof as the carriage started to move.
Hermione and Ginny laughed loudly and Harry smiled.
-~*~-
Harry and Hermione were working on their Potions work before bed a couple nights after term had started again when the door to the common room slammed open to admit a horrified-looking Seamus, with a very pale Blaise at his side. “Harry! Hospital wing!”
Harry stood calmly as everyone in the room turned to stare at the two boys in the doorway, most glaring at the Slytherin. “Why?”
“Ginny’s been attacked!”
Harry traded a quick look with Hermione before hurrying to the portrait hole. “Tell me what happened as we go,” he ordered in a hiss, watching Hermione pack up their things out of the corner of his eye.
“Right.” Seamus nodded and took the lead. Blaise fell into step next to Harry.
“From what we know, Ron caught her outside the library by herself. He was going on about that ring you gave her. Took her wand and tossed it down the hall before smacking her around. He ran when he heard Madame Pince coming out to find out what all the noise was. McGonagall is furious,” Blaise explained quickly.
“Has anyone found Ron?” Harry asked calmly, his flashing eyes giving his anger away.
“No.”
“I’ll continue on my way by myself, then. Find him,” the dark-haired teen ordered before speeding past Seamus.
Seamus and Blaise traded looks before turning and walking quickly in opposite directions.
I’m going to fucking murder him, Tom!
Harry, love, calm down. No murder on school grounds. Only maiming.
How could he attack his own damned sister?!
If you’re asking me to explain the way a madman’s mind works, then you’re…actually, asking the right man, now that I think about it. However, if you’re asking me to explain Ronald Weasley’s mind, you’re expecting too much. Tom replied soothingly.
Harry stopped outside the hospital wing’s doors and took a deep breath. Right. Thanks. No murdering.
He’ll get his due, love. You worry over Gin like any boyfriend rightly should and let the rest of us worry about finding and murder– I mean maiming Mr Weasley.
Harry shook his head in amusement and stepped into the ward. “Ginny?”
“Mr Potter–” Professor McGonagall levelled him with a firm look, “–turn right around and march back to your common room. Miss Weasley is sleeping.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Harry shot back. “Not until I’ve seen my girlfriend. And, really, unless you’d ruther have me hunting Ron down and pegging him up on the wall of the entrance hall again, I’d suggest you let me see her,” he added coldly.
McGonagall made a strange little sound in the back of her throat as she stared at the teen before her.
“Now, now, Harry, my dear boy. No need for threats,” came a cheerful voice from behind Harry.
Harry turned to give Dumbledore a brief smile. “Professor, you’ll have to forgive me if I’m a little out of sorts. One of my best friends just attacked his sister, my girlfriend, over a ring I gave her. I think I’m entitled to a little threatening, don’t you?”
The Headmaster appeared shocked by the barely covered venom in his favourite student’s voice and eyes, though he covered it quickly with an understanding look. “Of course. Perhaps, though, it is not best directed at your teachers?”
Harry nodded and turned to look at McGonagall apologetically. “Professor McGonagall, I apologize. My words were far too rude.”
McGonagall nodded faintly. “Apology accepted. But, Potter, wherever did you hear what the… fight was about? Not even we had been made aware of that.”
Harry shrugged. “A little snake I know told me. May I please see Ginny, madam?”
“Of course,” Dumbledore said before McGonagall could deny the request again. “Poppy, if you would please take Harry over? Minerva, a word.”
Harry pointed his wand at himself and muttered a spell under his breath as he followed Madam Pomfrey to the other end of the ward. Immediately, Dumbledore and McGonagall’s voices came back into focus.
“Albus, there aren’t any pictures in that part of the hall! We would have questioned them if there had been!” McGonagall cried, distraught.
“No, no… However, according to Mr Gilmer, Misters Zabini and Finnigan where the ones to come and collect Harry. Mr Zabini may well have been the one to inform Harry of the attack and the reasonings behind it.”
“Irma said she only saw Miss Weasley and the back of her brother’s head as he fled down the hall. She didn’t see any Slytherins.”
“I cannot give any other explanations, Minerva. Perhaps they were in some hidden passageway down there.”
“Then why not come to Miss Weasley’s aid?”
Harry couldn’t help but wonder about that himself as he stared down at the prone form of his sister, bruises dotting her unnaturally pale skin and making him sick.
“I don’t have an answer to that, either.” Dumbledore sighed. “Now, Minerva, what’s this about a ring?”
“Apparently, Mr Potter gave Miss Weasley a ring with his family crest on it for Christmas. She’s been wearing it on her ring finger.”
“I see. Perhaps we shall have to talk her into moving it to another finger...”
“Albus, what’s to be done about Mr Weasley?”
“Fifty points for attacking another student,” Dumbledore said firmly.
“Albus, surely he should at least be suspended!”
“Now, Minerva, don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?”
Harry ended the spell with a hiss, blood boiling. He favours us like pet dogs! Ron should be expelled for that!
I know, love, but this is Dumbledore we’re talking about…
He’s going down. This is personal.
It wasn’t before? Tom enquired good-naturedly.
It was. This time, though, he’s gone too far.
That’s what I thought when I found out about Vernon. Isn’t it interesting how our loved ones sway us so?
Harry gave a dry mental laugh. Too true.
The raven-haired teen jumped as a wrinkled hand settled on his shoulder. “I didn’t mean to startle you, my dear boy,” Dumbledore murmured gently as he conjured a chair to sit in next to Harry. Harry, for the life of him, couldn’t recall sitting down, but he didn’t think it mattered now. “Thinking?”
“Plotting Ron’s demise,” Harry replied mildly, green eyes on the necklace that the man next to him couldn’t see about his sister’s throat. It was glowing a faint red.
It means she’s in danger. Ill, wounded, whatever. Remind me to explain all the colours and their meaning to you later.
What’s mortal peril?
Black. Hope you never see it that colour.
Indeed.
“Harry.” Dumbledore’s reproving voice pulled the teen back into the world around him.
“Sorry, sir,” Harry muttered, not sounding sorry in the least. “Just a little upset still.”
“Perfectly understandable. But, Harry, please let us handle Mr Weasley.”
Harry mussed his hair with one hand, eyes still focused on Ginny’s Mark. The glowing was fading slightly. “What’s going to happen to Ron, sir? Surely he should be suspended for a few days because of this. Attacking another student bad enough to land them in the Infirmary, unconscious, is a serious crime, never mind that they’re related.”
“We’ve taken points,” Dumbledore replied, sounding just the slightest bit nervous.
“Punish the rest of the House for one’s deeds. Very Gryffindor of you, sir,” Harry spat. “You should suspend him. You should have expelled me before the holidays, too. Really, Professor, you’re losing your touch.”
“Mr Potter!” McGonagall called, shocked, from not too far behind them. Apparently, she hadn’t left as Harry had thought.
Harry turned to give his Head of House a pointed look. “You agree with me, Professor McGonagall. I know you do.” He turned to finally look at Dumbledore while McGonagall gaped like a fish. “At least tell me you’ve owled his parents.”
“Of course.” Dumbledore agreed. He looked quite displeased with Harry.
“Then we’ll be expecting a Howler tomorrow at breakfast. I’ll be sure to conjure myself a pair of earplugs,” Harry said mildly, turning back to smile at Ginny, who was awake and watching the argument with laughing eyes. Her brother was trashing the Headmaster with what appeared to be practiced ease. “And how long have you been awake, dear Ginny?”
Everyone’s attention turned to the young witch as she smiled painfully. “Oh, since about the time that you mentioned plotting Ron’s demise. How long have I been out for?”
“About fifteen minutes,” Madame Pomfrey replied as she stepped up to the free side of Ginny’s bed and began casting spells on her.
“Where’s Ron?” Ginny enquired as Harry handed over a glass of water. “Thanks, Harry.”
“Last I knew, ‘Bini and Seam were looking for him.” Harry shrugged. Dumbledore and McGonagall traded worried looks. “With instructions to not murder him. Just knock him out and lock him in some deep, dark place of the castle. Maybe the Vanishing Closet on the first floor...”
Ginny started giggling as a strangled cry came from both McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey. The look on Dumbledore’s face could have split hairs. “You know they’ll only take him down to Professor Snape’s office, at worst.”
“Should I go down there and save Professor Snape, then?” Harry enquired lightly, pulling another giggle from Ginny, as well as a smile from the other two witches in the room. “I’m glad you’re all right. Scared the blazes out of me.”
“I didn’t ask to be swatted around the head, you know.”
“Yes. I know,” Harry said solemnly. “If I’d known he was going to go to that extent over the damned ring, I would have, at least, asked you to walk around with a buddy.”
“In fact, Miss Weasley,” Dumbledore cut in. “I’d like it if you’d find a different finger for your ring.”
Ginny turned her hard gaze on the Headmaster. “Will you suspend my brother?”
Dumbledore’s answer was to purse his lips and give her a grave look over his half-moon spectacles.
“No? Then that is my answer, sir.” Ginny’s eyes softened as she turned her gaze back to her adopted brother. “Go back to the common. You know I’m fine now. Keep Hermione from running all the way down here and tuckering herself out.”
Harry sighed and nodded. “Of course,” he agreed, watching Dumbledore stand with a dark look out of the corner of his eye. He leaned over to settle a soft kiss on Ginny’s cheek. “Tom’s also glad you’re well,” he added in a hiss.
“Tell him Ron’s not my family anymore,” Ginny hissed back before returning the kiss. Then, in a much louder voice, she said, “Now get, you.”
