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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: Cannon!Voldie can be annoyed quite well by cuddling him randomly. I’d like to cuddle him randomly. It would be fun.
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
’Written thoughts’
°°Phoenix speech°°
-------------------------
Chapter 43, Part 1
--------------------------------
“What in Merlin’s name have you done to yourself?!”
Harry ruffled his spiked pink and purple hair with a sheepish smile. “Pissed off Mad-Eye.” He flopped himself into the chair next to Hermione, who was shaking her head with a smile. “What? It was worth it. The look on his face was priceless. If I’d had a camera, I would have taken a picture. Hey, that reminds me...” He stood and wandered over to where Dennis and Colin were playing Exploding Snap, leaving Hermione laughing. “Colin, that film developed yet?”
The cameraman of Gryffindor House gave Harry a quick glance. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find you?”
“No. I always know where I am.”
‘Except for when he doesn’t.’ Gin offered, coming over to stand next to her brother. She pulled two photos out of the binder on the floor next to Colin. ‘Here. Give one to Marcus.’
“Okay.” Harry grinned at the picture. It was taken when he’d kissed Tom to shut the Dark Lord up. He had to admit, it did look rather sexy. “Bet it would look better if he looked more like himself,” he whispered to his sister before sliding past her.
‘It does.’ appeared in front of a dreamy-eyed Gin.
Harry laughed and put the pictures in the back pocket of his jeans. He stepped up to the table where most of the first years sat, doing homework, and grinned down at them. “Hullo, brats.”
“Fuck off, Potter,” Ronan spat, shooting the Prefect a furious look.
“Aw, you’re just sore ‘cause I got you all in trouble for fighting in the common room.” Harry sniggered. “Rather pathetic, if you ask me.”
“Did you have an actual reason for coming over here?” Storm Ambrose hissed, tossing a lock of silvery blonde hair over one shoulder and shooting Harry a dirty look.
“Yup!” Harry gave them a brilliant smile. “Thorald, Professor Brutús needs a word with you and I’ve been asked to drag you down, kicking and screaming, if I must.” He gave a heavy sigh.
“What are you, an actor?” Ronan asked nastily as Ula quickly shoved her things into her bag. “Because I don’t see a stage.”
Harry shrugged. “No, I’m not an actor. You appear to be a clown, though.” And, with a flick of Harry’s wand, the young wizard was dressed up in a polka dotted clown’s outfit, complete with large shoes, red nose, and rainbow hair.
The common room burst out into gaggles of laughter at the furious pureblood while Ronan stood slowly and attempted to look menacing as he pulled out his wand. “I’ll get you for that, Potter.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “Come, now. I just spent an hour and a half being chased by ‘Mad-Eye’ Moody and the best he could manage was to turn my hair a couple different colours. What are you planning? Stunning me?” He glanced at Ula, who was trying not to laugh. “Come on, Thorald. Brutús awaits, the bastard.” He stuck his tongue out at Ronan before turning and leading Ula from the room, quietly throwing a shield up behind him to block the hex from the boy.
Out in the hallway, Ula finally let herself laugh. “You’re horrible!”
“He was asking for that one,” Harry replied, scratching his head.
“Did Moody really give you that ridiculous hair-style?” the young witch wanted to know.
“Yeah. I ran off with his silly little flask of alcohol.” Harry shrugged. “I’d forgotten how much fun it was to mess with him.”
“You’re friends?”
“He taught me a few things last year,” the elder Gryffindor offered slyly.
“Oh, fine. What does Professor Brutús want me for?”
“He doesn’t,” Harry offered the witch a naughty smile. “Well, he doesn’t yet. I haven’t told him anything.”
“You are horrible!”
“Duh.” Harry rolled his eyes and stopped in front of the tutting portrait for the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor’s rooms. “Don’t you tut me. Look, see, I have a chaperone.”
“A chaperone?! Ha! Looks like a first year to me!” the portrait shot back highly.
“First years can be chaperones,” Harry shot back.
“Not for you! I’ve yet to see a chaperone for y–“
“Why must you two always argue so loudly?” Tom grumbled, opening the door. “Harry, why do you have that little horror with you?” He eyed Ula warily. The girl smirked.
“You love me, right?” Harry inquired sweetly.
“Oh, no...” Tom groaned and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. “Fine, get in here, both of you.” He stepped back to let them in.
Harry led Ula in cheerfully and the girl looked around in awe. “Where are we?”
“Marcus’ private rooms!” Harry said happily, throwing himself into Tom’s favourite chair.
The Dark Lord scowled at his lover. “Out of my chair. And tell me what the hell you’ve done this time, you imp.” He paused, then reached forward quickly and grabbed a lock of Harry’s hair. “And why did you feel the need to redecorate?”
“Mad-Eye got pissy ‘cause I stole his Super Secret Special Madness Formula for the Deranged.” Harry shrugged. “So he hexed me. A few times, actually. This was the only one that stuck.”
“And you haven’t been rid of it?”
“I like it!”
“I hate it. Get rid of it. And get out of my chair!” Harry whimpered and walked meekly over to another chair while Ula giggled. Tom sat down in his chair with a glare. “Well?”
Harry frowned at the man and dropped his barriers in their connection, only to find that Tom had put his own walls up. “What’s wrong?”
The Dark Lord glanced over at Ula, who was watching them curiously. “Nothing.”
“Marcus, tell me,” Harry hissed.
“It’s private.”
“I can’t talk to you when you’re like this!” Harry cried, exasperated.
“I can go back to the common room, if you want,” Ula offered gently.
Tom stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head and standing. “Stay here. Come on, Harry.” He led the way into the bedroom and pulled the door shut behind his younger lover.
:Tom, what is it?: Harry whispered, resting his hands against the Dark Lord’s chest and glancing up into teal eyes.
Tom let out a choked sound and drew Harry into a tight hug. “I’m going to murder him for making you go through that.”
Harry closed his eyes and buried his face in the dark green robes. “I thought I’d blocked you.”
“Seeing those bastards broke it,” Tom murmured. “I think I scared your sister.” He paused. “Why are you afraid of losing me?”
“Because it will kill me?” Harry glanced up into the worried teal eyes. “I know you wouldn’t leave me by choice, you bastard, stop giving me that look. It’s just...”
“A fear.” Tom nodded. “I know. But nothing will ever, ever make me leave you. Never,” he whispered fiercely. “You’re stuck with me, for good or for bad.”
Harry nodded numbly. “I didn’t mean to worry you...”
“I’m glad it happened,” Tom shot back. “I’d rather know these things now than later.” He offered the teen a slight smile and tugged on a lock of Harry’s hair. “I meant it when I told you to get rid of it.”
The teen smiled slightly. “And I meant it when I said I liked it.”
“At least make it nicer colours. Green and silver, maybe.”
“Red and gold.”
“Black and green.”
“Red and silver.”
“Deal.” Tom nodded and kissed Harry’s scar gently as the teen played with his hair. “Much better. I can actually stand to look at you now.”
Harry laughed. “You’re mean. Oh! Here, those pictures Colin took finally got developed. Gin gave me one for you.” He pulled one of the photos out of his back pocket and handed it to the Dark Lord.
Tom cocked an eyebrow at the picture. “Damn, you look sexy.”
Harry smacked him gently. “You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
“I give myself plenty of credit, but I’m nothing next to you.” He pulled Harry in to a sharp kiss. “And don’t you dare argue with me.”
“Bastard.”
“Imp.”
Harry sniggered and tugged on the Dark Lord’s hand. “Come on. I haven’t told you why the monster is here yet.”
“Wait, wait. I’m framing this.”
“What are you going to do, put it next to your bed?”
“No, I’m putting it on the desk in my office.”
“Noooo...”
“Or perhaps on the desk in my classroom. Wild sex fantasies, you know.”
“You’re a monster,” Harry declared, pulling the bedroom door open and smiling at Ula, who was fighting her way through a Potions essay. “Isn’t he a monster?”
“He’s my teacher. I can’t insult him,” Ula replied, grinning as Tom exited the bedroom and slid his arms around Harry’s waist, drawing the teen against him.
“Of course you can,” Harry replied. “He’s going to be one of your guardians this summer.”
“What?” Ula stared at the wizard in shock.
“Harry, love, you’ve lost me,” the Dark Lord offered calmly.
“Xylon decided that the best person to leave Ula with this summer was me,” Harry explained. “And, since I’m staying at your house this summer, you’ll probably end up with partial care.”
