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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), Seamus/Blaise, Ginevra/Theodore, post-Ron/Hermione, Salazar/Godric
Warnings: This will have slash(Guys on guys, ppl.) , Dumbledore bashing, Ron bashing
Disclaim Her: Molly and Arthur are firmly on the Light side, except in my fic, because my fic is special!!
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
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Chapter 34
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Harry’s curtains were closed around his bed to warn off any unwanted companionship. He was in the middle of reading an interesting book he’d spotted on Neville’s nightstand; the five Gryffindor boys had agreed years before that, if they saw something of someone else’s that they wanted to borrow, they could take it, with the understanding that it was to be handed back over to the rightful owner without fuss if asked for.
Harry, of course, had been a little warm in the enclosed space and had pulled off his shirt, which lay in a crumple at the foot of his bed. Tom had made a few comments when he’d first decided to take the garment off, but, as he was busy with a double detention, and one of the students had asked him something, he’d stopped rather quickly.
Harry didn’t bother glancing out of his makeshift cave when he heard someone come into the dorm and begin searching around on the other side of the room. It wasn’t until the intruder spoke that he paid any attention.
“Hey, Harry? Have you seen my book on deadly plant poisons?” Neville asked.
Harry smiled sadly and closed the book in question before poking his head out. “Yeah, I’ve got it. Did you need it?” He held it out.
Neville froze part-way between Harry’s face and the book. “Harry, not to pry, but why do you have on a necklace with the Dark Mark?”
Harry set the book on his bed with one hand as the other flew up to grasp his pendant. “You can see this?” he whispered.
“Uhm, yeah.” Neville nodded slowly.
Harry let out a string of curses that made Neville turn an interesting shade of pink and got him imitating a fish.
“I’m not supposed to be able to see it, then?” Neville whispered after a long moment of heavy silence.
Harry stood, quickly flashing through which of his people in Gryffindor he could chance. “No. No, you shouldn’t be able to. Stay here, please. I’ll be right back.” Harry gave the other wizard a pointed look, to which Neville replied with a nod, then the green-eyed teen stepped from the room and hurried down the stairs, belatedly hoping Neville was the only one who could see his necklace.
Harry poked his head around the wall and glanced into the common room. He scanned it for his quarry and smiled. “Seamus! I need to borrow you! Sorry, Dean,” he added as an afterthought, which made the darker-skinned wizard smile.
Seamus stood with an apologetic look to Dean and walked around the other students, many of which were drooling over the shirtless Boy-Who-Lived, which happened every time Harry forgot to wear a shirt down to the common room, and blocked the teen from view. “What’s wrong, mate? You look like you’ve seen a ghost, though not quite pale enough, really.”
“Seamus, if you’re drunk, I will murder you. Come with me,” Harry hissed, grabbing the other wizard’s arm and leading him back up to their dormitory.
Once there, Harry set Silencing Charms up over the closed door and turned back to Neville, who was looking between himself and Seamus, who was downing a Sobriety Potion, in confusion. “You’re a dead man walking, Finnigan. What have I told you about drinking?” Harry groaned, rubbing at the bridge of his nose.
“It’s bad for me?” Seamus came to stand next to Neville, grinning. “Now, what’s so urgent?”
Harry reached forwards and pointed to the Dark Mark pendant hanging out over his mussed robes. “Neville, do you see anything there?”
“...Seamus, your tie is on backwards,” was Neville’s response after a moment.
Harry turned around and ran a hand through his hair with a sigh as Seamus quickly tried to fix his tie. “So it’s only mine, then. Seamus, just take the damned thing off.”
Seamus frowned at Harry’s back as the raven-haired wizard’s comment hit him. “He can see your necklace?”
Neville looked back and forth between his two dorm mates as Harry turned to nod darkly. “Wait, Seamus, do you have one too?” He glanced at Harry. “Is that what you were trying to get me to see?”
Harry sighed and threw himself back onto his bed, narrowly missing Neville’s book. “Yes. Neville, you mustn’t tell anyone,” he half begged as Seamus threw himself on to his bed with a hopeless groan.
“Why’d you pick me to come up here and test, Harry?” the Irishman complained.
“Because, Seam, in case you haven’t noticed, your boyfriend’s family has a history of supporting Voldemort.”
“No, I hadn’t actually,” Seamus bit out coldly.
“Whoa!” Neville held up his hands. “Look, I’m not planning on telling anyone! Stop taking your aggression out on each other!”
“Sorry,” the two on their beds muttered.
Neville rolled his eyes and sat down next to Harry, picking up his book gently. “Just tell me why.”
“Because Dumbledore’s a prick,” was Seamus’ immediate response.
Neville chuckled. “Same old Seamus. But, really, is that all?”
“Well, and Blaise does have a Dark family history. When he asked me if I’d join him on the Dark Lord’s side, I’d already had an idea that Harry had turned, so I decided that there wasn’t much hope for the Light,” Seamus murmured softly.
“Seamus, you thought Harry was Dark in fifth year. How was this year any different?”
“I didn’t deny it when he asked.” Harry sighed, standing and walking over to the window.
“Oh.” Neville nodded and gazed at the back of his friend. “And why did you flip?”
“A few different reasons. Dumbledore is a fairly large one.” Harry sighed. “And there’s someone I care very much for on Voldemort’s side.”
“Ginny?” Neville frowned. He didn’t think Ginny was Dark.
“No.” Harry gave a dry chuckle. “You told me before the holiday that you didn’t think I treated Gin like a girlfriend.”
“You treat her like a sister,” Neville agreed.
“That’s because she is my sister,” was Harry’s emotionless response.
“Harry!” Seamus sat up, staring at Harry in shock. “You’re not going to…”
Harry smiled thinly at sandy-haired teen. “We agreed at the start of term that if the cover of me being with Gin didn’t fool some people and they felt the need to call one of us on it, we’d tell them the truth.” He turned to Neville, who was watching him curiously. “I’m dating Professor Brutùs.”
Neville hummed thoughtfully, glancing down at the cover of his book. “Which is why you spend so much time around him. I get it now.”
“Wow, Neville. When did you mellow out?” Seamus whispered.
Neville and Harry traded looks before both wizards cracked up. “Merlin, Seam! Where have you been the past two years?” Harry laughed.
Seamus looked extremely affronted.
-~*~-
“What’s Longbottom doing here?”
“Draco!” Ginny gave the blond a severe look as she walked up to the group gathered around outside Tom’s room.
“Have you no tact?” Hermione teased.
“Would you all shut up?” Harry sent a look around the group before returning his attention to the door. :Light’s downfall.:
The portrait didn’t budge.
Tom!
Why are you whining this time?
The password isn’t working!
What? The picture opened to show them their frowning professor. “You’re not letting them in now?”
“Strict orders from the Headmaster. No students are to be allowed into teacher’s rooms.”
“Oh, he’s making life difficult for us, then. Come in, everyone, and get settled while I have a chat with my doorkeeper. Harry, could you pour the tea?”
“Yes, Marcus.” Harry rolled his eyes and led the group of Gryffindors and Slytherins into the main room as Tom started arguing with the picture. “Everyone, pick a seat. Neville, I wouldn’t sit there if I were you, it’s kind of Marcus’ seat. Draco, scoot over.”
