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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: This little fanfic writer needs a nap….
Key: Okay, you might need these:
Mind-speak
: Parseltongue:
’ Written thoughts’
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Chapter 38
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Harry opened his eyes to a set of scarlet orbs. “Tom?”
“Good morning, lovely.” Tom smiled. “How are you this morning?”
“Groggy,” Harry decided after giving it a brief moment of thought. Then he buried his face in Tom chest with a sigh. I just killed someone, didn’t I?
“Yes.” Tom ran a hand through Harry’s wild mane of hair. “Do you regret it?”
I haven’t decided yet. The teen pulled away from the warm hug and sat up with a sigh. “I should make a run for my house. If Dumbledore thinks the way I’m expecting him to think, I’ll have to be there.”
“Oh, come now, no breakfast? No watching how the rest of the school reacts?” Tom sat up next to Harry and drew the younger wizard back against his chest. “You can watch Ronald blow his top.”
Harry bit his lip, trying hard not to smile. “Oh, yeah. Should be loads of fun. What about Dumbledore?”
“We’ll send a message to Rodolphus and Petunia, tell them they’ll probably have to make it seem like you’re still asleep or something.”
“We can send a message that quickly?” Harry turned his head and frowned at his lover.
Tom gave him a mischievous smile and kissed his nose. “Of course. Get changed and change your size–”
“Am I allowed to now?” Harry interrupted, rubbing his nose with a scowl.
“You should be.” Tom nodded. “At any rate, we’re dropping by the dungeons before breakfast.”
“Oh, a potion. I should have guessed.” Harry snorted and stood, stretching. “Stiff… Ow…”
Tom chuckled and got up to attack his wardrobe. “I could have told you magical exhaustion did that.”
“But you didn’t. You’re rude like that,” the teen grumbled darkly, shooting a cleaning spell at his shirt, which Tom had left on the back of a chair, and his trousers, which he was still wearing. “At least these trousers aren’t so stiff anymore,” he added thoughtfully, pulling his shirt on while Tom laughed. “Hey, where’s my robe?”
“Blood’s difficult to get off clothing.” Tom sighed, running a hand through his hair and turning to glance at the younger wizard. “There are spells, but you have to perform them within an hour if you want them to work, and I was too tired by the time I got both of us in here to deal with it, so I just tossed your robe in the fire.” He grimaced. “Sorry. I can give you a robe, if you want.”
The teen shrugged. “Do I look like I care? I have more black robes then I know what to do with, Tom. It’s no big loss. Though, sure, I’ll take a robe.”
“Glad you’re so easy-going. Don’t wear school robes on an attack again and see how you like it,” Tom muttered, tossing the teen a black robe from his wardrobe.
“Hey, all my black robes are for school, love. I’ll wear red robes on raids from now on, k?” Harry replied, rolling his eyes and tugging the robe on over his Muggle clothing.
Tom snorted and shook his head in amusement. “Clashes with your eyes. Wear brown, instead. Then, if you want, you can just let the blood dry on there and no one’ll be the wiser.”
Harry laughed. “Have you ever worn red on a raid?”
Tom cocked an eyebrow at his lover. “I always wear red on raids. That way, the Death Eaters can find me.”
“As if those eyes and white-as-death skin aren’t a dead giveaway.”
“Are you making fun of Lord Voldemort?” the Dark Lord asked in mock fury.
Harry grinned. “Yes.”
Tom slinked towards the teen, smirking. “Shall I turn you over my knee and give you a spanking?” he whispered seductively before pulling Harry into a kiss.
Harry closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around the taller man’s waist. Oh, Merlin, please do. He groaned as Tom’s tongue caressed his.
Tom slid his palms over Harry’s clothed arse. I’d love to, but we need to send that message. He gasped, pulling away from the kiss and resting his forehead against Harry’s.
Damn.
Agreed. Tom smiled sadly and set a gentle kiss on Harry’s scar. Shift your size and we can go.
Bugger, Harry muttered even as he turned his wand on himself. “Minuta Harry.”
The Dark Lord picked the teen up and set him on his shoulder, waiting until Harry was comfortable and reasonably hidden before sweeping from his room.
-~*~-
Harry hopped out from under Tom’s sleeve and hid under the Dark Lord’s plate, sniggering silently. He’d talked Tom into placing a Silencing Charm on him earlier, in case he slipped and spoke.
What are you up to, you little imp? Tom asked, cocking an eyebrow at the small form.
Keeping a promise. Harry laughed, casting an Invisibility Charm on himself.
Don’t get caught, Tom warned, raising his glass to take a sip.
And you be careful about what you eat, Harry replied teasingly before slipping down the table to prank teachers.
Tom froze, cup millimetres from his lip, and scowled before casting a general Prank-Repelling Charm on his plate and cup discreetly before drinking. Then he leaned over to Severus as the Death Eater sat. “Be careful with the food and drink. The imp is prowling the table,” he suggested. Severus nodded and cast the same charm Tom had on his own plate and cup. “Did you send it?”
“Thank you for the warning.” Severus sighed. “And, yes, it was sent, received, and returned.”
“Perfect.” Tom sat back and served himself some eggs.
“What happened?” Severus inquired discreetly, buttering a roll.
“I’m pretty sure the Prophet will tell all,” was Tom’s cryptic reply as a loud ‘squawk’ came from down the table. The Dark Lord glanced down with a frown, then snorted in amusement.
Dumbledore had disappeared. A rather large, elderly chicken sat in its place. The Hall filled with laughter.
“And the imp strikes.” Severus hummed mildly. “Poor – what is it Mr Potter calls him? – Dumbles.”
Tom gave the man a quick grin. “That depends on his mood. I’ve heard all sorts of profanities come from that one’s mouth.”
“I’ll bet.” Severus coughed into his drink.
Tom turned and scowled at him. He would have shot a biting retort at the man, but Professor Sprout had chosen that moment to turn into a radish, tearing another round of laughter from the Hall.
“At least someone’s having fun,” Severus commented. The chicken was pecking at the edge of the table in something that looked like frustration. Many of the other teachers had pushed their plates away.
“They’ve become too lax.” Tom shrugged, leaning back with a strip of bacon. A flash of light made him freeze and he unhexed his food before eating it. Not funny.
Well, you cheated. You fixed your plate to repel my tricks. Had to find some other way. Harry sniggered.
If you catch me, I’ll never live it down.
Sure you will. After all, you know who’s doing the pranking. No one else does.
What are you planning on doing to me?
Red hair, love.
What is it with you and red hair?
Well, see, it matches your eyes…
Teal, then, please, if you want it to match my eyes.
Ooh... Harry giggled insanely.
This time, when Tom saw the flash of light, he sighed and just ate the food. The Hall around him cracked up. Even Severus snorted into his cup. “Alright, fine. What’d he do?” the Dark Lord asked the man next to him.
“You have very lovely pink hair, Marcus,” Severus said with a straight face before coughing politely into his hand.
Tom gave the Potions Professor an annoyed look. “Laugh already. I promise not to murder you for it.”
The two fixed each other with firm stares. They lasted about a minute before Severus cracked up with the rest of the Hall.
Tom patted the top of his head, then groaned. Why spikes?
I couldn’t resist the temptation. Here...
Severus gave a shout as his robes turned yellow. “Potter! I know this is Potter’s doing!”
Severus’ exclamation, of course, sent the whole Hall into gales of laughter and half of them off their benches, since everyone knew Harry Potter was suspended.
Tom took a sip of his pumpkin juice, shaking his head. “Leave it to you to blame something like this on the only student not in the school.”
Severus blinked at him, then quickly took a drink of his own pumpkin juice. His robes turned back to black. “I love pumpkin juice.” He sighed in relief.
“Is my hair back like it should be?” Tom questioned.
“Well, it’s not pink anymore…” Severus offered, refusing to look at the Dark Lord.
Harry!
Spikes make a good hiding place, so hush, Harry replied, scampering back up the Dark Lord’s sleeve. Owls are coming, by the way.
I’d noticed, Tom replied dryly, watching Professor Flitwick upturn Sprout’s cup on the radish next to him. Sprout gave the Charms Professor a rather wet hug as soon as she had arms.
Minerva sighed and held Dumbledore’s cup down to his beak as the first of the owls flew in through the windows and started dropping onto the tables.
Tom handed the owl that came to him the five knuts for the paper, then glanced at the headline:
‘The Dark Order Is For Life’
Suspect Death Eater Killed at Ministry Last Night
Catchy. I approve. Tom hummed nodding at the message they’d left on the wall.
Well, that is what we tell inductees.
Point. Tom glanced around the suddenly silent Hall. Many students and teachers looked horrified. Some were crying. The Slytherin Table looked rather pleased. Tom was pleased to see the Juniors in Gryffindor and Ravenclaw looking just as horrified as their Housemates. Ginny, though, was looking like she couldn’t care less about her brother’s death.
In the silence, Ron’s voice was extremely loud when he realized his sister wasn’t affected by their brother’s death. “Ginny, don’t you care about this? Percy was killed.”
“Percy was a Death Eater,” Ginny replied mildly.
“He defected. It says he was brought in with the intention of giving names, but a Silencing Charm had been placed on him,” Ron hissed, standing slightly.
“He was still a Death Eater,” Ginny replied raising her glass of pumpkin juice to her lips.
“Reducto!” Ron shouted furiously.
Ginny screamed as the cup shattered in her hand. With wide eyes she grasped her throat, which was bleeding.
GINNY! Harry screamed. NO! I’LL MURDER HIM!
Tom grabbed the tiny figure as Harry jumped from his hair and handed him over to Severus. “Keep him from doing anything foolish,” he hissed. The Death Eater nodded and Tom swept from the Hall through the teacher’s entrance to go after Ron, who had fled the Hall as soon as he’d seen the blood. Other students had started throwing hexes at his back as it disappeared through the Hall’s doors, but they were mostly more too about Ginny, who Pomfrey was rushing to, to go after him.
Tom focused his magic on finding the errant Gryffindor and found that he was running towards Hogsmeade. “Idiot!” he spat, running through the front doors and pulling out his wand. “Expelliarmus! Locomotor Mortis!”
Catching the teen’s wand and seeing him fall to the ground, Tom slowed his run slightly. He stuffed the wand into a pocket as he stopped next to the young wizard. “Well, Mr Weasley, I dare say you’ve fucked up this time. If you don’t mind me asking, where were you planning on going?” he asked, turning Ron over onto his back.
“Apparate home,” Ron breathed. “Let me go.”
“I’m sure you’ll be seeing your home very soon, Mr Weasley,” Tom assured the young man with a grim smile. “Though you may not be seeing your wand again if your sister is hurt too seriously.”
Ron narrowed his eyes. “Let me go.”
“Will you come with me back into the school peacefully?”
