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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: I hate shopping, just so you know. Abhor it.
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
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Chapter 36
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Petunia opened the front door of her home to a very upset-looking Albus Dumbledore and an amused-looking Harry Potter, trunk trailing behind him. She immediately decided this wasn’t good. “What can I do for you gentlemen?”
“I’ve been suspended for two months,” Harry offered cheerfully, letting himself in. “If I’d known pissing off old guys was this much fun, I woulda tried it years ago. I’ll just take my trunk up to my old room. That all right, Aunt Petunia?”
Petunia managed a faint nod towards her nephew, then glanced back at the Headmaster. “What’s he done?”
“He wouldn’t close his mouth when it was in his best interest,” Dumbledore explained tightly.
“In other words, I kept on insulting him until he finally lost his temper and sent me home,” Harry offered, bounding down the stairs again. “I hope I’m not in the way, Aunt Petunia.”
“No, no, not at all…” Petunia murmured. “I’m sure we’ll figure out something for you to do to keep yourself occupied.”
“Brilliant! See you in two months, Professor!”
Dumbledore held out a hand seriously. “You are suspended, Harry. Therefore, you must hand over your wand until the two months are over.”
“I’m of age!” Harry cried, suddenly not seeming so happy anymore.
“And you have been suspended.”
“What if Voldemort attacks?!”
“Highly unlikely,” Dumbledore replied evenly. “And we’ll have Order members watching your house.”
“Oh, good. I feel loads safer now,” Harry spat, pulling his wand from his shirt sleeve and handing it over. “Let’s just hope Mundungus doesn’t find another good deal on cauldrons.”
Dumbledore took the wand and slipped it into his pocket. “Let’s.” He turned to leave. “I will see you again in two months time. Hopefully, by then, your attitude will have improved.”
“Keep dreaming,” Harry shot back viciously. “Oh, and Professor?” Dumbledore turned to look at him again. “Just because I’m not at Hogwarts doesn’t mean I can’t wreak havoc on the school. With or without my wand, I’m hardly powerless.”
“Is that a threat, Harry?” Dumbledore inquired mildly.
Harry’s eyes glinted. “No, sir. That was a promise.” Then he slammed the door in the wizard’s face.
Petunia sighed at the blank look on her nephew’s face. “Come help me make dinner.”
“I wasn’t even aware you could cook.” Harry sneered, following her.
Petunia gave him a look over her shoulder and said, very calmly. “Of course you were.”
Harry’s eyes fell to his feet. “Sorry.”
Petunia smiled and slipped an arm across her nephew’s shoulders, stopping them in the centre of the kitchen floor. “What happened?”
“I finally got him to do something about my being a horrible student.” Harry shrugged. “Really, he should have expelled me months ago, but he needs me, so he can’t.” The teen ruffled his hair in a agitated manner. “But, see, now I’m worried. My friend, Herm, she’s pregnant and I’m not so sure how she’ll hold up without me around. I mean, she can usually manage fine, but I’m worried what Ron’ll do now that I can’t stop him.”
Petunia turned and guided him to a chair at the kitchen table, then sat next to him. “What is Ron to Herm?”
“Her extremely jealous ex who got her pregnant,” Harry deadpanned.
Petunia winced. “That’s never a good mix. You’re normally able to stop him from doing stuff?”
“Yes and no. Ron’s extremely stupid sometimes, but, when he's using his brain, he seems to recall that I have a temper that he once likened to a tsunami when I lose it, so he keeps himself from doing stupid things. Every time he’s done something stupid this year and I’ve found out about it, he’s found himself in a very compromising position. I don’t suppose it helps that most of the school is also usually set against him.”
Petunia nodded absently. “But, without you there, you fear he won’t worry about your retaliation and do whatever he wants.”
“Well, sort of. I mean, I put my friends in charge of looking after Herm, and Gin, who he beat up the other day because of a ring I gave her for Christmas. I’m just concerned about what Ron will do before he realizes that the retaliation will happen, whether I’m at school or not,” Harry groaned, massaging his forehead.
Petunia smiled sympathetically. “Understandable, but not something you can do anything about in your current position, regrettably.” She stood. “Sit here. I’ll make dinner.”
Harry watched her go over to the fridge and start going through it. “When’d you become so damn understanding?”
Petunia laughed. “Since I became a mother, actually. If you’ll recall, Harry, you never bothered to come to me with your problems, if only because I was either the cause of them or because you didn’t think I’d listen.”
“Would you have?” Harry enquired in a small voice.
Petunia looked at him sadly. “Some things, yes. Other things, probably not.”
“I would have come to you about Vernon, but he said he’d murder me if I said anything,” Harry mumbled, laying his head on the table wearily. “I’m almost glad he’s dead, really. I know he was your husband and all that, but I really can’t mind him being gone.”
His aunt chuckled as she set a pan on the stovetop. “There are times I’m glad he’s gone myself. Other times, I wish he were here still.”
Harry peeked up at her. “Are you tight for money?”
Petunia smiled at him. “No. The house is paid for and I’m getting Vernon’s pension from Grunnings. I’ve also been working at the grocery in town. It helps that Dudley ran away.” She winked.
Harry chuckled. “Good. I don’t want you out on the streets, all of a sudden.”
“Not likely. In fact, there’s enough money from Vernon’s pension that I could probably get away with not working, but I rather like having something to do.”
“A feeling I know well.” Harry sighed. “What am I going to do while you’re at work, though? I can’t very well apparate anywhere to relieve my boredom…”
“Tell you what. I work from eleven to five, Monday through Friday. If you get up early enough and have a place in mind, I’ll drive you around to it. I’m afraid, however, that you’ll most likely be finding your own way back. Otherwise, you can hang around here and do as you please. You might even consider getting a job of some sort for the next two months.”
“Maybe.” Harry sighed. “Too bad this isn’t a wizarding neighbourhood. I could teach some kids defence of some sort.”
Petunia hummed. “There’s one of those odd little Eastern style fighting houses that just moved it across the street from the grocery. You could take karate or something. Here, set the table for me.”
Harry stood, considering the dojo, and set out the silverware, bowls, and cups across from one another. It appeared Petunia had made stew of some sort. “I thought you said you could cook,” he teased, pouring two glasses of milk.
“This is cooking,” Petunia shot back with a smile as she ladled the stew out into the bowls.
“Are you kidding? That’s not cooking, that’s making stew! Even Dudley could have made stew!” Harry laughed, settling in his seat while Petunia sat across from him.
“Debatable. He’d have to get near the stove first.”
The wizard sniggered into his stew. “Point.”
Nephew and aunt traded grins before falling into silence and eating their stew.
-~*~-
“What have you got there?” Petunia inquired from the doorway. She’d made Harry take Dudley’s old room, since she’d cleaned it out once he was gone and it had a softer bed. Harry was laying on his back on the bed, shirtless, staring at his picture album, which he was holding above his head.
“It’s a picture album of mum and dad.” Harry sighed, making room so she could sit down.
Petunia gave the book a startled look. “They’re moving!”
Harry grinned. “All wizarding pictures move.” He pulled the basilisk picture from the nightstand and showed it to her. “Tom drew this and gave it to me over the Christmas holiday. Isn’t it amazing?”
Petunia gave it a critical look-over. “He’s extremely talented. Shame he’s wasted it on killing people.”
Harry sighed sadly. “I know.” He set the picture back on his nightstand, smiling at it faintly. “I saw him mere hours ago and I miss him.”
“You really love him.”
“Yes.” Harry tangled his fingers in the chain at his throat. “I know most people can’t see him as anything more than a murderer, but I know parts of him that he just won’t let other people see. He doesn’t want people to think he’s weak.” He closed his eyes. “Don’t mind me. I’m angsting again.”
Petunia laid a hand on his shoulder. “You have every right to angst, Harry.”
“Thanks,” the teen whispered, mouth dry.
“Now, to totally ruin the mood, when did you get your ear pierced?”
Harry opened his eyes and cracked a smile at her. “This afternoon. I got a tattoo, too.”
“Let’s see it, then!”
Harry sat up and turned around so she could see it. “It’s a basilisk and a phoenix. I like to kind of think it’s a representation of the war going on in the magical world currently.”
“Absolutely amazing,” Petunia decided. “Is there a specific reason you got it?”
“Yeah.” Harry turned back around so he could see her. “The ink is spelled to repel people if I want to be alone.”
“Just your style.” Petunia stood and kissed his forehead softly. “Get some sleep, Harry.”
“Goodnight, Aunt Petunia.”
“Goodnight.” The woman switched off the bedroom light and closed the door.
Harry set his photo album next to the basilisk picture and slid under his covers, staring up at the ceiling. “Is this what it’s like to have a real family?” he murmured.
When no one answered, Harry let himself cry.
-~*~-
Harry peeked his head into the kitchen early the next morning and found his aunt at the stove, making bacon and eggs. Coffee gurgled away on the counter. “Smells great.”
Petunia glanced at him. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“No.” Harry pulled down two cups and, switching off the coffee maker, poured a cup for both himself and his aunt. “Too much on my mind, I suppose.”
“Perhaps.” Petunia smiled at him. “Set the table?”
“That’s my new job, isn’t it?” Harry snorted, setting down his coffee to do as she asked.
“Well, you have to do something if you’re in here.”
“I’ll make a note to stay in the hall until the food’s all set out from now on, then,” the teen joked.
His aunt laughed as she filled their plates. “You do that!”
