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batsutousaiTitle: The Forgotten
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
batsutousai
Beta:magickmaker17
Pairings: I’m gonna be evile and not tell you. *cackles*
Warnings: SLASH/YAOI, Character death, OOCness, AU(we all know Jo won’t let this happen…), OCs
Summary: What if Voldemort wins the “Final Battle,” but Harry Potter survives?
Living in the Muggle world with no memory of his past, can Harry find the key to saving them all?
Disclaim Her: So, this pirate walks into a bar and he’s got the steering wheel of a ship in his pants. The barman turns to him and says, “Why have you got a steering wheel in your pants?” and the pirate replies, “ARGH! It’s driving me nuts!”
Key:
’Thoughts’
Writing
”Doo’s memory flashes”
¤Another language, like Bulgarian¤
A/N: The title of this chapter is lame, but I couldn’t think of anything else. Sorry... *sweatdrop*
-~/\~-
Chapter Two
Nicholas Wants Answers
-~/\~-
“How can I help you?” Nick inquired of the man who had just stepped into the shop. The man’s black hair fell in his eyes, which were a soft green. He wore a green silk button-up shirt and khakis.
“Uhm, yes.” The man glanced around curiously for a quick moment before looking back at Nick, who was smiling. “Is Doo here?”
A head of white hair popped out of the office door. “Oh, Tom! You’re early.” Doo grinned, stepping out into the shop.
“I wasn’t aware we’d set a specific time for me to come by...” The Dark Lord said carefully, warily eyeing the dark-eyed man that had greeted him and was now staring at him suspiciously.
“Well, we didn’t, but I thought you might want to actually eat a full breakfast at the scho- Oh, for crying out loud, Nick!” Doo said with an annoyed tone.
Nick turned to his friend. “Yo.”
Doo rolled his eyes. “Nick, this is Tom Marvolo. Tom, this is Nicholas Ripley, who works for me.” The pale-haired man introduced before giving Nick a sharp look. “Tom’s a friend. Now cut it.”
“I’m allowed to worry about you.” Nick grumbled. “You break up with Zack, then disappear for a day. Excuse me for being suspicious.”
Doo let out a helpless sigh and smiled at Tom, who was frowning. “What’s that look for?”
“You didn’t tell me you’d just broken up with someone.” The Dark Lord said darkly.
Doo groaned. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t think about it yesterday.” He smacked the back of Nick’s head lightly. “Idiot. Watch the shop. Come on back, Tom. I’ll get you some tea.” He offered, holding the swinging door attached to the counter open for the wizard.
Tom blinked a few times before smirking suddenly. “Have any sherbet lemons to go with that tea?”
Doo made a face. “You know, it’s no fair when you make a joke that I should get but don’t.”
Tom tugged on Doo’s ponytail lightly as he joined him behind the counter. “I’ll tell you the story over tea, k?”
Nick poked Doo’s shoulder. “He’s a friend from your past life?” He inquired when the shop’s owner turned to him.
“I wouldn’t say friend, really.” Tom offered coldly. “But we get along now.”
Doo shrugged. “Something like that. Shout if you need me.”
“Yes, mother.” Nick groaned.
Doo flipped him the birdie before leading Tom up to the kitchen of his flat. “What sort of tea would you like?”
“Something with caffeine, I guess.” Tom muttered, looking around curiously. There wasn’t much clutter, but there weren’t any real decorations either. The kitchen was small and painted white with beech wood cabinets. There weren’t any dirty dishes laying about anywhere. The living-room/dining-room held two plush chairs, which were seated in front of the fire, and a loveseat, which sat along one wall with a glass coffee table in front of it. A single picture frame was hung on the wall opposite the loveseat. Doo and another man with sandy-coloured hair were smiling in it, arms around one another.
“My ex-boyfriend.” Doo offered as he held a teacup out to the Dark Lord, having noticed where he was looking. “I don’t have the heart to take the picture down, I’m afraid.”
“You were close?” Tom inquired, allowing his friend to lead him over to the loveseat.
“Yes.” Doo sighed, setting his cup on the coffee table. “We met in the hospital after the war...” The pale-haired man explained. “He helped me pick a new name and start a life, but there were some things we just never saw eye-to-eye on. We broke up on Friday. He’s in London, now.”