Harry smiled fondly before turning to leave the ward. Tom was cheering in his mind, making him chuckle. He sent one last look over his shoulder at his sister, who had closed her eyes once again, and noticed that her pendent still glowed a faint red, but it was much harder to see, before slipping through the doors.
Dumbledore stood outside the door, awaiting him. “Harry, might I borrow you in my office?”
“Nope.” Harry’s smile chilled. “I don’t feel like talking to you, sir. I have things to do, like keeping my pregnant friend from over-working herself. Or, perhaps, keeping a few Slytherin friends of mine from killing a certain rodent that you’ve deemed too perfect to punish properly. Perhaps, sir, you may want to go a write that letter to the Weasley’s now. Before I do.” And, with that, Harry pushed past the Headmaster and disappeared behind a tapestry.
Dumbledore let out a frustrated growl and stalked away towards his office. That boy is out of control!
-~*~-
How Ronald Weasley made it to breakfast the next morning was anyone’s guess. Though, if you’d asked the various Death Eaters In-Training that had been searching the halls for the runaway Gryffindor into the wee hours of the morning, you’d merely learn that it was because no one had been able to find the wizard, even with the Marauder’s Map. They’d come to the conclusion that Ron had either snuck off school grounds through one of the tunnels, for his own safety, or had hidden in the Room of Requirement with the door locked and hidden.
When Ron stepped into the Great Hall for breakfast that overcast Wednesday morning, it was with hostile glares and sudden silence that he was met. Most of the school had learned of the attack – the rumour mill was indeed that speedy – and they appeared in agreement to stand against him until such a time as Ginny deemed him worthy of forgiveness. Upon trying to sit at the Gryffindor table, Ron found himself without a seat. Every time a spot opened up and he moved towards it, someone would shift over and fill in the gap. It didn’t help him any that he was so broad, of course.
“Have room for one more?” he asked cheerfully of his fellow seventh year Gryffindors.
Lavender, Parvati, Seamus, Neville, Dean, and Hermione sent him venomous glares.
“Go sit on the floor, Ron,” Harry suggested. “It’s not pissed at you.”
Ron gaped at Harry in shock. “But, Harry–“
“Go sit on the floor before someone hexes you,” Parvati spat at the redhead. “Oh, and Harry?” she started in a mild tone, gaze switching to the head of the Death Eaters In-Training. “I was wondering if I might speak with you after breakfast?”
“Of course, Parvati. The front steps will probably be a fairly nice spot to chat, don’t you think?” Harry replied lightly.
“Isn’t it a bit cold out there?” Hermione teased, smiling.
“It should be fine. It’ll only be for a moment. I’m sure Harry will need to return to Ginny’s bedside to worry over her,” Parvati replied in the same tone as the bushy-haired brunette with a bright smile.
“Obviously, my dear Parvati, you have known me too long.” Harry sighed, earning him a laugh from everyone in hearing range, except Ron, who was still doing his fish impression.
“Ronald Weasley!” came a sudden, female, shout from the entrance of the Great Hall. Everyone leaned over to look at a furious Molly Weasley. Ron paled dramatically and crouched down behind Gryffindor Table.
Harry waved at the matriarch of the Weasley family with a brilliant smile. “He’s over here, Mrs Weasley! Hiding behind poor defenceless Gryffindors!”
“Traitor!” Ron hissed before attempting to sneak around to the other side of the table.
“Sister beater!” Seamus spat coldly, levelling his wand at the other teen. “Move another millimetre and I’ll hex you into oblivion, Ron.”
Ron glanced around for help, only to find the wands of the other seventh years pointed at his head, as well as a few of the other Gryffindors’ around them. His mother was marching up the aisle with fire spitting from her eyes.
“And I was expecting a Howler.” Harry hummed, returning to his breakfast with a sly smile.
“Get up off the floor this instant!” Molly ordered, coming to a stop about a foot away from her youngest son. Ron hurried quickly to his feet, white as a ghost. “What, in Merlin’s name, ever possessed you to hurt your sister?!” she shouted in a voice that rang through the silent Hall. Anyone that hadn’t been watching the spectacle before was now.
“She–“
“THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION TO SUCH AN ACT!” Molly shouted over Ron, drowning him out.
“She’s wearing a ring on her ring finger!” Ron shouted back in the following silence as Molly caught her breath. “Harry’s family ring!”
Molly turned to Harry curiously. “Harry?”
The green-eyed teen shot Ron a sharp look for getting him involved before offering his surrogate mother a mild shrug. “I gave it to her for Christmas and told her she could do with it what she wanted. I had no use for it and there were two or three others in my vault.”
Molly smiled kindly at the young wizard. “Understandable, dear. I know you two are close. She probably adores the thing.”
Harry gave a quick nod. “Yup. And she doesn’t want to move it, either. Professor Dumbledore asked her to when she woke up yesterday and she refused. She’s so sweet.” He gave his breakfast a dreamy look.
Ron looked absolutely disgusted. Hermione, Seamus, and the Slytherins who knew about the false relationship covered giggles. Snape looked mildly amused. Tom rolled his eyes skyward, as if praying for patience. Everyone else sighed happily or wrinkled their noses.
Molly grabbed Ron by the ear, glaring at him. “Wipe that look off your face, young man! You are going to come with my an apologise to your sister this instant!”
“But, mum, I haven’t had any breakfast!” Ron immediately complained as he was dragged along.
“Good!” Molly replied sharply before turning the corner outside the Hall.
The Great Hall burst into sound again.
Hermione waved a hand in Harry’s face. “Earth to Harry. Come in, Harry.”
Harry glanced up with a regretful sigh. “What I wouldn’t give to see that play out. Ginny is going to be a nightmare, I know it.”
The Gryffindors around him laughed.
-~*~-
“Harry?” Parvati said softly as she approached the young wizard, who was looking out over the snow-covered school grounds at the group of students huddled outside Hagrid’s hut.
“Sometimes I miss being so young and naive,” Harry murmured wistfully before turning to glance at the Gryffindor witch and casting a quick Silencing Charm. “You’ve made up your mind.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. I’m joining you as a Death Eater. I’ve thought it over and I find no reason to ever return to the Light with the corruption and the poor choice in leadership.” Parvati nodded, coming to stand next to Harry and glancing out over the grounds.
“Do you know if your sister has made a choice yet?” Harry inquired mildly as he gently tapped into Tom’s mind to find out what he’d done with the other pendants. The Dark Lord handed over the information with no fuss and returned to teaching his class.
“No. She’ll probably come to you on her own time if she does.”
“Understood.” Harry dropped the Silencing Charm. “Come with me.”
Parvati nodded and followed Harry silently to Tom’s rooms. :Light’s downfall,: Harry hissed in Parseltongue.
“Where are we?” Parvati murmured once the doorway was closed once again.
“Professor Brutùs’ personal rooms,” Harry replied with a shrug before wandering over to Tom’s desk and going through the drawers. “Where’d the idiot put them...”
“Wait, why Professor Brutùs?” Parvati asked quickly. “And won’t he mind that you’re going through his things?”
“He’s a Death Eater, one, so he answers to me. Two, no, he doesn’t care. If he didn’t want me in here, I wouldn’t have the password.” Harry sighed. “Aha! There you are! Damned things. Thought he said they were in the third drawer down...”
Parvati picked at her robe nervously, glancing around the sparse room. “Doesn’t have much, does he?”
“It’s all in the bedroom and at his home. He didn’t see the point in bringing it all out here for one year. Especially since most of it’ll get him in trouble with the Ministry.” Harry offered lightly, earning a nervous smile from the dark-haired girl. “Parvati, calm down. Marcus has a class right now, so he has no reason to come in here. And he really won’t care. I’m in here all the time and he hasn’t yelled at me once.”
“Well, yes... But, Harry, you’re like, his boss...or...something…”
“I’m his friend, actually,” Harry corrected her gently. “And my being second-in-command of Voldemort’s forces obviously hasn’t stopped Snape from screaming at me if I mess up a potion, now has it?”
“No. I suppose not.” Parvati sighed.
“My point exactly. Now, come here and sit down.” He pointed to the couch he was standing next to.
With one last nervous glance at the door, Parvati stepped over to the offered seat and settled on to the couch.
“Good.” Harry sat next to her gracefully. “I’ve given you the ‘No back door’ speech, lucky you. Three more things before I fix you up. One, the other, older Death Eaters can’t tell you what to do. You only have to listen to three people: myself, Voldemort, and Gin Weasley.”
“Why Ginny?” Parvati inquired, resting her chin on the palm of her hand and her elbow on her knee.
“She’s second in command of the Death Eaters In-Training, the branch of Death Eaters you will be joining, which is the second thing. Third thing is that, at meetings or when you deal with the other Death Eaters In-Training for serious matters that concern us, I need you to put all House prejudices behind you. Argue about the Quidditch Cup on your own time, don’t waste mine.”
“Understood. How will I know who’s a Death Eater In-Training?”
“Sit up,” Harry suggested, smiling. The witch sat up straight and he leaned around her to clasp the Dark Mark necklace about her throat. “Each Death Eater In-Training wears a necklace with the Dark Mark on it. These necklaces are only visible to those who wear a necklace or have been marked.”
Parvati nodded, admiring the new piece of jewellery. “They’re lovely, despite being the Dark Mark and all.”
Harry laughed. “I must agree with you. I never thought Voldemort could manage it, but he truly did a fine job on these.” He fingered his own pendant.
“Ooh… Yours is different…” Parvati leaned forward to get a better look and Harry let her, smiling slightly. “What are the crossed wands for? To tell it apart from the others?”