Just as they were both about to start eating, an owl flew through the open window and landed on Harry’s shoulder with a hoot. “Hey there, girl,” Harry murmured, handing Hedwig a piece of his bacon before taking the letter she’d had tied to her leg. “Ooh… It’s from Seam…”
Petunia glanced up. “Friend of yours?”
“Mm-hm. He’s in my year. I asked him to make sure he played a prank on Ron for me.” He slid open the letter and quickly read through it.
Petunia blinked at the owl on her nephew’s shoulder for a long moment before holding out a piece of bacon. The owl blinked at Harry, who was immersed in his letter, then flew across the table to Petunia’s shoulder and took the offered food. The Muggle smiled and stroked the bird. “Aren’t you beautiful.”
“Her name’s Hedwig,” Harry offered, settling his letter on the table and picking up his fork to eat. “Seam says it went off without a hitch. The prank was to make him see spiders in his bed while the curtains are closed, and he’s terrified of spiders. They plan on transfiguring things around him into spiders at random points throughout the day to scare him even more. I almost wish I could be there to watch.” He smirked.
Petunia smiled. “That’s good.”
“Hey, Hedwig? Every time you see Ron, could you peck him for me?” Harry inquired of his owl. Hedwig gave an affirmative hoot. “Thanks, girl.”
Petunia let out a hum and pointed at Harry’s bare chest. “Don’t you have any shirts?”
The teen’s cheeks reddened. “I have two that fit, actually, and they’re both dirty. My friends dragged me out shopping over Christmas, but all we got were wizarding clothes.”
“Then we’re taking you shopping today.”
“Aunt Petunia, that’s really not necessary…”
“Of course it is. You’re staying here for two months. You need some real clothing.” She looked him over. “And I know just the place to go. Finish your breakfast and change.”
Harry sighed. “Oh, fine. Geeze…”
-~*~-
Harry stared at the daunting department store. The sign above his head proclaimed it to be named Harrod’s. “I’m scared. I’ll wait in the car,” Harry decided, then turned to walk back to the car on the kerb.
Petunia laughed and dragged him with her into the store. “Come on. It’ll be fun!”
“Fun? You call shopping fun?” Harry groaned and covered his eyes. “Women.”
“Oh, stop.” Petunia stopped in front of a large section of young men’s clothing. “You have to get at least five shirts and three pairs of trousers. Get some more pants and socks, as well.”
“Do I have a price range, perhaps?” Harry snorted, glaring at a violently orange button-down shirt in front of him.
“No more than one thousand pounds,” Petunia offered before turning. “I’ll be in the women’s section upstairs. Come find me when you’re done. And make sure you try things on!”
Harry scowled at her retreating back. “What if I can’t find that much clothing?” he muttered to himself. Then, giving the orange shirt another dirty look, he slid in among the racks. Fine. Dray says I look good in green and grey, but he’s biased. Herm seems to think I should go with greens and lighter browns. Gin likes green, grey, and black. Harry glanced around wearily. I suppose I can get a shirt in each of those colours, plus another green. And the trousers can be in grey, black, and brown… Unless I see some jeans I like...
He stopped next to a rack of button-down shirts in much more mild colours than the orange one along the main aisle. A black one with a scarlet Chinese dragon on the back caught his gaze and he pulled it off the rack. “Hey, why not. She said at least five, and I doubt I’ll find that many. Oooh, look. Brown.” He pulled the brown button-down shirt and turned it to look at the back. Instead of the dragon, this one had two silver and grey swords crossed in an “X”. “Fancy.”
The rest of the shirts on that rack weren’t to his liking, so Harry walked on, eyes shooting around at the different racks he walked by. A rack of t-shirts held a grey one that had a green serpent twining around it with a line from MacBeth written across the front, in front of a red rose. “ ‘Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t.’ How very Slytherin.” The teen chuckled, slinging it over his arm with the other two shirts.
A black shirt on the same rack had the words “Something wicked this way comes” in dripping red writing across the front. A shadowed, bloody dagger laid beneath the words. Would this be the MacBeth rack? I mean, really... Ooh... A blue shirt seemed to be the last of the set and had the words “Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble” set in Avada Kedavra green lettering before a bubbling cauldron over a furious fire.
“Oh yeah! That’s five! On to trousers!” Harry laughed to himself, turning to head over towards the trousers part of the guys’ section.
“Talking to yourself again, Harry?” a dangerous voice asked softly.
Harry froze, eyes on the large boy sneering at him. “Malcolm…”
“What did you do to Big D, you freak?” Malcolm spat, closing in on the much smaller Harry, who was trembling.
“I never touched him. Swear,” Harry said quickly. “Leave me alone.”
“You know where he is,” Malcolm hissed, grabbing the front of Harry’s shirt and shaking him. The shirts the wizard had been holding clattered to the floor.
“I don’t! Let me go!”
“Liar!”
“Let him go, kid,” a voice called from behind Malcolm.
“Says who?” Malcolm demanded, turning to look around.
Harry felt a charm on his wrist warm and he saw Rodolphus standing in front of a rack of clothes, wand pointed at the two teens. “Rodolphus…” he breathed.
The Death Eater smirked and dropped the Invisibility Spell. “I’ll give you 'til three to put him down and run before I kill you,” he warned coldly. “One…”
Malcolm gave a shout and, dropping Harry – who crumpled to the ground – ran in the opposite way. “Mummy!”
Rodolphus knelt before the Boy-Who-Lived. “Harry, are you alright?”
The teen gave a weak laugh. “How–?” he whispered, closing his eyes to keep his tears at bay.
“My Lord ordered a few of us to keep an eye on you.” He gently rose Harry’s head. “Harry?”
Harry let out a sob and leaned forward to bury his face in the Death Eater’s black t-shirt. Rodolphus sighed and wrapped his arms around the younger wizard, closing his eyes. Lucius, who was one of the others on watch-duty, had mentioned that Harry’s cousin and his gang of no-good friends had done something to the teen a couple of years ago. Whatever it was, it didn’t affect the teen, normally, but some things did set him off. Lucius had told them that they had to be very gentle with their younger master if something did set him off.
Harry pulled away after a long moment, pulling off his glasses to wipe at his face. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Rodolphus murmured, frowning at the teen. “You look exhausted.”
“I am.” Harry gave the man a weak smile. “Won’t you get into trouble if someone sees you?”
“Perhaps.” Rodolphus winked and stood. “But that’s only if they can recognize me.” He held out a hand to help Harry up.
Harry shook his head with a smile as he put his glasses back on. “Right. No current pictures of you.” He took the offered hand and let the older wizard pull him to his feet. “Who else did Tom set on my arse?”
The Death Eater chuckled at Harry’s phrasing as he leaned down to pick up the shirts he’d dropped. “Lucius, my brother, and Antonin.”
“Just the four of you?” Harry scratched his head.
“We’re running shifts. Two of us watch your house. If you leave, we flip a Sickle and the loser goes.” Rodolphus’ eyes glittered as he smiled at the teen again. “I lost today.”
Harry sniggered. “I’d feel sorry for you, but I’m not.”
“Why am I not surprised.” Rodolphus sighed, pulling a laugh from the teen at his side. “Trousers, then?”
Harry made a face. “I hate shopping!” he declared, leading the way.
“Oh, I don’t know. You looked like you were having fun before.”
The younger wizard shot his companion a dirty look. “Was not.”
“As you say, Master Potter.”
Harry punched him lightly. “Prat.”
“You wound me.”
“As I recall, the last time Tom said that, I dumped my tea in his lap…”
Rodolphus gave a shout of surprised laughter. “Great Merlin, you really can get away with everything!”
“Nearly,” Harry agreed, then stopped to look at a rack of sleeveless shirts. “I haven’t got a green shirt…”
“Did you mean to get one?”
“Yes.” Harry frowned at the garments. “And Aunt Petunia mentioned a dojo in town that I could hang out at while she’s at her job.” His gaze flew back to where Malcolm had jumped him. “Probably a good idea.”
Rodolphus nodded. “He took your wand.”
Harry snorted. “I’m suspended. Of course he’d make sure I couldn’t cause trouble.”
“Wandless magic,” the Death Eater said suddenly.
Harry’s head shot up, eyes wide in shock. “I thought it was a myth.”
Rodolphus frowned. “Hardly. It’s just very difficult. You’ve seen it before, though.”
Harry shook his head. “No.”
“Of course you have. Animagi use it when they transform.”
Harry’s mouth formed an “o”.
“I’ll see if Wormtail will drop by, if that is acceptable?”
Harry shrugged. “If he brings Nagini to stay, I don’t see why not. She and I get on.” He smirked. “Probably good for his little rat heart, anyway.”
Rodolphus let out a snort, then held up an emerald green muscle shirt. “What about this one?”
Harry blinked at the shirt the Death Eater held, then at a strange black one with a hole in the back that he’d just pulled off the rack. “Oh, that’s right. Green…” He started to put the one he’d taken down back.
“I’m sure your aunt will let you get both, Harry,” Rodolphus pointed out with a grin as he set the shirt he’d pulled down with the others he’d hung over one arm.
The teen took a moment to stare at the shirt he’d picked out, then he handed it over to Rodolphus. “Thank you,” he murmured as the elder wizard took it and added it to the pile. Then he turned and led the way to the trousers, immediately going for the sweats.
Rodolphus smiled after the young man and followed him. “Always sweats, hm?”
Harry shrugged. “They’re easy to change in and out of.”
“They have no pockets.”
“You, obviously, haven’t been looking hard enough.” Harry smirked at the mock shocked look on the other’s face. “You’re a pure-blood, anyway. What would you know about sweats?”