“You’re kidding,” Ula breathed, staring at the Boy-Who-Lived in shock. “I’m not going to Grandpapi’s?”
“I told you I’d find some other way,” Harry said, eyes glittering brightly.
“Bril!” Ula got up and ran over to Harry, who enveloped her in a hug.
Harry glanced up at Tom curiously as the man wandered towards the kitchen. “Marcus?”
The Dark Lord grinned at the teen over his shoulder. “I’m used to you doing things like this by now. It sounds amusing, at the least.” He slipped into the kitchen. “But you might want to add the fact that I’m a Dark wizard and have dealings with Voldemort, love.”
Ula froze. “What?”
Harry let out a frustrated sigh and forced the girl to look at him. “Ula, look at me. Marcus is a high-ranking Death Eater, okay? He deals with Voldemort a lot and, chances are, the Dark Lord will be visiting the Manor while we’re there. If you’d rather talk your parents into sending you somewhere else, I don’t mind. Just know that staying with us means you’ll be meeting some Death Eaters.”
Ula turned and glanced at where Tom was leaning against the doorway into the kitchen, teal eyes watching them coldly. “You’re a Death Eater?”
Tom shrugged. “Sort of.”
“If you make this any more difficult than it already is, I’ll never forgive you,” Harry said warningly.
“Harry, you are asking her to spend her summer in my house. I think she has a right to know everything. If she panics, you can cast a Memory Charm,” the Dark Lord berated his lover softly before returning his gaze to the first year clutching at Harry’s hand.
“What aren’t you two telling me?” Ula whispered, narrowing her eyes at her professor.
Tom’s lips curled up into a cold smirk. “Brave little Gryffindor,” he taunted.
“Stop that,” Harry ordered sharply. “Ula, ignore him. He has a fetish for scaring people. Slytherin trait, I think.”
Tom let out a sharp snort and disappeared into the kitchen again. “Just tell her, Potter.”
Ula glanced up into the worried green eyes pleadingly. “What is it? I promise I won’t freak out.”
Harry gazed into the grey eyes for a long moment before nodding. “He’s Lord Voldemort.”
Ula spun around to look at the kitchen doorway. She could hear things banging around in there. “You’re not joking?”
“No. Totally serious.”
Ula peeked up at the Boy-Who-Lived. “And you love him? And he loves you?”
“Gryffindors!”
“Stuff it, Riddle!” Harry shot back before nodding. “Yes.”
“There’s a fine line between love and hate,” Tom said, poking his head out of the kitchen and smirking at them. “The stronger the hate, the stronger the love when that line is crossed.”
“You’re such a prat.” Harry sighed, rolling his eyes helplessly.
Tom winked. “Don’t you know it.” He disappeared back into the kitchen.
“He’s not going to hurt me?” Ula inquired in a whisper.
Harry shook his head. “Worst he’ll do is prank you.”
“I don’t prank people!”
“I beg to differ!”
“You beg a lot!”
“Oh, go bugger Dumbles!”
“Ew...”
Ula giggled. “Are you sure he’s You-Know-Who?”
“Want me to prove it?” Tom asked coldly, peeking his head back out of the kitchen doorway.
“Not particularly,” Harry replied.
“Sure,” Ula agreed. “How do you prove you’re You-Know-Who?”
“First off, don’t call me that. If you can’t call me Voldemort, call me by my damned given name.”
“Tom,” Harry offered when Ula looked confused.
“Oh.” The girl glanced back up at the Dark Lord, who had dropped his glamour. “Anyone can give themselves red eyes.”
“True.” Tom smiled coldly. “But not everyone can do this.” And, suddenly, Voldemort stood in the kitchen doorway.
Ula gave a terrified shout and jumped behind Harry. “Bloody hell!”
Harry shook his head at his lover, a smile tugging at his lips. “Happy?”
“No.” Voldemort glided up to the teen and the girl hiding behind him.
Harry cocked an eyebrow at the man. “You have one seriously odd mind, Riddle.”
Voldemort drew a finger down Harry’s cheek gently. “Point?” he murmured.
“There wasn’t one.” Harry shrugged, leaning up to crush his lips against the Dark Lord’s mouth. Voldemort wrapped his arms around the young man and slid his forked tongue into Harry’s mouth. Oh, fuck, that’s hot...
A flash of light made them pull apart very quickly and turn to glare at the young witch with the camera. “Blackmail,” she offered evilly.
Voldemort reverted back to his human form. “This is why I hate this child!” he said furiously before chasing the girl.
Ula let off a string of mad laughter as she ran around the room. “You can’t catch me! You can’t catch me!”
Harry snorted and settled in Tom’s favourite chair to watch the game. “Hey, Voldie, you’re losing to an eleven-year-old.”
“Stuff it, Potter,” Tom shot back. “I swear I’ll get her!”
Harry laughed.
-~/\~-
“You changed your hair!” Hermione cried as Harry settled across from her at the Gryffindor House Table. Ula was sitting with her friends down the table, smiling happily.
“Yeah. Marcus threw a fit. He hates pink,” Harry replied with a wink.
‘So, what did Marcus want with that brat?’ Gin enquired, looking over at the wizard next to her curiously.
“Well, really, it was more me who wanted to get them to talk to one another.”
“Spill it, Potter,” Seamus ordered.
“Spill what?” Harry asked innocently.
“You know we see those little horns, right?” Parvati teased as Gin held her hands up behind Harry’s head to make it look like he had horns.
Harry grinned. “I’ll tell you tonight.”
‘Why no–‘
Harry shook his head sharply, smile gone. “Tonight. Don’t ask me again,” he hissed sharply.
“Dumbledore,” Neville murmured, eyeing the Head Table.
“Don’t look.” Harry rolled his eyes skyward as all of the Gryffindors around him turned to look at where Dumbledore sat, smiling at their table. “Gryffindors.”
Neville gently smacked his fellow Heir’s arm as the other Gryffindors around them laughed at the statement. “Harry, in case you’ve forgotten, you’re a Gryffindor too.”
“Perhaps, but I’m also smarter, or so it appears,” the Boy-Who-Lived muttered.
“Harry Potter with a working brain. What is this word coming to?” Dean sighed helplessly.
Harry shrugged. “Hey, must be coming to an end.”
“Fudge’s reign is coming to an end,” Colin Creevey offered with a grin. “Harry’s gonna take over the Ministry, aren’t you, Harry?”
“Tempting, but no.” Harry shrugged.
“Why not?!” Dennis Creevey called among the surprised cries of the other Gryffindors around them.
“Politics aren’t my thing.” Harry shrugged. “I’m heading toward my life’s work and taking on the Auror Training Program this summer.”
“But you’d make a better Minister!” a fifth year Harry didn’t know the name of called from next to Dennis.
“But he already does everything an auror does,” Seamus reasoned while Harry sipped at his pumpkin juice.
‘Minus the paperwork.’ Gin agreed.
“One of my auror friends says the Ministry has been partnering the aurors now. With any luck, I’ll get a partner who likes paperwork,” Harry said with a grin. The people around him laughed.
“Oh, no,” Hermione whispered.
“What?” Harry gave her a worried look.
“Who’s been partnered with Tonks?”
Harry blinked a few times before snorting. Everyone who knew Tonks waited with a baited breath to see who her partner was. “What makes you think I know?”
“Because Tonks and you are friends,” Hermione replied, leaning forward. “Come on, spill. Who does she get to torment?”
Harry shrugged. “That bald guy from Ron’s trial. Kingsley Shacklebolt.”
Hermione burst out laughing while Gin buried her face in her hands next to her brother. Everyone else just looked confused.
“Tonks is the clumsiest, silliest auror you will ever run up against,” Harry explained. “Shacklebolt, on the other hand, is rather mild and thoughtful. Weirdest mix you’ll ever see, I swear.”
This explanation sent the rest of the Gryffindor Table around Harry into gales of laughter and Harry leaned back with a grin. Dumbledore caught his eye and nodded, smiling encouragingly. Harry let his gaze travel down the Head Table. McGonagall smiled and raised her glass to him. Flitwick smiled brightly and fell off his chair, much to the teen's amusement. Hagrid was beaming at him. Firenze, who was sitting next to Hagrid, nodded at the Boy-Who-Lived seriously before pulling the half-giant back into their conversation. Tom and Severus were both talking in whispers, but spared the teen quick smiles, Severus’ smaller than Tom’s.