“You miss him.” Tom deduced.
“To a certain extent, I do.” Doo agreed, then turned and smiled at the Dark Lord. “Yesterday helped, actually. I really didn’t think about him all day.”
Tom smiled faintly. “Glad to be of service.”
Doo laughed at that, bringing a bright smile to the Dark Lord’s face. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
The two sat in silence for a long while, just sipping their tea. Doo broke the quiet by asking, “How’d you change your eyes?”
Tom grimaced and set his tea down. “Glamour. I can’t very well walk around in the Muggle world with red eyes.”
“You could.” Doo disagreed calmly, earning him a startled look. “What? You could. Just say they’re contact lenses or something. No one will think it odd.”
The Dark Lord smiled thinly. “Muggles do strange things.” He decided aloud before sighing. “Anyway, the people of the wizarding community will recognize me with red eyes.”
“Ah.” Doo nodded. “In that case, keep them green.” He took a sip of tea. “What’s a Glamour, by the way?”
Tom grimaced. “I keep forgetting you don’t remember things.” He ran his hand through his hair. “It’s a spell that sets a new image over what you look like. It doesn’t actually change my eye colour, just places a new colour over it.”
Doo cocked his head to one side thoughtfully. “Interesting. You could hide scars with it?”
“You can hide or change the colour of anything, but there is a counter-spell that can be cast to get rid of it, of course.” Tom replied calmly before shooting Doo a sharp look. “You have scars you want to hide?”
Doo shrugged nervously. “I have scars from the war, yeah.”
“We all do.” Was the emotionless response. “Not all of them are pretty, and some are more than just skin-deep, but they are there and we must learn to live with them.” Tom gave the startled Doo a firm look. “Hiding them doesn’t make them go away, Doo.”
“I know.” Doo took a long sip of his tea. “Have you learned to live with yours yet?” He inquired of his tea cup.
“Yes.” The Dark Lord shrugged. “I suppose it’s easier when you know why you have them, of course.”
“Probably.” Doo agreed.
Another silence fell over the two, this time broken by Tom. “I was going to explain my little joke, wasn’t I?”
Doo glanced up. “Oh, yes, that’s right.” He grinned. “So, Tom, what’s so funny about sherbet lemons and tea?”
Tom grimaced. “I told you they were Dumbledore’s favourite, yes?” Doo nodded. “Well, he liked to offer them to people out of the blue. When someone came to his office, he’d offer them two things: sherbet lemons and tea.” The Dark Lord explained in an annoyed voice. “I swear he laced the damn stuff with a Calming Draught so people didn’t freak out if he told them something they didn’t want to hear.” Doo laughed as Tom continued. “Of course, an overdose of Calming Draught would have explained why he was so strange, now that I think about it...”
Doo buried his face in his hands, laughing helplessly.
Tom grinned at the younger man. “Is it really that funny?”
Doo shook his head, glancing up at Tom, once he got his laughter under control. “No, not really.” He offered with a smile. “It was just the way you explained it.”
Tom chuckled. “Should I audition to become a stand-up comedian, then?”
Doo snorted. “No offence, Tom, but, don’t give up your day job.”
Before Tom could reply, Nick poked his head in. “Tarrant, you need to come down here.”
Doo stood, gaze turning serious. “What is it?”
“Mz Riddock’s asking for you. I think Renny stole something again.” Nick explained.
Doo let out a groan and glanced back at Tom, who was smiling faintly. “I’m sorry, Tom, but I need to take care of this. You can wait up here, if you’d like.”
“I’ll come down with you, I think.” Tom decided, standing.
Doo nodded and led the way back down to the shop where a woman with bushy brown hair stood with a cold look on her face. “Good morning, Hertha.” Doo greeted the woman with a smile. “What can I do for you?”
Tom’s eyes widened as Hertha began to speak. ‘Hermione Granger!’
“I’m sorry to trouble you, Dooley, but Renny had this,” she held up a handful of bills, “hidden under his pillow. I’m trying to find out if anyone is missing any money.”
Doo frowned thoughtfully. “Well, my count’s been fine for a while now...” He glanced over at Nick. “Nicholas, do you know if any of the other shops have reported missing money?”