“What am I wearing right now?” the Death Eater grumbled.
Harry laughed and pulled a pair of grey trousers off a rack. “Hey, that’s cool.”
“What?” Rodolphus peeked over Harry’s shoulder and nodded. “That is interesting.” A black serpent was snaking its way up the left leg. “Are you going to get them?”
“Yes, actually.” Harry set the trousers atop the pile on Rodolphus’ arm.
“Good. Now,” Rodolphus set a hand on Harry’s shoulder and turned him away from the sweats. “I think you have enough sweats in your wardrobe at home. Get some of those denims.”
“Jeans,” Harry corrected, looking over a pair of red jeans in disgust. “That’s just wrong. Jeans should always be blue.”
“Not according to these people, it appears.” Rodolphus chuckled, following the teen through the racks. “Yellow with polka-dots…”
Harry scrunched up his nose in disgust. “We know what to get Dumbledore on his birthday, at least.”
“If he lives that long.”
“Point.” Harry pulled a pair of jeans off a rack, frowned at the manufactured faded look, and put them back. “Don’t they have just plain blue?”
“There’s black over there,” Rodolphus mentioned, pointing. Harry shot him a dirty look. “Suggestion.”
“Blue.” Harry went through another rack and grinned. “Here we go. Ooh, that one’s good.”
“It doesn’t look any different from any of the others on the rack, Harry…”
“Stuff it.” Harry set it on the pile, then frowned around him. “Now, one more pair of trousers…”
“Get another pair of jeans.”
“Oh.” Harry turned back to the rack and shifted through them again. He pulled out another pair of jeans and added them to the pile. “Done!”
“Undergarments?”
“Damn.”
“And trying everything on.”
“Double damn.” Harry sighed, as Rodolphus chuckled, and led the way towards the underwear. “White. Plain old white. Ha!” He threw a package of white shorts at the Death Eater, which Rodolphus barely caught, then ran for the socks.
“Why do I get the feeling you don’t want to do this?” Rodolphus enquired, coming upon the teen going through the socks for a package he could stand.
“Because you happen to be extremely observant,” Harry shot back, finally finding a set of socks he liked and setting them gently on top of the pile in Rodolphus’ arms. “Maybe we should get a basket?”
“Changing rooms, mister. I’ve carried more than this in my day.”
Harry snorted. “When Bella could actually force you to go out shopping with her, eh?”
“You’ve got it,” the Death Eater agreed as he followed Harry towards the changing rooms, which took them through the trousers again.
Harry paused next to a rack of black trousers made of pleather. “Should I get a pair?”
“Do you want a pair?”
Harry considered it, then shifted through the rack for a pair in his size. “Yeah. It’ll be fun to show up Dray.”
Rodolphus laughed.
-~*~-
Petunia walked into the house ahead of Harry, who was carrying all his bags. He paused just inside the door to glance out over the street, trying to catch sight of the two Death Eaters that were watching his house, as well as at least one Order of the Phoenix member. However, Petunia’s scream startled him into dropping his bags and running into the living-room. Petunia was staring at an armchair where a horrible, snake-like man sat. “Good day,” he offered in a hiss.
“Voldemort!” Harry scowled at the Dark Lord. “Change back!”
Voldemort chuckled darkly. “Maybe I don’t want to, little Harry Potter.”
Harry’s eyes widened and he got between his aunt and the monster in the chair. :Tom? Answer me?:
The man seemed confused for a brief moment, then covered it up with a sneer. “You think that will save you now?”
It’s not Tom! Harry’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”
“Asking stupid questions again, are we, Mr Potter?” he inquired, standing.
Harry’s hand flew to the Dark Mark at his throat and focused on calling Rodolphus and his brother, Rabastan, who he knew were outside. “Hardly. Who are you?”
The man gave a cold laugh, raising his wand at the teen wizard. “I’m sure you know that already, or are you really so stupid, boy?”
Petunia gave off a soft cry. “Harry…”
“I’m not stupid enough to fall for an imposter!” Harry shouted, seeing the two Death Eaters out of the corner of his eye. “Rodolphus! Rabastan!”
The two Lestranges dropped their invisibility, wands pointed at the man in front of them, as they got between him and their younger master. “Drop your wand and your disguise,” Rabastan ordered.
“Take your aunt to the kitchen,” Rodolphus suggested softly.
Harry nodded and, settling a gentle hand on his aunt’s arm, led her from the living-room and into the kitchen as the imposter screamed some nonsense at the two Death Eaters. “Sit at the table. I’ll be right back, alright?” Petunia nodded numbly, so Harry ran back into the living-room. “Well?”
Rodolphus pointed to where Rabastan was having fun kicking the tied man on the ground. “We don’t know him, Master Potter.”
“Rabastan, stop that,” Harry ordered sharply. The younger Lestrange immediately stepped back, glaring at the man. Harry knelt next to the man with a frown. “I don’t know him, either,” he forced the man to meet his eyes. “Why did you come here?”
“To kill you, of course!” the man spat, and Harry could see missing teeth.
“Why?” Harry asked calmly.
“The Dark Lord will crush you, boy. Crush you like the weak little freak you are.”
Harry stood darkly. “A supporter, then. What does Voldemort usually do with these sorts of idiots? And why didn’t the Order of the Phoenix member come to see what was the matter?”
“That stupid werewolf? I cursed him to bleed to death!”
Harry stared at the man in shock for a long moment before his eyes flashed dangerously. “You did what to my godfather?”
“Killed him. Slow death’s good for that sort.”
“Where?” Harry asked in a low voice.
“Out back somewhere.”
“Rabastan, I don’t care how you do it, but kill him, and put up Silencing Barriers. Rodolphus, help me save Remus,” Harry hissed before spinning and stepping quickly from the room. Rodolphus followed him into the kitchen. “Aunt Petunia, don’t go into the living-room. We’re going to go check something out in the back,” Harry suggested gently before leading the Death Eater out the back door.
Remus was laying in the middle of the Dursley’s backyard, pale and covered in cuts, blood soaking the grass around him. His gaze looked up to the two wizards at the kitchen door. “Harry, behind you,” he rasped.
“Remus. Oh, Merlin.” Harry hurried over to the werewolf’s side, then glanced up at Rodolphus sadly. “Can you do anything?”
The Death Eater glanced into the glaring eyes of the werewolf and sighed. “He’ll have to agree, first, Harry. Healing spells need cooperation.”
Harry leaned over the dying wizard so he could meet his eyes. “Remus, please. Trust Rodolphus. He’s my friend.”
“I cannot trust a Death Eater,” Remus hissed.
“Please don’t do this to me. I can’t lose you, too. Please, Remus,” Harry begged, eyes watering.
Remus gazed up into the pained emerald eyes and, with a sigh of defeat, nodded and closed his eyes.
Rodolphus stepped forward and, carefully, knelt next to the werewolf. “Sit back, Harry,” he warned. Once Harry had done as he was told, the Death Eater pointed his wand at Remus’ heart and muttered under his breath.
Remus let out a sharp gasp and twitched, but the cuts all over him started to heal and fade and his colouring became more healthy. When he opened his eyes, they were cleared of the pain, but had filled with suspicion. “How do I know you’re Harry Potter?”
“You don’t,” Rodolphus stated as he stood. “I’m going to go make sure your aunt is okay.”
Harry made a face. “Do me a favour and clean off your trousers, first. You’ll give her a heart attack if you go in covered in blood.”
The Death Eater snorted. “Muggles.” But he did perform a general Cleaning Charm on the yard, himself, Harry, and Remus before going inside.
“If you really don’t trust me, then ask me a question only I would know,” Harry suggested as Remus sat up with a groan.
The werewolf glanced at him warily. “Who was the only person I dated in school?”
Harry sighed and ruffled his hair. “Sirius, but you kept it a secret. When Peter found out in your seventh year and flipped, you two had to Obliviate him to keep him from spreading it around.”
Remus pursed his lips. “Where are the Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix?”
Harry shot a glance at the back door to be sure Rodolphus couldn’t hear before speaking. “Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. It was Sirius’ childhood home, but he left it to the Order in his will.”
Remus sighed sadly. “Harry, what have you got yourself into?”
The teen stood and held out a hand to help his godfather up. “It’s a long and involved story. Come inside and have some tea. I fear that imposter gave Aunt Petunia quite the scare.”
“Imposter?” Remus murmured, following the young wizard into the house.
“That man was not Voldemort. He was a supporter of the Dark Order who didn’t have a Mark,” Harry growled.
“And he’s lovely in red,” Rabastan said cheerfully from the kitchen doorway. He was covered in blood. Petunia looked a little green and Rodolphus had, it appeared, been trying to get him cleaned off.
“Rabastan!” Harry narrowed his eyes at the Death Eater, whose smile faded immediately. “Clean off that blood!”
“But, Master Potter–“
“NOW!” Harry roared. Rabastan quickly shot a Cleaning Charm at himself. “Is my living-room covered in blood?”
Rabastan paled slightly under the angry glare. “I’ll go clean it, Lord…” he whispered before fleeing from the room.
Rodolphus gave the teen an amused look. “The Dark Lord’s been giving you lessons.”
“Hardly.” Harry snorted. “Remus, have a seat. You too, Rodolphus. Aunt Petunia, are you okay?”
“I feel ill, actually,” Petunia murmured weakly.
Remus passed a small vial across the table. “This should help, Mrs. Dursley.”