Ron let out a growl. “Yes. Fine.”
Tom pursed his lips. “Just know I know of only one wizard with the ability to apparate without a wand, Mr Weasley, and he resembles a snake, not you. I wouldn’t suggest trying such an action,” he warned, standing. “Finite Incantantum.”
Ron let out a groan as he got to his feet, then allowed his professor to lead him back into the school. Dumbledore was standing in the entrance hall with Severus and McGonagall. “Is my sister going to be okay, sir?” Ron asked quickly.
“For the most part.” Dumbledore nodded. “However, you will be heading home. Where is your wand?”
Ron turned his eyes on Tom with a sneer. “Professor Brutús has it, sir.”
Tom tightened his grip on the boy in warning and glanced up at Dumbledore. “Is he expelled, or suspended?”
“Suspended for a month,” Dumbledore replied evenly. “The wand, Marcus.”
Tom slapped the wand in Dumbledore’s open hand angrily. “You appear to prefer suspension to expulsion, Albus. It’s no wonder your students are able to get away with so much,” he spat before pushing past the wizard.
Severus gave the Headmaster a cold look before following his co-worker. “Marcus!” Tom stopped long enough to allow Severus the ability to catch up. “The imp went with its sister,” he murmured.
“Good.” Tom ran a hand through his hair, quietly ending the spell Harry had cast on it to put it into spikes. “How bad was it?”
“She’ll live,” Severus replied uneasily.
“That’s not reassuring, Severus,” Tom said, turning to face the man.
“The glass missed her major blood vessels, but one managed to hit her larynx, somehow, and Poppy wasn’t sure she could fix the damage…” Severus said, refusing to meet the Dark Lord’s eyes.
“Fuck,” Tom hissed, breaking into a run. Harry?
I’m going to murder him. Splatter his blood all over Hogwarts. Put his head on a spike in the middle of the Quidditch pitch, Harry was muttering in his head.
Harry, love, no murdering people on school grounds. Tom sighed, stopping outside the Infirmary. He took a deep breath, then pushed the door open.
Poppy spun, mouth open to yell, which snapped shut when she saw who it was. “The little monsters seem to think Miss Weasley will get better quicker if they’re in here,” the nurse muttered in response to his raised eyebrow.
Tom nodded and let the door swing shut behind him. “How is she? Severus mentioned her larynx was hit…”
Poppy shook her head regretfully. “I can’t do anything, I’m afraid. She’ll live, thank Merlin, but she probably won’t be speaking ever again. It’s possible, but…” she let the words trail off.
“Lovely,” Tom muttered darkly.
“What does Albus intend to do to Mr Weasley, do you know?” Poppy asked, motioning for him to follow her towards the back of the ward.
“Suspend him for a month,” Tom replied in a nasty voice. “Albus lets these students go far too easily.”
Poppy nodded wearily. “I almost wish Mr Potter were back. He’d give Albus a piece of his mind that I know we’d all enjoy right now.”
“I’ll give the Headmaster a piece of my mind,” Hermione growled as they entered Ginny’s private room. Ginny nodded her hand in agreement, since her neck had been secured to keep from moving while it healed.
“I’d give him a piece of my mind right now, but I’m not supposed to be here!” Harry called in a tiny voice from on top of Ginny’s head.
Tom cocked an eyebrow at the wizard while Poppy gave him a sharp look. “I thought you were hiding.”
Poppy’s eyes shot to the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. “You knew he was here,” she muttered.
Tom sighed. “Hermione and I brought him back with us yesterday,” he agreed, sitting in the chair next to the pregnant witch. “Harry.”
“What? I’m sick of pretending I’m not here. And, if you’d let me, Ron wouldn’t ever see his home again,” the young man said viciously.
“No killing people on Hogwarts grounds,” Tom and Hermione chorused wearily.
Poppy chuckled. “I have a feeling you two say this a lot.”
“We started out telling Marcus not to kill students when they drove him up the wall, but, yes, they’ve had to tell me a lot lately,” Harry agreed. “What are they doing with Ron? Is Dumbles finally expelling him?”
“No. He’s suspended for a month,” Tom muttered darkly.
“WHAT?!” Harry jumped off Ginny’s head and started stomping around on the table next to the bed. “But he’s getting back before me, then! What if he hurts Gin again?!”
“Harry, Ron’s about to spend a whole month off of Hogwarts grounds.” Hermione chuckled. “Think about it. I’m sure Molly and Arthur would love to have you over for a visit.”
Harry froze mid-stomp, a cold smile taking over his face as he turned to glance back at Ginny. “Gin, can I kill him?”
Ginny appeared to think about it for a moment, then shook her hand.
“But, why not?” Harry frowned.
Ginny gave a frustrated sigh and looked to Tom for help.
The Dark Lord blinked a few times. “You want a piece of him,” he deducted.
Ginny’s hand nodded and she smiled.
“Oh. I’ll just torture him a little, then,” Harry decided. Then he glanced up at Poppy, who was standing in the room’s doorway with an unreadable expression on her face. “Madam Pomfrey, you won’t tell the Headmaster, will you?”
Poppy shrugged. “What’s to tell? What you do off school grounds is none of my concern. Although, if Mr Weasley is caught on school grounds during his suspension, he could be either suspended for another month or expelled,” she suggested with a wink before leaving them to their plotting and closing the door.
“That woman was a Slytherin, I just know it,” Harry muttered.
“Actually, she was a Ravenclaw,” Tom volunteered. The three students stared at him in shock. “What? She was in the same year as me in school.”
“Too bad she’s so firmly on the Light.” Harry sighed. “She’s fun.”
“Medics don’t do well on the Dark side.” Tom shrugged. “Our ideals are too opposite.”
“Oh, yeah, that whole kill-everyone-you-don’t-like deal,” Harry teased.
“You don’t seem to fall under that category.” Hermione laughed at the miniature Boy-Who-Lived.
“I’m special.” Harry snorted, sitting on the edge of the table. “Anyway, I’m more of a prankster than a murderer.”
“Could have fooled me.” Tom smirked and leaned back in his chair.
“Hey! What happened to your hair?!”
“Stop whining. I wasn’t wearing that ridiculous hair-style any longer, as I told you when you gave it to me,” Tom shot back evenly. “I’m sure your little group will gladly make sure it’s spread to the rest of the Death Eaters that I had spiked and pink hair for a few brief moments during breakfast.”
“Have you heard Death Eaters going on about Severus’ change in clothing from all those weeks ago?” Harry asked.
“Actually, yes, when they don’t think I’m listening. It’s no wonder they weren’t that surprised with the leniency I keep giving you.”
“Yes, I am a rather lucky wizard when it comes to insulting you, aren’t I?”
“And then some.” Hermione coughed.
Harry scowled at her. “Good thing I don’t have old Voldie’s temper.”
“Excuse me.” Tom snorted. “You do. But, as you’ve said, you’re not a murderer.”
“Yeah, you prank everyone instead,” Hermione teased.
“Gin, don’t cry,” Harry said suddenly, jumping back onto the bed and hugging her finger.
“I think she wants to add to the conversation,” Hermione whispered, settling a hand on the girl’s arm.
Ginny nodded her free hand tearfully.
Tom glanced around. “Where’s your wand, Gin? I just recalled a spell I saw once that’ll spell your direct thoughts out in air.”
Ginny tugged her wand out from under her pillow and blinked at the Dark Lord.
“You’ll have to concentrate and learn to cast spells without speaking, so let’s consider this practise, hm?” Tom suggested. “You’ll have to focus a bit harder than if you–“ Tom scowled and glanced at Harry, since Hermione was giggling. “Why is she giving me that look?”
“I taught the DA how to perform wordless spells last year,” Harry said smugly.
“Why am I not surprised.” Tom groaned. “Fine. The incantation is ‘Ostentatio Mens’. You have to point your wand at yourself.”
Ginny pointed her wand at herself and moved her lips soundlessly. After a moment ‘Is it working?’ appeared just above her head.
Harry and Hermione both gave loud cheers while Tom nodded at the bed-ridden girl. “Great job, Gin.”
‘Thanks, Tom. How long will it last?’
“I haven’t the slightest clue, unfortunately. We’ll have to go by trial and error, unless our resident librarian would like to go look it up?”
Hermione punched the Dark Lord’s arm. “That was horribly rude.”
“Ha! I’m not the only one who can get away with lots of stuff!”
“I’m not a Death Eater, thank you very much,” Hermione said, head held high.
“I should hope not.” The door opened and Poppy frowned at the group. Severus was behind her, a wand to the back of her head.
“She was eavesdropping,” the dour Potions professor explained, closing the door behind them.
Hermione paled while Ginny gave the witch an angry look. ‘Going to tell Dumbledore, I’ll bet!’
Harry jumped off the bed and returned himself to his true size, expression cold and serious. “Was that what you were planning?” he hissed as Tom set up a belated Silencing Barrier.
“I was, at the start,” Poppy said bravely. “After all, Albus needs to know when he has Death Eaters running through the school, especially when you, Mr Potter are one.”
“He already suspects me, anyway.” Harry snorted. “Percy was kind enough to name me before Lucius silenced him. You said you were?”
“Yes,” Poppy replied simply.
“Mind expanding on that?” Tom asked, fingering his wand lazily.
Poppy gave the professor a grim smile. “Why, yes, Voldemort, if you really want me to.”
Five wands were immediately pointed at the medi-witch. “How?” Harry asked, green eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Oh, I’ll remember Tom Riddle for the rest of my life; he’s not a young man easy to forget,” Poppy said idly. “When you started working here, I suspected it might be you, but you neither looked nor sounded like him, and you appeared decades younger, so I ignored my suspicions. However, you mentioned that you were in school with me, and I didn’t recall any Marcus Brutúses during that time…” She shrugged.
“Ravenclaw, eh?” Harry snorted, shooting Tom a look.
“Told you,” the Dark Lord shot his lover a quick grin before returning his cold gaze to the nurse. “What did you mean by were, Poppy?”
“Because while neither the elder Tom Riddle I once knew nor the Voldemort I know of now would have ever cared enough to help someone with a disability when they needed the help, the Tom Riddle who I was friends with in our first four years at Hogwarts would have,” Poppy said softly, eyes sad. “And, though you’re right, Tom, we medics don’t agree with you, I, for one, don’t plan on putting an end to this change in you by telling Albus about this, especially since you’re not hurting anyone here at Hogwarts.”
Harry and Tom traded glances. I trust her, Harry decided.
I–
Tom, for Merlin’s sake, she was once your only friend in school and she’s willing to give you a chance! You need a friend here who is your own age.
But, Harry, Poppy Pomfrey?
Yes, Tom, Poppy Pomfrey. She’ll be good for you, at any rate.
I don’t like that condescending tone, young man.