“How do you do that when your back is turned!” Draco shouted as he made room on the couch for Neville.
Harry smirked as he levitated a tray over to the table. “I have eyes in the back of my head.”
Everyone laughed as they leaned forward to pour themselves a cup of tea. Harry tossed himself into Marcus’ seat and closed his eyes lazily.
“Move it, you lazy little sod,” Tom ordered, re-entering the room and slamming the portrait behind him.
“Make me,” Harry shot back, refusing to open his eyes.
Tom rolled his eyes and picked the teen up, depositing him in a pile on the floor. Then he sat in his chair with a smirk as the other students laughed. “What was that, Harry?”
Harry smiled slyly and slipped into Tom’s lap, resting his head against the man’s chest. “I dare you to drop me on the floor again.”
“My feet are too tired, currently,” Tom decided, waving his wand to make himself a cup of tea.
“What in Merlin’s name have you been doing to hurt your feet, Marcus?” Ginny asked, making a face.
“He was visiting me.”
Everyone but Tom and Harry gave a shout as Salazar appeared behind Tom’s chair. Tom was sipping his tea calmly. Harry smiled at the ghost. “Hello, Salazar.”
“Little Gryffindor. Marvolo, I have a way to solve your problem.”
“Stop worrying, Neville. Salazar’s a good guy,” Harry murmured to his friend as he stood so Tom could follow Salazar to a blank expanse of wall.
“Push,” Salazar ordered his heir.
Tom scowled at the ghost, but pushed on the wall as he was told. The wall slid back to show them a tunnel.
“What’s down there, Salazar?” Harry enquired, coming to stand next to Tom as the other students stood and crowded around at a distance from the three.
“Why don’t you go on down and find out,” Salazar suggested slyly.
Harry and Tom traded looks before Harry nodded and started down the steps.
“Harry!” Hermione cried, stepping forward.
Tom glanced at the witch as Harry continued down. “He’ll be fine, Hermione.”
“I’m going too!” Ginny shouted, hurrying to go through the opening.
Tom grabbed her about her waist and glanced at Salazar. Something told him it wouldn’t be wise for them all to go down yet. “Slytherin?”
Salazar frowned at the witch, then nodded. “She may go, but no one else.”
“Go on, then.” Tom released the redhead and watched as she disappeared downwards.
“What’s down there?” Theodore demanded. “Why can Harry and Gin go down, but not us?”
“Gryffindor’s room,” Salazar replied calmly. “Only the Heir can enter safely, though he may allow others that he trusts. Gin has the Potter crest. She is also safe.”
“Harry’s the Heir of Gryffindor?” Blaise whispered in awe.
“Are you surprised?” Seamus asked his boyfriend. “I thought it was obvious.”
“Neville, what’s wrong?” Hermione whispered, resting a hand on Neville’s shoulder. The boy was shaking.
“There’s two of us?” Neville squeaked.
Eight pairs of eyes bore holes in the terrified Gryffindor.
“I forgot he had two daughters…” Salazar murmured. “Jocosa moved away to Africa and lost contact. I’m surprised your line remembered.”
“My grandmother told me on my birthday,” Neville replied shakily.
The ghost nodded. “If you want, you may go down, then.”
Neville made a quick dash for the door and fled down the stairs.
“Now what?” Pansy murmured.
“Now, we wait. Harry will send word when it’s safe to go down,” Hermione decided, returning to her seat and tea.
Trading looks, the other students also returned to their seats. “Tom?” Seamus called, noticing that the professor had remained at the top of the stairs.
Tom sat on the floor in front of the entrance. “I’ll stay here, thanks.”
The six students traded worried looks while Salazar rested a silvery hand on his Heir’s shoulder. Tom didn’t move.
-~*~-
“Neville’s coming,” Harry murmured to his sister as they continued down the narrow, winding stairs.
Sure enough, Neville caught up with them, breathing heavily. “I didn’t know you were an Heir too, Harry.”
Harry smiled slightly. “Neither did I, really. I should have guessed, of course; Salazar’s only been hinting it since Hallowe’en.”
“You’ve always been dense.” Ginny sighed dramatically, earning her a playful swat from her brother.
“Light at the end of the tunnel,” Neville laughed, pointing ahead of them at a block of red that was getting larger as they approached it.
“To sound like Herm, no running on the stairs,” Ginny said seriously. The two wizards traded looks before cracking up.
“So, Neville, do you know which side you get the bloodline from?” Harry inquired lightly.
“My grandmother’s, actually. So, my dad’s side of the family.” Neville shrugged. “You get yours from your dad, don’t you?”
“I suppose. Seeing as how it’s the Potter crest that’s protecting Gin, I’d have to say that it goes back a while, too.”
“Probably pretty accurate,” Neville agreed. Then, “How come Slytherin likes Marcus?”
“No tact.” Ginny groaned.
“Gryffindor trait,” Harry decided, grimacing. “Neville, why don’t you tell me why.”
“He’s You-Know-Who, isn’t he?”
Harry smiled. “In the words of Voldemort, ‘No, I don’t know who’.”
Neville and Ginny laughed. “Who’d he say that to?” Ginny asked.
“One of the Aurors that came to check his rooms at the beginning of the holidays.”
“He didn’t!”
“Oh, yes he did.” Harry shook his head. “The man has no sense of self-preservation.”
“He’s powerful enough to not need it, I think,” Neville murmured.
“Perhaps.” Harry slung an arm around Neville’s shoulders. “If it makes you feel any better, he screamed himself hoarse at Bellatrix for making your parents insane. He really wasn’t pleased with her.”
“Really?” Neville looked at Harry hopefully.
Harry offered the other wizard a painful smile. “I recall him telling me, once, that he’d never condone driving his enemies insane and leaving them like that. If he had been there, they would have been killed, to save them that fate.”
Neville nodded. “Better dead than insane. I never thought the day would come that I would agree with You-Kno–“ He glanced at Harry, who was grinning. “Oh, fine, Voldemort.”
Harry laughed. “About damn time!”
“We’re here,” Ginny murmured from behind the wizards, silencing her brother.
They paused three steps up from a waterfall of red liquid which they couldn’t see beyond. Harry appeared to be the only one daring enough to step down closer. He frowned at it. “Blood.”
Neville gave a squeak while Ginny drew in a sharp breath. “We have to walk through that, don’t we?”
Harry didn’t answer but walked right through.
Ginny and Neville traded terrified looks before jumping after him. “Harry!”
They found Harry standing before a ghostly figure. The man gave them all piercing looks. “What do you want?”
“Salazar sent us down here,” Harry replied calmly. “We’re trying to find a place for everyone to meet that the Headmaster can’t get to.”
“Why not Salazar’s room?” the ghost challenged, circling around the three. Harry was the only one who didn’t follow him with his eyes.
“Not everyone is a Parseltongue, Godric. Surely you’re aware of that.”
“Watch your mouth, boy!” Godric Gryffindor shouted, getting in Harry’s face.