I can name every single Order member on the staff by their reactions today, Harry announced to his lover. I mean, even those I didn’t know about have given themselves away.
The staff likes you. I’ve told you this before. Those that are members of the Order are proud of you. From what I saw of your initiation, it’s not an easy test to pass, Tom replied.
True... Tom, should we tell the Juniors my new position?
Do you want to?
I think they deserve to know, Harry decided after a moment, eyes slipping over the various House Tables that his people sat at, including the Gryffindors around him, who had moved on to discussing other aurors they knew or knew of. It’ll explain my disappearances with Dumbles, at any rate. And it gives me a bit more freedom with them. They won’t expect me to always be around.
True. You’re also going to be telling them about Miss Thorald’s visit?
Yes. They’ll need to know that, in case we call any meetings at the Manor and she’s around.
She’ll be a danger if she sees their faces.
Maybe, maybe not. Harry shook his head thoughtfully, gazing down his table at the small group of first years. She hasn’t jabbed off her mouth about you yet.
Perhaps it is because she has no proof.
She has that picture.
I have that picture.
True, I suppose. But, the fact still remains, she has not gone to Dumbles about it. Proof or no, everyone knows Dumbles would look into it. Give up the argument, love.
Oh, very well. Tom sighed mentally. Imp.
Bastard. Harry blinked as Gin poked his arm. “Hm?”
‘You’re off in your own little world again.’
“Yeah. I happen to like it there. No stress, you know?”
Gin rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, stuff it, you.’
Harry smirked. “Make me.” He laughed as Gin elbowed his side.
-~/\~-
Harry glanced up from the old school building designs Godric was showing him when the first of the Juniors came in through the Slytherin entrance. “Find seats, you lot,” he ordered before returning his attention to the diagram. “I’ve never seen that hallway before,” he mentioned, pointing to a hall that lead to what looked like a back door to the library.
“Rowena’s Room,” Godric offered. “Her line died out years ago, though. If you want, you might be able to get through there.”
“The door’s in the library?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“There’s a gargoyle back in the history section. Your little map could probably tell you the way through.”
“Doubt it.” Harry shook his head. “That’s not a place the Marauders would have found.”
Godric shrugged. “Well, I don’t know the way in. Ask Salazar.”
“Will do. Where’s Helga’s Room?”
“Greenhouse two,” Godric replied, pointing to a tunnel leading out from the bottom of the building.
“Wait, that’s on the Map...” Harry tugged the Marauder’s Map out. “I solemnly swear I am up to no good,” he muttered, tapping his wand on the parchment before laying it out next to the ancient blueprints. “Look, see? Fred and George said Filch knows about it, though.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me.” Godric shrugged. “But that doesn’t mean he’s ever been down there. The entrances to our rooms are notoriously difficult to get into. Salazar’s needed Parsel. Mine needs my bloodline to go through one of those curtains of blood before anyone else. Rowena’s, as I recall, needed a passage read out of some book or another. Helga’s needed loyal friends, or some such.”
Harry scratched the back of his head. “I suppose we could get Herm to recite every book in the library to the gargoyle. Something’s sure to trigger it.”
Godric snorted and gave his Heir an amused look. “Horrible child indeed.”
Harry winked. “Mischief managed,” he told the Marauder’s Map before putting it back into his robe. “Let’s see if I can’t get this lot under control, eh?”
“You’re going to try and open the other rooms?” the old ghost asked, gliding along next to Harry as the teen started towards where the group of Juniors, Hermione, Neville, and Severus sat, chatting.
“If I get bored.” Harry nodded. “Probably a good idea to befriend all of the Founders if we’re plotting the take-over of the Wizarding world.”
“Good point,” Tom called, stepping into the room. The group on the poufs silenced almost immediately and everyone glanced over at him. Tom blinked a couple of times. “What?”
“Gin spread it around that you were throwing things and ranting about killing people earlier,” Harry said, smiling.
Tom shook his head. “I promise not to hex anyone without Harry’s permission,” he said in a bored voice.
“Not very reassuring,” Pansy pointed out. “Parvati, Dean, I’d suggest you run while you still can.”
“No, I’ve already talked to them,” Harry said, offering the two Juniors cold smiles.
“Threatened them, don’t you mean?” Seamus replied, grinning.
‘So, Tom, why WERE you pissed earlier?’ Gin asked conversationally as the Dark Lord took a seat and pulled his younger lover into his lap.
“I freaked him out,” Harry offered, leaning forward. “Which brings us to our meeting.”
“So we are here for a reason,” Draco muttered, rolling his eyes.
“Yup!” Harry shot his friend a quick grin before sobering. “Herm, Parvati, you’ll recall that Dumbles asked me to stay with him after we got back from the trial, correct?”
“Yeah.” Hermione nodded. “What did he want, anyway? I forgot to ask.”
“He wanted me to join the Order of the Phoenix.”
“Fuck...”
“Shit!”
“No way!”
“But I thought you had to be overage for that!”
“You do.” Harry nodded, glancing around the circle calmly.
“You accepted?” Morag whispered.
“He had to,” Tom said calmly, resting his chin on Harry’s right shoulder and glancing around at the members of the students and one teacher. “And we need more people in the Order, anyway.”
“Especially in such a high up position...” Hermione murmured. “Harry, you realize that you’re probably the most important member in the Order of the Phoenix after Dumbledore, right?”
“I’m quite aware of that.”
“If your true side is realized now…” Blaise whispered, letting the thought trail off into silence as everyone stared at the two leaders of the Dark Order in horror.
“Oh, shit…” Pansy whispered. “We’re fucked.”
“We are not,” Tom replied firmly. “Because no teacher in this school is going to find out a single thing about my teaching here or Harry even having any contact with Voldemort.”
“Then you should probably have an attack or something of the sort at the end of the year,” Hermione suggested suddenly. “You have every year since.”
“No, we’re having too much fun confusing the Order,” Harry offered cheerfully. “Mad-Eye tells me they’re tying themselves in knots trying to figure out what old Voldie’s up to.”
“What have I told you about calling me that?” Tom hissed in Harry’s ear.
“Not to,” Harry replied while almost everyone smiled. “But I do it anyway, since it ticks you off.”
“Really?” Tom snorted and ran his fingers over Harry’s abdomen in a tickling fashion, getting the teen in his lap to laugh helplessly. The group watching them grinned or laughed.
“MERCY! MERCY!” Harry laughed, relaxing back against the Dark Lord in a boneless fashion once the man stopped. “That was mean.”
“Shut up,” Tom replied fondly.
“So, wait, you went to an Order meeting today?” Lisa realized.
“I thought you were going out to lunch with Moody!” Draco cried indignantly.
“I did.” Harry cocked an eyebrow at the group. “Alastor and I had lunch, then we went to the meeting. And I was inducted, gave Tom a heart attack, was thrown a party, got hexed by Alastor for running off with his hip flask, then came back.”
“You forgot talking to the Thoralds,” Tom murmured while the group around them stared at the teen.
“Wait, Ula Thorald’s parents? What did you need with them?” Parvati asked.
‘This has something to do with why you dragged her down to Tom’s room earlier, doesn’t it?’ Gin asked, scowling at her brother.
Harry nodded seriously. “Her parents are going to Bosnia on Order business this summer and she doesn’t fancy going to her grandfather’s house. Her parents decided, when I talked to them about it, that she could stay with me, but I’m staying at Slytherin Manor this summer with Tom.”
“We had to tell her what was going on,” Tom grumbled.
“And she didn’t freak out?!” Dean hissed.
“She hates Slytherins!” Parvati agreed.
“She’s supposed to hate me, too, remember?” Harry pointed out, silencing the room again with a look. “But she came to me with her troubles.”
“Why doesn’t she want to stay with her grandfather?” Susan asked softly.
“Her description reminded me of Vernon,” Harry offered tightly.
There was an immediate out-cry of fury aimed at the man from the Gryffindors, most of the Slytherins, and a few of the Ravenclaws. Even Severus’ eyes narrowed in disgust.
“Who’s Vernon?” Terry Boot asked uneasily.
‘Harry’s uncle.’ Gin spat.
“There’s not a single Muggle out there that tops his horridness,” Hermione hissed in a rare show of fury.
“May his soul burn in Hell forever,” Dean agreed coldly.
“Amen to that,” Seamus nodded.
Those few that hadn’t know about Harry’s abused childhood glanced at their young leader warily. The teen had closed his eyes and Tom was hugging him tightly, murmuring something in his ear. Harry nodded and opened his eyes, which were empty of emotion. “Quiet, please,” he murmured gently, getting everyone’s attention.