Harry laughed aloud, putting his wand away. “You’re such an idiot.”
Poppy’s eyes widened as she saw the cold look on the Dark Lord’s face. “Tom–”
“An idiot, Harry? Was that the best you could come up with?” Tom asked in a chilling voice.
Harry and Ginny were the only ones who didn’t appear worried by the Dark Lord’s tone and gaze. “Well, no, but, you see, there are ladies present,” Harry replied.
‘Oh, stop messing around, you two,’ Ginny berated them, forcing the lettering between the two wizards. ‘You’ve got Herm worried.’
“Oops. Didn’t mean to do that,” Tom said lightly. “I thought you knew better, Herm.”
Harry laughed at the looks on Poppy and Severus’ faces as Hermione punched the Dark Lord in the arm again. “Hey, Tom, this is almost as much fun as that time I called you a jackarse at a meeting!”
“Harry, you were the only one who thought that was fun. I was a bit annoyed, and everyone else was fighting a heart attack,” Tom shot back.
“Nagini thought it was brilliant, actually.”
“She would.” Tom groaned, shaking his head helplessly. “Between the two of you, I haven’t the slightest clue how I’ve managed to stay sane.”
Harry coughed delicately as everyone else smiled. “Tom, you’re not sane. We’ve been over this.”
“I am too sane!”
“Now you sound like a two-year-old. Stomp your foot and I’ll make it three,” Harry teased.
Tom shrugged and stomped his foot, getting a round of laughter. “I’m a Slytherin. I take advantage of everything.”
“I take it you’ve decided to trust me?” Poppy inquired.
“Yup!” Harry settled gently on the edge of Ginny’s bed. “I decided Tom needed a friend in Hogwarts that was his own age.”
“You decided?” Poppy questioned.
“I’m not sane, remember?” Tom replied, returning to his seat. “Harry has to look after my well-being.”
‘Among other things.’
“Did you wish to say something, Gin?” Tom said in an overly happy voice.
‘I thought I just did.’
“My Lord, I believe Miss Weasley is merely egging you on,” Severus offered mildly.
‘Oh, Tom knows that, Professor. He’s just being a prat.’
“I do appear to be a prat quite often these days, don’t I?” Tom agreed.
A knock came on the door suddenly and everyone froze. “See. I told you that Silencing Barrier was needed,” Harry offered before shrinking himself and hiding under Ginny’s hand.
“Smart arse,” Tom shot back before taking the Barrier down and nodding at the nurse to open the door.
Poppy pulled the door open. “Molly! Arthur!” she said happily then, not as happily, “Headmaster.”
“Here’s your chance to give him a piece of your mind,” Tom teased Hermione quietly as the three stepped into the room.
“Ginny!” Molly cried tearfully before hugging her daughter tightly.
‘You left Ron in the house by himself?!’ Ginny cried through her magical lettering.
“Fred and George are there,” Arthur assured her.
“Where’d you learn that spell, my dear?” Dumbledore inquired innocently as his eyes travelled over to Hermione.
‘Marcus taught me, sir.’ Ginny explained.
Dumbledore’s eyes shot to the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. “I see… Marcus, have you heard anything from Harry this morning?”
All the eyes in the room shot to the Headmaster as Tom narrowed his eyes. “Should I have?”
“I was just wondering, since he’s not a Privet Drive.”
“Where else would he be?” Hermione murmured.
“That was my question, especially since that shadow of his is there…” Dumbledore shrugged and offered a smile. “Let me know if you do hear anything from him, of course. Good day.” The Headmaster left among stares.
Poppy closed the door and Tom threw up a new Silencing Barrier rather quickly.
“How does he do that?!” Harry shouted once Ginny let him free. “Severus, you said Rodolphus and Aunt Petunia were covering our arses!”
“Harry, calm down!” Hermione ordered.
“Knowing Albus, he’s got some sort of gauge on your house that checks for your magical signature,” Poppy suggested.
“No.” Tom shook his head, frowning. “Any witch our wizard with a certain amount of power doesn’t have a specific magical signature.”
“Is that why the Ministry still went after me when Dobby dropped the pudding? Because I don’t have a set signature?!” Harry asked, scandalized.
Tom smiled fondly. “Yes.”
“ARGH!!” Harry punched the mattress and fell on his bum.
“Too bad Saber’s not here,” Hermione teased.
“You’re supposed to be the nice one,” Harry complained.
“Who’s Saber?” Molly inquired, smiling at the tiny wizard.
“Oh, just the bodyguard that Lucius sent me who has a bad habit of landing me on my arse for his own amusement,” Harry replied flippantly, resizing himself to normal. “When you two leave, can I come with you? I would like to chat with Fred and George. And Ron, now that I think about it.”
“Oh, I don’t know…” Arthur replied thoughtfully.
‘I ORDER you two to take him with you.’ Ginny’s words spelled darkly.
“I wasn’t planning on ordering them, Gin, but, hell, whatever!” Harry tossed his arms up in the air. “Your power’s gone to your head, missy.”
‘You were the one who made me your second, idiot.’
“I’m well aware of that, thank you.”
“Oh, stop, both of you.” Molly chuckled. “Harry, of course you can come with. You’re always welcome at the Burrow.”
“Told ya,” Harry told his sister, blowing a raspberry at the girl.
‘Stuff it, prat.’
“So, Harry, did you have something to do with Percy’s death?” Arthur asked suddenly, gaze serious. The room quieted and the temperature seemed to drop a couple degrees.
“Yes. I killed him,” Harry replied coolly. “Why are you asking me?”
“Was there any specific reason?” Arthur returned just as coolly as his leader.
Harry held up a hand as Ginny began to move forward, no doubt to give her father a piece of her mind. “Gin, let me handle this, please?” The girl nodded and sat back, eyes filled with concern. “He was killed because he defected and offered the Order of the Phoenix information on the Juniors, including my name. On top of this, he attempted to kill both Herm and myself in the middle of Muggle London, which, I noticed, they didn’t mention in the article, though I suppose Dumbledore didn’t mention that to the Aurors, either.”
“He attacked you and Hermione?!” Molly cried, horrified. “Why Hermione?”
“Because she’s my best friend? Because she was with us.” Harry shrugged, glancing at Tom. “Any ideas?”
“I doubt it was just because she was there. Percy gave Saber and myself the choice to leave.”
“That may have been because you had wands, though,” Hermione pointed out.
“No…” Harry shook his head thoughtfully. “Death Eaters are trained in different Dark Arts that would give them the upper hand over any Light wizard. Even most Dark wizards that aren’t Death Eaters would be hard-pressed to match the skills of a Death Eater.”
“We’re trained in combat,” Severus agreed. “And we train against each other.”
“Unpredictability,” Hermione murmured, glancing at the Dark Lord, who was merely sitting back and letting everyone else take over the conversation. “You said that you were trained to find their weaknesses first.”
“Not quite. We were outnumbered, in an odd way, so their best bet was waiting for a weakness to show itself,” Harry disagreed. “It was possible to attack Percy right off the bat and, perhaps, get a spell through, being the two wizards they were and all, but it would have left us open for an attack, and that wasn’t an option.”
‘You’re talking for him again.’ Ginny complained.
“He wants me to,” Harry replied with a shrug.
Tom made a face at the glare he was receiving from the bed-ridden redhead. “He learns things faster this way.”
“Hey!”
Tom gave his lover a severe look. “You do, and you need to know this.”
“Thanks for reminding me. Merlin, but you’re such a bastard at times!”
“It’s my job.”
“You two better not be starting another fight,” Poppy said warningly. “I get enough heart attacks without your help.”
“I will not apologize for making a point.”
“And I will not apologize for calling him names in front of Death Eaters again.”
“You don’t know the meaning of an apology!”
‘What IS it with you two today?!’
Harry and Tom traded looks, then Harry shrugged at his sister. “Sexual frustration.”
Ginny stared at Harry for a long moment while Hermione cracked up and the adults in the room, except Tom, gave the teen horrified looks. ‘I’m sorry. And, if you hadn’t exhausted yourself last night, I’m sure you wouldn’t have this problem.’
“Ginny!” Molly cried, eyes wide.
“I’d like to see you apparate everyone to and from the Ministry,” Harry shot back evenly. “Anyway, I wasn’t the only tired one.” Hermione was still giggling. Severus was starting to look mildly amused. Tom had sat back in his chair with a rather large satisfied smirk on his face. Poppy looked scandalised. Arthur was frowning between Harry, Tom, and Ginny. Molly was, apparently, extremely horrified by the whole discussion.
‘I wasn’t tired.’
“You could barely stand.”
‘I was sick!’
“Wait, wait!” Arthur cut in, frowning. “Ginny, you went with Harry to the Ministry?”
‘There were seven of us, all in all.’ Ginny agreed.
“You apparated six other students?” Poppy whispered in shock. “I hope you took a revitalizer, Mr Potter.”
“The bastard made me drink one,” Harry replied flippantly. “And I think Severus made it, since it tasted so nasty.”
“You’re just picking fights with everyone today, aren’t you?” Severus inquired, too amused by the whole act to care about the insult.
“Yup.”
“He’s taking out his anger on everyone one around him so he doesn’t accidentally kill Ronald,” Tom explained.
“Oh, darn,” Hermione muttered.
“Gin wanted a piece of him, remember?” Harry replied. “And, lucky for us, she’s not Walden Macnair.”
Severus and Tom were the only ones not confused by that statement. “Oh, I didn’t need to remember that away from his home, Harry,” Tom complained.
“Aha.” Harry stuck his tongue out at the Dark Lord.
“Could you tell me what Macnair does?” Arthur inquired.
“You don’t want to know,” Tom, Harry, and Severus all chorused.
“I don’t know how he ever even became a Death Eater,” Harry muttered.
“It’s all in the name,” Tom replied, covering his eyes with a hand.
“Oh, so he’s the inspiration behind that name.”
“Harry, he wasn’t even born when the title Death Eater was made.”
“I’ve figured it out!” Arthur said suddenly, surprising everyone but the Dark Lord and his second.
“About damn time,” Harry muttered.
“It only took you about twenty minutes,” Tom added, smirking.
“Now, really, he kept getting sidetracked. That’s hardly fair.”
“True. And we didn’t start dropping hints right away, either.”
“Well we couldn’t. Dumbles was in here, remember?”
“I’d attempted to forget that, actually.”
“Blame it on your poor memory.”
“No, see, that’s what Dumbledore does.”
‘Would you two shut up for a few minutes?’
“Oh, that’s right, Arthur was about to give his mighty proclamation,” Harry said teasingly, grinning at his surrogate father, who was pale. Molly was watching her husband with confusion.
“Voldemort,” Arthur said shakily.
Harry clapped wildly. “Hey, Tom, he caught you!”