“Give me a mirror and I’ll have no problem with that,” Harry shot back mildly.
“Harry…” Ginny moaned.
“You…” Godric appeared lost for words.
“From what Salazar has said of you, I expected someone very different from yourself.” Harry sighed. “You’ve obviously been locked away for too long. But, then, you had no legends to lead your Heirs to you like Salazar did. I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“When did stupidity become a synonym for bravery?” Ginny muttered under her breath.
Harry grinned. “Just now.”
Godric stared at the green-eyed boy for a long moment in shock. Then, slowly, he began to smile. “They’ve long been connected.”
“I’ll take your word for that,” Harry decided. “After all, age is supposed to make a person wise.”
“And you’re always the exception to the rule,” Neville joked weakly.
“Exactly! I’ve always been this wise!”
“And he always will be, too.” Ginny snorted, rolling her eyes.
Godric chuckled. “I fear you three have me at a disadvantage. Have you names?”
The three Gryffindors traded smiles. Mission accomplished.
“Neville Longbottom,” Neville volunteered.
“Ginevra Weasley.” Ginny smiled. “Though I also go by Gin or Ginny.”
“Harry Potter,” Harry offered with a bow. “Though I, too, go by many different names, and not all of them are pleasant.”
“True. Jackarse, prat, bastard–“
“Gin.” Harry gave the girl a look over his glasses that made Ginny burst into laughter. “What?”
“You looked like Dumbledore for a moment there,” Neville offered while Ginny recovered.
Harry groaned. “Just what I’ve always wanted.”
Godric smiled at them. “You mentioned Salazar?”
“Oh, yeah. He’s upstairs with his Heir and many of our other friends.” Harry nodded.
“Is he really? Well, why don’t one of you go up and tell them all to come down.”
Ginny and Neville both glanced at Harry, who had closed his eyes. Tom? What’s wrong?
Hum? Oh, nothing.
Are you worried about me?
Yes.
Well, don’t be. And bring everyone down here. Salazar too. In fact, tell Salazar that Godric’s been a right old grump, living down here all alone…
Why do I get the feeling you know something I don’t?
Why, Tom, I know many things you don’t know!
That’s what I’m afraid of. We’ll be down there shortly.
Oh, and, as warning, you have to go through a waterfall that looks and smells like blood.
Is it?
As far as I can tell, no. Tell Hermione, though.
Will do.
Thank you. Harry opened his eyes with a smile. “They’re coming.”
“How’d you do that?” Godric grumbled, leading them to a scattered pile of what looked like beanbag chairs.
“Salazar’s Heir tried to kill me when I was a baby, but the curse backfired. We have a mental connection, of sorts, that we’ve fallen into the habit of manipulating to contact one another if we need something. Very useful,” Harry explained, picking a green lump and dropping himself into it.
“He tried to kill you?” Godric didn’t look at all pleased with this bit of news.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because of a prophecy suggesting that I would bring about his downfall.” Harry shrugged. “It’s in the past.”
“Obviously this prophecy was a load of codswallop,” Godric grumbled.
“Well, that’s yet to be seen,” Harry replied. “Parts of it have proven right, at any rate.”
“I get the feeling you believe in the art of Divination about as much as the rest of us,” Ginny said to Godric.
“Codswallop,” Godric agreed.
“I’ve seen two true prophecies in my life and one has already come true, so you’ll have to excuse me if I have a little faith in the one about me and Tom.” Harry scowled.
“Faith is not a Gryffindor trait,” a voice said from the entrance. “Hello, Godric.”
“Salazar,” Godric replied tightly.
“Oh no you two don’t!” Harry shot looks between the two ghosts, ignoring as the room filled with the people they’d left up in Tom’s room. “Salazar, you were pining like hell for Godric over the holidays; Godric, you’ve been a right arse since we got down here, but you sure seemed more open to things when Salazar was mentioned. Drop the differences already, you’re the only ones falling for them.”
“So that’s why you kept mentioning Slytherin!” Ginny cried, smacking her forehead with her hand. “Tom, you’ve twisted the poor baby.”
“He’s hardly a baby.” Tom snorted, coming to sit next to his lover and pulling him into his lap. “Gryffindor and Slytherin are old enough to sort things out without your help, Harry. Cool it.” Harry blew a raspberry at Tom and sat back against his chest with a pout. “And you call me immature.”
“I’m not sitting on the floor!” Draco declared, eyeing the beanbag chair with disgust as Seamus and Blaise picked seats next to Neville.
Ginny reached over and knocked his feet out from under him, making him fall to the floor with a ‘slam’. “Now you are.” Draco glared at her as Theodore quietly sat next to his girlfriend.
“Gryffindor trait,” Neville offered helpfully.
“I’d hit you if you weren’t so far away,” Ginny warned.
“You shouldn’t hit people, Gin,” Hermione said, conjuring herself a chair behind Ginny and rested her hands on the witch’s shoulders as she sat tiredly.
“Herm, are you okay?” Harry asked, immediately forgetting he was supposed to be pouting.
Hermione smiled faintly. “Yes, but I don’t much fancy taking those stairs again.”
Godric stepped up next to her, frowning slightly. “I’ll show you a different way when you are ready to leave. It leads up to Gryffindor Tower and has no stairs.”
“How many ways out of here are there, Godric?” Ginny inquired curiously.
“Four,” the ghost said, motioning to archways like the one they’d all come from in the middle of each of the four walls.
“One to Tom’s rooms. One to Gryffindor Tower. Where do the other two let out?” Ginny murmured thoughtfully.
“Kitchens and dungeons.”
Ginny and Harry traded looks. “We could hold meetings down here, if Godric will allow it, that is?” Harry glanced at the ghost. He’d returned to standing uncomfortably next to Salazar.
“What sort of meetings?” Godric asked suspiciously. “You’d better not be plotting against either of the other Houses.”
“No, just Ron,” Theodore offered coldly.
“And Dumbledore,” Seamus added.
“Among other things,” Tom slid in calmly.
Godric scowled. “Explain.”
“Ron’s my brother,” Ginny offered gently. “He got Hermione pregnant while she was drunk. Then, a couple of days ago, he beat me up in the hallway because Harry gave me his family ring to welcome me as his sister.”
“It doesn’t help that he thinks we’re dating.” Harry sighed, rubbing at his forehead.
“Well, we can’t very well let Dumbledore find out you’re dating Tom!” Ginny shot back.
“Who’s Dumbledore?” Godric asked, looking around the semi-circle they'd unconsciously formed as he settled himself onto the cushions next to Pansy.
“Current Headmaster,” Salazar answered, seating himself next to his fellow ghost. Godric gave him a dirty look.
“He favours Gryffindors,” Blaise said in disgust.
“How’s that a problem?” Godric shot back coolly.
“Because I’ve told him at least once a week that he needs to expel me for all the shit I’ve been pulling, and he should have suspended Ron back in September when we first found out Herm was pregnant, and then again when he attack Gin in the hallway. Even his mother agrees with us. Dumbledore wouldn’t have owled Molly and Arthur about the attack if I hadn’t threatened to do it myself,” Harry laid out coolly.