‘Big brother–‘ Gin started, obviously worried.
Harry shook his head sharply, silencing the girl. “We’re telling you, mainly, that Ula will probably be staying at the manor this summer and you will need to be aware of her presence. Make note of this. Also, since you now know I’m in the Order, you should be aware of the chance that Dumbles might ask me to have a meeting with him in his office or another member of the Order who is on staff here may ask me to remain after class for something. If I find out anything that you need to know, you will find out, but do not pester me about it. Understood?”
“Yes,” the Juniors chorused.
“Hermione? Neville?” Harry asked, shooting the two sharp looks.
“We understand, Harry,” Neville agreed while Hermione nodded firmly.
“Thank you.” Harry nodded. “Anything else we need to discuss? Luna?”
The odd Ravenclaw smiled at him as she lowered her hand. “I was speaking with Michael Corner earlier and he mentioned something about the Death Eaters having the right idea about things, but Anthony told him to shut up and took points before he could tell me what he was on about,” she offered in a voice that sounded as though she were really miles away.
Harry nodded. “I’ll talk to him, then. Thank you.”
“Anthony’s been following him around a lot lately,” Padma muttered. “That explains why, I suppose...”
“Great.” Harry sighed. “Padma, Terry, see if you two can’t get Anthony to lay off. If that doesn’t work, tell Herm and she gets a go.” The three nodded. “Good. I’ll grab a chat with Michael tomorrow before dinner. If you three haven’t got Anthony to lay off by then, let me know and I’ll deal with him.”
“If Harry can’t do it, no one can!” Theodore declared, earning him a smack from his girlfriend and a mildly annoyed look from Harry and Tom while everyone else laughed.
“Anything else?”
“Oh, wait, yes!” Hermione cried. Attention focused on her and Harry nodded for her to continue. “Two things, actually. Madam Pomfrey asked that you drop by either today or tomorrow, first chance you get.”
“Understood,” Harry agreed. “The other thing?”
“Uhm, I finally let Madam Pomfrey tell me what the baby is, since you’ve been bugging me about it so much this past week...”
‘Tell! Tell!’ Gin called, leaning forward with bright eyes. The other students leaned forward in attention as well, except Luna, who was busy staring at the ceiling in awe.
“Well?” Harry asked, grinning at the blush taking over his best friend’s cheeks.
“Twins,” Hermione whispered. “A boy and a girl.”
Godric’s room broke out into laughter and congratulations while Harry hopped up and ran over to give his friend a hug. “Sounds like you’ll have a lot on your hands,” he whispered, smiling.
“Ha! I’m not the only one, Mr Potter,” Hermione shot back, smiling happily. “You and Gin are godparents, remember.”
“Ah, hell. Little monsters,” Harry muttered, winking.
“You’ll spend part of your summer at the manor, correct?” Tom enquired, leaning on Harry’s shoulders while Gin hugged Hermione tightly.
“I was thinking I might stay at the Burrow for part of the summer, actually...” Hermione murmured, glancing at Gin.
Gin shook her head regretfully. ‘Charlie invited us for a stay over the summer, since it’s my last year in school and we have the money, without Ron around.’
“Oh... Darn...”
Harry grinned. “Come stay with us for part of the summer, Herm. We’d be glad to have you, and your parents will probably be glad to be rid of you.”
Hermione laughed. “True.”
“Hermione, where are you planning on staying next year? With your parents?” Parvati asked.
“Yes, I suppose.” Hermione sighed. “I can probably get a part-time job at their dentist office as the receptionist or something to pay for the costs.”
“Hermione, no...” Parvati shook her head. “You can come stay with us, if you want.”
“Or us. Mother will love having you there,” Draco added.
“You could stay at my house,” Pansy cut in, leaning on Draco’s shoulder. “I’ll need someone to talk to, after all; Parkinsons don’t work, you know.”
‘No, she’ll stay at the Burrow with mum and dad.’ Gin replied.
Harry smiled at Hermione as she looked around at all of her friends tearfully. “I’m sure you’ll have a place to stay and people to help you take care of your brats, Herm,” the teen offered.
Hermione looked at him suspiciously, ignoring her tears. “What have you got up your sleeve, Potter?”
“What makes you think I have anything up my sleeve?” Harry inquired innocently.
“Because you haven’t offered me a place to stay yet.” Hermione glanced up at Tom, who was smirking. “Either of you.”
“That’s because I can’t tell you, yet,” Harry replied easily. “And I have to ask a few questions of other people, first.”
“He’s a sneaky Gryffindor,” Tom offered to the suspicious group watching him and his lover. “But he’s not the only one. Meeting adjourned. Come on, Harry. Let’s go see Poppy.”
“This had better be worth my time...” Harry muttered darkly, allowing Tom to lead him towards the Ravenclaw entrance, which was the closest to the hospital ward.
“Ugh!” Hermione scowled after the two wizards as they disappeared. “What are they going on about?”
Severus offered the witch a sympathetic smile. “He can’t tell you.”
All of the Juniors, Hermione, and Neville turned to stare at the Death Eater. “What do you know that we don’t?” Draco asked coolly.
“I know that Harry was told to keep two secrets this weekend and he’s told you all one of them,” Severus said cryptically. “And, I’m sure, that if you look over the auror qualifications again and consider our Lord’s little hint, you may just figure it out before you’re told. Good night.” He waved slightly and left up the stairs to the dungeons, smiling evilly.
‘Don’t you hate it when everyone knows a secret but you, and they won’t tell you?’ Gin complained.
“Auror...” Hermione frowned. “Who’s planning on becoming an auror? Anyone?”
“I’m getting a job in Magical Law Enforcement with my auntie.” Susan shook her head. “Not quite what you’re looking for, though.”
“Ooh, could you put in a good word for me, Sue?” Seamus asked. “That’s where I’m headed.”
“Sure.” The Hufflepuff smiled.
“That’s all grand, but is no one aiming to become an auror?” Hermione begged.
“Father says that the Dark Order has always had trouble getting aurors on our side, and not many Dark wizards or witches want to become aurors, wrong type of work for us,” Draco offered when no one answered Hermione.
Hermione sighed helplessly. “Library, then. Who’s with me?”
‘Wait, Snape said to consider Tom’s hint. What did he say?’ Gin cut in.
“Something about Harry not being the only sneaky Gryffindor?” Vincent Crabbe offered with a confused look.
“Dumbledore!” Pansy gasped. “Harry’s always complaining about how Slytherin-like he is!”
“Of course! And Dumbledore would have told Harry not to tell anyone about being in the Order,” Hermione whispered.
“Dumbledore’s the leader of the Order of the Phoenix?” Morag asked in confusion.
‘Yeah.’ Gin nodded. ‘He created it during the first war.’
“This feels like a conspiracy, or something,” Padma complained.
“What else does Dumbledore have control over, then?” Parvati inquired, frowning in thought.
“I dunno. The school?” Millicent muttered, shrugging.
“You know that the A.T.P. doesn’t like accepting people with bad school records,” Luna offered, looking like she was high on something.
“The A.T.P.?” Mandy asked in confusion while Hermione rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“The Auror Training Program.” Luna nodded.
Hermione’s gaze shot back over to the Ravenclaw. “Luna, are you suggesting that Harry might not be accepted as an auror because he was suspended?”
“Yes,” Luna agreed with an absent smile.
“I think she’s got something,” Morag murmured, staring at his fellow Ravenclaw in shock. “Luna, when did you get so smart?”
‘She’s always been that smart.’ Gin grumbled. ‘But Harry was the only one who really noticed.’
Luna smiled at the other sixth year. “He said he thinks I’m smarter than I let on,” she agreed. “I have to go finish my Defence work...” the witch added suddenly before turning and walking slowly towards the exit near the kitchens.
“Defence...” Susan whispered, eyes wide. “Tom’s only here for this year, right?”
“Shit!” Hermione shouted, staring at the Hufflepuff. “Dumbledore must have asked Harry to teach here next year!”
“And he wants you to stay in the school…” Dean whispered in awe.
“Would Dumbledore allow that?” Parvati asked.
“This is Harry we’re talking about.” Neville snorted. “If he wants something done, it’s done, remember?”
“Oh, Merlin, I love that man sometimes…” Hermione sighed, smiling faintly.