“I should hex you,” the Dark Lord muttered nodding at Arthur. “Yes.”
Molly gasped. “Merlin’s beard!”
“Why didn’t you tell them when you inducted them?” Hermione asked of her best friend with an annoyed look.
“It’s more fun to have everyone figure it out themselves,” Harry replied gleefully.
“Slytherin,” Severus coughed into his hand.
Harry smirked. “I’m not a Slytherin, I’m the Dark Lady.”
Molly, Arthur, and Poppy stared while Severus had a coughing fit, Tom fell out of his chair in laughter, and both Hermione and Ginny started crying, they were laughing so hard. ‘Harry, that was a HORRIBLE joke!!’
“Then why are you all laughing?” Harry teased.
“We’re laughing because it was so bad,” Tom gasped, getting back into his chair. “Where in Merlin’s name do you get these things?!”
“Pull them out of my mind, just like any other teenager,” Harry replied, glancing up at the three adults who didn’t get it. “Oh, come now. You don’t really think I’m dating Ginevra Weasley, do you?”
“I think I need to sit down,” Poppy muttered, drawing herself up a chair and settling in it with wide eyes.
“Then, why the ring?” Arthur asked while Molly rubbed at her eyes a few times.
Harry held his hand out to the Dark Lord and cocked an eyebrow at the man. “What makes you think I have them?” Tom asked mischievously.
“Tom, you know that doesn’t work when I saw you stuff them into your pocket this morning.” Harry snorted, rolling his eyes.
“You cheated,” the Dark Lord complained, handing the papers over.
Harry passed them over to Arthur. “It was Gin’s Christmas present. Well, the rest of it. Her real boyfriend suggested she wear the ring on her ring finger to drive Ron up the wall.”
“And it worked a bit too well,” Hermione added.
“I’ll be damned.” Arthur shook his head, handing the papers over to his wife.
“Oh, Harry, this is wonderful.” Molly sighed, handing the papers back to the teen, who smiled and gave the papers back to his lover.
“What is it?” Poppy inquired mildly.
“Harry made Gin his sister over Christmas,” Tom explained.
“It was horridly adorable, too.” Hermione sighed happily.
“Hermione!” Harry cried with a blush.
“It was, you know,” Tom murmured.
“Tom!”
“I thought you got over that whole blushing issue of yours,” Tom teased.
Harry turned to Gin. “Gin, he’s being mean to me!”
The girl was giggling silently. ‘Then go shut him up.’
Harry blinked a few time. “Oh. Okay.” Then he got up and, sitting himself in Tom’s lap facing the man, kissed the Dark Lord.
Tom wrapped his arms around Harry’s middle and let his eyes slide shut. I could get used to this.
Harry pulled away, smirking. You always say that.
That would be because I always mean it, lovely, he replied, cocking an eyebrow at the teen. I thought we went over all this already.
Probably. Harry glanced over his shoulder at Ginny. “Did it work?”
‘You two look far too good together.’
“Ginny!” Molly cried, shocked.
“We could always let you join us one time,” Tom said suggestively.
Ginny laughed. ‘I don’t think Mum’ll go for it, Tom.’
“Pity. We could have invited Lucius, too. Nice little foursome going.”
“You know, it’s a good thing I happen to know you’re joking.” Harry snorted.
‘And Harry’s not the jealous sort.’ Ginny added.
“Yes, he is, actually,” Tom replied. “It’s a Gryffindor trait. OW!”
Harry smiled innocently at his lover. “I dare you to repeat that.”
“No, thank you.” Tom groaned, resting his head on Harry shoulder. “You’re a horrible little child.”
“So you keep telling me.”
‘Aren’t they cute?’ Ginny asked once certain neither wizard was watching.
“Yes…” Molly decided while Hermione and Poppy nodded. Arthur shrugged indecisively and Severus looked upwards.
“Thanks,” Harry said slyly. “You’ve gone and forgotten about those eyes in the back of my head, little sister.”
“How do you do that?!” Hermione cried.
Harry shook his head. “Family secret.”
Tom chuckled against his neck. “It is, isn’t it?”
“Now, see, you cheated.”
“Eye for an eye.”
“Stuff it, you sod.”
‘What ARE you two going on about?’ Ginny asked, exasperated.
“The Avada Kedavra that rebounded when I was an infant split our gifts between each of us,” Harry explained. “It’s why I speak Parsel.”
‘So, the Gryffindor line has the ability to see out the back of their heads?’ Ginny said.
“No. The Gryffindor line is a line of Metamorphmagi,” Tom replied calmly. “Harry really does have eyes in the back of his head to keep an eye on everyone.”
Nearly everyone in the room gaped at the two. ‘That’s why you can switch forms so easily!’ Ginny realized.
“Yeah, but he just uses a glamour, most of the time,” Harry muttered.
“I’m waiting for some brilliant teacher to actually toss an Anti-Glamour Charm at me,” Tom agreed. “Mass panics are fun, when they’re planned.”
“You’re a real bastard,” Hermione decided, turning to Harry. “Harry, if you’re a Metamorphmagus, why not change your shape more often?”
“It takes practise, and I didn’t actually fully come in to my gift until my seventeenth birthday, probably due do Tom’s attack,” Harry explained. “Anyway, like any good aspiring Slytherin, I keep my advantages secret until they can be used.”
‘Or any good Order trainee.’ Ginny grumbled.
“Oh, Herm told you.” Harry shrugged. “Yeah, that’s one of the things Mad-Eye was always spouting off.”
“And you took it to heart.” Tom sighed helplessly. “Gryffindors. OW!”
“Slytherins don’t learn well, do they?” Harry sniggered.
“Not particularly, no,” Tom agreed wearily. “Now stop pinching me, you vixen.”
Molly was smiling at the two wizards. “Harry, I believe you wanted a word with the twins?”
“Actually, it’s more along the lines of answering questions I know they’ll have, but, yes.” He glanced up at her. “You want me to stop pinching Tom?”
“Probably for the best,” Arthur agreed.
“Damn.”
Tom chuckled and drew Harry into a gentle kiss. : Do you want me to visit this week?:
: No. I need to drop by Diagon Alley for those charm bracelets. And, before you start that old argument again, yes, you are too getting one.:
: I don’t do bracelets.:
: I’ll get you a crown, then. It should go nicely with that white snakeskin you’re so damned fond of.:
: Can’t go wrong with crowns.:
: Oh, you’re horrid.: Harry chuckled, tugging from Tom’s embrace and standing. “Don’t you start hexing students, now.”
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Hermione promised, grinning.
“You’re the best.” The young man kissed Hermione’s cheeks and hugged her gently. “Be careful with yourself.”
“Yes, dear.”
“Hey, Tom can get just as jealous as me,” Harry warned teasingly before walking over to Ginny’s bed. “I expect you out of here next time I’m wreaking havoc here at Hogwarts, missy, or I’ll be one very upset big brother.”
‘Yes, Harry.’
Harry kissed her forehead gently. “I’ll make sure Ron gets his nicely for you.”
‘And don’t you kill him till I get a go.’ Ginny said warningly.
“Yes, yes, I know. You’re not Walden.”
‘Tell me. Come on.’
“One of the things I dislike most in this world is projectile vomiting, dear Gin, so you’ll have to wait till you can move around again,” Harry said, waggling a finger in her face. He glanced at Severus. “Once I’ve left, make sure Ted gets his arse up here. If you have to, tell him I ordered it.” Severus nodded and Harry glanced at the nurse next to him. “Poppy, I’d appreciate it if you’d let Theodore Nott in to see Gin whenever he drops by, baring class times, of course.”
“As long as he doesn’t upset her,” Poppy replied seriously.
“I think the only thing upsetting about visits from Ted would be him leaving,” Tom offered, standing with a groan. “Harry, you’re getting heavy.”
“Calluses from landing on my arse so often.”
“That explains why it was so rough. Oh, wait, sorry. That was those trousers.”
Harry cocked an eyebrow at the Dark Lord as Hermione cracked up helplessly and Ginny giggled silently. “I thought you liked my trousers.”
“Your trousers are lovely, dearest, but I’d rather prefer them off you, I think.”
“Such language in front of the ladies.” Harry tutted.
‘Oh, come on, Harry. Show off that outfit of yours.’
“And give me back my robe, you brat,” Tom added.
“You’re borrowing his clothing now?” Hermione laughed.
“What? Mine had blood on it,” Harry muttered, pulling the robe off and tossing it is Tom’s face. “There, you whiny baby.”
: I’m only whiny ‘cause I didn’t get my sex this weekend,: Tom shot back, shrinking the robe and putting it in a pocket.
: I’m sure you can hang on for a couple of days.:
“Harry James Potter! Is that a tattoo?!” Molly shouted.
“Dude, there’s a mirror behind me!” Harry laughed, grinning at his surrogate mum. “Yeah, it’s a tattoo. What are you going to do about it?”
“Nothing works, trust me,” Hermione suggested. “He wasn’t even slightly regretful while he was going on about how painful it was.”
Poppy leaned over behind the teen to get a close look at the tattoo. “So, who generally wins; the phoenix, or the basilisk?”
Harry shrugged. “Once, the phoenix would have always won. Now, though, the basilisk keeps winning,” he said mildly.
“It depends on your mind set,” Arthur deducted and Harry nodded. “Clever.”
“I rather thought so,” Harry agreed. “So, are we leaving then?”
“Yes.” Molly smiled helplessly.
“Size down, you brat,” Tom ordered, rolling his eyes. “He’ll probably ride in your hair, Molly. It’s his favourite hiding place.”
“Of course.” Molly nodded, leaning down to pick up the tiny form and setting him on her shoulder.
Harry waved at everyone happily before scrambling up into Molly’s bun. Okay. Bye!
“He says he’s ready,” Tom told the two elder Weasleys with a grin.
“Good bye, everyone,” Molly offered before following her husband out the door.
----------------------------------------
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A/N: That was….fine, I guess…. I think I’ll take that nap now, though.
~Batsutousai ^.^x
Abandon & Reclaim Series:
Abandon the Prequel: Sixth Year
Abandon Chapters:
01 || 02 || 03 || 04 || 05 || 06 || 07 || 08 || 09 || 10
11 || 12 || 13 || 14 || 15 || 16 || 17 || 18 || 19 || 20
21 || 22 || 23 || 24 || 25 || 26 || 27 || 28 || 29 || 30
31 || 32 || 33 || 34 || 35 || 36 || 37 ||38 || 39 || 40
41 || 42 || 43 || 44 || 45 || 46 || 47
Reclaim Chapters:
One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine || Ten
Eleven || Twelve || Thirteen || Fourteen || Fifteen
Epilogue
Side Stories:
Ginevra Weasley & Theodore Nott
Minerva McGonagall || Minerva McGonagall (again)
Author:
batsutousaiBeta:
magickmaker17Pairings: Harry/Tom(Voldemort), Seamus/Blaise, Ginevra/Theodore, post-Ron/Hermione, Salazar/Godric
Warnings: This will have slash(Guys on guys, ppl.) , Dumbledore bashing, Ron bashing
Disclaim Her: This little fanfic writer needs a nap….