“Sort of. It marks it as the controlling pendant, though we added a few charms to Gin’s to match her rank even though it still looks like all of the others. The wands are supposed to represent Voldemort’s and mine, though. Green and red for Slytherin and Gryffindor. Or, as Gin teased once, to match our eyes.”
Parvati glanced up and studied Harry’s eyes behind his glasses for a moment before moving back to her seat and nodding. “Definitely matches your eyes. I’ve never met the Dark Lord before, though, so I can’t say anything for the red.”
Harry chuckled. “Well, then. Take my word, it does.”
“Oh, good.” Parvati brushed some hair out of her face. “Anything else?”
Harry tapped at his chin with a hum. “Oh, yes. The pendants burn if Voldemort or myself call you. In school, come and find me or Gin. Out in the real world, the pendant will act as the Dark Marks do. Concentrate on the burn and apparate. It will lead you to the meeting spot. Also, I’d suggest finding a black robe with a hood for meetings once school’s over. It’s nice to wear pretty colours, but Voldemort prefers his little uniforms.”
Parvati giggled. “He doesn’t sound so bad, you know.”
Harry chuckled again. “Now there’s a rumour that would creep people out. ‘Voldemort’s a nice, fun guy’.”
Parvati laughed outright. “Is he really as much a bastard as I’ve heard?”
Harry turned serious with such speed that it left his companion breathless. “He can be outright horrible at times, but he isn’t all bad. Get on his good side, and he’s actually fairly nice. Piss him off and you’ll learn why people fear him so. And, he can be down-right civil and, actually act like a human if he doesn’t think anyone’s watching. He’s not a bad man, he’s just got a temper to reckon with.”
“No wonder you two get along so well,” Parvati muttered.
Harry grinned. “Probably true.” He stood, stretching gently as he glanced back down at the young woman with him. “Well, I think it’s time we left. One last thing, though.”
“Yes?” the witch enquired as she stood slowly.
“Hermione Granger is, although not marked in any way, a supporter who’s pretty much in the fold as deeply as any Death Eater or Death Eater In-Training. Feel free to tell her things if you need to get them to me. She’s trusted by both myself and Voldemort.”
Parvati let out a soft breath. “Good. That means I have someone in my dorm that I can get to you through.”
“Not for long,” Harry replied coldly. “Once her baby is born, she’s being moved to a separate room.”
“Who decided that?!” Parvati asked angrily, eyes narrowed.
“Dumbledore. Gin’s petitioning to move in with her, to give her a hand. The seventh year Gryffindor boys’ dorm room had already been offered as a place to house the baby if it gets too much for Herm and Gin, as has the seventh year Slytherin girls’ dorm room.”
“Ron better be taking care of that child,” Parvati spat. “Awful little bastard, getting her pregnant against her will.”
“Oh, Ron doesn’t know we’ve offered up the dorm room. Seamus and I did it, with the decision that Neville and Dean can sleep elsewhere if they feel the need to complain,” Harry replied flippantly, leading the way to the door.
“Good. I’ll make sure Hermione knows that Lavender and I plan on helping with the child, whether she wants us to or not!” Parvati exclaimed, stepping from Tom’s room.
Harry chuckled. “That poor child will have more aunts and uncles than it’ll know what to do!”
Parvati fingered her Dark Mark pendant with a smile. “I should hope so. After all, it’s a child of the future.” She winked and turned to leave. “And whatever will it do with you Harry Potter, as a favourite uncle?”
“Now, really, that depends on if Herm carries through with her threat to make me godfather or not,” Harry replied with a laugh.
Parvati’s eyes shone with happy mischief. “Well, every child deserves to be spoiled a little, Harry; I’m sure you could take care of that nicely.”
Harry let himself laugh loudly as the witch strode down the hallway, no doubt to go in search of her sister or Lavender.
-~*~-
“Where have you been?” Ginny demanded as Harry entered the hospital wing as quietly as he could.
Harry smiled at her and Molly, who sat on the edge of her daughter’s bed. “Talking to Parvati about something.”
“Lucky I’m not the jealous sort,” Ginny muttered which, for some reason unknown to Molly, made both young Gryffindors snicker.
Harry conjured himself a chair next to Ginny’s bed and sat, smiling peacefully. “How’d it go with Ron?”
“I told him where to stick it,” Ginny replied with a bright smile, which didn’t appear deterred by the sharp look from her mother.
“Now, Ginny...” Molly started.
“She doesn’t know about that other thing and I wanted to ask her about telling Mum, but I, obviously haven’t seen her of late. Do you think she’ll mind?”
“Who?” Molly growled, before turning to Harry, who looked contemplative. “Would one of the two of you please explain what you’re going on about?”
“Oh, she’ll only mind because she won’t get to watch your mum explode,” Harry assured his sister with a smirk. “Shall I see if I can go find her?”
“Oh, yes, do.” Ginny nodded seriously.
“Who is it you two are going on about?!” Molly cried as Harry rose and headed for the doors to the infirmary.
“Are you two giving Mrs Weasley a hard time?” Hermione asked, stepping in to the infirmary.
“Just the witch we wanted to see.” Harry slid up beside her and led her to the chair he’d vacated. Molly was giving him a curious look. “We were considering telling Mrs Weasley about the you-know-what, but we figured you might want to be here for the explosion.”
“I have no clue how I keep managing to forget about your vindictive streak, Harry.” Hermione sighed, shaking her head.
“Maybe because it’s usually centred around Ron, of late?” Harry offered.
Molly cleared her throat loudly. “Someone. Please.”
Hermione glanced up at Harry, who scowled. “Why am I always the one picked to tell?”
“Because, if someone curses you in a bout of anger, you’re more likely to be able to defend yourself,” Hermione offered sweetly.
Harry rolled his eyes and gave Molly a wary look. “Please don’t hex me?”
Molly’s eyes narrowed. “What is going on?”
“Well, I’m sure you know that Ron took Hermione out to Three Broomsticks for her birthday, right?”
“Yes, of course. He had to owl us for the money.”
“Well, he got her drunk…” Harry scratched the back of his head. “And, being the jealous little sod he’s been since they broke up, he managed to talk Hermione into having sex with him…”
Molly’s face was starting to turn a nasty shade of red. “If this is leading where I think this is leading, he’ll be grounded for the next twelve years.”
“I’m pregnant,” Hermione volunteered, seeing that Harry had finally found someone that he wasn’t comfortable dropping the bomb to.
Molly immediately engulfed Hermione in a hug and the young witch gladly rested her head against the woman’s shoulder and closed her eyes. “Oh, Hermione, I’m so sorry…” She glanced up at Harry, tears and understanding in her eyes. “This is why you lot hung him up in the entrance hall.”
“We decided he needed the time to think about his actions,” Ginny muttered darkly.
Molly finally pulled away from Hermione, looking deeply into the girl’s sad brown eyes. “Don’t you ever believe that you and the baby don’t have a place in our home. I expect you to bring that child around often.”
Hermione offered a sheepish smile. “Yes, Mrs Weasley.”
“Molly,” the woman reprimanded. “You’re carrying my grandchild; I think you have the right to call me Molly by now. That goes for you too, Harry,” she added, glancing up at where Harry still stood behind Hermione’s chair.
“Yes, Molly,” Harry offered, running a hand through his hair. “I was wondering something, actually.”
The three witches glanced up at him curiously. “Yes?” Molly inquired.
“Now that you’ve got a good handle on everything Ron’s been up to, do you think he deserves suspension?” Green eyes met brown calmly.
Molly frowned thoughtfully before nodding. “Yes, I do, actually. Why?”
“I’m just doing a poll, of sorts. So far, Dumbledore’s the only one who’s for keeping him in the school.”
“Who all have you talked to?” Hermione inquired curiously.
“Oh, some of the staff, people from all of the Houses and years, Molly…” The green-eyed teen shrugged. “Even Hagrid’s decided Ron should be suspended, and that’s without knowing about the pregnancy. Well, as far as I can tell, he doesn’t know, and we’re all well aware of how well Hagrid keeps secrets.”
“If you ever want the opinion of the general population of Hogwarts, talk to Harry. He’ll get it within twenty-four hours,” Ginny teased, shaking her head. “Did you ask everyone yourself?”
“The staff, yes.” Harry ran a hand through his hair again. “Some of the students’ opinions were passed on to me by others while we were searching for Ron last night.”
“Wait!” Ginny shot Harry a look. “You all went searching for Ron last night?”
“They never found him, either.” Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes.
“How late were you all out?” Molly asked suspiciously.
“Let’s just say I’m wishing for my bed right now,” Harry replied, smiling slightly.
“You’re not supposed to be out that late,” Molly reprimanded.
“Noted." Harry shrugged. “Don’t bother yelling, though. Hermione’s already taken care of it. She’s a wonderful Head Girl.” He gave the witch a fond look. “And I dare say that those mood swings of hers are working to her advantage.”
Harry quickly jumped out of the way of the fist aimed at him amid laughter.
Once the four had settled down again and Harry dubbed it safe to return to his former position of leaning against the back of Hermione’s chair, Ginny decided to ask a question which had been bothering her for a while. “Mum?”
“Yes, Ginny?”
“What would you do if one of us – and I’m including my brothers in this – were to ever go Dark?” the youngest witch asked.
Molly frowned and took her time considering the question before answering, obviously choosing her words with care. “I suppose that would depend on the reasons behind the change of sides. Why?”
Ginny glanced up at Harry to see his thoughts and was startled at the determination in the bright green eyes. “Gin’s asking for me, Molly.”