“Thank you,” the Muggle whispered before taking the stuff in one gulp. She made a face, but definitely looked better.
“Why didn’t the wards on the house trip?” Harry asked Remus as he walked over to the stove and started tea.
“The Ministry and Albus thought we wouldn’t need them…” Remus murmured.
Harry let out a hiss. “No, of course not. It’s because they’re all idiots!” He kicked a cabinet. “Forget that my aunt still lives here! After all, she’s just a Muggle!”
“Harry!” Rodolphus started out of his seat, but Remus set a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t bother. He’s upset.” Remus sighed, watching as the young wizard stormed around over by the stove. “Not much you can do when he gets like this.”
Rodolphus sat back with a shake of his head. “I’ll have to trust you on that.”
“What’s happened? I feel like I’m missing something here,” Remus asked.
“He met up with Voldemort when we left him in London,” Petunia said in a monotone. “They reached some sort of agreement and, somehow, fell in love…”
“I thought he was dating Ginny!” Remus exclaimed.
“It was a front,” Harry murmured from behind his godfather as he set a cup in front of him. Remus looked at him in surprise. “Gin’s my sister, not my girlfriend, Remus. She’s helping us keep it a secret.”
“I’ll be damned. You’ve played all of us,” Remus breathed.
“No, not really,” Harry motioned to Rabastan, who was standing at the door again. “Sit. We’re having tea. When does everyone’s shift end?”
“We’re here until tonight,” Rabastan offered, sitting. “Then Lucius and Antonin take over.”
“I’m here for another two hours.” Remus sighed, watching Harry sit with his own cup of tea.
Harry nodded. “Rodolphus, Rabastan, when you leave, take that bastard with you, unless you’ve already banished him?”
“No, Lord.” Rabastan shook his head. “Walden likes the dead ones.” He shuddered.
Harry took off his glasses and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. “Lovely. Remind me to stay away from his house.” He glanced up at Remus as the two Death Eaters sniggered. “You have questions.”
“Why?” the werewolf asked softly.
“I’m tired of being Harry bloody Potter, the Boy Who Wouldn’t Fucking Die. I'm sick of being everyone’s hero, or a lunatic, depending on that day’s Daily Prophet. When I met Tom in London, he gave me a chance to be just me, after we’d agreed not to kill one another, that is.” Harry smiled sadly. “Gin forced us together after my birthday and that was the end of that.”
Remus sighed wearily. “And that’s all?”
Harry gave the wizard a strange look. “No. I’m also tired of being Dumbledore’s chess piece. He’s controlled my life for so damn long, I’d forgotten I had one.”
“I don’t think you ever had one to begin with, actually,” a voice said from the kitchen doorway.
“My Lord!” Rabastan and Rodolphus called at the same time as Harry shouted, “Tom!” and ran around the table to hug his lover.
The Dark Lord held Harry tightly, burying his face in the shorter wizard’s hair. “Oh, thank Merlin. You’re okay,” he whispered. “That’s three times today you’ve nearly given me a heart attack.”
Harry giggled. “Sorry.”
The Dark Lord kissed the young wizard’s scar, then picked him up, getting a shout from the teen, and settled in the chair Harry had vacated with Harry on his lap, held snugly against his chest. He nodded at the frowning werewolf. “Mr Lupin. You’re lucky Harry’s already told me I’m not allowed to harm you.”
“No threats,” Harry reprimanded. “Remus, stop glaring at him.” The two wizards traded one last glare before both moved their gazes elsewhere. “Really. You two are acting like six-year-olds.”
“Six? Wow. I’ve matured,” Tom teased, pressing a kiss to the back of Harry’s neck. “You know you left your new clothing in the middle of the front hall, right?”
“It adds to the décor,” Harry shot back airily. “I thought you knew that.”
“Harry, I’ve seen your attempts at decoration and, personally, they’re scary,” Tom muttered which earned him a round of laughter around the table. He glanced at Remus, who was laughing hardest. He, obviously, knew exactly what the Dark Lord was talking about. “So, Mr Lupin, did you ever think you’d find yourself sitting at a kitchen table with Death Eaters a Muggle, your godson, and myself, laughing?”
Remus silenced, giving the Dark Lord a strange look. “If someone told me this would happen a week ago, I would have made sure they were admitted to St. Mungo’s.”
“Harry, didn’t you say the same thing when I asked in London?” Tom murmured thoughtfully.
“Yeah, actually, I did…” Harry twisted so he could see Tom’s face. “You didn’t come sooner.”
“Rodolphus got to you before I could the first time.” He nodded to the Death Eater in thanks. “The second and third time, someone was bothering me.”
“What first time?” Petunia asked, looking at her nephew in concern. “Harry, did something happen in Harrod’s?”
Harry shrugged. “Malcolm and I had a chat.” Tom tightened his arms around the young wizard.
“That was not a chat,” Rodolphus growled.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Petunia immediately demanded.
Harry shook his head. “He was just asking about Dudley. It was a department store, Aunt Petunia. What could he have done?”
“Plenty, love,” Tom murmured gently. “Please calm down, she was just asking.”
Harry hid his face against Tom’s neck. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.”
Tom traded looks with Petunia, then stood carefully. “Come on, Harry. Let’s get you a nice, long nap before supper, eh?” he teased gently, carrying the teen from the room. The group in the kitchen heard a Levitation Charm out in the hallway and saw Harry’s bags follow them up the stairs.
Remus set his head in his hands. “This is so fucking weird.”
“Extremely,” Rodolphus agreed.
“Remus, if you don’t mind me asking, why was there only one of you watching the house?” Rabastan inquired, sipping at his tea.
“My partner got called off on Auror business at the last minute and everyone else was busy with something else.” Remus sighed.
“Too busy to help protect their important little Saviour who happens to be very defenceless?” Rodolphus looked furious. “It’s a good thing the Dark Lord ordered a watch!”
Tom came back into the kitchen, looking haggard. “Lupin, he’s asking for you.” He sat wearily. “Rabastan, why didn’t you see this piece of shit entering the house?”
“He came in the back,” Remus offered before leaving the kitchen to attend to his godson.
The Dark Lord ran a hand through his hair. “I hate doing this, but you four need to find two more Death Eaters so we have three in each shift. I want one person always staking out the back while another always stakes out the front. Rodolphus, when Harry leaves the house, you will follow him from now on. On Lucius and Antonin’s shift, I want Lucius following. Make sure they know.”
“Yes, Lord,” the two Death Eaters chorused seriously.
“Tom?” Petunia spoke up suddenly. The Dark Lord looked to her with a raised eyebrow. “If Rodolphus and Lucius would find it easier, they can stay in the house. I’m sure it would be easier to keep an eye on Harry, and he’d have someone to talk to.”
Tom glanced towards Rodolphus. “If that is what they’d like, I see no problem. It would make this easier, I suppose. Thank you, Petunia.”
The woman nodded. “I’d feel better, personally, if I knew that, next time we come home and find someone in the living-room, there’s already someone in the house that can help.”
“My Lord?” Rabastan spoke, earning the table’s attention. “Might I suggest a cover story of some sort, in case another Order member drops in to chat with Master Potter?”
“Lucius could have sent a bodyguard of sorts to keep an eye on him after hearing about this last attack and how poorly the house was guarded. It’s well-known he’s fond of Harry, and the Ministry would waive any complaints from the Order,” Rodolphus suggested.
Tom nodded. “See that it is done. Neither Harry nor I have any complaints about it.” The Dark Lord fingered the pendant that Harry had given him for Christmas. “Rodolphus, you mentioned finding a way to teach Harry wandless magic?”
“He needs some way to protect himself, Lord,” Rodolphus agreed. “I know he’s also going to try out the dojo, but he needs some magical defence against his enemies.”
“Agreed. I’ll have Lucius lend him a book on the subject. Once he’s read it, see that Wormtail does come to assist him.”
“Understood.”
The Dark Lord stood slowly. “I’m leaving for now, but I’ll be back next weekend, perhaps with one of his school friends,” he warned. The two Death Eaters nodded. “Be careful with him,” he added, much softer, almost pleadingly.
“We’ll treat him like a son of our own, my Lord,” Rodolphus promised.
“Unless he starts yelling again,” Rabastan muttered. “Then we’ll treat him like you.”
Rodolphus elbowed his brother darkly, but Tom laughed. “That would probably be your best bet. Or, you could attempt to remember not to track blood through the house.”
Rodolphus snorted in amusement while Rabastan scowled. “If I’d known he was going to yell at me for it, I would have cleaned up sooner.”
“Now you know,” Rodolphus teased, smirking, while Tom laughed again.
Petunia was smiling. “Harry’s not the one who minds it, I do. As long as I don’t see it, he probably won’t care.”
“Exactly,” Tom agreed. He paused, frowning, then heaved a great sigh. “Trust Lup– oh, fine – Remus. Harry seems to think he’ll maybe join us.” He threw his hands up in the air helplessly. “Gryffindors!”
The other three in the room laughed, especially when they heard Harry and Remus shout, “Slytherins!” down the stairs.
Tom shook his head, smiling. “That child will be my downfall, I dare say.” He winked, then left them to say one last goodbye to Harry.
“You were right,” Rabastan admitted. “Harry’s good for our Lord.”
Rodolphus sat back in his chair, smiling smugly. “Told you so.”
Petunia laughed as Rabastan punched his brother’s arm.
----------------------------------------
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: I hate shopping, just so you know. Abhor it.