Key: Okay, you might need these:
Mind-speak
: Parseltongue:
’ Written thoughts’
Chapter 38
-----------------------------------------------------
Harry opened his eyes to a set of scarlet orbs. “Tom?”
“Good morning, lovely.” Tom smiled. “How are you this morning?”
“Groggy,” Harry decided after giving it a brief moment of thought. Then he buried his face in Tom chest with a sigh. I just killed someone, didn’t I?
“Yes.” Tom ran a hand through Harry’s wild mane of hair. “Do you regret it?”
I haven’t decided yet. The teen pulled away from the warm hug and sat up with a sigh. “I should make a run for my house. If Dumbledore thinks the way I’m expecting him to think, I’ll have to be there.”
“Oh, come now, no breakfast? No watching how the rest of the school reacts?” Tom sat up next to Harry and drew the younger wizard back against his chest. “You can watch Ronald blow his top.”
Harry bit his lip, trying hard not to smile. “Oh, yeah. Should be loads of fun. What about Dumbledore?”
“We’ll send a message to Rodolphus and Petunia, tell them they’ll probably have to make it seem like you’re still asleep or something.”
“We can send a message that quickly?” Harry turned his head and frowned at his lover.
Tom gave him a mischievous smile and kissed his nose. “Of course. Get changed and change your size–”
“Am I allowed to now?” Harry interrupted, rubbing his nose with a scowl.
“You should be.” Tom nodded. “At any rate, we’re dropping by the dungeons before breakfast.”
“Oh, a potion. I should have guessed.” Harry snorted and stood, stretching. “Stiff… Ow…”
Tom chuckled and got up to attack his wardrobe. “I could have told you magical exhaustion did that.”
“But you didn’t. You’re rude like that,” the teen grumbled darkly, shooting a cleaning spell at his shirt, which Tom had left on the back of a chair, and his trousers, which he was still wearing. “At least these trousers aren’t so stiff anymore,” he added thoughtfully, pulling his shirt on while Tom laughed. “Hey, where’s my robe?”
“Blood’s difficult to get off clothing.” Tom sighed, running a hand through his hair and turning to glance at the younger wizard. “There are spells, but you have to perform them within an hour if you want them to work, and I was too tired by the time I got both of us in here to deal with it, so I just tossed your robe in the fire.” He grimaced. “Sorry. I can give you a robe, if you want.”
The teen shrugged. “Do I look like I care? I have more black robes then I know what to do with, Tom. It’s no big loss. Though, sure, I’ll take a robe.”
“Glad you’re so easy-going. Don’t wear school robes on an attack again and see how you like it,” Tom muttered, tossing the teen a black robe from his wardrobe.
“Hey, all my black robes are for school, love. I’ll wear red robes on raids from now on, k?” Harry replied, rolling his eyes and tugging the robe on over his Muggle clothing.
Tom snorted and shook his head in amusement. “Clashes with your eyes. Wear brown, instead. Then, if you want, you can just let the blood dry on there and no one’ll be the wiser.”
Harry laughed. “Have you ever worn red on a raid?”
Tom cocked an eyebrow at his lover. “I always wear red on raids. That way, the Death Eaters can find me.”
“As if those eyes and white-as-death skin aren’t a dead giveaway.”
“Are you making fun of Lord Voldemort?” the Dark Lord asked in mock fury.
Harry grinned. “Yes.”
Tom slinked towards the teen, smirking. “Shall I turn you over my knee and give you a spanking?” he whispered seductively before pulling Harry into a kiss.
Harry closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around the taller man’s waist. Oh, Merlin, please do. He groaned as Tom’s tongue caressed his.
Tom slid his palms over Harry’s clothed arse. I’d love to, but we need to send that message. He gasped, pulling away from the kiss and resting his forehead against Harry’s.
Damn.
Agreed. Tom smiled sadly and set a gentle kiss on Harry’s scar. Shift your size and we can go.
Bugger, Harry muttered even as he turned his wand on himself. “Minuta Harry.”
The Dark Lord picked the teen up and set him on his shoulder, waiting until Harry was comfortable and reasonably hidden before sweeping from his room.
Harry hopped out from under Tom’s sleeve and hid under the Dark Lord’s plate, sniggering silently. He’d talked Tom into placing a Silencing Charm on him earlier, in case he slipped and spoke.
What are you up to, you little imp? Tom asked, cocking an eyebrow at the small form.
Keeping a promise. Harry laughed, casting an Invisibility Charm on himself.
Don’t get caught, Tom warned, raising his glass to take a sip.
And you be careful about what you eat, Harry replied teasingly before slipping down the table to prank teachers.
Tom froze, cup millimetres from his lip, and scowled before casting a general Prank-Repelling Charm on his plate and cup discreetly before drinking. Then he leaned over to Severus as the Death Eater sat. “Be careful with the food and drink. The imp is prowling the table,” he suggested. Severus nodded and cast the same charm Tom had on his own plate and cup. “Did you send it?”
“Thank you for the warning.” Severus sighed. “And, yes, it was sent, received, and returned.”
“Perfect.” Tom sat back and served himself some eggs.
“What happened?” Severus inquired discreetly, buttering a roll.
“I’m pretty sure the Prophet will tell all,” was Tom’s cryptic reply as a loud ‘squawk’ came from down the table. The Dark Lord glanced down with a frown, then snorted in amusement.
Dumbledore had disappeared. A rather large, elderly chicken sat in its place. The Hall filled with laughter.
“And the imp strikes.” Severus hummed mildly. “Poor – what is it Mr Potter calls him? – Dumbles.”
Tom gave the man a quick grin. “That depends on his mood. I’ve heard all sorts of profanities come from that one’s mouth.”
“I’ll bet.” Severus coughed into his drink.
Tom turned and scowled at him. He would have shot a biting retort at the man, but Professor Sprout had chosen that moment to turn into a radish, tearing another round of laughter from the Hall.
“At least someone’s having fun,” Severus commented. The chicken was pecking at the edge of the table in something that looked like frustration. Many of the other teachers had pushed their plates away.
“They’ve become too lax.” Tom shrugged, leaning back with a strip of bacon. A flash of light made him freeze and he unhexed his food before eating it. Not funny.
Well, you cheated. You fixed your plate to repel my tricks. Had to find some other way. Harry sniggered.
If you catch me, I’ll never live it down.
Sure you will. After all, you know who’s doing the pranking. No one else does.
What are you planning on doing to me?
Red hair, love.
What is it with you and red hair?
Well, see, it matches your eyes…
Teal, then, please, if you want it to match my eyes.
Ooh... Harry giggled insanely.
This time, when Tom saw the flash of light, he sighed and just ate the food. The Hall around him cracked up. Even Severus snorted into his cup. “Alright, fine. What’d he do?” the Dark Lord asked the man next to him.
“You have very lovely pink hair, Marcus,” Severus said with a straight face before coughing politely into his hand.
Tom gave the Potions Professor an annoyed look. “Laugh already. I promise not to murder you for it.”
The two fixed each other with firm stares. They lasted about a minute before Severus cracked up with the rest of the Hall.
Tom patted the top of his head, then groaned. Why spikes?
I couldn’t resist the temptation. Here...
Severus gave a shout as his robes turned yellow. “Potter! I know this is Potter’s doing!”
Severus’ exclamation, of course, sent the whole Hall into gales of laughter and half of them off their benches, since everyone knew Harry Potter was suspended.
Tom took a sip of his pumpkin juice, shaking his head. “Leave it to you to blame something like this on the only student not in the school.”
Severus blinked at him, then quickly took a drink of his own pumpkin juice. His robes turned back to black. “I love pumpkin juice.” He sighed in relief.
“Is my hair back like it should be?” Tom questioned.
“Well, it’s not pink anymore…” Severus offered, refusing to look at the Dark Lord.
Harry!
Spikes make a good hiding place, so hush, Harry replied, scampering back up the Dark Lord’s sleeve. Owls are coming, by the way.
I’d noticed, Tom replied dryly, watching Professor Flitwick upturn Sprout’s cup on the radish next to him. Sprout gave the Charms Professor a rather wet hug as soon as she had arms.
Minerva sighed and held Dumbledore’s cup down to his beak as the first of the owls flew in through the windows and started dropping onto the tables.
Tom handed the owl that came to him the five knuts for the paper, then glanced at the headline:
Suspect Death Eater Killed at Ministry Last Night
Catchy. I approve. Tom hummed nodding at the message they’d left on the wall.
Well, that is what we tell inductees.
Point. Tom glanced around the suddenly silent Hall. Many students and teachers looked horrified. Some were crying. The Slytherin Table looked rather pleased. Tom was pleased to see the Juniors in Gryffindor and Ravenclaw looking just as horrified as their Housemates. Ginny, though, was looking like she couldn’t care less about her brother’s death.
In the silence, Ron’s voice was extremely loud when he realized his sister wasn’t affected by their brother’s death. “Ginny, don’t you care about this? Percy was killed.”
“Percy was a Death Eater,” Ginny replied mildly.
“He defected. It says he was brought in with the intention of giving names, but a Silencing Charm had been placed on him,” Ron hissed, standing slightly.
“He was still a Death Eater,” Ginny replied raising her glass of pumpkin juice to her lips.
“Reducto!” Ron shouted furiously.
Ginny screamed as the cup shattered in her hand. With wide eyes she grasped her throat, which was bleeding.
GINNY! Harry screamed. NO! I’LL MURDER HIM!
Tom grabbed the tiny figure as Harry jumped from his hair and handed him over to Severus. “Keep him from doing anything foolish,” he hissed. The Death Eater nodded and Tom swept from the Hall through the teacher’s entrance to go after Ron, who had fled the Hall as soon as he’d seen the blood. Other students had started throwing hexes at his back as it disappeared through the Hall’s doors, but they were mostly more too about Ginny, who Pomfrey was rushing to, to go after him.
Tom focused his magic on finding the errant Gryffindor and found that he was running towards Hogsmeade. “Idiot!” he spat, running through the front doors and pulling out his wand. “Expelliarmus! Locomotor Mortis!”
Catching the teen’s wand and seeing him fall to the ground, Tom slowed his run slightly. He stuffed the wand into a pocket as he stopped next to the young wizard. “Well, Mr Weasley, I dare say you’ve fucked up this time. If you don’t mind me asking, where were you planning on going?” he asked, turning Ron over onto his back.