Molly’s gaze shot from her daughter to the boy she’d always called family and felt her mouth go dry. “Why?”
“This year has been trying, Molly, and the decisions being made by certain people in power are making me waver in my faith of them,” Harry replied carefully.
Molly gave him a shrewd look. “Dumbledore has been making some questionable choices of late, hasn’t he?”
“He refused to suspend Harry,” Hermione offered. “After that big prank on Professor Snape, he dragged Harry up to his office to talk to him...”
“I told him he needed to at least suspend me and he told me no,” Harry finished, laying a hand on Hermione’s shoulder. “And I dislike the way he blatantly disregards Marcus' privacy because there are so many signs pointing to him being a Merlin-damned Death Eater.”
“Is he?” Molly inquired gently, sensing that Harry had been needing to unload a lot of things for a while, but just hadn’t had the chance to do so. She couldn’t help but sympathize with him.
“Well, yes, but he doesn’t have a Mark.” Harry sighed warily and dropped his head into his hands. “I shouldn’t be telling you this.”
“Will it help if I swear to secrecy?” Molly inquired in as mild a voice as she could muster.
Harry wasn’t the only one left staring open-mouthed. “Mum, you’d really do that?” Ginny whispered in awe.
“Of course. Harry’s family, and family sticks together,” Molly told her daughter firmly.
“What if I were to tell you I was a Death Eater?” Harry asked coolly.
“Are you?” Molly shot back in the same tone. Harry stared at her stoically, jaw clenched shut and she sighed. “Family sticks together. I’d want to know if you were doing it for the right reasons.”
“You know, I’m almost glad I put up a Silencing Barrier when I sat down over here,” Hermione muttered. “Harry, you’ve officially said enough to incriminate yourself worse than any of your pranks ever could.”
Harry gave a humourless chuckle. “I thought it was you who’d thrown up the barrier. You know I wouldn’t have said a damn thing if I hadn’t known it was there.”
“You are a Death Eater…” Molly murmured, but she didn’t appear disgusted, horrified, or angry, like Harry once thought she would be.
“Nope,” Ginny said proudly. “He’s Voldemort’s second.”
Harry scowled at his sister, but it faded when he noticed the barely concealed awe in Molly’s eyes. “Molly? Are you okay?”
Molly smiled faintly. “You have no idea. Arthur and I have been trying to switch sides for ages, but that Malfoy-Weasley feud kept getting in the way.”
“You’re kidding…” Ginny whispered in shock.
Harry focused on his lover. Tom? What the hell am I supposed to do here?
Do you trust her?
I... Harry closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. I don’t know. The Weasleys have always been strong supporters of the Light.
Then you must either believe her, or test her.
I don’t like your methods of testing people. You know that.
Harry could just feel Tom rolling his eyes. You are able to use Legilimency, correct? he replied dryly.
The green-eyed wizard decided not to gift his lover with an answer and, instead, looked at Molly seriously. She, Hermione, and Ginny were watching him curiously. “Molly, you will have to forgive me if I am wary of trusting you.”
“I’d expect no less,” the witch replied calmly.
“Harry…” Ginny warned.
“Your agreement stands, Gin,” Harry shot back with a look at the younger witch. Then he looked back at Molly. “Legilimency has been suggested, if you are agreeable.”
Molly looked startled. “That’s not what I would have expected, but I have no disagreements, I suppose.”
“Gin?” Harry glanced over at his sister.
“If you hurt her, I’ll kill him.”
Tom aimed a mental raspberry at the girl and Harry winced. “Noted,” he offered aloud, pulling his wand from his robe. You are so immature sometimes.
You’re one to talk.
“Hermione, is the barrier strong?”
“Yes.”
Ginny grabbed her wand off the nightstand. “I’m doubling it.”
“Thank you,” Hermione murmured. Ginny offered her a smile and muttered the spell.
“Molly?” Harry glanced at his surrogate mother.
Molly set her wand on the table next to the bed and nodded. “Ready whenever you are.”
“Legilimens!” Harry called, focusing on finding out about her loyalties, nothing else.
Flashes of memories and feelings hit him and it was all Harry could do to keep standing. A scene where Molly was waving what looked like a newspaper clipping at Dumbledore, tears running down her face… Dumbledore talking to her seriously while she tried not to scream… Percy, walking away from Arthur… The summer before Harry’s fifth year when they all sat around the table, arguing to be told the truth… The twins telling her they were joining the Order, and she couldn’t stop them… Arthur, trying to comfort her… And, suddenly, him telling Molly that he was unsure of Dumbledore and her feeling pride and love aimed at him and worry for his well-being…
Harry pulled away and closed his eyes, as if thinking. Tom? he asked the Dark Lord shakily. His Legilimency skills in detecting deception were not the best, and Tom could pinpoint anything he may have missed.
There was a long silence from the Dark Lord as he felt Tom shifting through what Harry had seen. I don’t sense any deception, love. At any rate, I’d rather you not tell her any more in Hogwarts’ hospital ward. Ask her and Arthur to meet you for lunch this weekend, or something.
Good idea. Harry let out a soft sigh and looked around at the three witches. “We’ll trust you, for now, but, this is not the place for this sort of discussion.”
“I agree.” Molly nodded.
“May I suggest a lunch date this weekend?” Harry murmured.
“With Arthur, of course,” Molly agreed.
“After all. It’s only proper to have you two making sure I’m treating your daughter right.”
The redheaded woman laughed brightly. “Oh, yes. Ginny, how is he treating you?”
Ginny gave her brother a fond smile and twisted her ring. “Just as I would expect of him.”
“I wasn’t aware you could manage that, Harry,” Hermione teased.
Harry scowled. “As much as I’d love to laze around and be teased mercilessly all day, Hermione and I have Charms in ten minutes and neither of us have our books.”
“Oh, no…” Hermione moaned.
Harry patted her shoulder sympathetically. “I’ll get your stuff, Herm, don’t worry about it. You just go grab us seats, unless Dray beats you to it, of course.”
“The only person Dray has never beat into a classroom is the teacher for that course,” Ginny said good-naturedly as the Silencing Barrier was dropped. “Oh, Harry?”
“Hm?”
“What are you planning for Ron?” Ginny’s question caught both Molly and Hermione’s attention as well, and all three witches watched in a mix of horror and glee as Harry’s face twisted into a cold smile.
“We’re going to let him think he’s safe for a while,” Harry replied slyly. “But, oh, we have plans for Mr Weasley…”
--------------------------------------
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A/N: Damned plot has returned to bite me in the arse. I’d thought I’d got rid of it, too!! *chuckles*
The Weasleys should be fun. Mind you, I like Molly and Arthur about as much as I like Hermione, which isn’t much, really. I just decided that, with all the twists in this fic already, we might as well twist it some more. It’s that twisted sense of humour of mine. (Shut up. I know that was a bad joke, okay?)
More twists next chapter. *scowls as a few reviewers crack up* Ha ha. Yes, very funny.
~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), Seamus/Blaise, Ginevra/Theodore, post-Ron/Hermione
Warnings: This will have slash(Guys on guys, ppl.) , Dumbledore bashing, Ron bashing
Disclaim Her: ATTACK OF THE PLOT!!!
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
Chapter 33
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Harry scowled as he travelled down the train’s corridor to the compartment he felt Lisa’s necklace in. The girl had slipped him a note when she’d run into him on the platform, asking for him to come find her once they were moving. He opened the compartment door with a forced smile.
“There you are! Was it difficult to find us?” Lisa asked, standing quickly.
Harry glanced around. Mandy and Morag were sitting on either side of Terry Boot, who was glaring furiously at him. The Patil twins were sitting on the same bench as Lisa had been. “What do you want, Lisa?” he asked, leaning back against the door frame once he’d closed the door.
“You didn’t answer her question, Potter,” Terry spat.
“Terry!” Mandy turned to glare at the boy. “You said you’d behave.”
“I didn’t know this all important person you wanted me to talk to was Potter!”
“I shouldn’t have to tell you–“
“Enough,” Harry ordered softly. Mandy’s mouth slammed shut and she turned to frown at the passing countryside. “Terry is set in his ways to hate me. So be it.” He glanced back at Lisa, who was still standing in the middle of the carriage nervously, while Terry gaped at him in shock. “I assume you have a reason for calling me here?”
“You’re the last person I expected to see working for You-Know-Who.” Parvati said before Lisa could speak. “But, Padma and I would like to join your side, none-the-less.”
“Why?” Harry replied calmly.
“What?”
“Why do you want to join us?”
“I’m not stupid. The Ministry is slowly falling into You-Know-Who’s hands. Dumbledore’s not holding our world together like he used to,” Padma said sharply.
“Ah.” Harry nodded. “Self-preservation is a wonderful thing, but, if Dumbledore starts pulling the Light back up, then what? Will you ask to help him again?”
“That’s not going to happen,” Padma said firmly. Parvati didn’t look so sure.
“I’m asking you if it does. Nothing in this war is set into stone, Miss Patil. If the Light started winning again, would you switch back and support them?”
The twins traded nervous looks. “We–“ Parvati started.
“I’m not Voldemort. Feel free to speak freely around me,” Harry added. “I don’t kill people when they give me the wrong answer.”
“I’m not certain,” Parvati said after a long moment of silence.
Harry nodded. “Think about it, then. Death Eaters don’t have any back doors. If you’re caught double-crossing us, chances are you’ll end up very dead very quickly. Supporters may do what they wish.” He turned to Terry. “And I’m assuming I should be giving you the same speech, hum?”