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
Chapter 36
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petunia opened the front door of her home to a very upset-looking Albus Dumbledore and an amused-looking Harry Potter, trunk trailing behind him. She immediately decided this wasn’t good. “What can I do for you gentlemen?”
“I’ve been suspended for two months,” Harry offered cheerfully, letting himself in. “If I’d known pissing off old guys was this much fun, I woulda tried it years ago. I’ll just take my trunk up to my old room. That all right, Aunt Petunia?”
Petunia managed a faint nod towards her nephew, then glanced back at the Headmaster. “What’s he done?”
“He wouldn’t close his mouth when it was in his best interest,” Dumbledore explained tightly.
“In other words, I kept on insulting him until he finally lost his temper and sent me home,” Harry offered, bounding down the stairs again. “I hope I’m not in the way, Aunt Petunia.”
“No, no, not at all…” Petunia murmured. “I’m sure we’ll figure out something for you to do to keep yourself occupied.”
“Brilliant! See you in two months, Professor!”
Dumbledore held out a hand seriously. “You are suspended, Harry. Therefore, you must hand over your wand until the two months are over.”
“I’m of age!” Harry cried, suddenly not seeming so happy anymore.
“And you have been suspended.”
“What if Voldemort attacks?!”
“Highly unlikely,” Dumbledore replied evenly. “And we’ll have Order members watching your house.”
“Oh, good. I feel loads safer now,” Harry spat, pulling his wand from his shirt sleeve and handing it over. “Let’s just hope Mundungus doesn’t find another good deal on cauldrons.”
Dumbledore took the wand and slipped it into his pocket. “Let’s.” He turned to leave. “I will see you again in two months time. Hopefully, by then, your attitude will have improved.”
“Keep dreaming,” Harry shot back viciously. “Oh, and Professor?” Dumbledore turned to look at him again. “Just because I’m not at Hogwarts doesn’t mean I can’t wreak havoc on the school. With or without my wand, I’m hardly powerless.”
“Is that a threat, Harry?” Dumbledore inquired mildly.
Harry’s eyes glinted. “No, sir. That was a promise.” Then he slammed the door in the wizard’s face.
Petunia sighed at the blank look on her nephew’s face. “Come help me make dinner.”
“I wasn’t even aware you could cook.” Harry sneered, following her.
Petunia gave him a look over her shoulder and said, very calmly. “Of course you were.”
Harry’s eyes fell to his feet. “Sorry.”
Petunia smiled and slipped an arm across her nephew’s shoulders, stopping them in the centre of the kitchen floor. “What happened?”
“I finally got him to do something about my being a horrible student.” Harry shrugged. “Really, he should have expelled me months ago, but he needs me, so he can’t.” The teen ruffled his hair in a agitated manner. “But, see, now I’m worried. My friend, Herm, she’s pregnant and I’m not so sure how she’ll hold up without me around. I mean, she can usually manage fine, but I’m worried what Ron’ll do now that I can’t stop him.”
Petunia turned and guided him to a chair at the kitchen table, then sat next to him. “What is Ron to Herm?”
“Her extremely jealous ex who got her pregnant,” Harry deadpanned.
Petunia winced. “That’s never a good mix. You’re normally able to stop him from doing stuff?”
“Yes and no. Ron’s extremely stupid sometimes, but, when he's using his brain, he seems to recall that I have a temper that he once likened to a tsunami when I lose it, so he keeps himself from doing stupid things. Every time he’s done something stupid this year and I’ve found out about it, he’s found himself in a very compromising position. I don’t suppose it helps that most of the school is also usually set against him.”
Petunia nodded absently. “But, without you there, you fear he won’t worry about your retaliation and do whatever he wants.”
“Well, sort of. I mean, I put my friends in charge of looking after Herm, and Gin, who he beat up the other day because of a ring I gave her for Christmas. I’m just concerned about what Ron will do before he realizes that the retaliation will happen, whether I’m at school or not,” Harry groaned, massaging his forehead.
Petunia smiled sympathetically. “Understandable, but not something you can do anything about in your current position, regrettably.” She stood. “Sit here. I’ll make dinner.”
Harry watched her go over to the fridge and start going through it. “When’d you become so damn understanding?”
Petunia laughed. “Since I became a mother, actually. If you’ll recall, Harry, you never bothered to come to me with your problems, if only because I was either the cause of them or because you didn’t think I’d listen.”
“Would you have?” Harry enquired in a small voice.
Petunia looked at him sadly. “Some things, yes. Other things, probably not.”
“I would have come to you about Vernon, but he said he’d murder me if I said anything,” Harry mumbled, laying his head on the table wearily. “I’m almost glad he’s dead, really. I know he was your husband and all that, but I really can’t mind him being gone.”
His aunt chuckled as she set a pan on the stovetop. “There are times I’m glad he’s gone myself. Other times, I wish he were here still.”
Harry peeked up at her. “Are you tight for money?”
Petunia smiled at him. “No. The house is paid for and I’m getting Vernon’s pension from Grunnings. I’ve also been working at the grocery in town. It helps that Dudley ran away.” She winked.
Harry chuckled. “Good. I don’t want you out on the streets, all of a sudden.”
“Not likely. In fact, there’s enough money from Vernon’s pension that I could probably get away with not working, but I rather like having something to do.”
“A feeling I know well.” Harry sighed. “What am I going to do while you’re at work, though? I can’t very well apparate anywhere to relieve my boredom…”
“Tell you what. I work from eleven to five, Monday through Friday. If you get up early enough and have a place in mind, I’ll drive you around to it. I’m afraid, however, that you’ll most likely be finding your own way back. Otherwise, you can hang around here and do as you please. You might even consider getting a job of some sort for the next two months.”
“Maybe.” Harry sighed. “Too bad this isn’t a wizarding neighbourhood. I could teach some kids defence of some sort.”
Petunia hummed. “There’s one of those odd little Eastern style fighting houses that just moved it across the street from the grocery. You could take karate or something. Here, set the table for me.”
Harry stood, considering the dojo, and set out the silverware, bowls, and cups across from one another. It appeared Petunia had made stew of some sort. “I thought you said you could cook,” he teased, pouring two glasses of milk.
“This is cooking,” Petunia shot back with a smile as she ladled the stew out into the bowls.
“Are you kidding? That’s not cooking, that’s making stew! Even Dudley could have made stew!” Harry laughed, settling in his seat while Petunia sat across from him.
“Debatable. He’d have to get near the stove first.”
The wizard sniggered into his stew. “Point.”
Nephew and aunt traded grins before falling into silence and eating their stew.
“What have you got there?” Petunia inquired from the doorway. She’d made Harry take Dudley’s old room, since she’d cleaned it out once he was gone and it had a softer bed. Harry was laying on his back on the bed, shirtless, staring at his picture album, which he was holding above his head.
“It’s a picture album of mum and dad.” Harry sighed, making room so she could sit down.
Petunia gave the book a startled look. “They’re moving!”
Harry grinned. “All wizarding pictures move.” He pulled the basilisk picture from the nightstand and showed it to her. “Tom drew this and gave it to me over the Christmas holiday. Isn’t it amazing?”
Petunia gave it a critical look-over. “He’s extremely talented. Shame he’s wasted it on killing people.”
Harry sighed sadly. “I know.” He set the picture back on his nightstand, smiling at it faintly. “I saw him mere hours ago and I miss him.”
“You really love him.”
“Yes.” Harry tangled his fingers in the chain at his throat. “I know most people can’t see him as anything more than a murderer, but I know parts of him that he just won’t let other people see. He doesn’t want people to think he’s weak.” He closed his eyes. “Don’t mind me. I’m angsting again.”
Petunia laid a hand on his shoulder. “You have every right to angst, Harry.”
“Thanks,” the teen whispered, mouth dry.
“Now, to totally ruin the mood, when did you get your ear pierced?”
Harry opened his eyes and cracked a smile at her. “This afternoon. I got a tattoo, too.”
“Let’s see it, then!”
Harry sat up and turned around so she could see it. “It’s a basilisk and a phoenix. I like to kind of think it’s a representation of the war going on in the magical world currently.”
“Absolutely amazing,” Petunia decided. “Is there a specific reason you got it?”
“Yeah.” Harry turned back around so he could see her. “The ink is spelled to repel people if I want to be alone.”
“Just your style.” Petunia stood and kissed his forehead softly. “Get some sleep, Harry.”
“Goodnight, Aunt Petunia.”
“Goodnight.” The woman switched off the bedroom light and closed the door.
Harry set his photo album next to the basilisk picture and slid under his covers, staring up at the ceiling. “Is this what it’s like to have a real family?” he murmured.
When no one answered, Harry let himself cry.
Harry peeked his head into the kitchen early the next morning and found his aunt at the stove, making bacon and eggs. Coffee gurgled away on the counter. “Smells great.”
Petunia glanced at him. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“No.” Harry pulled down two cups and, switching off the coffee maker, poured a cup for both himself and his aunt. “Too much on my mind, I suppose.”
“Perhaps.” Petunia smiled at him. “Set the table?”
“That’s my new job, isn’t it?” Harry snorted, setting down his coffee to do as she asked.
“Well, you have to do something if you’re in here.”
“I’ll make a note to stay in the hall until the food’s all set out from now on, then,” the teen joked.
His aunt laughed as she filled their plates. “You do that!”
Just as they were both about to start eating, an owl flew through the open window and landed on Harry’s shoulder with a hoot. “Hey there, girl,” Harry murmured, handing Hedwig a piece of his bacon before taking the letter she’d had tied to her leg. “Ooh… It’s from Seam…”
Petunia glanced up. “Friend of yours?”