“Apparate home,” Ron breathed. “Let me go.”
“I’m sure you’ll be seeing your home very soon, Mr Weasley,” Tom assured the young man with a grim smile. “Though you may not be seeing your wand again if your sister is hurt too seriously.”
Ron narrowed his eyes. “Let me go.”
“Will you come with me back into the school peacefully?”
Ron let out a growl. “Yes. Fine.”
Tom pursed his lips. “Just know I know of only one wizard with the ability to apparate without a wand, Mr Weasley, and he resembles a snake, not you. I wouldn’t suggest trying such an action,” he warned, standing. “Finite Incantantum.”
Ron let out a groan as he got to his feet, then allowed his professor to lead him back into the school. Dumbledore was standing in the entrance hall with Severus and McGonagall. “Is my sister going to be okay, sir?” Ron asked quickly.
“For the most part.” Dumbledore nodded. “However, you will be heading home. Where is your wand?”
Ron turned his eyes on Tom with a sneer. “Professor Brutús has it, sir.”
Tom tightened his grip on the boy in warning and glanced up at Dumbledore. “Is he expelled, or suspended?”
“Suspended for a month,” Dumbledore replied evenly. “The wand, Marcus.”
Tom slapped the wand in Dumbledore’s open hand angrily. “You appear to prefer suspension to expulsion, Albus. It’s no wonder your students are able to get away with so much,” he spat before pushing past the wizard.
Severus gave the Headmaster a cold look before following his co-worker. “Marcus!” Tom stopped long enough to allow Severus the ability to catch up. “The imp went with its sister,” he murmured.
“Good.” Tom ran a hand through his hair, quietly ending the spell Harry had cast on it to put it into spikes. “How bad was it?”
“She’ll live,” Severus replied uneasily.
“That’s not reassuring, Severus,” Tom said, turning to face the man.
“The glass missed her major blood vessels, but one managed to hit her larynx, somehow, and Poppy wasn’t sure she could fix the damage…” Severus said, refusing to meet the Dark Lord’s eyes.
“Fuck,” Tom hissed, breaking into a run. Harry?
I’m going to murder him. Splatter his blood all over Hogwarts. Put his head on a spike in the middle of the Quidditch pitch, Harry was muttering in his head.
Harry, love, no murdering people on school grounds. Tom sighed, stopping outside the Infirmary. He took a deep breath, then pushed the door open.
Poppy spun, mouth open to yell, which snapped shut when she saw who it was. “The little monsters seem to think Miss Weasley will get better quicker if they’re in here,” the nurse muttered in response to his raised eyebrow.
Tom nodded and let the door swing shut behind him. “How is she? Severus mentioned her larynx was hit…”
Poppy shook her head regretfully. “I can’t do anything, I’m afraid. She’ll live, thank Merlin, but she probably won’t be speaking ever again. It’s possible, but…” she let the words trail off.
“Lovely,” Tom muttered darkly.
“What does Albus intend to do to Mr Weasley, do you know?” Poppy asked, motioning for him to follow her towards the back of the ward.
“Suspend him for a month,” Tom replied in a nasty voice. “Albus lets these students go far too easily.”
Poppy nodded wearily. “I almost wish Mr Potter were back. He’d give Albus a piece of his mind that I know we’d all enjoy right now.”
“I’ll give the Headmaster a piece of my mind,” Hermione growled as they entered Ginny’s private room. Ginny nodded her hand in agreement, since her neck had been secured to keep from moving while it healed.
“I’d give him a piece of my mind right now, but I’m not supposed to be here!” Harry called in a tiny voice from on top of Ginny’s head.
Tom cocked an eyebrow at the wizard while Poppy gave him a sharp look. “I thought you were hiding.”
Poppy’s eyes shot to the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. “You knew he was here,” she muttered.
Tom sighed. “Hermione and I brought him back with us yesterday,” he agreed, sitting in the chair next to the pregnant witch. “Harry.”
“What? I’m sick of pretending I’m not here. And, if you’d let me, Ron wouldn’t ever see his home again,” the young man said viciously.
“No killing people on Hogwarts grounds,” Tom and Hermione chorused wearily.
Poppy chuckled. “I have a feeling you two say this a lot.”
“We started out telling Marcus not to kill students when they drove him up the wall, but, yes, they’ve had to tell me a lot lately,” Harry agreed. “What are they doing with Ron? Is Dumbles finally expelling him?”
“No. He’s suspended for a month,” Tom muttered darkly.
“WHAT?!” Harry jumped off Ginny’s head and started stomping around on the table next to the bed. “But he’s getting back before me, then! What if he hurts Gin again?!”
“Harry, Ron’s about to spend a whole month off of Hogwarts grounds.” Hermione chuckled. “Think about it. I’m sure Molly and Arthur would love to have you over for a visit.”
Harry froze mid-stomp, a cold smile taking over his face as he turned to glance back at Ginny. “Gin, can I kill him?”
Ginny appeared to think about it for a moment, then shook her hand.
“But, why not?” Harry frowned.
Ginny gave a frustrated sigh and looked to Tom for help.
The Dark Lord blinked a few times. “You want a piece of him,” he deducted.
Ginny’s hand nodded and she smiled.
“Oh. I’ll just torture him a little, then,” Harry decided. Then he glanced up at Poppy, who was standing in the room’s doorway with an unreadable expression on her face. “Madam Pomfrey, you won’t tell the Headmaster, will you?”
Poppy shrugged. “What’s to tell? What you do off school grounds is none of my concern. Although, if Mr Weasley is caught on school grounds during his suspension, he could be either suspended for another month or expelled,” she suggested with a wink before leaving them to their plotting and closing the door.
“That woman was a Slytherin, I just know it,” Harry muttered.
“Actually, she was a Ravenclaw,” Tom volunteered. The three students stared at him in shock. “What? She was in the same year as me in school.”
“Too bad she’s so firmly on the Light.” Harry sighed. “She’s fun.”
“Medics don’t do well on the Dark side.” Tom shrugged. “Our ideals are too opposite.”
“Oh, yeah, that whole kill-everyone-you-don’t-like deal,” Harry teased.
“You don’t seem to fall under that category.” Hermione laughed at the miniature Boy-Who-Lived.
“I’m special.” Harry snorted, sitting on the edge of the table. “Anyway, I’m more of a prankster than a murderer.”
“Could have fooled me.” Tom smirked and leaned back in his chair.
“Hey! What happened to your hair?!”
“Stop whining. I wasn’t wearing that ridiculous hair-style any longer, as I told you when you gave it to me,” Tom shot back evenly. “I’m sure your little group will gladly make sure it’s spread to the rest of the Death Eaters that I had spiked and pink hair for a few brief moments during breakfast.”
“Have you heard Death Eaters going on about Severus’ change in clothing from all those weeks ago?” Harry asked.
“Actually, yes, when they don’t think I’m listening. It’s no wonder they weren’t that surprised with the leniency I keep giving you.”
“Yes, I am a rather lucky wizard when it comes to insulting you, aren’t I?”
“And then some.” Hermione coughed.
Harry scowled at her. “Good thing I don’t have old Voldie’s temper.”
“Excuse me.” Tom snorted. “You do. But, as you’ve said, you’re not a murderer.”
“Yeah, you prank everyone instead,” Hermione teased.
“Gin, don’t cry,” Harry said suddenly, jumping back onto the bed and hugging her finger.
“I think she wants to add to the conversation,” Hermione whispered, settling a hand on the girl’s arm.
Ginny nodded her free hand tearfully.
Tom glanced around. “Where’s your wand, Gin? I just recalled a spell I saw once that’ll spell your direct thoughts out in air.”
Ginny tugged her wand out from under her pillow and blinked at the Dark Lord.
“You’ll have to concentrate and learn to cast spells without speaking, so let’s consider this practise, hm?” Tom suggested. “You’ll have to focus a bit harder than if you–“ Tom scowled and glanced at Harry, since Hermione was giggling. “Why is she giving me that look?”
“I taught the DA how to perform wordless spells last year,” Harry said smugly.
“Why am I not surprised.” Tom groaned. “Fine. The incantation is ‘Ostentatio Mens’. You have to point your wand at yourself.”
Ginny pointed her wand at herself and moved her lips soundlessly. After a moment ‘Is it working?’ appeared just above her head.
Harry and Hermione both gave loud cheers while Tom nodded at the bed-ridden girl. “Great job, Gin.”
‘Thanks, Tom. How long will it last?’
“I haven’t the slightest clue, unfortunately. We’ll have to go by trial and error, unless our resident librarian would like to go look it up?”
Hermione punched the Dark Lord’s arm. “That was horribly rude.”
“Ha! I’m not the only one who can get away with lots of stuff!”
“I’m not a Death Eater, thank you very much,” Hermione said, head held high.
“I should hope not.” The door opened and Poppy frowned at the group. Severus was behind her, a wand to the back of her head.
“She was eavesdropping,” the dour Potions professor explained, closing the door behind them.
Hermione paled while Ginny gave the witch an angry look. ‘Going to tell Dumbledore, I’ll bet!’
Harry jumped off the bed and returned himself to his true size, expression cold and serious. “Was that what you were planning?” he hissed as Tom set up a belated Silencing Barrier.
“I was, at the start,” Poppy said bravely. “After all, Albus needs to know when he has Death Eaters running through the school, especially when you, Mr Potter are one.”
“He already suspects me, anyway.” Harry snorted. “Percy was kind enough to name me before Lucius silenced him. You said you were?”
“Yes,” Poppy replied simply.
“Mind expanding on that?” Tom asked, fingering his wand lazily.
Poppy gave the professor a grim smile. “Why, yes, Voldemort, if you really want me to.”
Five wands were immediately pointed at the medi-witch. “How?” Harry asked, green eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Oh, I’ll remember Tom Riddle for the rest of my life; he’s not a young man easy to forget,” Poppy said idly. “When you started working here, I suspected it might be you, but you neither looked nor sounded like him, and you appeared decades younger, so I ignored my suspicions. However, you mentioned that you were in school with me, and I didn’t recall any Marcus Brutúses during that time…” She shrugged.
“Ravenclaw, eh?” Harry snorted, shooting Tom a look.
“Told you,” the Dark Lord shot his lover a quick grin before returning his cold gaze to the nurse. “What did you mean by were, Poppy?”
“Because while neither the elder Tom Riddle I once knew nor the Voldemort I know of now would have ever cared enough to help someone with a disability when they needed the help, the Tom Riddle who I was friends with in our first four years at Hogwarts would have,” Poppy said softly, eyes sad. “And, though you’re right, Tom, we medics don’t agree with you, I, for one, don’t plan on putting an end to this change in you by telling Albus about this, especially since you’re not hurting anyone here at Hogwarts.”