“And we think he knew about the Dursleys,” Tom added softly, tightening his hold on Harry.
“Tom, everyone knew about the Dursleys by the time we threw that birthday party for Harry and Neville,” Hermione pointed out. “I mean, it was pretty much common knowledge that they dropped him off in London to fend for himself by the end of the party.”
“Who are the Dursleys?” Godric wrinkled his brow in confusion.
“My mum’s sister’s family,” Harry murmured, closing his eyes. “Dumbledore left me in their care after Tom killed my parents.”
“If care is what you can call that,” Ginny spat furiously. “A Merlin-damned cupboard is not a substitute bedroom!”
“Thank you, Miss Weasley.” Tom shot Ginny a silencing look. Harry?
I’m fine. Really.
Tom let out a sigh and kissed the top of Harry’s head gently before resting his head against Harry’s and closing his eyes. Of course you are.
“And he manipulates everyone to better help himself,” Neville offered gently. “Dumbledore does. He’s been shaping Harry into a weapon for years.”
“Against the evil Dark Lord,” Seamus added mockingly.
“Who’s, really, not such a bastard,” Hermione offered.
“I don’t know whether to be insulted, or touched,” Tom muttered.
“Be touched. This is Hermione we’re talking about, and she might have a mood swing if you’re insulted,” Draco suggested good-naturedly. Hermione reached around Ginny and smacked him upside the head.
“What was that about not hitting people?” Ginny laughed.
Hermione shrugged helplessly. “Mood swing. Sorry.”
Laughter went around the circle, but Tom merely smiled faintly and Harry didn’t respond at all.
“Are you two okay?” Pansy inquired, eyeing the Dark Lord and the teen wizard in his lap.
“Harry’s sleeping.” Tom glanced up at everyone.
“That’s right…” Seamus scratched at his head. “He couldn’t sleep last night, so he went down to the common room. He was already gone when I woke up and went to check on him.”
“That’s why he seemed so out of it in Potions…” Draco murmured. “He kept zoning out and nearly ruined the potion. Professor Snape was trying really hard not to yell at him, too.”
“Why couldn’t he sleep?” Hermione aimed her question at Tom.
“I haven’t the faintest.”
“He’s probably worried about the lunch date tomorrow.” Ginny groaned. “Oh, me and my big mouth!”
“What?’ Theodore frowned at his girlfriend.
“I asked mum a question and it led to us discussing sides in the war,” Ginny complained. “Harry and mum and dad set up a lunch date for tomorrow to discuss them joining the Death Eaters.”
“Whoa!” Draco stared at the Weasley girl in shock. “Gin, you I can understand. Your brothers, I can understand. But, your parents?!”
“You have no idea,” Tom muttered dryly.
“What about the necklace?” Seamus cut in, glancing at Neville, then Tom. “Could that have worried him?”
Tom nodded faintly. “Could have.”
“What about his necklace?” Draco demanded.
“Do you ever get the feeling that we Slytherins miss a lot?” Blaise muttered from next to Seamus, who hugged him.
“I can see it,” Neville offered meekly. “I can see Harry’s necklace, but not, say, Seamus’.”
“But, why?” Ginny muttered.
“I think I know, now,” Tom murmured, tugging Harry’s necklace from under his shirt. “Gryffindor, can you see this?”
“Yes.”
Seamus nodded when the Dark Lord looked at him and pulled his own necklace. “But, can you see this?”
Godric frowned. “I see only your hand.”
Tom nodded. “Gryffindor bloodline, then. Neville can see the pendant because they’re related in such a way. Ginny, can Ron see your necklace?”
“Uhm…I don’t think so…” Ginny scratched her head. “I don’t know. I know mum can’t, though. It was out in plain sight while she was visiting.”
“Just the Founder bloodlines, then.”
“If it were related bloodlines in general, Neville would see mine, too,” Draco pointed out. “We’re fourth cousins, or some such nonsense.”
“That’s right. All the purebloods are related.” Tom groaned. “I keep forgetting.”
“Good thing shared blood matters for nothing, normally, then.” Hermione sighed. “Else, you would all would be screwed.”
“Thank you, Hermione,” Theodore grumbled.
“Hey, I’m not a Death Eater In-Training. I’m a supporter,” Hermione shot back playfully.
“I suppose I’m one now, too.” Neville hummed, getting him multiple surprised looks. “What? Harry’s family. He’s the closest thing to a brother that I’ve got.”
“And me?” Ginny asked, smiling broadly.
Neville grinned. “And Gin’s the closest thing I’ve got to a sister, ‘specially since Harry adopted her into his family.”
“Yay!” Ginny launched herself across the circle and hugged Neville tightly, pulling a gasp and then laughter from him.
“One big happy family, eh?” Harry murmured sleepily.
“Did I wake you?” Ginny asked worriedly.
“Yes, but we should head for bed anyway.” Harry smiled before attempting to stand.
Tom pulled the teen back into his lap. “Nope. You obviously cannot sleep in your dormitory, so you are remaining with me tonight.”
Harry let out a helpless sigh. “Can’t argue with that logic.”
“We’ll tell Ron you’re sleeping on the couch again. We’ll tell Dean you snuck off with Ginny,” Seamus assured Harry, who laughed.
“Oh, Seamus, you’re horrid.” Neville chuckled, helping Ginny stand.
“Well, no. If Ron thinks he’s sleeping with me, he’ll hunt us down, but he won’t give a rat’s arse if Harry’s on the couch. Dean’s liable to worry over Harry and see if he’s okay if he thinks he’s on the couch, but, if he thinks Harry’s with me, he won’t give a rat’s arse,” Ginny pointed out, smiling gleefully before going to say goodnight to Theodore.
“Harry, Tom, it’s probably not a good idea to go back up to Tom’s room. If Dumbledore decides to check and see on a few things…” Hermione murmured worriedly.
“They will sleep down here,” Godric said seriously. “In the morning, Harry can return to the Tower, Tom to his bedroom. No one will be the wiser.”
“And, from now on, when you’re having trouble getting to sleep, Harry, I expect you to slide on down here and come to me. Understood?” Tom said seriously.
Harry nodded with a yawn, then buried his face in Tom’s robe. Yup.
“The bedroom’s in that little cubby over there,” Godric told them, pointing to a curtained-off area kitty-corner to where they’d all been sitting.
“Thank you, Gryffindor.” Tom nodded, standing with Harry wrapped in his arms. You holding on?
Mh-hm.
“Say goodnight, everyone,” the Dark Lord suggested.
“Goodnight, Harry, Tom,” the four Slytherins and Seamus called.
Ginny and Hermione both came over and gave the two wizards a hug and a quick kiss goodnight. Neville inclined his head at the Dark Lord and told Harry goodnight.
Then, the Gryffindors and Slytherins went out their separate exits and Tom carried Harry over to the curtained-off area. He slipped off both of their shirts and robes, then got into bed with Harry, who was, once again, asleep.
“Goodnight, Harry. Sweet dreams,” Tom murmured, wrapping his arms around the small wizard and falling asleep himself.
----------------------------
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A/N: *chokes on fluff* Uhg.
This chapter ended up being even more twisted than I’d originally expected!