“I don’t need a speech; I don’t want a back door, but I don’t want to work with you,” Terry spat.
“Then you cannot become a Death Eater. You will settle your differences or slide into the position of a supporter. Your choice.” Harry turned to leave. “Is that all?”
“Yes.” Lisa gave a slight bow. Morag and Mandy followed suit.
Harry nodded. “See that those rumours get spread.” Then he slipped out the door and out into the hall. Fuck, but this is stressful!
I hate to say it, but, I told you so.
Prat. Harry ruffled his hair as he started down the hall. I really wish you were on the train.
I know, Harry. And I wish you were here. These damned teachers meetings are boring!
What would you do, hide me under the table?
You always manage to have the best ideas.
Harry laughed quietly and shook his head. Teenage hormones. Now pay attention before Dumbledore offers you a sherbet lemon to reclaim your attention.
Ew…
Harry rolled his eyes and slid back into his compartment. Draco, Theodore, Hermione, and Ginny were all out spreading rumours and getting information. As he yawned, he got an idea.
“Okay, naptime!” he called cheerfully to the empty compartment before conjuring himself a pillow and curling up against the window for a nap.
“Harry? Harry, you need to wake up.”
Harry blinked up at Ginny sleepily. “Huh?”
Ginny’s smile came in to view as she slipped his glasses on his face. “We’re at Hogwarts, hun.”
“Why didn’t you wake me sooner!” Harry stood quickly and had a moment of dizziness. “Whoa…”
“Because you looked like you needed the rest,” Hermione offered.
Harry scowled at the two girls. “You make my life difficult. Where are Ted and Dray?”
“Last I saw, they were both yelling at Crabbe and Goyle for doing something stupid,” Ginny supplied as she and Hermione led the green-eyed teen from their compartment.
“Why am I not surprised?” Harry groaned, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. “Herm, what’s the password to the prefect’s bathroom?”
“Why?” Hermione asked suspiciously.
Harry shrugged. “You all have a nice tub.”
Ginny laughed while Hermione glared at her friend. “I shouldn’t tell you.”
“I’ll ask Dray, then. Or Pan.”
Hermione let out a strangled sound. “Fine!” She leaned over to whisper the password into his ear. “It’s ‘feather soft’.”
Harry smiled and gave her a quick hug before hopping into the carriage they’d come to a stop in front of. “Thanks, Herm.”
“Don’t worry. He wouldn’t know a rule if he sat on it and it shattered,” Ginny offered, following Harry and sitting next to him.
Hermione laughed, getting in and closing the door behind herself. “I know.”
“Where’s a male when ya need a mate?” Harry muttered to the roof as the carriage started to move.
Hermione and Ginny laughed loudly and Harry smiled.
Harry and Hermione were working on their Potions work before bed a couple nights after term had started again when the door to the common room slammed open to admit a horrified-looking Seamus, with a very pale Blaise at his side. “Harry! Hospital wing!”
Harry stood calmly as everyone in the room turned to stare at the two boys in the doorway, most glaring at the Slytherin. “Why?”
“Ginny’s been attacked!”
Harry traded a quick look with Hermione before hurrying to the portrait hole. “Tell me what happened as we go,” he ordered in a hiss, watching Hermione pack up their things out of the corner of his eye.
“Right.” Seamus nodded and took the lead. Blaise fell into step next to Harry.
“From what we know, Ron caught her outside the library by herself. He was going on about that ring you gave her. Took her wand and tossed it down the hall before smacking her around. He ran when he heard Madame Pince coming out to find out what all the noise was. McGonagall is furious,” Blaise explained quickly.
“Has anyone found Ron?” Harry asked calmly, his flashing eyes giving his anger away.
“No.”
“I’ll continue on my way by myself, then. Find him,” the dark-haired teen ordered before speeding past Seamus.
Seamus and Blaise traded looks before turning and walking quickly in opposite directions.
I’m going to fucking murder him, Tom!
Harry, love, calm down. No murder on school grounds. Only maiming.
How could he attack his own damned sister?!
If you’re asking me to explain the way a madman’s mind works, then you’re…actually, asking the right man, now that I think about it. However, if you’re asking me to explain Ronald Weasley’s mind, you’re expecting too much. Tom replied soothingly.
Harry stopped outside the hospital wing’s doors and took a deep breath. Right. Thanks. No murdering.
He’ll get his due, love. You worry over Gin like any boyfriend rightly should and let the rest of us worry about finding and murder– I mean maiming Mr Weasley.
Harry shook his head in amusement and stepped into the ward. “Ginny?”
“Mr Potter–” Professor McGonagall levelled him with a firm look, “–turn right around and march back to your common room. Miss Weasley is sleeping.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Harry shot back. “Not until I’ve seen my girlfriend. And, really, unless you’d ruther have me hunting Ron down and pegging him up on the wall of the entrance hall again, I’d suggest you let me see her,” he added coldly.
McGonagall made a strange little sound in the back of her throat as she stared at the teen before her.
“Now, now, Harry, my dear boy. No need for threats,” came a cheerful voice from behind Harry.
Harry turned to give Dumbledore a brief smile. “Professor, you’ll have to forgive me if I’m a little out of sorts. One of my best friends just attacked his sister, my girlfriend, over a ring I gave her. I think I’m entitled to a little threatening, don’t you?”
The Headmaster appeared shocked by the barely covered venom in his favourite student’s voice and eyes, though he covered it quickly with an understanding look. “Of course. Perhaps, though, it is not best directed at your teachers?”
Harry nodded and turned to look at McGonagall apologetically. “Professor McGonagall, I apologize. My words were far too rude.”
McGonagall nodded faintly. “Apology accepted. But, Potter, wherever did you hear what the… fight was about? Not even we had been made aware of that.”
Harry shrugged. “A little snake I know told me. May I please see Ginny, madam?”
“Of course,” Dumbledore said before McGonagall could deny the request again. “Poppy, if you would please take Harry over? Minerva, a word.”
Harry pointed his wand at himself and muttered a spell under his breath as he followed Madam Pomfrey to the other end of the ward. Immediately, Dumbledore and McGonagall’s voices came back into focus.
“Albus, there aren’t any pictures in that part of the hall! We would have questioned them if there had been!” McGonagall cried, distraught.
“No, no… However, according to Mr Gilmer, Misters Zabini and Finnigan where the ones to come and collect Harry. Mr Zabini may well have been the one to inform Harry of the attack and the reasonings behind it.”
“Irma said she only saw Miss Weasley and the back of her brother’s head as he fled down the hall. She didn’t see any Slytherins.”
“I cannot give any other explanations, Minerva. Perhaps they were in some hidden passageway down there.”
“Then why not come to Miss Weasley’s aid?”
Harry couldn’t help but wonder about that himself as he stared down at the prone form of his sister, bruises dotting her unnaturally pale skin and making him sick.
“I don’t have an answer to that, either.” Dumbledore sighed. “Now, Minerva, what’s this about a ring?”
“Apparently, Mr Potter gave Miss Weasley a ring with his family crest on it for Christmas. She’s been wearing it on her ring finger.”
“I see. Perhaps we shall have to talk her into moving it to another finger...”
“Albus, what’s to be done about Mr Weasley?”
“Fifty points for attacking another student,” Dumbledore said firmly.
“Albus, surely he should at least be suspended!”
“Now, Minerva, don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?”
Harry ended the spell with a hiss, blood boiling. He favours us like pet dogs! Ron should be expelled for that!
I know, love, but this is Dumbledore we’re talking about…
He’s going down. This is personal.
It wasn’t before? Tom enquired good-naturedly.
It was. This time, though, he’s gone too far.
That’s what I thought when I found out about Vernon. Isn’t it interesting how our loved ones sway us so?
Harry gave a dry mental laugh. Too true.
The raven-haired teen jumped as a wrinkled hand settled on his shoulder. “I didn’t mean to startle you, my dear boy,” Dumbledore murmured gently as he conjured a chair to sit in next to Harry. Harry, for the life of him, couldn’t recall sitting down, but he didn’t think it mattered now. “Thinking?”
“Plotting Ron’s demise,” Harry replied mildly, green eyes on the necklace that the man next to him couldn’t see about his sister’s throat. It was glowing a faint red.
It means she’s in danger. Ill, wounded, whatever. Remind me to explain all the colours and their meaning to you later.
What’s mortal peril?
Black. Hope you never see it that colour.
Indeed.
“Harry.” Dumbledore’s reproving voice pulled the teen back into the world around him.
“Sorry, sir,” Harry muttered, not sounding sorry in the least. “Just a little upset still.”
“Perfectly understandable. But, Harry, please let us handle Mr Weasley.”
Harry mussed his hair with one hand, eyes still focused on Ginny’s Mark. The glowing was fading slightly. “What’s going to happen to Ron, sir? Surely he should be suspended for a few days because of this. Attacking another student bad enough to land them in the Infirmary, unconscious, is a serious crime, never mind that they’re related.”
“We’ve taken points,” Dumbledore replied, sounding just the slightest bit nervous.
“Punish the rest of the House for one’s deeds. Very Gryffindor of you, sir,” Harry spat. “You should suspend him. You should have expelled me before the holidays, too. Really, Professor, you’re losing your touch.”
“Mr Potter!” McGonagall called, shocked, from not too far behind them. Apparently, she hadn’t left as Harry had thought.
Harry turned to give his Head of House a pointed look. “You agree with me, Professor McGonagall. I know you do.” He turned to finally look at Dumbledore while McGonagall gaped like a fish. “At least tell me you’ve owled his parents.”