Harry and Tom traded glances. I trust her, Harry decided.
I–
Tom, for Merlin’s sake, she was once your only friend in school and she’s willing to give you a chance! You need a friend here who is your own age.
But, Harry, Poppy Pomfrey?
Yes, Tom, Poppy Pomfrey. She’ll be good for you, at any rate.
I don’t like that condescending tone, young man.
Harry laughed aloud, putting his wand away. “You’re such an idiot.”
Poppy’s eyes widened as she saw the cold look on the Dark Lord’s face. “Tom–”
“An idiot, Harry? Was that the best you could come up with?” Tom asked in a chilling voice.
Harry and Ginny were the only ones who didn’t appear worried by the Dark Lord’s tone and gaze. “Well, no, but, you see, there are ladies present,” Harry replied.
‘Oh, stop messing around, you two,’ Ginny berated them, forcing the lettering between the two wizards. ‘You’ve got Herm worried.’
“Oops. Didn’t mean to do that,” Tom said lightly. “I thought you knew better, Herm.”
Harry laughed at the looks on Poppy and Severus’ faces as Hermione punched the Dark Lord in the arm again. “Hey, Tom, this is almost as much fun as that time I called you a jackarse at a meeting!”
“Harry, you were the only one who thought that was fun. I was a bit annoyed, and everyone else was fighting a heart attack,” Tom shot back.
“Nagini thought it was brilliant, actually.”
“She would.” Tom groaned, shaking his head helplessly. “Between the two of you, I haven’t the slightest clue how I’ve managed to stay sane.”
Harry coughed delicately as everyone else smiled. “Tom, you’re not sane. We’ve been over this.”
“I am too sane!”
“Now you sound like a two-year-old. Stomp your foot and I’ll make it three,” Harry teased.
Tom shrugged and stomped his foot, getting a round of laughter. “I’m a Slytherin. I take advantage of everything.”
“I take it you’ve decided to trust me?” Poppy inquired.
“Yup!” Harry settled gently on the edge of Ginny’s bed. “I decided Tom needed a friend in Hogwarts that was his own age.”
“You decided?” Poppy questioned.
“I’m not sane, remember?” Tom replied, returning to his seat. “Harry has to look after my well-being.”
‘Among other things.’
“Did you wish to say something, Gin?” Tom said in an overly happy voice.
‘I thought I just did.’
“My Lord, I believe Miss Weasley is merely egging you on,” Severus offered mildly.
‘Oh, Tom knows that, Professor. He’s just being a prat.’
“I do appear to be a prat quite often these days, don’t I?” Tom agreed.
A knock came on the door suddenly and everyone froze. “See. I told you that Silencing Barrier was needed,” Harry offered before shrinking himself and hiding under Ginny’s hand.
“Smart arse,” Tom shot back before taking the Barrier down and nodding at the nurse to open the door.
Poppy pulled the door open. “Molly! Arthur!” she said happily then, not as happily, “Headmaster.”
“Here’s your chance to give him a piece of your mind,” Tom teased Hermione quietly as the three stepped into the room.
“Ginny!” Molly cried tearfully before hugging her daughter tightly.
‘You left Ron in the house by himself?!’ Ginny cried through her magical lettering.
“Fred and George are there,” Arthur assured her.
“Where’d you learn that spell, my dear?” Dumbledore inquired innocently as his eyes travelled over to Hermione.
‘Marcus taught me, sir.’ Ginny explained.
Dumbledore’s eyes shot to the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. “I see… Marcus, have you heard anything from Harry this morning?”
All the eyes in the room shot to the Headmaster as Tom narrowed his eyes. “Should I have?”
“I was just wondering, since he’s not a Privet Drive.”
“Where else would he be?” Hermione murmured.
“That was my question, especially since that shadow of his is there…” Dumbledore shrugged and offered a smile. “Let me know if you do hear anything from him, of course. Good day.” The Headmaster left among stares.
Poppy closed the door and Tom threw up a new Silencing Barrier rather quickly.
“How does he do that?!” Harry shouted once Ginny let him free. “Severus, you said Rodolphus and Aunt Petunia were covering our arses!”
“Harry, calm down!” Hermione ordered.
“Knowing Albus, he’s got some sort of gauge on your house that checks for your magical signature,” Poppy suggested.
“No.” Tom shook his head, frowning. “Any witch our wizard with a certain amount of power doesn’t have a specific magical signature.”
“Is that why the Ministry still went after me when Dobby dropped the pudding? Because I don’t have a set signature?!” Harry asked, scandalized.
Tom smiled fondly. “Yes.”
“ARGH!!” Harry punched the mattress and fell on his bum.
“Too bad Saber’s not here,” Hermione teased.
“You’re supposed to be the nice one,” Harry complained.
“Who’s Saber?” Molly inquired, smiling at the tiny wizard.
“Oh, just the bodyguard that Lucius sent me who has a bad habit of landing me on my arse for his own amusement,” Harry replied flippantly, resizing himself to normal. “When you two leave, can I come with you? I would like to chat with Fred and George. And Ron, now that I think about it.”
“Oh, I don’t know…” Arthur replied thoughtfully.
‘I ORDER you two to take him with you.’ Ginny’s words spelled darkly.
“I wasn’t planning on ordering them, Gin, but, hell, whatever!” Harry tossed his arms up in the air. “Your power’s gone to your head, missy.”
‘You were the one who made me your second, idiot.’
“I’m well aware of that, thank you.”
“Oh, stop, both of you.” Molly chuckled. “Harry, of course you can come with. You’re always welcome at the Burrow.”
“Told ya,” Harry told his sister, blowing a raspberry at the girl.
‘Stuff it, prat.’
“So, Harry, did you have something to do with Percy’s death?” Arthur asked suddenly, gaze serious. The room quieted and the temperature seemed to drop a couple degrees.
“Yes. I killed him,” Harry replied coolly. “Why are you asking me?”
“Was there any specific reason?” Arthur returned just as coolly as his leader.
Harry held up a hand as Ginny began to move forward, no doubt to give her father a piece of her mind. “Gin, let me handle this, please?” The girl nodded and sat back, eyes filled with concern. “He was killed because he defected and offered the Order of the Phoenix information on the Juniors, including my name. On top of this, he attempted to kill both Herm and myself in the middle of Muggle London, which, I noticed, they didn’t mention in the article, though I suppose Dumbledore didn’t mention that to the Aurors, either.”
“He attacked you and Hermione?!” Molly cried, horrified. “Why Hermione?”
“Because she’s my best friend? Because she was with us.” Harry shrugged, glancing at Tom. “Any ideas?”
“I doubt it was just because she was there. Percy gave Saber and myself the choice to leave.”
“That may have been because you had wands, though,” Hermione pointed out.
“No…” Harry shook his head thoughtfully. “Death Eaters are trained in different Dark Arts that would give them the upper hand over any Light wizard. Even most Dark wizards that aren’t Death Eaters would be hard-pressed to match the skills of a Death Eater.”
“We’re trained in combat,” Severus agreed. “And we train against each other.”
“Unpredictability,” Hermione murmured, glancing at the Dark Lord, who was merely sitting back and letting everyone else take over the conversation. “You said that you were trained to find their weaknesses first.”
“Not quite. We were outnumbered, in an odd way, so their best bet was waiting for a weakness to show itself,” Harry disagreed. “It was possible to attack Percy right off the bat and, perhaps, get a spell through, being the two wizards they were and all, but it would have left us open for an attack, and that wasn’t an option.”
‘You’re talking for him again.’ Ginny complained.
“He wants me to,” Harry replied with a shrug.
Tom made a face at the glare he was receiving from the bed-ridden redhead. “He learns things faster this way.”
“Hey!”
Tom gave his lover a severe look. “You do, and you need to know this.”
“Thanks for reminding me. Merlin, but you’re such a bastard at times!”
“It’s my job.”
“You two better not be starting another fight,” Poppy said warningly. “I get enough heart attacks without your help.”
“I will not apologize for making a point.”
“And I will not apologize for calling him names in front of Death Eaters again.”
“You don’t know the meaning of an apology!”
‘What IS it with you two today?!’
Harry and Tom traded looks, then Harry shrugged at his sister. “Sexual frustration.”
Ginny stared at Harry for a long moment while Hermione cracked up and the adults in the room, except Tom, gave the teen horrified looks. ‘I’m sorry. And, if you hadn’t exhausted yourself last night, I’m sure you wouldn’t have this problem.’
“Ginny!” Molly cried, eyes wide.
“I’d like to see you apparate everyone to and from the Ministry,” Harry shot back evenly. “Anyway, I wasn’t the only tired one.” Hermione was still giggling. Severus was starting to look mildly amused. Tom had sat back in his chair with a rather large satisfied smirk on his face. Poppy looked scandalised. Arthur was frowning between Harry, Tom, and Ginny. Molly was, apparently, extremely horrified by the whole discussion.
‘I wasn’t tired.’
“You could barely stand.”
‘I was sick!’
“Wait, wait!” Arthur cut in, frowning. “Ginny, you went with Harry to the Ministry?”
‘There were seven of us, all in all.’ Ginny agreed.
“You apparated six other students?” Poppy whispered in shock. “I hope you took a revitalizer, Mr Potter.”
“The bastard made me drink one,” Harry replied flippantly. “And I think Severus made it, since it tasted so nasty.”
“You’re just picking fights with everyone today, aren’t you?” Severus inquired, too amused by the whole act to care about the insult.
“Yup.”
“He’s taking out his anger on everyone one around him so he doesn’t accidentally kill Ronald,” Tom explained.
“Oh, darn,” Hermione muttered.
“Gin wanted a piece of him, remember?” Harry replied. “And, lucky for us, she’s not Walden Macnair.”
Severus and Tom were the only ones not confused by that statement. “Oh, I didn’t need to remember that away from his home, Harry,” Tom complained.
“Aha.” Harry stuck his tongue out at the Dark Lord.
“Could you tell me what Macnair does?” Arthur inquired.
“You don’t want to know,” Tom, Harry, and Severus all chorused.
“I don’t know how he ever even became a Death Eater,” Harry muttered.
“It’s all in the name,” Tom replied, covering his eyes with a hand.
“Oh, so he’s the inspiration behind that name.”
“Harry, he wasn’t even born when the title Death Eater was made.”
“I’ve figured it out!” Arthur said suddenly, surprising everyone but the Dark Lord and his second.
“About damn time,” Harry muttered.
“It only took you about twenty minutes,” Tom added, smirking.
“Now, really, he kept getting sidetracked. That’s hardly fair.”
“True. And we didn’t start dropping hints right away, either.”
“Well we couldn’t. Dumbles was in here, remember?”
“I’d attempted to forget that, actually.”
“Blame it on your poor memory.”