Nick shook his head. “None that I know of.”
Doo nodded and gave Hertha a helpless look. “I’m sorry I can’t help you any, Hertha. If I hear anything, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
Hertha nodded with a sigh. “Very well. Thank you, Dooley. And you, Nicholas.”
“Of course, Mz Riddock.” Nick replied with a smile.
Doo rested his hand on Nick’s shoulder for a brief moment before turning back to Tom. “Tom? What’s wrong?”
Tom shook his head sharply. “That woman. I know her.”
Doo frowned. “Hertha?”
Tom nodded. “She’s a Forgotten. Her real name’s Hermione Granger.”
“Nobody in my family’s magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it’s the very best school of witchcraft there is, I’ve heard - I’ve learned all our set books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough - I’m Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?” Said a voice in Doo’s mind that sounded like a younger version of Hertha.
“You’ve remembered something again.” Tom murmured, setting a hand on Doo’s shoulder. Nick watched them with a strange look on his face.
Doo nodded. “Yes. I-I knew her in school. She was...Muggle-born? And an overachiever?”
Tom nodded slowly. “Brightest student in the school, as I recall.”
Doo smiled rather suddenly. “Can I keep you?”
Tom’s eyes widened. “Wh-what?!”
“Can I keep you? You’re dead useful when I’m sorting memories out.” Doo repeated.
Tom rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. “Shut up.”
Doo laughed. “Well, since we’re down here...” He turned to Nick. “Take a break, Nick. I’ll watch the front.”
“What you got in your fridge, Doo?” Nick inquired, pulling off his smock.
Doo rolled his eyes while Tom grinned. “Nick, you need to eat at home, not my place.” Nick offered him a pitiful look and Doo made a great show of twitching. “Oh, go on, then. There are some hard-boiled eggs in the carton on top. Don’t eat them all this time.”
“Sure thing, boss-man!” Nick replied with a salute before he ran up the stairs to the flat.
“Nah, you’d never make a good Slytherin.” Tom decided.
“Oh?”
“You’re too nice.”
Doo rolled his eyes and chucked a smock at the Dark Lord. “Put that on and pretend you work here.”
“Do I have to?” Tom mock whined, pulling on the smock.
“No.” Doo replied, smirking. “But if you help me out, I promise not to lock you in my office.”
“I have ways to get out.” Tom pointed out with a high-and-mighty voice.
“So I’ll take your wand and hide it.” The white-haired man shot back. “Then you’ll never get out.”
Tom shook his finger in Doo’s face. “No one takes my wand, Mr Tarrant.”
“Really?” Doo reached over and tugged the stick that he’d seen earlier out of Tom’s back pocket. “And what’s this?” He held up the wand with a smirk.
“Oh. You were talking about that wand.” Tom sighed.
Doo stared at him for a moment before laughing hysterically. “You’re horrible!”
The Dark Lord pulled his yew wand from the green-eyed man’s grasp with a wink. “I know.”
Doo just laughed.
-~/\~-
Nick had known Doo for eight years, and, as he listened to his friend’s laughter, he realized that he’d never heard Doo laugh quite that freely before. Even with Zack, Doo was restrained. Nick had always thought it was because, on some level, Doo believed he was in danger from something, and that anyone he got too close to would also be in danger.
‘This Tom Marvolo is a person Doo feels safe around, feels can take care of himself, I guess. But, can he help Doo...?’ Nick sighed and popped the egg he’d just peeled into his mouth. ‘He cares about Doo, that’s obvious. I’m not quite sure Mr Marvolo’s realized it yet, but he does care for Doo. And Doo likes Marvolo being around, that’s kinda obvious too. They look good together, and they get along well... I suppose that’s good. But...I think I need to ask Deva about Marvolo. I get a creepy feeling around him...’
With that decision, Nick put the egg carton back in the fridge and slipped back downstairs. “Hey, boss-man, can I go over to the flower shop?”
Doo smiled. “Of course. Tell Deva hello for me.”
“And me, I suppose.” Tom added in calmly.
“Of course.” Nick nodded and vaulted over the counter.
“What have I told you about jumping over my counters?” Doo grumbled.