“Mm-hm. He’s in my year. I asked him to make sure he played a prank on Ron for me.” He slid open the letter and quickly read through it.
Petunia blinked at the owl on her nephew’s shoulder for a long moment before holding out a piece of bacon. The owl blinked at Harry, who was immersed in his letter, then flew across the table to Petunia’s shoulder and took the offered food. The Muggle smiled and stroked the bird. “Aren’t you beautiful.”
“Her name’s Hedwig,” Harry offered, settling his letter on the table and picking up his fork to eat. “Seam says it went off without a hitch. The prank was to make him see spiders in his bed while the curtains are closed, and he’s terrified of spiders. They plan on transfiguring things around him into spiders at random points throughout the day to scare him even more. I almost wish I could be there to watch.” He smirked.
Petunia smiled. “That’s good.”
“Hey, Hedwig? Every time you see Ron, could you peck him for me?” Harry inquired of his owl. Hedwig gave an affirmative hoot. “Thanks, girl.”
Petunia let out a hum and pointed at Harry’s bare chest. “Don’t you have any shirts?”
The teen’s cheeks reddened. “I have two that fit, actually, and they’re both dirty. My friends dragged me out shopping over Christmas, but all we got were wizarding clothes.”
“Then we’re taking you shopping today.”
“Aunt Petunia, that’s really not necessary…”
“Of course it is. You’re staying here for two months. You need some real clothing.” She looked him over. “And I know just the place to go. Finish your breakfast and change.”
Harry sighed. “Oh, fine. Geeze…”
Harry stared at the daunting department store. The sign above his head proclaimed it to be named Harrod’s. “I’m scared. I’ll wait in the car,” Harry decided, then turned to walk back to the car on the kerb.
Petunia laughed and dragged him with her into the store. “Come on. It’ll be fun!”
“Fun? You call shopping fun?” Harry groaned and covered his eyes. “Women.”
“Oh, stop.” Petunia stopped in front of a large section of young men’s clothing. “You have to get at least five shirts and three pairs of trousers. Get some more pants and socks, as well.”
“Do I have a price range, perhaps?” Harry snorted, glaring at a violently orange button-down shirt in front of him.
“No more than one thousand pounds,” Petunia offered before turning. “I’ll be in the women’s section upstairs. Come find me when you’re done. And make sure you try things on!”
Harry scowled at her retreating back. “What if I can’t find that much clothing?” he muttered to himself. Then, giving the orange shirt another dirty look, he slid in among the racks. Fine. Dray says I look good in green and grey, but he’s biased. Herm seems to think I should go with greens and lighter browns. Gin likes green, grey, and black. Harry glanced around wearily. I suppose I can get a shirt in each of those colours, plus another green. And the trousers can be in grey, black, and brown… Unless I see some jeans I like...
He stopped next to a rack of button-down shirts in much more mild colours than the orange one along the main aisle. A black one with a scarlet Chinese dragon on the back caught his gaze and he pulled it off the rack. “Hey, why not. She said at least five, and I doubt I’ll find that many. Oooh, look. Brown.” He pulled the brown button-down shirt and turned it to look at the back. Instead of the dragon, this one had two silver and grey swords crossed in an “X”. “Fancy.”
The rest of the shirts on that rack weren’t to his liking, so Harry walked on, eyes shooting around at the different racks he walked by. A rack of t-shirts held a grey one that had a green serpent twining around it with a line from MacBeth written across the front, in front of a red rose. “ ‘Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t.’ How very Slytherin.” The teen chuckled, slinging it over his arm with the other two shirts.
A black shirt on the same rack had the words “Something wicked this way comes” in dripping red writing across the front. A shadowed, bloody dagger laid beneath the words. Would this be the MacBeth rack? I mean, really... Ooh... A blue shirt seemed to be the last of the set and had the words “Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble” set in Avada Kedavra green lettering before a bubbling cauldron over a furious fire.
“Oh yeah! That’s five! On to trousers!” Harry laughed to himself, turning to head over towards the trousers part of the guys’ section.
“Talking to yourself again, Harry?” a dangerous voice asked softly.
Harry froze, eyes on the large boy sneering at him. “Malcolm…”
“What did you do to Big D, you freak?” Malcolm spat, closing in on the much smaller Harry, who was trembling.
“I never touched him. Swear,” Harry said quickly. “Leave me alone.”
“You know where he is,” Malcolm hissed, grabbing the front of Harry’s shirt and shaking him. The shirts the wizard had been holding clattered to the floor.
“I don’t! Let me go!”
“Liar!”
“Let him go, kid,” a voice called from behind Malcolm.
“Says who?” Malcolm demanded, turning to look around.
Harry felt a charm on his wrist warm and he saw Rodolphus standing in front of a rack of clothes, wand pointed at the two teens. “Rodolphus…” he breathed.
The Death Eater smirked and dropped the Invisibility Spell. “I’ll give you 'til three to put him down and run before I kill you,” he warned coldly. “One…”
Malcolm gave a shout and, dropping Harry – who crumpled to the ground – ran in the opposite way. “Mummy!”
Rodolphus knelt before the Boy-Who-Lived. “Harry, are you alright?”
The teen gave a weak laugh. “How–?” he whispered, closing his eyes to keep his tears at bay.
“My Lord ordered a few of us to keep an eye on you.” He gently rose Harry’s head. “Harry?”
Harry let out a sob and leaned forward to bury his face in the Death Eater’s black t-shirt. Rodolphus sighed and wrapped his arms around the younger wizard, closing his eyes. Lucius, who was one of the others on watch-duty, had mentioned that Harry’s cousin and his gang of no-good friends had done something to the teen a couple of years ago. Whatever it was, it didn’t affect the teen, normally, but some things did set him off. Lucius had told them that they had to be very gentle with their younger master if something did set him off.
Harry pulled away after a long moment, pulling off his glasses to wipe at his face. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Rodolphus murmured, frowning at the teen. “You look exhausted.”
“I am.” Harry gave the man a weak smile. “Won’t you get into trouble if someone sees you?”
“Perhaps.” Rodolphus winked and stood. “But that’s only if they can recognize me.” He held out a hand to help Harry up.
Harry shook his head with a smile as he put his glasses back on. “Right. No current pictures of you.” He took the offered hand and let the older wizard pull him to his feet. “Who else did Tom set on my arse?”
The Death Eater chuckled at Harry’s phrasing as he leaned down to pick up the shirts he’d dropped. “Lucius, my brother, and Antonin.”
“Just the four of you?” Harry scratched his head.
“We’re running shifts. Two of us watch your house. If you leave, we flip a Sickle and the loser goes.” Rodolphus’ eyes glittered as he smiled at the teen again. “I lost today.”
Harry sniggered. “I’d feel sorry for you, but I’m not.”
“Why am I not surprised.” Rodolphus sighed, pulling a laugh from the teen at his side. “Trousers, then?”
Harry made a face. “I hate shopping!” he declared, leading the way.
“Oh, I don’t know. You looked like you were having fun before.”
The younger wizard shot his companion a dirty look. “Was not.”
“As you say, Master Potter.”
Harry punched him lightly. “Prat.”
“You wound me.”
“As I recall, the last time Tom said that, I dumped my tea in his lap…”
Rodolphus gave a shout of surprised laughter. “Great Merlin, you really can get away with everything!”
“Nearly,” Harry agreed, then stopped to look at a rack of sleeveless shirts. “I haven’t got a green shirt…”
“Did you mean to get one?”
“Yes.” Harry frowned at the garments. “And Aunt Petunia mentioned a dojo in town that I could hang out at while she’s at her job.” His gaze flew back to where Malcolm had jumped him. “Probably a good idea.”
Rodolphus nodded. “He took your wand.”
Harry snorted. “I’m suspended. Of course he’d make sure I couldn’t cause trouble.”
“Wandless magic,” the Death Eater said suddenly.
Harry’s head shot up, eyes wide in shock. “I thought it was a myth.”
Rodolphus frowned. “Hardly. It’s just very difficult. You’ve seen it before, though.”
Harry shook his head. “No.”
“Of course you have. Animagi use it when they transform.”
Harry’s mouth formed an “o”.
“I’ll see if Wormtail will drop by, if that is acceptable?”
Harry shrugged. “If he brings Nagini to stay, I don’t see why not. She and I get on.” He smirked. “Probably good for his little rat heart, anyway.”
Rodolphus let out a snort, then held up an emerald green muscle shirt. “What about this one?”
Harry blinked at the shirt the Death Eater held, then at a strange black one with a hole in the back that he’d just pulled off the rack. “Oh, that’s right. Green…” He started to put the one he’d taken down back.
“I’m sure your aunt will let you get both, Harry,” Rodolphus pointed out with a grin as he set the shirt he’d pulled down with the others he’d hung over one arm.
The teen took a moment to stare at the shirt he’d picked out, then he handed it over to Rodolphus. “Thank you,” he murmured as the elder wizard took it and added it to the pile. Then he turned and led the way to the trousers, immediately going for the sweats.
Rodolphus smiled after the young man and followed him. “Always sweats, hm?”
Harry shrugged. “They’re easy to change in and out of.”
“They have no pockets.”
“You, obviously, haven’t been looking hard enough.” Harry smirked at the mock shocked look on the other’s face. “You’re a pure-blood, anyway. What would you know about sweats?”
“What am I wearing right now?” the Death Eater grumbled.