“No, see, that’s what Dumbledore does.”
‘Would you two shut up for a few minutes?’
“Oh, that’s right, Arthur was about to give his mighty proclamation,” Harry said teasingly, grinning at his surrogate father, who was pale. Molly was watching her husband with confusion.
“Voldemort,” Arthur said shakily.
Harry clapped wildly. “Hey, Tom, he caught you!”
“I should hex you,” the Dark Lord muttered nodding at Arthur. “Yes.”
Molly gasped. “Merlin’s beard!”
“Why didn’t you tell them when you inducted them?” Hermione asked of her best friend with an annoyed look.
“It’s more fun to have everyone figure it out themselves,” Harry replied gleefully.
“Slytherin,” Severus coughed into his hand.
Harry smirked. “I’m not a Slytherin, I’m the Dark Lady.”
Molly, Arthur, and Poppy stared while Severus had a coughing fit, Tom fell out of his chair in laughter, and both Hermione and Ginny started crying, they were laughing so hard. ‘Harry, that was a HORRIBLE joke!!’
“Then why are you all laughing?” Harry teased.
“We’re laughing because it was so bad,” Tom gasped, getting back into his chair. “Where in Merlin’s name do you get these things?!”
“Pull them out of my mind, just like any other teenager,” Harry replied, glancing up at the three adults who didn’t get it. “Oh, come now. You don’t really think I’m dating Ginevra Weasley, do you?”
“I think I need to sit down,” Poppy muttered, drawing herself up a chair and settling in it with wide eyes.
“Then, why the ring?” Arthur asked while Molly rubbed at her eyes a few times.
Harry held his hand out to the Dark Lord and cocked an eyebrow at the man. “What makes you think I have them?” Tom asked mischievously.
“Tom, you know that doesn’t work when I saw you stuff them into your pocket this morning.” Harry snorted, rolling his eyes.
“You cheated,” the Dark Lord complained, handing the papers over.
Harry passed them over to Arthur. “It was Gin’s Christmas present. Well, the rest of it. Her real boyfriend suggested she wear the ring on her ring finger to drive Ron up the wall.”
“And it worked a bit too well,” Hermione added.
“I’ll be damned.” Arthur shook his head, handing the papers over to his wife.
“Oh, Harry, this is wonderful.” Molly sighed, handing the papers back to the teen, who smiled and gave the papers back to his lover.
“What is it?” Poppy inquired mildly.
“Harry made Gin his sister over Christmas,” Tom explained.
“It was horridly adorable, too.” Hermione sighed happily.
“Hermione!” Harry cried with a blush.
“It was, you know,” Tom murmured.
“Tom!”
“I thought you got over that whole blushing issue of yours,” Tom teased.
Harry turned to Gin. “Gin, he’s being mean to me!”
The girl was giggling silently. ‘Then go shut him up.’
Harry blinked a few time. “Oh. Okay.” Then he got up and, sitting himself in Tom’s lap facing the man, kissed the Dark Lord.
Tom wrapped his arms around Harry’s middle and let his eyes slide shut. I could get used to this.
Harry pulled away, smirking. You always say that.
That would be because I always mean it, lovely, he replied, cocking an eyebrow at the teen. I thought we went over all this already.
Probably. Harry glanced over his shoulder at Ginny. “Did it work?”
‘You two look far too good together.’
“Ginny!” Molly cried, shocked.
“We could always let you join us one time,” Tom said suggestively.
Ginny laughed. ‘I don’t think Mum’ll go for it, Tom.’
“Pity. We could have invited Lucius, too. Nice little foursome going.”
“You know, it’s a good thing I happen to know you’re joking.” Harry snorted.
‘And Harry’s not the jealous sort.’ Ginny added.
“Yes, he is, actually,” Tom replied. “It’s a Gryffindor trait. OW!”
Harry smiled innocently at his lover. “I dare you to repeat that.”
“No, thank you.” Tom groaned, resting his head on Harry shoulder. “You’re a horrible little child.”
“So you keep telling me.”
‘Aren’t they cute?’ Ginny asked once certain neither wizard was watching.
“Yes…” Molly decided while Hermione and Poppy nodded. Arthur shrugged indecisively and Severus looked upwards.
“Thanks,” Harry said slyly. “You’ve gone and forgotten about those eyes in the back of my head, little sister.”
“How do you do that?!” Hermione cried.
Harry shook his head. “Family secret.”
Tom chuckled against his neck. “It is, isn’t it?”
“Now, see, you cheated.”
“Eye for an eye.”
“Stuff it, you sod.”
‘What ARE you two going on about?’ Ginny asked, exasperated.
“The Avada Kedavra that rebounded when I was an infant split our gifts between each of us,” Harry explained. “It’s why I speak Parsel.”
‘So, the Gryffindor line has the ability to see out the back of their heads?’ Ginny said.
“No. The Gryffindor line is a line of Metamorphmagi,” Tom replied calmly. “Harry really does have eyes in the back of his head to keep an eye on everyone.”
Nearly everyone in the room gaped at the two. ‘That’s why you can switch forms so easily!’ Ginny realized.
“Yeah, but he just uses a glamour, most of the time,” Harry muttered.
“I’m waiting for some brilliant teacher to actually toss an Anti-Glamour Charm at me,” Tom agreed. “Mass panics are fun, when they’re planned.”
“You’re a real bastard,” Hermione decided, turning to Harry. “Harry, if you’re a Metamorphmagus, why not change your shape more often?”
“It takes practise, and I didn’t actually fully come in to my gift until my seventeenth birthday, probably due do Tom’s attack,” Harry explained. “Anyway, like any good aspiring Slytherin, I keep my advantages secret until they can be used.”
‘Or any good Order trainee.’ Ginny grumbled.
“Oh, Herm told you.” Harry shrugged. “Yeah, that’s one of the things Mad-Eye was always spouting off.”
“And you took it to heart.” Tom sighed helplessly. “Gryffindors. OW!”
“Slytherins don’t learn well, do they?” Harry sniggered.
“Not particularly, no,” Tom agreed wearily. “Now stop pinching me, you vixen.”
Molly was smiling at the two wizards. “Harry, I believe you wanted a word with the twins?”
“Actually, it’s more along the lines of answering questions I know they’ll have, but, yes.” He glanced up at her. “You want me to stop pinching Tom?”
“Probably for the best,” Arthur agreed.
“Damn.”
Tom chuckled and drew Harry into a gentle kiss. : Do you want me to visit this week?:
: No. I need to drop by Diagon Alley for those charm bracelets. And, before you start that old argument again, yes, you are too getting one.:
: I don’t do bracelets.:
: I’ll get you a crown, then. It should go nicely with that white snakeskin you’re so damned fond of.:
: Can’t go wrong with crowns.:
: Oh, you’re horrid.: Harry chuckled, tugging from Tom’s embrace and standing. “Don’t you start hexing students, now.”
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Hermione promised, grinning.
“You’re the best.” The young man kissed Hermione’s cheeks and hugged her gently. “Be careful with yourself.”
“Yes, dear.”
“Hey, Tom can get just as jealous as me,” Harry warned teasingly before walking over to Ginny’s bed. “I expect you out of here next time I’m wreaking havoc here at Hogwarts, missy, or I’ll be one very upset big brother.”
‘Yes, Harry.’
Harry kissed her forehead gently. “I’ll make sure Ron gets his nicely for you.”
‘And don’t you kill him till I get a go.’ Ginny said warningly.
“Yes, yes, I know. You’re not Walden.”
‘Tell me. Come on.’
“One of the things I dislike most in this world is projectile vomiting, dear Gin, so you’ll have to wait till you can move around again,” Harry said, waggling a finger in her face. He glanced at Severus. “Once I’ve left, make sure Ted gets his arse up here. If you have to, tell him I ordered it.” Severus nodded and Harry glanced at the nurse next to him. “Poppy, I’d appreciate it if you’d let Theodore Nott in to see Gin whenever he drops by, baring class times, of course.”
“As long as he doesn’t upset her,” Poppy replied seriously.
“I think the only thing upsetting about visits from Ted would be him leaving,” Tom offered, standing with a groan. “Harry, you’re getting heavy.”
“Calluses from landing on my arse so often.”
“That explains why it was so rough. Oh, wait, sorry. That was those trousers.”
Harry cocked an eyebrow at the Dark Lord as Hermione cracked up helplessly and Ginny giggled silently. “I thought you liked my trousers.”
“Your trousers are lovely, dearest, but I’d rather prefer them off you, I think.”
“Such language in front of the ladies.” Harry tutted.
‘Oh, come on, Harry. Show off that outfit of yours.’
“And give me back my robe, you brat,” Tom added.
“You’re borrowing his clothing now?” Hermione laughed.
“What? Mine had blood on it,” Harry muttered, pulling the robe off and tossing it is Tom’s face. “There, you whiny baby.”
: I’m only whiny ‘cause I didn’t get my sex this weekend,: Tom shot back, shrinking the robe and putting it in a pocket.
: I’m sure you can hang on for a couple of days.:
“Harry James Potter! Is that a tattoo?!” Molly shouted.
“Dude, there’s a mirror behind me!” Harry laughed, grinning at his surrogate mum. “Yeah, it’s a tattoo. What are you going to do about it?”
“Nothing works, trust me,” Hermione suggested. “He wasn’t even slightly regretful while he was going on about how painful it was.”
Poppy leaned over behind the teen to get a close look at the tattoo. “So, who generally wins; the phoenix, or the basilisk?”
Harry shrugged. “Once, the phoenix would have always won. Now, though, the basilisk keeps winning,” he said mildly.
“It depends on your mind set,” Arthur deducted and Harry nodded. “Clever.”
“I rather thought so,” Harry agreed. “So, are we leaving then?”
“Yes.” Molly smiled helplessly.
“Size down, you brat,” Tom ordered, rolling his eyes. “He’ll probably ride in your hair, Molly. It’s his favourite hiding place.”
“Of course.” Molly nodded, leaning down to pick up the tiny form and setting him on her shoulder.
Harry waved at everyone happily before scrambling up into Molly’s bun. Okay. Bye!
“He says he’s ready,” Tom told the two elder Weasleys with a grin.
“Good bye, everyone,” Molly offered before following her husband out the door.
----------------------------------------
A/N: That was….fine, I guess…. I think I’ll take that nap now, though.
~Batsutousai ^.^x
Abandon the Prequel: Sixth Year
Abandon Chapters:
01 || 02 || 03 || 04 || 05 || 06 || 07 || 08 || 09 || 10
11 || 12 || 13 || 14 || 15 || 16 || 17 || 18 || 19 || 20
21 || 22 || 23 || 24 || 25 || 26 || 27 || 28 || 29 || 30
31 || 32 || 33 || 34 || 35 || 36 || 37 ||
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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