-~/\~-
Chapter 43, Part 2
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: Cannon!Voldie can be annoyed quite well by cuddling him randomly. I’d like to cuddle him randomly. It would be fun.
Key:
Mind-speak
:Parseltongue:
’Written thoughts’
°°Phoenix speech°°
Chapter 43, Part 1
--------------------------------
“What in Merlin’s name have you done to yourself?!”
Harry ruffled his spiked pink and purple hair with a sheepish smile. “Pissed off Mad-Eye.” He flopped himself into the chair next to Hermione, who was shaking her head with a smile. “What? It was worth it. The look on his face was priceless. If I’d had a camera, I would have taken a picture. Hey, that reminds me...” He stood and wandered over to where Dennis and Colin were playing Exploding Snap, leaving Hermione laughing. “Colin, that film developed yet?”
The cameraman of Gryffindor House gave Harry a quick glance. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find you?”
“No. I always know where I am.”
‘Except for when he doesn’t.’ Gin offered, coming over to stand next to her brother. She pulled two photos out of the binder on the floor next to Colin. ‘Here. Give one to Marcus.’
“Okay.” Harry grinned at the picture. It was taken when he’d kissed Tom to shut the Dark Lord up. He had to admit, it did look rather sexy. “Bet it would look better if he looked more like himself,” he whispered to his sister before sliding past her.
‘It does.’ appeared in front of a dreamy-eyed Gin.
Harry laughed and put the pictures in the back pocket of his jeans. He stepped up to the table where most of the first years sat, doing homework, and grinned down at them. “Hullo, brats.”
“Fuck off, Potter,” Ronan spat, shooting the Prefect a furious look.
“Aw, you’re just sore ‘cause I got you all in trouble for fighting in the common room.” Harry sniggered. “Rather pathetic, if you ask me.”
“Did you have an actual reason for coming over here?” Storm Ambrose hissed, tossing a lock of silvery blonde hair over one shoulder and shooting Harry a dirty look.
“Yup!” Harry gave them a brilliant smile. “Thorald, Professor Brutús needs a word with you and I’ve been asked to drag you down, kicking and screaming, if I must.” He gave a heavy sigh.
“What are you, an actor?” Ronan asked nastily as Ula quickly shoved her things into her bag. “Because I don’t see a stage.”
Harry shrugged. “No, I’m not an actor. You appear to be a clown, though.” And, with a flick of Harry’s wand, the young wizard was dressed up in a polka dotted clown’s outfit, complete with large shoes, red nose, and rainbow hair.
The common room burst out into gaggles of laughter at the furious pureblood while Ronan stood slowly and attempted to look menacing as he pulled out his wand. “I’ll get you for that, Potter.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “Come, now. I just spent an hour and a half being chased by ‘Mad-Eye’ Moody and the best he could manage was to turn my hair a couple different colours. What are you planning? Stunning me?” He glanced at Ula, who was trying not to laugh. “Come on, Thorald. Brutús awaits, the bastard.” He stuck his tongue out at Ronan before turning and leading Ula from the room, quietly throwing a shield up behind him to block the hex from the boy.
Out in the hallway, Ula finally let herself laugh. “You’re horrible!”
“He was asking for that one,” Harry replied, scratching his head.
“Did Moody really give you that ridiculous hair-style?” the young witch wanted to know.
“Yeah. I ran off with his silly little flask of alcohol.” Harry shrugged. “I’d forgotten how much fun it was to mess with him.”
“You’re friends?”
“He taught me a few things last year,” the elder Gryffindor offered slyly.
“Oh, fine. What does Professor Brutús want me for?”
“He doesn’t,” Harry offered the witch a naughty smile. “Well, he doesn’t yet. I haven’t told him anything.”
“You are horrible!”
“Duh.” Harry rolled his eyes and stopped in front of the tutting portrait for the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor’s rooms. “Don’t you tut me. Look, see, I have a chaperone.”
“A chaperone?! Ha! Looks like a first year to me!” the portrait shot back highly.
“First years can be chaperones,” Harry shot back.
“Not for you! I’ve yet to see a chaperone for y–“
“Why must you two always argue so loudly?” Tom grumbled, opening the door. “Harry, why do you have that little horror with you?” He eyed Ula warily. The girl smirked.
“You love me, right?” Harry inquired sweetly.
“Oh, no...” Tom groaned and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. “Fine, get in here, both of you.” He stepped back to let them in.
Harry led Ula in cheerfully and the girl looked around in awe. “Where are we?”
“Marcus’ private rooms!” Harry said happily, throwing himself into Tom’s favourite chair.
The Dark Lord scowled at his lover. “Out of my chair. And tell me what the hell you’ve done this time, you imp.” He paused, then reached forward quickly and grabbed a lock of Harry’s hair. “And why did you feel the need to redecorate?”
“Mad-Eye got pissy ‘cause I stole his Super Secret Special Madness Formula for the Deranged.” Harry shrugged. “So he hexed me. A few times, actually. This was the only one that stuck.”
“And you haven’t been rid of it?”
“I like it!”
“I hate it. Get rid of it. And get out of my chair!” Harry whimpered and walked meekly over to another chair while Ula giggled. Tom sat down in his chair with a glare. “Well?”
Harry frowned at the man and dropped his barriers in their connection, only to find that Tom had put his own walls up. “What’s wrong?”
The Dark Lord glanced over at Ula, who was watching them curiously. “Nothing.”
“Marcus, tell me,” Harry hissed.
“It’s private.”
“I can’t talk to you when you’re like this!” Harry cried, exasperated.
“I can go back to the common room, if you want,” Ula offered gently.
Tom stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head and standing. “Stay here. Come on, Harry.” He led the way into the bedroom and pulled the door shut behind his younger lover.
:Tom, what is it?: Harry whispered, resting his hands against the Dark Lord’s chest and glancing up into teal eyes.
Tom let out a choked sound and drew Harry into a tight hug. “I’m going to murder him for making you go through that.”
Harry closed his eyes and buried his face in the dark green robes. “I thought I’d blocked you.”
“Seeing those bastards broke it,” Tom murmured. “I think I scared your sister.” He paused. “Why are you afraid of losing me?”
“Because it will kill me?” Harry glanced up into the worried teal eyes. “I know you wouldn’t leave me by choice, you bastard, stop giving me that look. It’s just...”
“A fear.” Tom nodded. “I know. But nothing will ever, ever make me leave you. Never,” he whispered fiercely. “You’re stuck with me, for good or for bad.”
Harry nodded numbly. “I didn’t mean to worry you...”
“I’m glad it happened,” Tom shot back. “I’d rather know these things now than later.” He offered the teen a slight smile and tugged on a lock of Harry’s hair. “I meant it when I told you to get rid of it.”
The teen smiled slightly. “And I meant it when I said I liked it.”
“At least make it nicer colours. Green and silver, maybe.”
“Red and gold.”
“Black and green.”
“Red and silver.”
“Deal.” Tom nodded and kissed Harry’s scar gently as the teen played with his hair. “Much better. I can actually stand to look at you now.”
Harry laughed. “You’re mean. Oh! Here, those pictures Colin took finally got developed. Gin gave me one for you.” He pulled one of the photos out of his back pocket and handed it to the Dark Lord.
Tom cocked an eyebrow at the picture. “Damn, you look sexy.”
Harry smacked him gently. “You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
“I give myself plenty of credit, but I’m nothing next to you.” He pulled Harry in to a sharp kiss. “And don’t you dare argue with me.”
“Bastard.”
“Imp.”
Harry sniggered and tugged on the Dark Lord’s hand. “Come on. I haven’t told you why the monster is here yet.”
“Wait, wait. I’m framing this.”
“What are you going to do, put it next to your bed?”
“No, I’m putting it on the desk in my office.”
“Noooo...”
“Or perhaps on the desk in my classroom. Wild sex fantasies, you know.”
“You’re a monster,” Harry declared, pulling the bedroom door open and smiling at Ula, who was fighting her way through a Potions essay. “Isn’t he a monster?”
“He’s my teacher. I can’t insult him,” Ula replied, grinning as Tom exited the bedroom and slid his arms around Harry’s waist, drawing the teen against him.
“Of course you can,” Harry replied. “He’s going to be one of your guardians this summer.”
“What?” Ula stared at the wizard in shock.
“Harry, love, you’ve lost me,” the Dark Lord offered calmly.
“Xylon decided that the best person to leave Ula with this summer was me,” Harry explained. “And, since I’m staying at your house this summer, you’ll probably end up with partial care.”