~Batsutousai
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, Salazar/Godric
Warnings: This will have slash(Guys on guys, ppl.) , Dumbledore bashing, Ron bashing
Disclaim Her: Molly and Arthur are firmly on the Light side, except in my fic, because my fic is special!!
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
Chapter 34
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Harry’s curtains were closed around his bed to warn off any unwanted companionship. He was in the middle of reading an interesting book he’d spotted on Neville’s nightstand; the five Gryffindor boys had agreed years before that, if they saw something of someone else’s that they wanted to borrow, they could take it, with the understanding that it was to be handed back over to the rightful owner without fuss if asked for.
Harry, of course, had been a little warm in the enclosed space and had pulled off his shirt, which lay in a crumple at the foot of his bed. Tom had made a few comments when he’d first decided to take the garment off, but, as he was busy with a double detention, and one of the students had asked him something, he’d stopped rather quickly.
Harry didn’t bother glancing out of his makeshift cave when he heard someone come into the dorm and begin searching around on the other side of the room. It wasn’t until the intruder spoke that he paid any attention.
“Hey, Harry? Have you seen my book on deadly plant poisons?” Neville asked.
Harry smiled sadly and closed the book in question before poking his head out. “Yeah, I’ve got it. Did you need it?” He held it out.
Neville froze part-way between Harry’s face and the book. “Harry, not to pry, but why do you have on a necklace with the Dark Mark?”
Harry set the book on his bed with one hand as the other flew up to grasp his pendant. “You can see this?” he whispered.
“Uhm, yeah.” Neville nodded slowly.
Harry let out a string of curses that made Neville turn an interesting shade of pink and got him imitating a fish.
“I’m not supposed to be able to see it, then?” Neville whispered after a long moment of heavy silence.
Harry stood, quickly flashing through which of his people in Gryffindor he could chance. “No. No, you shouldn’t be able to. Stay here, please. I’ll be right back.” Harry gave the other wizard a pointed look, to which Neville replied with a nod, then the green-eyed teen stepped from the room and hurried down the stairs, belatedly hoping Neville was the only one who could see his necklace.
Harry poked his head around the wall and glanced into the common room. He scanned it for his quarry and smiled. “Seamus! I need to borrow you! Sorry, Dean,” he added as an afterthought, which made the darker-skinned wizard smile.
Seamus stood with an apologetic look to Dean and walked around the other students, many of which were drooling over the shirtless Boy-Who-Lived, which happened every time Harry forgot to wear a shirt down to the common room, and blocked the teen from view. “What’s wrong, mate? You look like you’ve seen a ghost, though not quite pale enough, really.”
“Seamus, if you’re drunk, I will murder you. Come with me,” Harry hissed, grabbing the other wizard’s arm and leading him back up to their dormitory.
Once there, Harry set Silencing Charms up over the closed door and turned back to Neville, who was looking between himself and Seamus, who was downing a Sobriety Potion, in confusion. “You’re a dead man walking, Finnigan. What have I told you about drinking?” Harry groaned, rubbing at the bridge of his nose.
“It’s bad for me?” Seamus came to stand next to Neville, grinning. “Now, what’s so urgent?”
Harry reached forwards and pointed to the Dark Mark pendant hanging out over his mussed robes. “Neville, do you see anything there?”
“...Seamus, your tie is on backwards,” was Neville’s response after a moment.
Harry turned around and ran a hand through his hair with a sigh as Seamus quickly tried to fix his tie. “So it’s only mine, then. Seamus, just take the damned thing off.”
Seamus frowned at Harry’s back as the raven-haired wizard’s comment hit him. “He can see your necklace?”
Neville looked back and forth between his two dorm mates as Harry turned to nod darkly. “Wait, Seamus, do you have one too?” He glanced at Harry. “Is that what you were trying to get me to see?”
Harry sighed and threw himself back onto his bed, narrowly missing Neville’s book. “Yes. Neville, you mustn’t tell anyone,” he half begged as Seamus threw himself on to his bed with a hopeless groan.
“Why’d you pick me to come up here and test, Harry?” the Irishman complained.
“Because, Seam, in case you haven’t noticed, your boyfriend’s family has a history of supporting Voldemort.”
“No, I hadn’t actually,” Seamus bit out coldly.
“Whoa!” Neville held up his hands. “Look, I’m not planning on telling anyone! Stop taking your aggression out on each other!”
“Sorry,” the two on their beds muttered.
Neville rolled his eyes and sat down next to Harry, picking up his book gently. “Just tell me why.”
“Because Dumbledore’s a prick,” was Seamus’ immediate response.
Neville chuckled. “Same old Seamus. But, really, is that all?”
“Well, and Blaise does have a Dark family history. When he asked me if I’d join him on the Dark Lord’s side, I’d already had an idea that Harry had turned, so I decided that there wasn’t much hope for the Light,” Seamus murmured softly.
“Seamus, you thought Harry was Dark in fifth year. How was this year any different?”
“I didn’t deny it when he asked.” Harry sighed, standing and walking over to the window.
“Oh.” Neville nodded and gazed at the back of his friend. “And why did you flip?”
“A few different reasons. Dumbledore is a fairly large one.” Harry sighed. “And there’s someone I care very much for on Voldemort’s side.”
“Ginny?” Neville frowned. He didn’t think Ginny was Dark.
“No.” Harry gave a dry chuckle. “You told me before the holiday that you didn’t think I treated Gin like a girlfriend.”
“You treat her like a sister,” Neville agreed.
“That’s because she is my sister,” was Harry’s emotionless response.
“Harry!” Seamus sat up, staring at Harry in shock. “You’re not going to…”
Harry smiled thinly at sandy-haired teen. “We agreed at the start of term that if the cover of me being with Gin didn’t fool some people and they felt the need to call one of us on it, we’d tell them the truth.” He turned to Neville, who was watching him curiously. “I’m dating Professor Brutùs.”
Neville hummed thoughtfully, glancing down at the cover of his book. “Which is why you spend so much time around him. I get it now.”
“Wow, Neville. When did you mellow out?” Seamus whispered.
Neville and Harry traded looks before both wizards cracked up. “Merlin, Seam! Where have you been the past two years?” Harry laughed.
Seamus looked extremely affronted.
“What’s Longbottom doing here?”
“Draco!” Ginny gave the blond a severe look as she walked up to the group gathered around outside Tom’s room.
“Have you no tact?” Hermione teased.
“Would you all shut up?” Harry sent a look around the group before returning his attention to the door. :Light’s downfall.:
The portrait didn’t budge.
Tom!
Why are you whining this time?
The password isn’t working!
What? The picture opened to show them their frowning professor. “You’re not letting them in now?”
“Strict orders from the Headmaster. No students are to be allowed into teacher’s rooms.”
“Oh, he’s making life difficult for us, then. Come in, everyone, and get settled while I have a chat with my doorkeeper. Harry, could you pour the tea?”
“Yes, Marcus.” Harry rolled his eyes and led the group of Gryffindors and Slytherins into the main room as Tom started arguing with the picture. “Everyone, pick a seat. Neville, I wouldn’t sit there if I were you, it’s kind of Marcus’ seat. Draco, scoot over.”