“Of course.” Dumbledore agreed. He looked quite displeased with Harry.
“Then we’ll be expecting a Howler tomorrow at breakfast. I’ll be sure to conjure myself a pair of earplugs,” Harry said mildly, turning back to smile at Ginny, who was awake and watching the argument with laughing eyes. Her brother was trashing the Headmaster with what appeared to be practiced ease. “And how long have you been awake, dear Ginny?”
Everyone’s attention turned to the young witch as she smiled painfully. “Oh, since about the time that you mentioned plotting Ron’s demise. How long have I been out for?”
“About fifteen minutes,” Madame Pomfrey replied as she stepped up to the free side of Ginny’s bed and began casting spells on her.
“Where’s Ron?” Ginny enquired as Harry handed over a glass of water. “Thanks, Harry.”
“Last I knew, ‘Bini and Seam were looking for him.” Harry shrugged. Dumbledore and McGonagall traded worried looks. “With instructions to not murder him. Just knock him out and lock him in some deep, dark place of the castle. Maybe the Vanishing Closet on the first floor...”
Ginny started giggling as a strangled cry came from both McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey. The look on Dumbledore’s face could have split hairs. “You know they’ll only take him down to Professor Snape’s office, at worst.”
“Should I go down there and save Professor Snape, then?” Harry enquired lightly, pulling another giggle from Ginny, as well as a smile from the other two witches in the room. “I’m glad you’re all right. Scared the blazes out of me.”
“I didn’t ask to be swatted around the head, you know.”
“Yes. I know,” Harry said solemnly. “If I’d known he was going to go to that extent over the damned ring, I would have, at least, asked you to walk around with a buddy.”
“In fact, Miss Weasley,” Dumbledore cut in. “I’d like it if you’d find a different finger for your ring.”
Ginny turned her hard gaze on the Headmaster. “Will you suspend my brother?”
Dumbledore’s answer was to purse his lips and give her a grave look over his half-moon spectacles.
“No? Then that is my answer, sir.” Ginny’s eyes softened as she turned her gaze back to her adopted brother. “Go back to the common. You know I’m fine now. Keep Hermione from running all the way down here and tuckering herself out.”
Harry sighed and nodded. “Of course,” he agreed, watching Dumbledore stand with a dark look out of the corner of his eye. He leaned over to settle a soft kiss on Ginny’s cheek. “Tom’s also glad you’re well,” he added in a hiss.
“Tell him Ron’s not my family anymore,” Ginny hissed back before returning the kiss. Then, in a much louder voice, she said, “Now get, you.”
Harry smiled fondly before turning to leave the ward. Tom was cheering in his mind, making him chuckle. He sent one last look over his shoulder at his sister, who had closed her eyes once again, and noticed that her pendent still glowed a faint red, but it was much harder to see, before slipping through the doors.
Dumbledore stood outside the door, awaiting him. “Harry, might I borrow you in my office?”
“Nope.” Harry’s smile chilled. “I don’t feel like talking to you, sir. I have things to do, like keeping my pregnant friend from over-working herself. Or, perhaps, keeping a few Slytherin friends of mine from killing a certain rodent that you’ve deemed too perfect to punish properly. Perhaps, sir, you may want to go a write that letter to the Weasley’s now. Before I do.” And, with that, Harry pushed past the Headmaster and disappeared behind a tapestry.
Dumbledore let out a frustrated growl and stalked away towards his office. That boy is out of control!
How Ronald Weasley made it to breakfast the next morning was anyone’s guess. Though, if you’d asked the various Death Eaters In-Training that had been searching the halls for the runaway Gryffindor into the wee hours of the morning, you’d merely learn that it was because no one had been able to find the wizard, even with the Marauder’s Map. They’d come to the conclusion that Ron had either snuck off school grounds through one of the tunnels, for his own safety, or had hidden in the Room of Requirement with the door locked and hidden.
When Ron stepped into the Great Hall for breakfast that overcast Wednesday morning, it was with hostile glares and sudden silence that he was met. Most of the school had learned of the attack – the rumour mill was indeed that speedy – and they appeared in agreement to stand against him until such a time as Ginny deemed him worthy of forgiveness. Upon trying to sit at the Gryffindor table, Ron found himself without a seat. Every time a spot opened up and he moved towards it, someone would shift over and fill in the gap. It didn’t help him any that he was so broad, of course.
“Have room for one more?” he asked cheerfully of his fellow seventh year Gryffindors.
Lavender, Parvati, Seamus, Neville, Dean, and Hermione sent him venomous glares.
“Go sit on the floor, Ron,” Harry suggested. “It’s not pissed at you.”
Ron gaped at Harry in shock. “But, Harry–“
“Go sit on the floor before someone hexes you,” Parvati spat at the redhead. “Oh, and Harry?” she started in a mild tone, gaze switching to the head of the Death Eaters In-Training. “I was wondering if I might speak with you after breakfast?”
“Of course, Parvati. The front steps will probably be a fairly nice spot to chat, don’t you think?” Harry replied lightly.
“Isn’t it a bit cold out there?” Hermione teased, smiling.
“It should be fine. It’ll only be for a moment. I’m sure Harry will need to return to Ginny’s bedside to worry over her,” Parvati replied in the same tone as the bushy-haired brunette with a bright smile.
“Obviously, my dear Parvati, you have known me too long.” Harry sighed, earning him a laugh from everyone in hearing range, except Ron, who was still doing his fish impression.
“Ronald Weasley!” came a sudden, female, shout from the entrance of the Great Hall. Everyone leaned over to look at a furious Molly Weasley. Ron paled dramatically and crouched down behind Gryffindor Table.
Harry waved at the matriarch of the Weasley family with a brilliant smile. “He’s over here, Mrs Weasley! Hiding behind poor defenceless Gryffindors!”
“Traitor!” Ron hissed before attempting to sneak around to the other side of the table.
“Sister beater!” Seamus spat coldly, levelling his wand at the other teen. “Move another millimetre and I’ll hex you into oblivion, Ron.”
Ron glanced around for help, only to find the wands of the other seventh years pointed at his head, as well as a few of the other Gryffindors’ around them. His mother was marching up the aisle with fire spitting from her eyes.
“And I was expecting a Howler.” Harry hummed, returning to his breakfast with a sly smile.
“Get up off the floor this instant!” Molly ordered, coming to a stop about a foot away from her youngest son. Ron hurried quickly to his feet, white as a ghost. “What, in Merlin’s name, ever possessed you to hurt your sister?!” she shouted in a voice that rang through the silent Hall. Anyone that hadn’t been watching the spectacle before was now.
“She–“
“THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION TO SUCH AN ACT!” Molly shouted over Ron, drowning him out.
“She’s wearing a ring on her ring finger!” Ron shouted back in the following silence as Molly caught her breath. “Harry’s family ring!”
Molly turned to Harry curiously. “Harry?”
The green-eyed teen shot Ron a sharp look for getting him involved before offering his surrogate mother a mild shrug. “I gave it to her for Christmas and told her she could do with it what she wanted. I had no use for it and there were two or three others in my vault.”
Molly smiled kindly at the young wizard. “Understandable, dear. I know you two are close. She probably adores the thing.”
Harry gave a quick nod. “Yup. And she doesn’t want to move it, either. Professor Dumbledore asked her to when she woke up yesterday and she refused. She’s so sweet.” He gave his breakfast a dreamy look.
Ron looked absolutely disgusted. Hermione, Seamus, and the Slytherins who knew about the false relationship covered giggles. Snape looked mildly amused. Tom rolled his eyes skyward, as if praying for patience. Everyone else sighed happily or wrinkled their noses.
Molly grabbed Ron by the ear, glaring at him. “Wipe that look off your face, young man! You are going to come with my an apologise to your sister this instant!”
“But, mum, I haven’t had any breakfast!” Ron immediately complained as he was dragged along.
“Good!” Molly replied sharply before turning the corner outside the Hall.
The Great Hall burst into sound again.
Hermione waved a hand in Harry’s face. “Earth to Harry. Come in, Harry.”
Harry glanced up with a regretful sigh. “What I wouldn’t give to see that play out. Ginny is going to be a nightmare, I know it.”
The Gryffindors around him laughed.
“Harry?” Parvati said softly as she approached the young wizard, who was looking out over the snow-covered school grounds at the group of students huddled outside Hagrid’s hut.
“Sometimes I miss being so young and naive,” Harry murmured wistfully before turning to glance at the Gryffindor witch and casting a quick Silencing Charm. “You’ve made up your mind.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. I’m joining you as a Death Eater. I’ve thought it over and I find no reason to ever return to the Light with the corruption and the poor choice in leadership.” Parvati nodded, coming to stand next to Harry and glancing out over the grounds.
“Do you know if your sister has made a choice yet?” Harry inquired mildly as he gently tapped into Tom’s mind to find out what he’d done with the other pendants. The Dark Lord handed over the information with no fuss and returned to teaching his class.
“No. She’ll probably come to you on her own time if she does.”
“Understood.” Harry dropped the Silencing Charm. “Come with me.”
Parvati nodded and followed Harry silently to Tom’s rooms. :Light’s downfall,: Harry hissed in Parseltongue.
“Where are we?” Parvati murmured once the doorway was closed once again.
“Professor Brutùs’ personal rooms,” Harry replied with a shrug before wandering over to Tom’s desk and going through the drawers. “Where’d the idiot put them...”
“Wait, why Professor Brutùs?” Parvati asked quickly. “And won’t he mind that you’re going through his things?”