Harry laughed and pulled a pair of grey trousers off a rack. “Hey, that’s cool.”
“What?” Rodolphus peeked over Harry’s shoulder and nodded. “That is interesting.” A black serpent was snaking its way up the left leg. “Are you going to get them?”
“Yes, actually.” Harry set the trousers atop the pile on Rodolphus’ arm.
“Good. Now,” Rodolphus set a hand on Harry’s shoulder and turned him away from the sweats. “I think you have enough sweats in your wardrobe at home. Get some of those denims.”
“Jeans,” Harry corrected, looking over a pair of red jeans in disgust. “That’s just wrong. Jeans should always be blue.”
“Not according to these people, it appears.” Rodolphus chuckled, following the teen through the racks. “Yellow with polka-dots…”
Harry scrunched up his nose in disgust. “We know what to get Dumbledore on his birthday, at least.”
“If he lives that long.”
“Point.” Harry pulled a pair of jeans off a rack, frowned at the manufactured faded look, and put them back. “Don’t they have just plain blue?”
“There’s black over there,” Rodolphus mentioned, pointing. Harry shot him a dirty look. “Suggestion.”
“Blue.” Harry went through another rack and grinned. “Here we go. Ooh, that one’s good.”
“It doesn’t look any different from any of the others on the rack, Harry…”
“Stuff it.” Harry set it on the pile, then frowned around him. “Now, one more pair of trousers…”
“Get another pair of jeans.”
“Oh.” Harry turned back to the rack and shifted through them again. He pulled out another pair of jeans and added them to the pile. “Done!”
“Undergarments?”
“Damn.”
“And trying everything on.”
“Double damn.” Harry sighed, as Rodolphus chuckled, and led the way towards the underwear. “White. Plain old white. Ha!” He threw a package of white shorts at the Death Eater, which Rodolphus barely caught, then ran for the socks.
“Why do I get the feeling you don’t want to do this?” Rodolphus enquired, coming upon the teen going through the socks for a package he could stand.
“Because you happen to be extremely observant,” Harry shot back, finally finding a set of socks he liked and setting them gently on top of the pile in Rodolphus’ arms. “Maybe we should get a basket?”
“Changing rooms, mister. I’ve carried more than this in my day.”
Harry snorted. “When Bella could actually force you to go out shopping with her, eh?”
“You’ve got it,” the Death Eater agreed as he followed Harry towards the changing rooms, which took them through the trousers again.
Harry paused next to a rack of black trousers made of pleather. “Should I get a pair?”
“Do you want a pair?”
Harry considered it, then shifted through the rack for a pair in his size. “Yeah. It’ll be fun to show up Dray.”
Rodolphus laughed.
Petunia walked into the house ahead of Harry, who was carrying all his bags. He paused just inside the door to glance out over the street, trying to catch sight of the two Death Eaters that were watching his house, as well as at least one Order of the Phoenix member. However, Petunia’s scream startled him into dropping his bags and running into the living-room. Petunia was staring at an armchair where a horrible, snake-like man sat. “Good day,” he offered in a hiss.
“Voldemort!” Harry scowled at the Dark Lord. “Change back!”
Voldemort chuckled darkly. “Maybe I don’t want to, little Harry Potter.”
Harry’s eyes widened and he got between his aunt and the monster in the chair. :Tom? Answer me?:
The man seemed confused for a brief moment, then covered it up with a sneer. “You think that will save you now?”
It’s not Tom! Harry’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”
“Asking stupid questions again, are we, Mr Potter?” he inquired, standing.
Harry’s hand flew to the Dark Mark at his throat and focused on calling Rodolphus and his brother, Rabastan, who he knew were outside. “Hardly. Who are you?”
The man gave a cold laugh, raising his wand at the teen wizard. “I’m sure you know that already, or are you really so stupid, boy?”
Petunia gave off a soft cry. “Harry…”
“I’m not stupid enough to fall for an imposter!” Harry shouted, seeing the two Death Eaters out of the corner of his eye. “Rodolphus! Rabastan!”
The two Lestranges dropped their invisibility, wands pointed at the man in front of them, as they got between him and their younger master. “Drop your wand and your disguise,” Rabastan ordered.
“Take your aunt to the kitchen,” Rodolphus suggested softly.
Harry nodded and, settling a gentle hand on his aunt’s arm, led her from the living-room and into the kitchen as the imposter screamed some nonsense at the two Death Eaters. “Sit at the table. I’ll be right back, alright?” Petunia nodded numbly, so Harry ran back into the living-room. “Well?”
Rodolphus pointed to where Rabastan was having fun kicking the tied man on the ground. “We don’t know him, Master Potter.”
“Rabastan, stop that,” Harry ordered sharply. The younger Lestrange immediately stepped back, glaring at the man. Harry knelt next to the man with a frown. “I don’t know him, either,” he forced the man to meet his eyes. “Why did you come here?”
“To kill you, of course!” the man spat, and Harry could see missing teeth.
“Why?” Harry asked calmly.
“The Dark Lord will crush you, boy. Crush you like the weak little freak you are.”
Harry stood darkly. “A supporter, then. What does Voldemort usually do with these sorts of idiots? And why didn’t the Order of the Phoenix member come to see what was the matter?”
“That stupid werewolf? I cursed him to bleed to death!”
Harry stared at the man in shock for a long moment before his eyes flashed dangerously. “You did what to my godfather?”
“Killed him. Slow death’s good for that sort.”
“Where?” Harry asked in a low voice.
“Out back somewhere.”
“Rabastan, I don’t care how you do it, but kill him, and put up Silencing Barriers. Rodolphus, help me save Remus,” Harry hissed before spinning and stepping quickly from the room. Rodolphus followed him into the kitchen. “Aunt Petunia, don’t go into the living-room. We’re going to go check something out in the back,” Harry suggested gently before leading the Death Eater out the back door.
Remus was laying in the middle of the Dursley’s backyard, pale and covered in cuts, blood soaking the grass around him. His gaze looked up to the two wizards at the kitchen door. “Harry, behind you,” he rasped.
“Remus. Oh, Merlin.” Harry hurried over to the werewolf’s side, then glanced up at Rodolphus sadly. “Can you do anything?”
The Death Eater glanced into the glaring eyes of the werewolf and sighed. “He’ll have to agree, first, Harry. Healing spells need cooperation.”
Harry leaned over the dying wizard so he could meet his eyes. “Remus, please. Trust Rodolphus. He’s my friend.”
“I cannot trust a Death Eater,” Remus hissed.
“Please don’t do this to me. I can’t lose you, too. Please, Remus,” Harry begged, eyes watering.
Remus gazed up into the pained emerald eyes and, with a sigh of defeat, nodded and closed his eyes.
Rodolphus stepped forward and, carefully, knelt next to the werewolf. “Sit back, Harry,” he warned. Once Harry had done as he was told, the Death Eater pointed his wand at Remus’ heart and muttered under his breath.
Remus let out a sharp gasp and twitched, but the cuts all over him started to heal and fade and his colouring became more healthy. When he opened his eyes, they were cleared of the pain, but had filled with suspicion. “How do I know you’re Harry Potter?”
“You don’t,” Rodolphus stated as he stood. “I’m going to go make sure your aunt is okay.”
Harry made a face. “Do me a favour and clean off your trousers, first. You’ll give her a heart attack if you go in covered in blood.”
The Death Eater snorted. “Muggles.” But he did perform a general Cleaning Charm on the yard, himself, Harry, and Remus before going inside.
“If you really don’t trust me, then ask me a question only I would know,” Harry suggested as Remus sat up with a groan.
The werewolf glanced at him warily. “Who was the only person I dated in school?”
Harry sighed and ruffled his hair. “Sirius, but you kept it a secret. When Peter found out in your seventh year and flipped, you two had to Obliviate him to keep him from spreading it around.”
Remus pursed his lips. “Where are the Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix?”
Harry shot a glance at the back door to be sure Rodolphus couldn’t hear before speaking. “Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. It was Sirius’ childhood home, but he left it to the Order in his will.”
Remus sighed sadly. “Harry, what have you got yourself into?”
The teen stood and held out a hand to help his godfather up. “It’s a long and involved story. Come inside and have some tea. I fear that imposter gave Aunt Petunia quite the scare.”
“Imposter?” Remus murmured, following the young wizard into the house.
“That man was not Voldemort. He was a supporter of the Dark Order who didn’t have a Mark,” Harry growled.
“And he’s lovely in red,” Rabastan said cheerfully from the kitchen doorway. He was covered in blood. Petunia looked a little green and Rodolphus had, it appeared, been trying to get him cleaned off.
“Rabastan!” Harry narrowed his eyes at the Death Eater, whose smile faded immediately. “Clean off that blood!”
“But, Master Potter–“
“NOW!” Harry roared. Rabastan quickly shot a Cleaning Charm at himself. “Is my living-room covered in blood?”
Rabastan paled slightly under the angry glare. “I’ll go clean it, Lord…” he whispered before fleeing from the room.
Rodolphus gave the teen an amused look. “The Dark Lord’s been giving you lessons.”
“Hardly.” Harry snorted. “Remus, have a seat. You too, Rodolphus. Aunt Petunia, are you okay?”
“I feel ill, actually,” Petunia murmured weakly.
Remus passed a small vial across the table. “This should help, Mrs. Dursley.”
“Thank you,” the Muggle whispered before taking the stuff in one gulp. She made a face, but definitely looked better.
“Why didn’t the wards on the house trip?” Harry asked Remus as he walked over to the stove and started tea.