Nick grinned. “Not to.” He offered before leaving to Tom’s laughter. He wandered down the row until he got to the flower shop, then he stepped in with a smile. “Deva, I come with questions.”
Deva glanced up. “Oh, hello, Nick. Vat questions haff you for me?”
Nick sat himself backwards on a chair next to where Deva was working with a small rose bush. “Tell me about Tom Marvolo.”
Deva dropped the clippers she’d been using in shock. “T-Tom?”
Nick frowned. “Yeah.”
The Bulgarian nibbled on her lower lip nervously for a moment before making a choice. She stood and walked over to the door, which she locked. Then she turned around the sign that said whether she was open or not. Once done, she glanced back at Nick, who was frowning at her thoughtfully. “Come to the back.” She ordered, heading towards her back room.
Nick followed her quietly and sat in the chair she motioned to. “Why the secrecy?”
Deva sat with a heavy sigh. “Vat I am going to tell you is not something I should tell you.” She warned him seriously. “But I think it is something you deserve to knov.”
Nick nodded. “This is about Marvolo?”
“This is about many people.” Deva replied. “Let me start from the beginning.” Nick nodded. “First off, I am a vitch.”
Nick frowned. “A witch?” Deva nodded, biting her lower lip nervously. “Like, you can do magic?” The woman nodded again. Nick took a deep breath. “Okay. I can go with that. I mean, it explains some things, right? That’s good...”
Deva smiled slightly. “A little over thirty years ago, there vas an evil vizard vo vas trying to take over the vorld. The vole vorld, mind you, not just the magical one. His name vas Lord Voldemort, and people feared him, vith good reason.”
“How come he never took over the world?” Nick inquired.
“I am getting there.” The witch replied calmly. Nick offered her an apologetic look and she smiled. “Voldemort was stopped ven a Killing Curse he’d cast rebounded back on him. He became no more than a spirit. The baby he’d meant to kill vas named Harry Potter and he became famous.
“After many years, Voldemort came back for revenge, and to take over the vorld like he’d planned at first.”
“Did he fail?” Nick asked, his voice holding a pleading tone to it.
“Yes, and no.” Deva replied. “There was a big battle about ten years ago that ve call the Final Battle. In this battle, Voldemort fought vith Harry Potter, to the death. Potter died, and Voldemort cast a spell on all of the opposition on the field that vould make them forget everything. Ve call these people the Forgotten.”
“Doo. Doo’s a wizard, isn’t he?” Nick whispered, eyes wide. “And Hertha Riddock? Marvolo said she was once named Hermione Granger.”
Deva blinked a few times in surprise. “I vill trust his vord on that. He vould knov vat she looks like.”
“He knew her?”
“He knev everything about the Light. It vas his job.”
“What part did he play in this war?” Nick asked with a frown.
“Vill you promise not to run out of here and do something foolish?” Deva said by way of response.
Nick’s frown darkened. “Yes.” He growled.
Deva nodded. “Tom Marvolo is Lord Voldemort.” The witch replied calmly.
Nick twitched. “He doesn’t act like a man who wants to take over the world.”
“He has given up on the Muggle vorld. Your vorld. He is fine vith controlling the vizarding vorld right nov.”
Nick sighed and nodded. “Was Hermione Granger important?”
“Vat makes you think that?”
“The way you spoke of her.” Nick said dryly.
Deva smiled grimly. “Hermy-ovn Granger vas the tactical person for the Light, and she vas Potter’s best friend. She vas a dangerous person. Killed many of our people before Voldemort killed Potter and cast the spell.”
Nick nodded absent-mindedly. “Voldemort and Doo are getting close. Is there a reason why you put them together?”
“Vat makes you think I had any part in their friendship?” Deva inquired innocently.
“Deva.” Nick growled.
Deva smiled. “Voldemort is a very lonely man. My cousin and I haff been trying to find him a friend or maybe even a life companion for many years. He needs someone to see him as a person and not a ruler. Doo, I can see, also needs someone to lean on, and vy not the man vo hid his memories in the first place? Voldemort can help vith Doo’s flashbacks in vays both you and I cannot. Doo can see Voldemort as a real man because he knovs not vo he is, nor, I think, vould he care if he did.”