“He’s a Death Eater, one, so he answers to me. Two, no, he doesn’t care. If he didn’t want me in here, I wouldn’t have the password.” Harry sighed. “Aha! There you are! Damned things. Thought he said they were in the third drawer down...”
Parvati picked at her robe nervously, glancing around the sparse room. “Doesn’t have much, does he?”
“It’s all in the bedroom and at his home. He didn’t see the point in bringing it all out here for one year. Especially since most of it’ll get him in trouble with the Ministry.” Harry offered lightly, earning a nervous smile from the dark-haired girl. “Parvati, calm down. Marcus has a class right now, so he has no reason to come in here. And he really won’t care. I’m in here all the time and he hasn’t yelled at me once.”
“Well, yes... But, Harry, you’re like, his boss...or...something…”
“I’m his friend, actually,” Harry corrected her gently. “And my being second-in-command of Voldemort’s forces obviously hasn’t stopped Snape from screaming at me if I mess up a potion, now has it?”
“No. I suppose not.” Parvati sighed.
“My point exactly. Now, come here and sit down.” He pointed to the couch he was standing next to.
With one last nervous glance at the door, Parvati stepped over to the offered seat and settled on to the couch.
“Good.” Harry sat next to her gracefully. “I’ve given you the ‘No back door’ speech, lucky you. Three more things before I fix you up. One, the other, older Death Eaters can’t tell you what to do. You only have to listen to three people: myself, Voldemort, and Gin Weasley.”
“Why Ginny?” Parvati inquired, resting her chin on the palm of her hand and her elbow on her knee.
“She’s second in command of the Death Eaters In-Training, the branch of Death Eaters you will be joining, which is the second thing. Third thing is that, at meetings or when you deal with the other Death Eaters In-Training for serious matters that concern us, I need you to put all House prejudices behind you. Argue about the Quidditch Cup on your own time, don’t waste mine.”
“Understood. How will I know who’s a Death Eater In-Training?”
“Sit up,” Harry suggested, smiling. The witch sat up straight and he leaned around her to clasp the Dark Mark necklace about her throat. “Each Death Eater In-Training wears a necklace with the Dark Mark on it. These necklaces are only visible to those who wear a necklace or have been marked.”
Parvati nodded, admiring the new piece of jewellery. “They’re lovely, despite being the Dark Mark and all.”
Harry laughed. “I must agree with you. I never thought Voldemort could manage it, but he truly did a fine job on these.” He fingered his own pendant.
“Ooh… Yours is different…” Parvati leaned forward to get a better look and Harry let her, smiling slightly. “What are the crossed wands for? To tell it apart from the others?”
“Sort of. It marks it as the controlling pendant, though we added a few charms to Gin’s to match her rank even though it still looks like all of the others. The wands are supposed to represent Voldemort’s and mine, though. Green and red for Slytherin and Gryffindor. Or, as Gin teased once, to match our eyes.”
Parvati glanced up and studied Harry’s eyes behind his glasses for a moment before moving back to her seat and nodding. “Definitely matches your eyes. I’ve never met the Dark Lord before, though, so I can’t say anything for the red.”
Harry chuckled. “Well, then. Take my word, it does.”
“Oh, good.” Parvati brushed some hair out of her face. “Anything else?”
Harry tapped at his chin with a hum. “Oh, yes. The pendants burn if Voldemort or myself call you. In school, come and find me or Gin. Out in the real world, the pendant will act as the Dark Marks do. Concentrate on the burn and apparate. It will lead you to the meeting spot. Also, I’d suggest finding a black robe with a hood for meetings once school’s over. It’s nice to wear pretty colours, but Voldemort prefers his little uniforms.”
Parvati giggled. “He doesn’t sound so bad, you know.”
Harry chuckled again. “Now there’s a rumour that would creep people out. ‘Voldemort’s a nice, fun guy’.”
Parvati laughed outright. “Is he really as much a bastard as I’ve heard?”
Harry turned serious with such speed that it left his companion breathless. “He can be outright horrible at times, but he isn’t all bad. Get on his good side, and he’s actually fairly nice. Piss him off and you’ll learn why people fear him so. And, he can be down-right civil and, actually act like a human if he doesn’t think anyone’s watching. He’s not a bad man, he’s just got a temper to reckon with.”
“No wonder you two get along so well,” Parvati muttered.
Harry grinned. “Probably true.” He stood, stretching gently as he glanced back down at the young woman with him. “Well, I think it’s time we left. One last thing, though.”
“Yes?” the witch enquired as she stood slowly.
“Hermione Granger is, although not marked in any way, a supporter who’s pretty much in the fold as deeply as any Death Eater or Death Eater In-Training. Feel free to tell her things if you need to get them to me. She’s trusted by both myself and Voldemort.”
Parvati let out a soft breath. “Good. That means I have someone in my dorm that I can get to you through.”
“Not for long,” Harry replied coldly. “Once her baby is born, she’s being moved to a separate room.”
“Who decided that?!” Parvati asked angrily, eyes narrowed.
“Dumbledore. Gin’s petitioning to move in with her, to give her a hand. The seventh year Gryffindor boys’ dorm room had already been offered as a place to house the baby if it gets too much for Herm and Gin, as has the seventh year Slytherin girls’ dorm room.”
“Ron better be taking care of that child,” Parvati spat. “Awful little bastard, getting her pregnant against her will.”
“Oh, Ron doesn’t know we’ve offered up the dorm room. Seamus and I did it, with the decision that Neville and Dean can sleep elsewhere if they feel the need to complain,” Harry replied flippantly, leading the way to the door.
“Good. I’ll make sure Hermione knows that Lavender and I plan on helping with the child, whether she wants us to or not!” Parvati exclaimed, stepping from Tom’s room.
Harry chuckled. “That poor child will have more aunts and uncles than it’ll know what to do!”
Parvati fingered her Dark Mark pendant with a smile. “I should hope so. After all, it’s a child of the future.” She winked and turned to leave. “And whatever will it do with you Harry Potter, as a favourite uncle?”
“Now, really, that depends on if Herm carries through with her threat to make me godfather or not,” Harry replied with a laugh.
Parvati’s eyes shone with happy mischief. “Well, every child deserves to be spoiled a little, Harry; I’m sure you could take care of that nicely.”
Harry let himself laugh loudly as the witch strode down the hallway, no doubt to go in search of her sister or Lavender.
“Where have you been?” Ginny demanded as Harry entered the hospital wing as quietly as he could.
Harry smiled at her and Molly, who sat on the edge of her daughter’s bed. “Talking to Parvati about something.”
“Lucky I’m not the jealous sort,” Ginny muttered which, for some reason unknown to Molly, made both young Gryffindors snicker.
Harry conjured himself a chair next to Ginny’s bed and sat, smiling peacefully. “How’d it go with Ron?”
“I told him where to stick it,” Ginny replied with a bright smile, which didn’t appear deterred by the sharp look from her mother.
“Now, Ginny...” Molly started.
“She doesn’t know about that other thing and I wanted to ask her about telling Mum, but I, obviously haven’t seen her of late. Do you think she’ll mind?”
“Who?” Molly growled, before turning to Harry, who looked contemplative. “Would one of the two of you please explain what you’re going on about?”
“Oh, she’ll only mind because she won’t get to watch your mum explode,” Harry assured his sister with a smirk. “Shall I see if I can go find her?”
“Oh, yes, do.” Ginny nodded seriously.
“Who is it you two are going on about?!” Molly cried as Harry rose and headed for the doors to the infirmary.
“Are you two giving Mrs Weasley a hard time?” Hermione asked, stepping in to the infirmary.
“Just the witch we wanted to see.” Harry slid up beside her and led her to the chair he’d vacated. Molly was giving him a curious look. “We were considering telling Mrs Weasley about the you-know-what, but we figured you might want to be here for the explosion.”
“I have no clue how I keep managing to forget about your vindictive streak, Harry.” Hermione sighed, shaking her head.
“Maybe because it’s usually centred around Ron, of late?” Harry offered.
Molly cleared her throat loudly. “Someone. Please.”
Hermione glanced up at Harry, who scowled. “Why am I always the one picked to tell?”
“Because, if someone curses you in a bout of anger, you’re more likely to be able to defend yourself,” Hermione offered sweetly.
Harry rolled his eyes and gave Molly a wary look. “Please don’t hex me?”
Molly’s eyes narrowed. “What is going on?”
“Well, I’m sure you know that Ron took Hermione out to Three Broomsticks for her birthday, right?”
“Yes, of course. He had to owl us for the money.”
“Well, he got her drunk…” Harry scratched the back of his head. “And, being the jealous little sod he’s been since they broke up, he managed to talk Hermione into having sex with him…”
Molly’s face was starting to turn a nasty shade of red. “If this is leading where I think this is leading, he’ll be grounded for the next twelve years.”
“I’m pregnant,” Hermione volunteered, seeing that Harry had finally found someone that he wasn’t comfortable dropping the bomb to.
Molly immediately engulfed Hermione in a hug and the young witch gladly rested her head against the woman’s shoulder and closed her eyes. “Oh, Hermione, I’m so sorry…” She glanced up at Harry, tears and understanding in her eyes. “This is why you lot hung him up in the entrance hall.”
“We decided he needed the time to think about his actions,” Ginny muttered darkly.
Molly finally pulled away from Hermione, looking deeply into the girl’s sad brown eyes. “Don’t you ever believe that you and the baby don’t have a place in our home. I expect you to bring that child around often.”
Hermione offered a sheepish smile. “Yes, Mrs Weasley.”