“You’re kidding,” Ula breathed, staring at the Boy-Who-Lived in shock. “I’m not going to Grandpapi’s?”
“I told you I’d find some other way,” Harry said, eyes glittering brightly.
“Bril!” Ula got up and ran over to Harry, who enveloped her in a hug.
Harry glanced up at Tom curiously as the man wandered towards the kitchen. “Marcus?”
The Dark Lord grinned at the teen over his shoulder. “I’m used to you doing things like this by now. It sounds amusing, at the least.” He slipped into the kitchen. “But you might want to add the fact that I’m a Dark wizard and have dealings with Voldemort, love.”
Ula froze. “What?”
Harry let out a frustrated sigh and forced the girl to look at him. “Ula, look at me. Marcus is a high-ranking Death Eater, okay? He deals with Voldemort a lot and, chances are, the Dark Lord will be visiting the Manor while we’re there. If you’d rather talk your parents into sending you somewhere else, I don’t mind. Just know that staying with us means you’ll be meeting some Death Eaters.”
Ula turned and glanced at where Tom was leaning against the doorway into the kitchen, teal eyes watching them coldly. “You’re a Death Eater?”
Tom shrugged. “Sort of.”
“If you make this any more difficult than it already is, I’ll never forgive you,” Harry said warningly.
“Harry, you are asking her to spend her summer in my house. I think she has a right to know everything. If she panics, you can cast a Memory Charm,” the Dark Lord berated his lover softly before returning his gaze to the first year clutching at Harry’s hand.
“What aren’t you two telling me?” Ula whispered, narrowing her eyes at her professor.
Tom’s lips curled up into a cold smirk. “Brave little Gryffindor,” he taunted.
“Stop that,” Harry ordered sharply. “Ula, ignore him. He has a fetish for scaring people. Slytherin trait, I think.”
Tom let out a sharp snort and disappeared into the kitchen again. “Just tell her, Potter.”
Ula glanced up into the worried green eyes pleadingly. “What is it? I promise I won’t freak out.”
Harry gazed into the grey eyes for a long moment before nodding. “He’s Lord Voldemort.”
Ula spun around to look at the kitchen doorway. She could hear things banging around in there. “You’re not joking?”
“No. Totally serious.”
Ula peeked up at the Boy-Who-Lived. “And you love him? And he loves you?”
“Gryffindors!”
“Stuff it, Riddle!” Harry shot back before nodding. “Yes.”
“There’s a fine line between love and hate,” Tom said, poking his head out of the kitchen and smirking at them. “The stronger the hate, the stronger the love when that line is crossed.”
“You’re such a prat.” Harry sighed, rolling his eyes helplessly.
Tom winked. “Don’t you know it.” He disappeared back into the kitchen.
“He’s not going to hurt me?” Ula inquired in a whisper.
Harry shook his head. “Worst he’ll do is prank you.”
“I don’t prank people!”
“I beg to differ!”
“You beg a lot!”
“Oh, go bugger Dumbles!”
“Ew...”
Ula giggled. “Are you sure he’s You-Know-Who?”
“Want me to prove it?” Tom asked coldly, peeking his head back out of the kitchen doorway.
“Not particularly,” Harry replied.
“Sure,” Ula agreed. “How do you prove you’re You-Know-Who?”
“First off, don’t call me that. If you can’t call me Voldemort, call me by my damned given name.”
“Tom,” Harry offered when Ula looked confused.
“Oh.” The girl glanced back up at the Dark Lord, who had dropped his glamour. “Anyone can give themselves red eyes.”
“True.” Tom smiled coldly. “But not everyone can do this.” And, suddenly, Voldemort stood in the kitchen doorway.
Ula gave a terrified shout and jumped behind Harry. “Bloody hell!”
Harry shook his head at his lover, a smile tugging at his lips. “Happy?”
“No.” Voldemort glided up to the teen and the girl hiding behind him.
Harry cocked an eyebrow at the man. “You have one seriously odd mind, Riddle.”
Voldemort drew a finger down Harry’s cheek gently. “Point?” he murmured.
“There wasn’t one.” Harry shrugged, leaning up to crush his lips against the Dark Lord’s mouth. Voldemort wrapped his arms around the young man and slid his forked tongue into Harry’s mouth. Oh, fuck, that’s hot...
A flash of light made them pull apart very quickly and turn to glare at the young witch with the camera. “Blackmail,” she offered evilly.
Voldemort reverted back to his human form. “This is why I hate this child!” he said furiously before chasing the girl.
Ula let off a string of mad laughter as she ran around the room. “You can’t catch me! You can’t catch me!”
Harry snorted and settled in Tom’s favourite chair to watch the game. “Hey, Voldie, you’re losing to an eleven-year-old.”
“Stuff it, Potter,” Tom shot back. “I swear I’ll get her!”
Harry laughed.
“You changed your hair!” Hermione cried as Harry settled across from her at the Gryffindor House Table. Ula was sitting with her friends down the table, smiling happily.
“Yeah. Marcus threw a fit. He hates pink,” Harry replied with a wink.
‘So, what did Marcus want with that brat?’ Gin enquired, looking over at the wizard next to her curiously.
“Well, really, it was more me who wanted to get them to talk to one another.”
“Spill it, Potter,” Seamus ordered.
“Spill what?” Harry asked innocently.
“You know we see those little horns, right?” Parvati teased as Gin held her hands up behind Harry’s head to make it look like he had horns.
Harry grinned. “I’ll tell you tonight.”
‘Why no–‘
Harry shook his head sharply, smile gone. “Tonight. Don’t ask me again,” he hissed sharply.
“Dumbledore,” Neville murmured, eyeing the Head Table.
“Don’t look.” Harry rolled his eyes skyward as all of the Gryffindors around him turned to look at where Dumbledore sat, smiling at their table. “Gryffindors.”
Neville gently smacked his fellow Heir’s arm as the other Gryffindors around them laughed at the statement. “Harry, in case you’ve forgotten, you’re a Gryffindor too.”
“Perhaps, but I’m also smarter, or so it appears,” the Boy-Who-Lived muttered.
“Harry Potter with a working brain. What is this word coming to?” Dean sighed helplessly.
Harry shrugged. “Hey, must be coming to an end.”
“Fudge’s reign is coming to an end,” Colin Creevey offered with a grin. “Harry’s gonna take over the Ministry, aren’t you, Harry?”
“Tempting, but no.” Harry shrugged.
“Why not?!” Dennis Creevey called among the surprised cries of the other Gryffindors around them.
“Politics aren’t my thing.” Harry shrugged. “I’m heading toward my life’s work and taking on the Auror Training Program this summer.”
“But you’d make a better Minister!” a fifth year Harry didn’t know the name of called from next to Dennis.
“But he already does everything an auror does,” Seamus reasoned while Harry sipped at his pumpkin juice.
‘Minus the paperwork.’ Gin agreed.
“One of my auror friends says the Ministry has been partnering the aurors now. With any luck, I’ll get a partner who likes paperwork,” Harry said with a grin. The people around him laughed.
“Oh, no,” Hermione whispered.
“What?” Harry gave her a worried look.
“Who’s been partnered with Tonks?”
Harry blinked a few times before snorting. Everyone who knew Tonks waited with a baited breath to see who her partner was. “What makes you think I know?”
“Because Tonks and you are friends,” Hermione replied, leaning forward. “Come on, spill. Who does she get to torment?”
Harry shrugged. “That bald guy from Ron’s trial. Kingsley Shacklebolt.”
Hermione burst out laughing while Gin buried her face in her hands next to her brother. Everyone else just looked confused.
“Tonks is the clumsiest, silliest auror you will ever run up against,” Harry explained. “Shacklebolt, on the other hand, is rather mild and thoughtful. Weirdest mix you’ll ever see, I swear.”
This explanation sent the rest of the Gryffindor Table around Harry into gales of laughter and Harry leaned back with a grin. Dumbledore caught his eye and nodded, smiling encouragingly. Harry let his gaze travel down the Head Table. McGonagall smiled and raised her glass to him. Flitwick smiled brightly and fell off his chair, much to the teen's amusement. Hagrid was beaming at him. Firenze, who was sitting next to Hagrid, nodded at the Boy-Who-Lived seriously before pulling the half-giant back into their conversation. Tom and Severus were both talking in whispers, but spared the teen quick smiles, Severus’ smaller than Tom’s.