“No, he wouldn’t.” Nick shook his head. “How complicated. Do you think Voldemort will take the block from Doo?”
“It is a possibility, yes.”
“But not a very big one?”
“No.” Deva shrugged. “They haff knovn each other for one day, Nick, and they are already the best of friends. Do not ruin this, please?”
Nick looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking again. “On one condition.”
“Vat?” Deva asked suspiciously.
Nick smiled. “Will you go out with me this weekend?”
The witch’s eyes widened in surprise. “I- Yes! Yes, of course I vill!”
Nick nodded. “Then I shall play along and pretend Marvolo’s just another guy Doo dragged in with his charm.” He stood with a wink. “You gonna let me out now?”
Deva stood. “Also, you must not let anyone knov you knov of our people. Especially not Voldemort. He may like Doo, but he vill not pause in killing a Muggle that knovs our secrets.” She said seriously.
“I understand.” He replied seriously.
Deva nodded and led him out.
-~/\~-
“I got a date with Deva!” Nick called as soon as he stepped back into the shop.
Tom stared at him in shock while Doo smirked. “I’ve been telling you for months to ask her out, you idiot. Why ask her so suddenly?”
“It was those eggs I ate.” Nick replied in a low, secretive voice.
“Best take them home, then.” Doo shot back. “You might need them for your date.”
“Tarrant, you’re one hell of a fucking bastard. Get out of my store.” Nick ordered, pointing at the door outside. “In fact, you’re fired.”
Doo’s eyes went wide and he grasped at his chest. “No, please, no.” He whispered in a horrified voice. “Anything but that Master Ripley. Anything! I beg you!” He fell to his knees behind the counter, disappearing from view.
Nick poked his head over the edge of the counter and grinned down at his boss. “You really should have taken up acting, Doo.”
“So you keep saying.” Doo agreed, pulling himself to his feet.
Tom clapped for them with a smile. “Bravo, gentlemen. Bravo.”
Both Nick and Doo bowed formally before grinning. “You should see when we have kids in here.” Doo said.
“I can hardly wait.” Tom replied dryly.
“Don’t like kids?” Nick inquired, vaulting over the counter. He ignored the scowl Doo shot at him, focusing, instead, on the Dark Lord.
Tom sighed. “No, not really. I mean, I used to watch the younger kids all the time at the orphanage.”
Doo picked up on that tidbit of information. “Orphanage?”
The Dark Lord gave both of the men who worked at the shop an odd look before nodding. “Yes. I grew up in an orphanage.”
Nick’s eyes widened while Doo frowned. “Why didn’t you live with your parents?”
Tom’s eyes narrowed, not at Doo, but at the past. “My father didn’t want me, my mother was dead.”
Doo scowled. “Then your father was a jackass. I hope he’s dead.” He said coldly.
Tom cocked his head to one side calmly, studying the furious Forgotten before him and his friend, who looked like he’d just pieced together a puzzle. “He is.” Was all he said. ‘No one’s ever cared before...’ Tom thought as Doo nodded once and turned to greet a customer. Nick was getting his smock. ‘Why does he care? He doesn’t know who I am. He doesn’t know what I’ve done. But...I don’t think he really cares, either... How very puzzling...’
-~/\~-
“My Lord, you’ve been gone all day.” Goyle muttered as Voldemort swept into the Headmaster’s office coldly. “I looked for you, but Syna said you’d left this morning.”
“And so I did.” Voldemort replied before settling himself in an uncomfortable-looking chair. “Tell me, Goyle, why is it that Severus seems to think you have a small rebellion on your hands that you aren’t addressing?”
“I-I don’t, my Lord.”
“You are a bad liar, Goyle.”
Goyle took a breath, nervously eyeing the Dark Lord who sat so calmly before him. He hated serving that man. He hated serving that monster. “I am not aware of any rebellion, then, my Lord.” He said firmly, shielding the truth from the searching red gaze. He’d keep their secrets if it was the last thing he’d do.
“Then you don’t mind if I plan on remaining here for the rest of the week.” The Dark Lord declared cheerfully.
Goyle shuddered. A cheerful Voldemort was not a good thing. “Of course not, Lord. You are always welcome in my school.”