“The Ministry and Albus thought we wouldn’t need them…” Remus murmured.
Harry let out a hiss. “No, of course not. It’s because they’re all idiots!” He kicked a cabinet. “Forget that my aunt still lives here! After all, she’s just a Muggle!”
“Harry!” Rodolphus started out of his seat, but Remus set a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t bother. He’s upset.” Remus sighed, watching as the young wizard stormed around over by the stove. “Not much you can do when he gets like this.”
Rodolphus sat back with a shake of his head. “I’ll have to trust you on that.”
“What’s happened? I feel like I’m missing something here,” Remus asked.
“He met up with Voldemort when we left him in London,” Petunia said in a monotone. “They reached some sort of agreement and, somehow, fell in love…”
“I thought he was dating Ginny!” Remus exclaimed.
“It was a front,” Harry murmured from behind his godfather as he set a cup in front of him. Remus looked at him in surprise. “Gin’s my sister, not my girlfriend, Remus. She’s helping us keep it a secret.”
“I’ll be damned. You’ve played all of us,” Remus breathed.
“No, not really,” Harry motioned to Rabastan, who was standing at the door again. “Sit. We’re having tea. When does everyone’s shift end?”
“We’re here until tonight,” Rabastan offered, sitting. “Then Lucius and Antonin take over.”
“I’m here for another two hours.” Remus sighed, watching Harry sit with his own cup of tea.
Harry nodded. “Rodolphus, Rabastan, when you leave, take that bastard with you, unless you’ve already banished him?”
“No, Lord.” Rabastan shook his head. “Walden likes the dead ones.” He shuddered.
Harry took off his glasses and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. “Lovely. Remind me to stay away from his house.” He glanced up at Remus as the two Death Eaters sniggered. “You have questions.”
“Why?” the werewolf asked softly.
“I’m tired of being Harry bloody Potter, the Boy Who Wouldn’t Fucking Die. I'm sick of being everyone’s hero, or a lunatic, depending on that day’s Daily Prophet. When I met Tom in London, he gave me a chance to be just me, after we’d agreed not to kill one another, that is.” Harry smiled sadly. “Gin forced us together after my birthday and that was the end of that.”
Remus sighed wearily. “And that’s all?”
Harry gave the wizard a strange look. “No. I’m also tired of being Dumbledore’s chess piece. He’s controlled my life for so damn long, I’d forgotten I had one.”
“I don’t think you ever had one to begin with, actually,” a voice said from the kitchen doorway.
“My Lord!” Rabastan and Rodolphus called at the same time as Harry shouted, “Tom!” and ran around the table to hug his lover.
The Dark Lord held Harry tightly, burying his face in the shorter wizard’s hair. “Oh, thank Merlin. You’re okay,” he whispered. “That’s three times today you’ve nearly given me a heart attack.”
Harry giggled. “Sorry.”
The Dark Lord kissed the young wizard’s scar, then picked him up, getting a shout from the teen, and settled in the chair Harry had vacated with Harry on his lap, held snugly against his chest. He nodded at the frowning werewolf. “Mr Lupin. You’re lucky Harry’s already told me I’m not allowed to harm you.”
“No threats,” Harry reprimanded. “Remus, stop glaring at him.” The two wizards traded one last glare before both moved their gazes elsewhere. “Really. You two are acting like six-year-olds.”
“Six? Wow. I’ve matured,” Tom teased, pressing a kiss to the back of Harry’s neck. “You know you left your new clothing in the middle of the front hall, right?”
“It adds to the décor,” Harry shot back airily. “I thought you knew that.”
“Harry, I’ve seen your attempts at decoration and, personally, they’re scary,” Tom muttered which earned him a round of laughter around the table. He glanced at Remus, who was laughing hardest. He, obviously, knew exactly what the Dark Lord was talking about. “So, Mr Lupin, did you ever think you’d find yourself sitting at a kitchen table with Death Eaters a Muggle, your godson, and myself, laughing?”
Remus silenced, giving the Dark Lord a strange look. “If someone told me this would happen a week ago, I would have made sure they were admitted to St. Mungo’s.”
“Harry, didn’t you say the same thing when I asked in London?” Tom murmured thoughtfully.
“Yeah, actually, I did…” Harry twisted so he could see Tom’s face. “You didn’t come sooner.”
“Rodolphus got to you before I could the first time.” He nodded to the Death Eater in thanks. “The second and third time, someone was bothering me.”
“What first time?” Petunia asked, looking at her nephew in concern. “Harry, did something happen in Harrod’s?”
Harry shrugged. “Malcolm and I had a chat.” Tom tightened his arms around the young wizard.
“That was not a chat,” Rodolphus growled.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Petunia immediately demanded.
Harry shook his head. “He was just asking about Dudley. It was a department store, Aunt Petunia. What could he have done?”
“Plenty, love,” Tom murmured gently. “Please calm down, she was just asking.”
Harry hid his face against Tom’s neck. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.”
Tom traded looks with Petunia, then stood carefully. “Come on, Harry. Let’s get you a nice, long nap before supper, eh?” he teased gently, carrying the teen from the room. The group in the kitchen heard a Levitation Charm out in the hallway and saw Harry’s bags follow them up the stairs.
Remus set his head in his hands. “This is so fucking weird.”
“Extremely,” Rodolphus agreed.
“Remus, if you don’t mind me asking, why was there only one of you watching the house?” Rabastan inquired, sipping at his tea.
“My partner got called off on Auror business at the last minute and everyone else was busy with something else.” Remus sighed.
“Too busy to help protect their important little Saviour who happens to be very defenceless?” Rodolphus looked furious. “It’s a good thing the Dark Lord ordered a watch!”
Tom came back into the kitchen, looking haggard. “Lupin, he’s asking for you.” He sat wearily. “Rabastan, why didn’t you see this piece of shit entering the house?”
“He came in the back,” Remus offered before leaving the kitchen to attend to his godson.
The Dark Lord ran a hand through his hair. “I hate doing this, but you four need to find two more Death Eaters so we have three in each shift. I want one person always staking out the back while another always stakes out the front. Rodolphus, when Harry leaves the house, you will follow him from now on. On Lucius and Antonin’s shift, I want Lucius following. Make sure they know.”
“Yes, Lord,” the two Death Eaters chorused seriously.
“Tom?” Petunia spoke up suddenly. The Dark Lord looked to her with a raised eyebrow. “If Rodolphus and Lucius would find it easier, they can stay in the house. I’m sure it would be easier to keep an eye on Harry, and he’d have someone to talk to.”
Tom glanced towards Rodolphus. “If that is what they’d like, I see no problem. It would make this easier, I suppose. Thank you, Petunia.”
The woman nodded. “I’d feel better, personally, if I knew that, next time we come home and find someone in the living-room, there’s already someone in the house that can help.”
“My Lord?” Rabastan spoke, earning the table’s attention. “Might I suggest a cover story of some sort, in case another Order member drops in to chat with Master Potter?”
“Lucius could have sent a bodyguard of sorts to keep an eye on him after hearing about this last attack and how poorly the house was guarded. It’s well-known he’s fond of Harry, and the Ministry would waive any complaints from the Order,” Rodolphus suggested.
Tom nodded. “See that it is done. Neither Harry nor I have any complaints about it.” The Dark Lord fingered the pendant that Harry had given him for Christmas. “Rodolphus, you mentioned finding a way to teach Harry wandless magic?”
“He needs some way to protect himself, Lord,” Rodolphus agreed. “I know he’s also going to try out the dojo, but he needs some magical defence against his enemies.”
“Agreed. I’ll have Lucius lend him a book on the subject. Once he’s read it, see that Wormtail does come to assist him.”
“Understood.”
The Dark Lord stood slowly. “I’m leaving for now, but I’ll be back next weekend, perhaps with one of his school friends,” he warned. The two Death Eaters nodded. “Be careful with him,” he added, much softer, almost pleadingly.
“We’ll treat him like a son of our own, my Lord,” Rodolphus promised.
“Unless he starts yelling again,” Rabastan muttered. “Then we’ll treat him like you.”
Rodolphus elbowed his brother darkly, but Tom laughed. “That would probably be your best bet. Or, you could attempt to remember not to track blood through the house.”
Rodolphus snorted in amusement while Rabastan scowled. “If I’d known he was going to yell at me for it, I would have cleaned up sooner.”
“Now you know,” Rodolphus teased, smirking, while Tom laughed again.
Petunia was smiling. “Harry’s not the one who minds it, I do. As long as I don’t see it, he probably won’t care.”
“Exactly,” Tom agreed. He paused, frowning, then heaved a great sigh. “Trust Lup– oh, fine – Remus. Harry seems to think he’ll maybe join us.” He threw his hands up in the air helplessly. “Gryffindors!”
The other three in the room laughed, especially when they heard Harry and Remus shout, “Slytherins!” down the stairs.
Tom shook his head, smiling. “That child will be my downfall, I dare say.” He winked, then left them to say one last goodbye to Harry.
“You were right,” Rabastan admitted. “Harry’s good for our Lord.”
Rodolphus sat back in his chair, smiling smugly. “Told you so.”
Petunia laughed as Rabastan punched his brother’s arm.
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 ||
41 || 42 || 43 || 44 || 45 || 46 || 47
Reclaim Chapters:
One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine || Ten
Eleven || Twelve || Thirteen || Fourteen || Fifteen
Epilogue
Side Stories:
Ginevra Weasley & Theodore Nott
Minerva McGonagall || Minerva McGonagall (again)
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