“Molly,” the woman reprimanded. “You’re carrying my grandchild; I think you have the right to call me Molly by now. That goes for you too, Harry,” she added, glancing up at where Harry still stood behind Hermione’s chair.
“Yes, Molly,” Harry offered, running a hand through his hair. “I was wondering something, actually.”
The three witches glanced up at him curiously. “Yes?” Molly inquired.
“Now that you’ve got a good handle on everything Ron’s been up to, do you think he deserves suspension?” Green eyes met brown calmly.
Molly frowned thoughtfully before nodding. “Yes, I do, actually. Why?”
“I’m just doing a poll, of sorts. So far, Dumbledore’s the only one who’s for keeping him in the school.”
“Who all have you talked to?” Hermione inquired curiously.
“Oh, some of the staff, people from all of the Houses and years, Molly…” The green-eyed teen shrugged. “Even Hagrid’s decided Ron should be suspended, and that’s without knowing about the pregnancy. Well, as far as I can tell, he doesn’t know, and we’re all well aware of how well Hagrid keeps secrets.”
“If you ever want the opinion of the general population of Hogwarts, talk to Harry. He’ll get it within twenty-four hours,” Ginny teased, shaking her head. “Did you ask everyone yourself?”
“The staff, yes.” Harry ran a hand through his hair again. “Some of the students’ opinions were passed on to me by others while we were searching for Ron last night.”
“Wait!” Ginny shot Harry a look. “You all went searching for Ron last night?”
“They never found him, either.” Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes.
“How late were you all out?” Molly asked suspiciously.
“Let’s just say I’m wishing for my bed right now,” Harry replied, smiling slightly.
“You’re not supposed to be out that late,” Molly reprimanded.
“Noted." Harry shrugged. “Don’t bother yelling, though. Hermione’s already taken care of it. She’s a wonderful Head Girl.” He gave the witch a fond look. “And I dare say that those mood swings of hers are working to her advantage.”
Harry quickly jumped out of the way of the fist aimed at him amid laughter.
Once the four had settled down again and Harry dubbed it safe to return to his former position of leaning against the back of Hermione’s chair, Ginny decided to ask a question which had been bothering her for a while. “Mum?”
“Yes, Ginny?”
“What would you do if one of us – and I’m including my brothers in this – were to ever go Dark?” the youngest witch asked.
Molly frowned and took her time considering the question before answering, obviously choosing her words with care. “I suppose that would depend on the reasons behind the change of sides. Why?”
Ginny glanced up at Harry to see his thoughts and was startled at the determination in the bright green eyes. “Gin’s asking for me, Molly.”
Molly’s gaze shot from her daughter to the boy she’d always called family and felt her mouth go dry. “Why?”
“This year has been trying, Molly, and the decisions being made by certain people in power are making me waver in my faith of them,” Harry replied carefully.
Molly gave him a shrewd look. “Dumbledore has been making some questionable choices of late, hasn’t he?”
“He refused to suspend Harry,” Hermione offered. “After that big prank on Professor Snape, he dragged Harry up to his office to talk to him...”
“I told him he needed to at least suspend me and he told me no,” Harry finished, laying a hand on Hermione’s shoulder. “And I dislike the way he blatantly disregards Marcus' privacy because there are so many signs pointing to him being a Merlin-damned Death Eater.”
“Is he?” Molly inquired gently, sensing that Harry had been needing to unload a lot of things for a while, but just hadn’t had the chance to do so. She couldn’t help but sympathize with him.
“Well, yes, but he doesn’t have a Mark.” Harry sighed warily and dropped his head into his hands. “I shouldn’t be telling you this.”
“Will it help if I swear to secrecy?” Molly inquired in as mild a voice as she could muster.
Harry wasn’t the only one left staring open-mouthed. “Mum, you’d really do that?” Ginny whispered in awe.
“Of course. Harry’s family, and family sticks together,” Molly told her daughter firmly.
“What if I were to tell you I was a Death Eater?” Harry asked coolly.
“Are you?” Molly shot back in the same tone. Harry stared at her stoically, jaw clenched shut and she sighed. “Family sticks together. I’d want to know if you were doing it for the right reasons.”
“You know, I’m almost glad I put up a Silencing Barrier when I sat down over here,” Hermione muttered. “Harry, you’ve officially said enough to incriminate yourself worse than any of your pranks ever could.”
Harry gave a humourless chuckle. “I thought it was you who’d thrown up the barrier. You know I wouldn’t have said a damn thing if I hadn’t known it was there.”
“You are a Death Eater…” Molly murmured, but she didn’t appear disgusted, horrified, or angry, like Harry once thought she would be.
“Nope,” Ginny said proudly. “He’s Voldemort’s second.”
Harry scowled at his sister, but it faded when he noticed the barely concealed awe in Molly’s eyes. “Molly? Are you okay?”
Molly smiled faintly. “You have no idea. Arthur and I have been trying to switch sides for ages, but that Malfoy-Weasley feud kept getting in the way.”
“You’re kidding…” Ginny whispered in shock.
Harry focused on his lover. Tom? What the hell am I supposed to do here?
Do you trust her?
I... Harry closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. I don’t know. The Weasleys have always been strong supporters of the Light.
Then you must either believe her, or test her.
I don’t like your methods of testing people. You know that.
Harry could just feel Tom rolling his eyes. You are able to use Legilimency, correct? he replied dryly.
The green-eyed wizard decided not to gift his lover with an answer and, instead, looked at Molly seriously. She, Hermione, and Ginny were watching him curiously. “Molly, you will have to forgive me if I am wary of trusting you.”
“I’d expect no less,” the witch replied calmly.
“Harry…” Ginny warned.
“Your agreement stands, Gin,” Harry shot back with a look at the younger witch. Then he looked back at Molly. “Legilimency has been suggested, if you are agreeable.”
Molly looked startled. “That’s not what I would have expected, but I have no disagreements, I suppose.”
“Gin?” Harry glanced over at his sister.
“If you hurt her, I’ll kill him.”
Tom aimed a mental raspberry at the girl and Harry winced. “Noted,” he offered aloud, pulling his wand from his robe. You are so immature sometimes.
You’re one to talk.
“Hermione, is the barrier strong?”
“Yes.”
Ginny grabbed her wand off the nightstand. “I’m doubling it.”
“Thank you,” Hermione murmured. Ginny offered her a smile and muttered the spell.
“Molly?” Harry glanced at his surrogate mother.
Molly set her wand on the table next to the bed and nodded. “Ready whenever you are.”
“Legilimens!” Harry called, focusing on finding out about her loyalties, nothing else.
Flashes of memories and feelings hit him and it was all Harry could do to keep standing. A scene where Molly was waving what looked like a newspaper clipping at Dumbledore, tears running down her face… Dumbledore talking to her seriously while she tried not to scream… Percy, walking away from Arthur… The summer before Harry’s fifth year when they all sat around the table, arguing to be told the truth… The twins telling her they were joining the Order, and she couldn’t stop them… Arthur, trying to comfort her… And, suddenly, him telling Molly that he was unsure of Dumbledore and her feeling pride and love aimed at him and worry for his well-being…
Harry pulled away and closed his eyes, as if thinking. Tom? he asked the Dark Lord shakily. His Legilimency skills in detecting deception were not the best, and Tom could pinpoint anything he may have missed.
There was a long silence from the Dark Lord as he felt Tom shifting through what Harry had seen. I don’t sense any deception, love. At any rate, I’d rather you not tell her any more in Hogwarts’ hospital ward. Ask her and Arthur to meet you for lunch this weekend, or something.
Good idea. Harry let out a soft sigh and looked around at the three witches. “We’ll trust you, for now, but, this is not the place for this sort of discussion.”
“I agree.” Molly nodded.
“May I suggest a lunch date this weekend?” Harry murmured.
“With Arthur, of course,” Molly agreed.
“After all. It’s only proper to have you two making sure I’m treating your daughter right.”
The redheaded woman laughed brightly. “Oh, yes. Ginny, how is he treating you?”
Ginny gave her brother a fond smile and twisted her ring. “Just as I would expect of him.”
“I wasn’t aware you could manage that, Harry,” Hermione teased.
Harry scowled. “As much as I’d love to laze around and be teased mercilessly all day, Hermione and I have Charms in ten minutes and neither of us have our books.”
“Oh, no…” Hermione moaned.
Harry patted her shoulder sympathetically. “I’ll get your stuff, Herm, don’t worry about it. You just go grab us seats, unless Dray beats you to it, of course.”
“The only person Dray has never beat into a classroom is the teacher for that course,” Ginny said good-naturedly as the Silencing Barrier was dropped. “Oh, Harry?”
“Hm?”
“What are you planning for Ron?” Ginny’s question caught both Molly and Hermione’s attention as well, and all three witches watched in a mix of horror and glee as Harry’s face twisted into a cold smile.
“We’re going to let him think he’s safe for a while,” Harry replied slyly. “But, oh, we have plans for Mr Weasley…”
--------------------------------------
A/N: Damned plot has returned to bite me in the arse. I’d thought I’d got rid of it, too!! *chuckles*
The Weasleys should be fun. Mind you, I like Molly and Arthur about as much as I like Hermione, which isn’t much, really. I just decided that, with all the twists in this fic already, we might as well twist it some more. It’s that twisted sense of humour of mine. (Shut up. I know that was a bad joke, okay?)
More twists next chapter. *scowls as a few reviewers crack up* Ha ha. Yes, very funny.
~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 || 23 || 24 || 25 || 26 || 27 || 28 || 29 || 30
31 || 32 ||
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)
.