“Good.” Voldemort nodded and stood. “Good evening, Goyle.”
“Good evening, my Lord.” Goyle agreed. ‘And may you rot in Hell!’
Voldemort swept from the room and nodded at the shadows hiding against the wall. “He is lying. Keep a closer eye on him.”
Severus Snape stepped forward, greasy black hair hanging dully in front of his beady eyes. “As you command, my Lord.”
Syna stepped forward next to the Potions master. “You will spend more time at Tarrant’s shop tomorrow?”
The Dark Lord considered this for a moment before shaking his head. “Have your cousin tell him to expect me on Wednesday, instead. I’ll keep an eye on Goyle for tomorrow.”
“As you wish, Lord.” Both of his loyal servants agreed, bowing.
Voldemort nodded to them before sweeping down the spiral staircase.
-~/\~-
-~/\~-
A/N: *sniggers* I’m putting the OCs together, ‘cause I have nothing better to do. Gomen.
Yes, Sev’s loyal to Voldemort. He was Voldemort’s man again by the end of the second war. Hope that clears that up(in case anyone was wondering...). *grins*
The Headmaster is the elder Goyle. He’s not as stupid as Gregory, but nor is he as brilliant as, say, Hermione.
Speaking of Hermione, do you like that I brought her in? I don’t know if I’ll ever really flesh out her story any more, so I’ll tell you here. She was pregnant during the Final Battle and gave birth to her son after the war was over. She took on the name Hertha Riddock because Hertha sounded right to her, and Riddock means “from the smooth field” and that’s the terrain of the area she was from. She and Doo are friends, yes, but they aren’t as close as they were back in Hogwarts. I don’t think they’ll ever be, actually. Hermione works at her son’s school as a teacher.
Also, Herm’s son, Renny, will be attending Hogwarts next year, when he turns eleven, so now you know he’s a wizard, k? We don’t know the father(it’s not Ron, so leave me alone.) and “Hertha” never married after the war.
~Batsutousai ^.^x
Chapters:
Prologue
1 - Hogwarts |||2 - Nicholas Wants Answers ||| 3 - Depression
4 - The Greatest Idiot ||| 5 - Another Clue ||| 6 - Discovered
7 - Harry Potter Lives ||| 8 - The Power Over the Dark ||| 9 - Answers
10 - The True Threat Becomes Known ||| 11 - Gathering Allies ||| 12 - A New Bond
13 - Culross and Her Staff ||| 14 - Courting Your Fate
Discontinued
Author:
batsutousaiBeta:
magickmaker17Pairings: I’m gonna be evile and not tell you. *cackles*
Warnings: SLASH/YAOI, Character death, OOCness, AU(we all know Jo won’t let this happen…), OCs
Summary: What if Voldemort wins the “Final Battle,” but Harry Potter survives?
Living in the Muggle world with no memory of his past, can Harry find the key to saving them all?
Disclaim Her: So, this pirate walks into a bar and he’s got the steering wheel of a ship in his pants. The barman turns to him and says, “Why have you got a steering wheel in your pants?” and the pirate replies, “ARGH! It’s driving me nuts!”
Key:
’Thoughts’
Writing
”Doo’s memory flashes”
¤Another language, like Bulgarian¤
A/N: The title of this chapter is lame, but I couldn’t think of anything else. Sorry... *sweatdrop*
Chapter Two
Nicholas Wants Answers
-~/\~-
“How can I help you?” Nick inquired of the man who had just stepped into the shop. The man’s black hair fell in his eyes, which were a soft green. He wore a green silk button-up shirt and khakis.
“Uhm, yes.” The man glanced around curiously for a quick moment before looking back at Nick, who was smiling. “Is Doo here?”
A head of white hair popped out of the office door. “Oh, Tom! You’re early.” Doo grinned, stepping out into the shop.
“I wasn’t aware we’d set a specific time for me to come by...” The Dark Lord said carefully, warily eyeing the dark-eyed man that had greeted him and was now staring at him suspiciously.
“Well, we didn’t, but I thought you might want to actually eat a full breakfast at the scho- Oh, for crying out loud, Nick!” Doo said with an annoyed tone.
Nick turned to his friend. “Yo.”