I can name every single Order member on the staff by their reactions today, Harry announced to his lover. I mean, even those I didn’t know about have given themselves away.
The staff likes you. I’ve told you this before. Those that are members of the Order are proud of you. From what I saw of your initiation, it’s not an easy test to pass, Tom replied.
True... Tom, should we tell the Juniors my new position?
Do you want to?
I think they deserve to know, Harry decided after a moment, eyes slipping over the various House Tables that his people sat at, including the Gryffindors around him, who had moved on to discussing other aurors they knew or knew of. It’ll explain my disappearances with Dumbles, at any rate. And it gives me a bit more freedom with them. They won’t expect me to always be around.
True. You’re also going to be telling them about Miss Thorald’s visit?
Yes. They’ll need to know that, in case we call any meetings at the Manor and she’s around.
She’ll be a danger if she sees their faces.
Maybe, maybe not. Harry shook his head thoughtfully, gazing down his table at the small group of first years. She hasn’t jabbed off her mouth about you yet.
Perhaps it is because she has no proof.
She has that picture.
I have that picture.
True, I suppose. But, the fact still remains, she has not gone to Dumbles about it. Proof or no, everyone knows Dumbles would look into it. Give up the argument, love.
Oh, very well. Tom sighed mentally. Imp.
Bastard. Harry blinked as Gin poked his arm. “Hm?”
‘You’re off in your own little world again.’
“Yeah. I happen to like it there. No stress, you know?”
Gin rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, stuff it, you.’
Harry smirked. “Make me.” He laughed as Gin elbowed his side.
Harry glanced up from the old school building designs Godric was showing him when the first of the Juniors came in through the Slytherin entrance. “Find seats, you lot,” he ordered before returning his attention to the diagram. “I’ve never seen that hallway before,” he mentioned, pointing to a hall that lead to what looked like a back door to the library.
“Rowena’s Room,” Godric offered. “Her line died out years ago, though. If you want, you might be able to get through there.”
“The door’s in the library?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“There’s a gargoyle back in the history section. Your little map could probably tell you the way through.”
“Doubt it.” Harry shook his head. “That’s not a place the Marauders would have found.”
Godric shrugged. “Well, I don’t know the way in. Ask Salazar.”
“Will do. Where’s Helga’s Room?”
“Greenhouse two,” Godric replied, pointing to a tunnel leading out from the bottom of the building.
“Wait, that’s on the Map...” Harry tugged the Marauder’s Map out. “I solemnly swear I am up to no good,” he muttered, tapping his wand on the parchment before laying it out next to the ancient blueprints. “Look, see? Fred and George said Filch knows about it, though.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me.” Godric shrugged. “But that doesn’t mean he’s ever been down there. The entrances to our rooms are notoriously difficult to get into. Salazar’s needed Parsel. Mine needs my bloodline to go through one of those curtains of blood before anyone else. Rowena’s, as I recall, needed a passage read out of some book or another. Helga’s needed loyal friends, or some such.”
Harry scratched the back of his head. “I suppose we could get Herm to recite every book in the library to the gargoyle. Something’s sure to trigger it.”
Godric snorted and gave his Heir an amused look. “Horrible child indeed.”
Harry winked. “Mischief managed,” he told the Marauder’s Map before putting it back into his robe. “Let’s see if I can’t get this lot under control, eh?”
“You’re going to try and open the other rooms?” the old ghost asked, gliding along next to Harry as the teen started towards where the group of Juniors, Hermione, Neville, and Severus sat, chatting.
“If I get bored.” Harry nodded. “Probably a good idea to befriend all of the Founders if we’re plotting the take-over of the Wizarding world.”
“Good point,” Tom called, stepping into the room. The group on the poufs silenced almost immediately and everyone glanced over at him. Tom blinked a couple of times. “What?”
“Gin spread it around that you were throwing things and ranting about killing people earlier,” Harry said, smiling.
Tom shook his head. “I promise not to hex anyone without Harry’s permission,” he said in a bored voice.
“Not very reassuring,” Pansy pointed out. “Parvati, Dean, I’d suggest you run while you still can.”
“No, I’ve already talked to them,” Harry said, offering the two Juniors cold smiles.
“Threatened them, don’t you mean?” Seamus replied, grinning.
‘So, Tom, why WERE you pissed earlier?’ Gin asked conversationally as the Dark Lord took a seat and pulled his younger lover into his lap.
“I freaked him out,” Harry offered, leaning forward. “Which brings us to our meeting.”
“So we are here for a reason,” Draco muttered, rolling his eyes.
“Yup!” Harry shot his friend a quick grin before sobering. “Herm, Parvati, you’ll recall that Dumbles asked me to stay with him after we got back from the trial, correct?”
“Yeah.” Hermione nodded. “What did he want, anyway? I forgot to ask.”
“He wanted me to join the Order of the Phoenix.”
“Fuck...”
“Shit!”
“No way!”
“But I thought you had to be overage for that!”
“You do.” Harry nodded, glancing around the circle calmly.
“You accepted?” Morag whispered.
“He had to,” Tom said calmly, resting his chin on Harry’s right shoulder and glancing around at the members of the students and one teacher. “And we need more people in the Order, anyway.”
“Especially in such a high up position...” Hermione murmured. “Harry, you realize that you’re probably the most important member in the Order of the Phoenix after Dumbledore, right?”
“I’m quite aware of that.”
“If your true side is realized now…” Blaise whispered, letting the thought trail off into silence as everyone stared at the two leaders of the Dark Order in horror.
“Oh, shit…” Pansy whispered. “We’re fucked.”
“We are not,” Tom replied firmly. “Because no teacher in this school is going to find out a single thing about my teaching here or Harry even having any contact with Voldemort.”
“Then you should probably have an attack or something of the sort at the end of the year,” Hermione suggested suddenly. “You have every year since.”
“No, we’re having too much fun confusing the Order,” Harry offered cheerfully. “Mad-Eye tells me they’re tying themselves in knots trying to figure out what old Voldie’s up to.”
“What have I told you about calling me that?” Tom hissed in Harry’s ear.
“Not to,” Harry replied while almost everyone smiled. “But I do it anyway, since it ticks you off.”
“Really?” Tom snorted and ran his fingers over Harry’s abdomen in a tickling fashion, getting the teen in his lap to laugh helplessly. The group watching them grinned or laughed.
“MERCY! MERCY!” Harry laughed, relaxing back against the Dark Lord in a boneless fashion once the man stopped. “That was mean.”
“Shut up,” Tom replied fondly.
“So, wait, you went to an Order meeting today?” Lisa realized.
“I thought you were going out to lunch with Moody!” Draco cried indignantly.
“I did.” Harry cocked an eyebrow at the group. “Alastor and I had lunch, then we went to the meeting. And I was inducted, gave Tom a heart attack, was thrown a party, got hexed by Alastor for running off with his hip flask, then came back.”
“You forgot talking to the Thoralds,” Tom murmured while the group around them stared at the teen.
“Wait, Ula Thorald’s parents? What did you need with them?” Parvati asked.
‘This has something to do with why you dragged her down to Tom’s room earlier, doesn’t it?’ Gin asked, scowling at her brother.
Harry nodded seriously. “Her parents are going to Bosnia on Order business this summer and she doesn’t fancy going to her grandfather’s house. Her parents decided, when I talked to them about it, that she could stay with me, but I’m staying at Slytherin Manor this summer with Tom.”
“We had to tell her what was going on,” Tom grumbled.
“And she didn’t freak out?!” Dean hissed.
“She hates Slytherins!” Parvati agreed.
“She’s supposed to hate me, too, remember?” Harry pointed out, silencing the room again with a look. “But she came to me with her troubles.”
“Why doesn’t she want to stay with her grandfather?” Susan asked softly.
“Her description reminded me of Vernon,” Harry offered tightly.
There was an immediate out-cry of fury aimed at the man from the Gryffindors, most of the Slytherins, and a few of the Ravenclaws. Even Severus’ eyes narrowed in disgust.
“Who’s Vernon?” Terry Boot asked uneasily.
‘Harry’s uncle.’ Gin spat.
“There’s not a single Muggle out there that tops his horridness,” Hermione hissed in a rare show of fury.
“May his soul burn in Hell forever,” Dean agreed coldly.
“Amen to that,” Seamus nodded.
Those few that hadn’t know about Harry’s abused childhood glanced at their young leader warily. The teen had closed his eyes and Tom was hugging him tightly, murmuring something in his ear. Harry nodded and opened his eyes, which were empty of emotion. “Quiet, please,” he murmured gently, getting everyone’s attention.