“How do you do that when your back is turned!” Draco shouted as he made room on the couch for Neville.
Harry smirked as he levitated a tray over to the table. “I have eyes in the back of my head.”
Everyone laughed as they leaned forward to pour themselves a cup of tea. Harry tossed himself into Marcus’ seat and closed his eyes lazily.
“Move it, you lazy little sod,” Tom ordered, re-entering the room and slamming the portrait behind him.
“Make me,” Harry shot back, refusing to open his eyes.
Tom rolled his eyes and picked the teen up, depositing him in a pile on the floor. Then he sat in his chair with a smirk as the other students laughed. “What was that, Harry?”
Harry smiled slyly and slipped into Tom’s lap, resting his head against the man’s chest. “I dare you to drop me on the floor again.”
“My feet are too tired, currently,” Tom decided, waving his wand to make himself a cup of tea.
“What in Merlin’s name have you been doing to hurt your feet, Marcus?” Ginny asked, making a face.
“He was visiting me.”
Everyone but Tom and Harry gave a shout as Salazar appeared behind Tom’s chair. Tom was sipping his tea calmly. Harry smiled at the ghost. “Hello, Salazar.”
“Little Gryffindor. Marvolo, I have a way to solve your problem.”
“Stop worrying, Neville. Salazar’s a good guy,” Harry murmured to his friend as he stood so Tom could follow Salazar to a blank expanse of wall.
“Push,” Salazar ordered his heir.
Tom scowled at the ghost, but pushed on the wall as he was told. The wall slid back to show them a tunnel.
“What’s down there, Salazar?” Harry enquired, coming to stand next to Tom as the other students stood and crowded around at a distance from the three.
“Why don’t you go on down and find out,” Salazar suggested slyly.
Harry and Tom traded looks before Harry nodded and started down the steps.
“Harry!” Hermione cried, stepping forward.
Tom glanced at the witch as Harry continued down. “He’ll be fine, Hermione.”
“I’m going too!” Ginny shouted, hurrying to go through the opening.
Tom grabbed her about her waist and glanced at Salazar. Something told him it wouldn’t be wise for them all to go down yet. “Slytherin?”
Salazar frowned at the witch, then nodded. “She may go, but no one else.”
“Go on, then.” Tom released the redhead and watched as she disappeared downwards.
“What’s down there?” Theodore demanded. “Why can Harry and Gin go down, but not us?”
“Gryffindor’s room,” Salazar replied calmly. “Only the Heir can enter safely, though he may allow others that he trusts. Gin has the Potter crest. She is also safe.”
“Harry’s the Heir of Gryffindor?” Blaise whispered in awe.
“Are you surprised?” Seamus asked his boyfriend. “I thought it was obvious.”
“Neville, what’s wrong?” Hermione whispered, resting a hand on Neville’s shoulder. The boy was shaking.
“There’s two of us?” Neville squeaked.
Eight pairs of eyes bore holes in the terrified Gryffindor.
“I forgot he had two daughters…” Salazar murmured. “Jocosa moved away to Africa and lost contact. I’m surprised your line remembered.”
“My grandmother told me on my birthday,” Neville replied shakily.
The ghost nodded. “If you want, you may go down, then.”
Neville made a quick dash for the door and fled down the stairs.
“Now what?” Pansy murmured.
“Now, we wait. Harry will send word when it’s safe to go down,” Hermione decided, returning to her seat and tea.
Trading looks, the other students also returned to their seats. “Tom?” Seamus called, noticing that the professor had remained at the top of the stairs.
Tom sat on the floor in front of the entrance. “I’ll stay here, thanks.”
The six students traded worried looks while Salazar rested a silvery hand on his Heir’s shoulder. Tom didn’t move.
“Neville’s coming,” Harry murmured to his sister as they continued down the narrow, winding stairs.
Sure enough, Neville caught up with them, breathing heavily. “I didn’t know you were an Heir too, Harry.”
Harry smiled slightly. “Neither did I, really. I should have guessed, of course; Salazar’s only been hinting it since Hallowe’en.”
“You’ve always been dense.” Ginny sighed dramatically, earning her a playful swat from her brother.
“Light at the end of the tunnel,” Neville laughed, pointing ahead of them at a block of red that was getting larger as they approached it.
“To sound like Herm, no running on the stairs,” Ginny said seriously. The two wizards traded looks before cracking up.
“So, Neville, do you know which side you get the bloodline from?” Harry inquired lightly.
“My grandmother’s, actually. So, my dad’s side of the family.” Neville shrugged. “You get yours from your dad, don’t you?”
“I suppose. Seeing as how it’s the Potter crest that’s protecting Gin, I’d have to say that it goes back a while, too.”
“Probably pretty accurate,” Neville agreed. Then, “How come Slytherin likes Marcus?”
“No tact.” Ginny groaned.
“Gryffindor trait,” Harry decided, grimacing. “Neville, why don’t you tell me why.”
“He’s You-Know-Who, isn’t he?”
Harry smiled. “In the words of Voldemort, ‘No, I don’t know who’.”
Neville and Ginny laughed. “Who’d he say that to?” Ginny asked.
“One of the Aurors that came to check his rooms at the beginning of the holidays.”
“He didn’t!”
“Oh, yes he did.” Harry shook his head. “The man has no sense of self-preservation.”
“He’s powerful enough to not need it, I think,” Neville murmured.
“Perhaps.” Harry slung an arm around Neville’s shoulders. “If it makes you feel any better, he screamed himself hoarse at Bellatrix for making your parents insane. He really wasn’t pleased with her.”
“Really?” Neville looked at Harry hopefully.
Harry offered the other wizard a painful smile. “I recall him telling me, once, that he’d never condone driving his enemies insane and leaving them like that. If he had been there, they would have been killed, to save them that fate.”
Neville nodded. “Better dead than insane. I never thought the day would come that I would agree with You-Kno–“ He glanced at Harry, who was grinning. “Oh, fine, Voldemort.”
Harry laughed. “About damn time!”
“We’re here,” Ginny murmured from behind the wizards, silencing her brother.
They paused three steps up from a waterfall of red liquid which they couldn’t see beyond. Harry appeared to be the only one daring enough to step down closer. He frowned at it. “Blood.”
Neville gave a squeak while Ginny drew in a sharp breath. “We have to walk through that, don’t we?”
Harry didn’t answer but walked right through.
Ginny and Neville traded terrified looks before jumping after him. “Harry!”
They found Harry standing before a ghostly figure. The man gave them all piercing looks. “What do you want?”
“Salazar sent us down here,” Harry replied calmly. “We’re trying to find a place for everyone to meet that the Headmaster can’t get to.”
“Why not Salazar’s room?” the ghost challenged, circling around the three. Harry was the only one who didn’t follow him with his eyes.
“Not everyone is a Parseltongue, Godric. Surely you’re aware of that.”
“Watch your mouth, boy!” Godric Gryffindor shouted, getting in Harry’s face.
“Give me a mirror and I’ll have no problem with that,” Harry shot back mildly.