‘Big brother–‘ Gin started, obviously worried.
Harry shook his head sharply, silencing the girl. “We’re telling you, mainly, that Ula will probably be staying at the manor this summer and you will need to be aware of her presence. Make note of this. Also, since you now know I’m in the Order, you should be aware of the chance that Dumbles might ask me to have a meeting with him in his office or another member of the Order who is on staff here may ask me to remain after class for something. If I find out anything that you need to know, you will find out, but do not pester me about it. Understood?”
“Yes,” the Juniors chorused.
“Hermione? Neville?” Harry asked, shooting the two sharp looks.
“We understand, Harry,” Neville agreed while Hermione nodded firmly.
“Thank you.” Harry nodded. “Anything else we need to discuss? Luna?”
The odd Ravenclaw smiled at him as she lowered her hand. “I was speaking with Michael Corner earlier and he mentioned something about the Death Eaters having the right idea about things, but Anthony told him to shut up and took points before he could tell me what he was on about,” she offered in a voice that sounded as though she were really miles away.
Harry nodded. “I’ll talk to him, then. Thank you.”
“Anthony’s been following him around a lot lately,” Padma muttered. “That explains why, I suppose...”
“Great.” Harry sighed. “Padma, Terry, see if you two can’t get Anthony to lay off. If that doesn’t work, tell Herm and she gets a go.” The three nodded. “Good. I’ll grab a chat with Michael tomorrow before dinner. If you three haven’t got Anthony to lay off by then, let me know and I’ll deal with him.”
“If Harry can’t do it, no one can!” Theodore declared, earning him a smack from his girlfriend and a mildly annoyed look from Harry and Tom while everyone else laughed.
“Anything else?”
“Oh, wait, yes!” Hermione cried. Attention focused on her and Harry nodded for her to continue. “Two things, actually. Madam Pomfrey asked that you drop by either today or tomorrow, first chance you get.”
“Understood,” Harry agreed. “The other thing?”
“Uhm, I finally let Madam Pomfrey tell me what the baby is, since you’ve been bugging me about it so much this past week...”
‘Tell! Tell!’ Gin called, leaning forward with bright eyes. The other students leaned forward in attention as well, except Luna, who was busy staring at the ceiling in awe.
“Well?” Harry asked, grinning at the blush taking over his best friend’s cheeks.
“Twins,” Hermione whispered. “A boy and a girl.”
Godric’s room broke out into laughter and congratulations while Harry hopped up and ran over to give his friend a hug. “Sounds like you’ll have a lot on your hands,” he whispered, smiling.
“Ha! I’m not the only one, Mr Potter,” Hermione shot back, smiling happily. “You and Gin are godparents, remember.”
“Ah, hell. Little monsters,” Harry muttered, winking.
“You’ll spend part of your summer at the manor, correct?” Tom enquired, leaning on Harry’s shoulders while Gin hugged Hermione tightly.
“I was thinking I might stay at the Burrow for part of the summer, actually...” Hermione murmured, glancing at Gin.
Gin shook her head regretfully. ‘Charlie invited us for a stay over the summer, since it’s my last year in school and we have the money, without Ron around.’
“Oh... Darn...”
Harry grinned. “Come stay with us for part of the summer, Herm. We’d be glad to have you, and your parents will probably be glad to be rid of you.”
Hermione laughed. “True.”
“Hermione, where are you planning on staying next year? With your parents?” Parvati asked.
“Yes, I suppose.” Hermione sighed. “I can probably get a part-time job at their dentist office as the receptionist or something to pay for the costs.”
“Hermione, no...” Parvati shook her head. “You can come stay with us, if you want.”
“Or us. Mother will love having you there,” Draco added.
“You could stay at my house,” Pansy cut in, leaning on Draco’s shoulder. “I’ll need someone to talk to, after all; Parkinsons don’t work, you know.”
‘No, she’ll stay at the Burrow with mum and dad.’ Gin replied.
Harry smiled at Hermione as she looked around at all of her friends tearfully. “I’m sure you’ll have a place to stay and people to help you take care of your brats, Herm,” the teen offered.
Hermione looked at him suspiciously, ignoring her tears. “What have you got up your sleeve, Potter?”
“What makes you think I have anything up my sleeve?” Harry inquired innocently.
“Because you haven’t offered me a place to stay yet.” Hermione glanced up at Tom, who was smirking. “Either of you.”
“That’s because I can’t tell you, yet,” Harry replied easily. “And I have to ask a few questions of other people, first.”
“He’s a sneaky Gryffindor,” Tom offered to the suspicious group watching him and his lover. “But he’s not the only one. Meeting adjourned. Come on, Harry. Let’s go see Poppy.”
“This had better be worth my time...” Harry muttered darkly, allowing Tom to lead him towards the Ravenclaw entrance, which was the closest to the hospital ward.
“Ugh!” Hermione scowled after the two wizards as they disappeared. “What are they going on about?”
Severus offered the witch a sympathetic smile. “He can’t tell you.”
All of the Juniors, Hermione, and Neville turned to stare at the Death Eater. “What do you know that we don’t?” Draco asked coolly.
“I know that Harry was told to keep two secrets this weekend and he’s told you all one of them,” Severus said cryptically. “And, I’m sure, that if you look over the auror qualifications again and consider our Lord’s little hint, you may just figure it out before you’re told. Good night.” He waved slightly and left up the stairs to the dungeons, smiling evilly.
‘Don’t you hate it when everyone knows a secret but you, and they won’t tell you?’ Gin complained.
“Auror...” Hermione frowned. “Who’s planning on becoming an auror? Anyone?”
“I’m getting a job in Magical Law Enforcement with my auntie.” Susan shook her head. “Not quite what you’re looking for, though.”
“Ooh, could you put in a good word for me, Sue?” Seamus asked. “That’s where I’m headed.”
“Sure.” The Hufflepuff smiled.
“That’s all grand, but is no one aiming to become an auror?” Hermione begged.
“Father says that the Dark Order has always had trouble getting aurors on our side, and not many Dark wizards or witches want to become aurors, wrong type of work for us,” Draco offered when no one answered Hermione.
Hermione sighed helplessly. “Library, then. Who’s with me?”
‘Wait, Snape said to consider Tom’s hint. What did he say?’ Gin cut in.
“Something about Harry not being the only sneaky Gryffindor?” Vincent Crabbe offered with a confused look.
“Dumbledore!” Pansy gasped. “Harry’s always complaining about how Slytherin-like he is!”
“Of course! And Dumbledore would have told Harry not to tell anyone about being in the Order,” Hermione whispered.
“Dumbledore’s the leader of the Order of the Phoenix?” Morag asked in confusion.
‘Yeah.’ Gin nodded. ‘He created it during the first war.’
“This feels like a conspiracy, or something,” Padma complained.
“What else does Dumbledore have control over, then?” Parvati inquired, frowning in thought.
“I dunno. The school?” Millicent muttered, shrugging.
“You know that the A.T.P. doesn’t like accepting people with bad school records,” Luna offered, looking like she was high on something.
“The A.T.P.?” Mandy asked in confusion while Hermione rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“The Auror Training Program.” Luna nodded.
Hermione’s gaze shot back over to the Ravenclaw. “Luna, are you suggesting that Harry might not be accepted as an auror because he was suspended?”
“Yes,” Luna agreed with an absent smile.
“I think she’s got something,” Morag murmured, staring at his fellow Ravenclaw in shock. “Luna, when did you get so smart?”
‘She’s always been that smart.’ Gin grumbled. ‘But Harry was the only one who really noticed.’
Luna smiled at the other sixth year. “He said he thinks I’m smarter than I let on,” she agreed. “I have to go finish my Defence work...” the witch added suddenly before turning and walking slowly towards the exit near the kitchens.
“Defence...” Susan whispered, eyes wide. “Tom’s only here for this year, right?”
“Shit!” Hermione shouted, staring at the Hufflepuff. “Dumbledore must have asked Harry to teach here next year!”
“And he wants you to stay in the school…” Dean whispered in awe.
“Would Dumbledore allow that?” Parvati asked.
“This is Harry we’re talking about.” Neville snorted. “If he wants something done, it’s done, remember?”
“Oh, Merlin, I love that man sometimes…” Hermione sighed, smiling faintly.
Chapter 43, Part 2
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 ||
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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