“Harry…” Ginny moaned.
“You…” Godric appeared lost for words.
“From what Salazar has said of you, I expected someone very different from yourself.” Harry sighed. “You’ve obviously been locked away for too long. But, then, you had no legends to lead your Heirs to you like Salazar did. I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“When did stupidity become a synonym for bravery?” Ginny muttered under her breath.
Harry grinned. “Just now.”
Godric stared at the green-eyed boy for a long moment in shock. Then, slowly, he began to smile. “They’ve long been connected.”
“I’ll take your word for that,” Harry decided. “After all, age is supposed to make a person wise.”
“And you’re always the exception to the rule,” Neville joked weakly.
“Exactly! I’ve always been this wise!”
“And he always will be, too.” Ginny snorted, rolling her eyes.
Godric chuckled. “I fear you three have me at a disadvantage. Have you names?”
The three Gryffindors traded smiles. Mission accomplished.
“Neville Longbottom,” Neville volunteered.
“Ginevra Weasley.” Ginny smiled. “Though I also go by Gin or Ginny.”
“Harry Potter,” Harry offered with a bow. “Though I, too, go by many different names, and not all of them are pleasant.”
“True. Jackarse, prat, bastard–“
“Gin.” Harry gave the girl a look over his glasses that made Ginny burst into laughter. “What?”
“You looked like Dumbledore for a moment there,” Neville offered while Ginny recovered.
Harry groaned. “Just what I’ve always wanted.”
Godric smiled at them. “You mentioned Salazar?”
“Oh, yeah. He’s upstairs with his Heir and many of our other friends.” Harry nodded.
“Is he really? Well, why don’t one of you go up and tell them all to come down.”
Ginny and Neville both glanced at Harry, who had closed his eyes. Tom? What’s wrong?
Hum? Oh, nothing.
Are you worried about me?
Yes.
Well, don’t be. And bring everyone down here. Salazar too. In fact, tell Salazar that Godric’s been a right old grump, living down here all alone…
Why do I get the feeling you know something I don’t?
Why, Tom, I know many things you don’t know!
That’s what I’m afraid of. We’ll be down there shortly.
Oh, and, as warning, you have to go through a waterfall that looks and smells like blood.
Is it?
As far as I can tell, no. Tell Hermione, though.
Will do.
Thank you. Harry opened his eyes with a smile. “They’re coming.”
“How’d you do that?” Godric grumbled, leading them to a scattered pile of what looked like beanbag chairs.
“Salazar’s Heir tried to kill me when I was a baby, but the curse backfired. We have a mental connection, of sorts, that we’ve fallen into the habit of manipulating to contact one another if we need something. Very useful,” Harry explained, picking a green lump and dropping himself into it.
“He tried to kill you?” Godric didn’t look at all pleased with this bit of news.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because of a prophecy suggesting that I would bring about his downfall.” Harry shrugged. “It’s in the past.”
“Obviously this prophecy was a load of codswallop,” Godric grumbled.
“Well, that’s yet to be seen,” Harry replied. “Parts of it have proven right, at any rate.”
“I get the feeling you believe in the art of Divination about as much as the rest of us,” Ginny said to Godric.
“Codswallop,” Godric agreed.
“I’ve seen two true prophecies in my life and one has already come true, so you’ll have to excuse me if I have a little faith in the one about me and Tom.” Harry scowled.
“Faith is not a Gryffindor trait,” a voice said from the entrance. “Hello, Godric.”
“Salazar,” Godric replied tightly.
“Oh no you two don’t!” Harry shot looks between the two ghosts, ignoring as the room filled with the people they’d left up in Tom’s room. “Salazar, you were pining like hell for Godric over the holidays; Godric, you’ve been a right arse since we got down here, but you sure seemed more open to things when Salazar was mentioned. Drop the differences already, you’re the only ones falling for them.”
“So that’s why you kept mentioning Slytherin!” Ginny cried, smacking her forehead with her hand. “Tom, you’ve twisted the poor baby.”
“He’s hardly a baby.” Tom snorted, coming to sit next to his lover and pulling him into his lap. “Gryffindor and Slytherin are old enough to sort things out without your help, Harry. Cool it.” Harry blew a raspberry at Tom and sat back against his chest with a pout. “And you call me immature.”
“I’m not sitting on the floor!” Draco declared, eyeing the beanbag chair with disgust as Seamus and Blaise picked seats next to Neville.
Ginny reached over and knocked his feet out from under him, making him fall to the floor with a ‘slam’. “Now you are.” Draco glared at her as Theodore quietly sat next to his girlfriend.
“Gryffindor trait,” Neville offered helpfully.
“I’d hit you if you weren’t so far away,” Ginny warned.
“You shouldn’t hit people, Gin,” Hermione said, conjuring herself a chair behind Ginny and rested her hands on the witch’s shoulders as she sat tiredly.
“Herm, are you okay?” Harry asked, immediately forgetting he was supposed to be pouting.
Hermione smiled faintly. “Yes, but I don’t much fancy taking those stairs again.”
Godric stepped up next to her, frowning slightly. “I’ll show you a different way when you are ready to leave. It leads up to Gryffindor Tower and has no stairs.”
“How many ways out of here are there, Godric?” Ginny inquired curiously.
“Four,” the ghost said, motioning to archways like the one they’d all come from in the middle of each of the four walls.
“One to Tom’s rooms. One to Gryffindor Tower. Where do the other two let out?” Ginny murmured thoughtfully.
“Kitchens and dungeons.”
Ginny and Harry traded looks. “We could hold meetings down here, if Godric will allow it, that is?” Harry glanced at the ghost. He’d returned to standing uncomfortably next to Salazar.
“What sort of meetings?” Godric asked suspiciously. “You’d better not be plotting against either of the other Houses.”
“No, just Ron,” Theodore offered coldly.
“And Dumbledore,” Seamus added.
“Among other things,” Tom slid in calmly.
Godric scowled. “Explain.”
“Ron’s my brother,” Ginny offered gently. “He got Hermione pregnant while she was drunk. Then, a couple of days ago, he beat me up in the hallway because Harry gave me his family ring to welcome me as his sister.”
“It doesn’t help that he thinks we’re dating.” Harry sighed, rubbing at his forehead.
“Well, we can’t very well let Dumbledore find out you’re dating Tom!” Ginny shot back.
“Who’s Dumbledore?” Godric asked, looking around the semi-circle they'd unconsciously formed as he settled himself onto the cushions next to Pansy.
“Current Headmaster,” Salazar answered, seating himself next to his fellow ghost. Godric gave him a dirty look.
“He favours Gryffindors,” Blaise said in disgust.
“How’s that a problem?” Godric shot back coolly.
“Because I’ve told him at least once a week that he needs to expel me for all the shit I’ve been pulling, and he should have suspended Ron back in September when we first found out Herm was pregnant, and then again when he attack Gin in the hallway. Even his mother agrees with us. Dumbledore wouldn’t have owled Molly and Arthur about the attack if I hadn’t threatened to do it myself,” Harry laid out coolly.
“And we think he knew about the Dursleys,” Tom added softly, tightening his hold on Harry.
“Tom, everyone knew about the Dursleys by the time we threw that birthday party for Harry and Neville,” Hermione pointed out. “I mean, it was pretty much common knowledge that they dropped him off in London to fend for himself by the end of the party.”
“Who are the Dursleys?” Godric wrinkled his brow in confusion.
“My mum’s sister’s family,” Harry murmured, closing his eyes. “Dumbledore left me in their care after Tom killed my parents.”
“If care is what you can call that,” Ginny spat furiously. “A Merlin-damned cupboard is not a substitute bedroom!”
“Thank you, Miss Weasley.” Tom shot Ginny a silencing look. Harry?
I’m fine. Really.
Tom let out a sigh and kissed the top of Harry’s head gently before resting his head against Harry’s and closing his eyes. Of course you are.
“And he manipulates everyone to better help himself,” Neville offered gently. “Dumbledore does. He’s been shaping Harry into a weapon for years.”
“Against the evil Dark Lord,” Seamus added mockingly.
“Who’s, really, not such a bastard,” Hermione offered.
“I don’t know whether to be insulted, or touched,” Tom muttered.
“Be touched. This is Hermione we’re talking about, and she might have a mood swing if you’re insulted,” Draco suggested good-naturedly. Hermione reached around Ginny and smacked him upside the head.
“What was that about not hitting people?” Ginny laughed.
Hermione shrugged helplessly. “Mood swing. Sorry.”
Laughter went around the circle, but Tom merely smiled faintly and Harry didn’t respond at all.
“Are you two okay?” Pansy inquired, eyeing the Dark Lord and the teen wizard in his lap.
“Harry’s sleeping.” Tom glanced up at everyone.
“That’s right…” Seamus scratched at his head. “He couldn’t sleep last night, so he went down to the common room. He was already gone when I woke up and went to check on him.”
“That’s why he seemed so out of it in Potions…” Draco murmured. “He kept zoning out and nearly ruined the potion. Professor Snape was trying really hard not to yell at him, too.”
“Why couldn’t he sleep?” Hermione aimed her question at Tom.
“I haven’t the faintest.”
“He’s probably worried about the lunch date tomorrow.” Ginny groaned. “Oh, me and my big mouth!”
“What?’ Theodore frowned at his girlfriend.
“I asked mum a question and it led to us discussing sides in the war,” Ginny complained. “Harry and mum and dad set up a lunch date for tomorrow to discuss them joining the Death Eaters.”
“Whoa!” Draco stared at the Weasley girl in shock. “Gin, you I can understand. Your brothers, I can understand. But, your parents?!”
“You have no idea,” Tom muttered dryly.
“What about the necklace?” Seamus cut in, glancing at Neville, then Tom. “Could that have worried him?”
Tom nodded faintly. “Could have.”
“What about his necklace?” Draco demanded.
“Do you ever get the feeling that we Slytherins miss a lot?” Blaise muttered from next to Seamus, who hugged him.
“I can see it,” Neville offered meekly. “I can see Harry’s necklace, but not, say, Seamus’.”
“But, why?” Ginny muttered.
“I think I know, now,” Tom murmured, tugging Harry’s necklace from under his shirt. “Gryffindor, can you see this?”
“Yes.”
Seamus nodded when the Dark Lord looked at him and pulled his own necklace. “But, can you see this?”
Godric frowned. “I see only your hand.”
Tom nodded. “Gryffindor bloodline, then. Neville can see the pendant because they’re related in such a way. Ginny, can Ron see your necklace?”
“Uhm…I don’t think so…” Ginny scratched her head. “I don’t know. I know mum can’t, though. It was out in plain sight while she was visiting.”
“Just the Founder bloodlines, then.”
“If it were related bloodlines in general, Neville would see mine, too,” Draco pointed out. “We’re fourth cousins, or some such nonsense.”
“That’s right. All the purebloods are related.” Tom groaned. “I keep forgetting.”
“Good thing shared blood matters for nothing, normally, then.” Hermione sighed. “Else, you would all would be screwed.”
“Thank you, Hermione,” Theodore grumbled.
“Hey, I’m not a Death Eater In-Training. I’m a supporter,” Hermione shot back playfully.
“I suppose I’m one now, too.” Neville hummed, getting him multiple surprised looks. “What? Harry’s family. He’s the closest thing to a brother that I’ve got.”
“And me?” Ginny asked, smiling broadly.
Neville grinned. “And Gin’s the closest thing I’ve got to a sister, ‘specially since Harry adopted her into his family.”
“Yay!” Ginny launched herself across the circle and hugged Neville tightly, pulling a gasp and then laughter from him.
“One big happy family, eh?” Harry murmured sleepily.
“Did I wake you?” Ginny asked worriedly.
“Yes, but we should head for bed anyway.” Harry smiled before attempting to stand.
Tom pulled the teen back into his lap. “Nope. You obviously cannot sleep in your dormitory, so you are remaining with me tonight.”
Harry let out a helpless sigh. “Can’t argue with that logic.”
“We’ll tell Ron you’re sleeping on the couch again. We’ll tell Dean you snuck off with Ginny,” Seamus assured Harry, who laughed.
“Oh, Seamus, you’re horrid.” Neville chuckled, helping Ginny stand.
“Well, no. If Ron thinks he’s sleeping with me, he’ll hunt us down, but he won’t give a rat’s arse if Harry’s on the couch. Dean’s liable to worry over Harry and see if he’s okay if he thinks he’s on the couch, but, if he thinks Harry’s with me, he won’t give a rat’s arse,” Ginny pointed out, smiling gleefully before going to say goodnight to Theodore.
“Harry, Tom, it’s probably not a good idea to go back up to Tom’s room. If Dumbledore decides to check and see on a few things…” Hermione murmured worriedly.
“They will sleep down here,” Godric said seriously. “In the morning, Harry can return to the Tower, Tom to his bedroom. No one will be the wiser.”
“And, from now on, when you’re having trouble getting to sleep, Harry, I expect you to slide on down here and come to me. Understood?” Tom said seriously.
Harry nodded with a yawn, then buried his face in Tom’s robe. Yup.
“The bedroom’s in that little cubby over there,” Godric told them, pointing to a curtained-off area kitty-corner to where they’d all been sitting.
“Thank you, Gryffindor.” Tom nodded, standing with Harry wrapped in his arms. You holding on?
Mh-hm.
“Say goodnight, everyone,” the Dark Lord suggested.
“Goodnight, Harry, Tom,” the four Slytherins and Seamus called.
Ginny and Hermione both came over and gave the two wizards a hug and a quick kiss goodnight. Neville inclined his head at the Dark Lord and told Harry goodnight.
Then, the Gryffindors and Slytherins went out their separate exits and Tom carried Harry over to the curtained-off area. He slipped off both of their shirts and robes, then got into bed with Harry, who was, once again, asleep.
“Goodnight, Harry. Sweet dreams,” Tom murmured, wrapping his arms around the small wizard and falling asleep himself.
----------------------------
A/N: *chokes on fluff* Uhg.
This chapter ended up being even more twisted than I’d originally expected!
~Batsutousai
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 ||
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)
.