Doo rolled his eyes. “Nick, this is Tom Marvolo. Tom, this is Nicholas Ripley, who works for me.” The pale-haired man introduced before giving Nick a sharp look. “Tom’s a friend. Now cut it.”
“I’m allowed to worry about you.” Nick grumbled. “You break up with Zack, then disappear for a day. Excuse me for being suspicious.”
Doo let out a helpless sigh and smiled at Tom, who was frowning. “What’s that look for?”
“You didn’t tell me you’d just broken up with someone.” The Dark Lord said darkly.
Doo groaned. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t think about it yesterday.” He smacked the back of Nick’s head lightly. “Idiot. Watch the shop. Come on back, Tom. I’ll get you some tea.” He offered, holding the swinging door attached to the counter open for the wizard.
Tom blinked a few times before smirking suddenly. “Have any sherbet lemons to go with that tea?”
Doo made a face. “You know, it’s no fair when you make a joke that I should get but don’t.”
Tom tugged on Doo’s ponytail lightly as he joined him behind the counter. “I’ll tell you the story over tea, k?”
Nick poked Doo’s shoulder. “He’s a friend from your past life?” He inquired when the shop’s owner turned to him.
“I wouldn’t say friend, really.” Tom offered coldly. “But we get along now.”
Doo shrugged. “Something like that. Shout if you need me.”
“Yes, mother.” Nick groaned.
Doo flipped him the birdie before leading Tom up to the kitchen of his flat. “What sort of tea would you like?”
“Something with caffeine, I guess.” Tom muttered, looking around curiously. There wasn’t much clutter, but there weren’t any real decorations either. The kitchen was small and painted white with beech wood cabinets. There weren’t any dirty dishes laying about anywhere. The living-room/dining-room held two plush chairs, which were seated in front of the fire, and a loveseat, which sat along one wall with a glass coffee table in front of it. A single picture frame was hung on the wall opposite the loveseat. Doo and another man with sandy-coloured hair were smiling in it, arms around one another.
“My ex-boyfriend.” Doo offered as he held a teacup out to the Dark Lord, having noticed where he was looking. “I don’t have the heart to take the picture down, I’m afraid.”
“You were close?” Tom inquired, allowing his friend to lead him over to the loveseat.
“Yes.” Doo sighed, setting his cup on the coffee table. “We met in the hospital after the war...” The pale-haired man explained. “He helped me pick a new name and start a life, but there were some things we just never saw eye-to-eye on. We broke up on Friday. He’s in London, now.”
“You miss him.” Tom deduced.
“To a certain extent, I do.” Doo agreed, then turned and smiled at the Dark Lord. “Yesterday helped, actually. I really didn’t think about him all day.”
Tom smiled faintly. “Glad to be of service.”
Doo laughed at that, bringing a bright smile to the Dark Lord’s face. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
The two sat in silence for a long while, just sipping their tea. Doo broke the quiet by asking, “How’d you change your eyes?”
Tom grimaced and set his tea down. “Glamour. I can’t very well walk around in the Muggle world with red eyes.”
“You could.” Doo disagreed calmly, earning him a startled look. “What? You could. Just say they’re contact lenses or something. No one will think it odd.”
The Dark Lord smiled thinly. “Muggles do strange things.” He decided aloud before sighing. “Anyway, the people of the wizarding community will recognize me with red eyes.”
“Ah.” Doo nodded. “In that case, keep them green.” He took a sip of tea. “What’s a Glamour, by the way?”
Tom grimaced. “I keep forgetting you don’t remember things.” He ran his hand through his hair. “It’s a spell that sets a new image over what you look like. It doesn’t actually change my eye colour, just places a new colour over it.”
Doo cocked his head to one side thoughtfully. “Interesting. You could hide scars with it?”
“You can hide or change the colour of anything, but there is a counter-spell that can be cast to get rid of it, of course.” Tom replied calmly before shooting Doo a sharp look. “You have scars you want to hide?”
Doo shrugged nervously. “I have scars from the war, yeah.”
“We all do.” Was the emotionless response. “Not all of them are pretty, and some are more than just skin-deep, but they are there and we must learn to live with them.” Tom gave the startled Doo a firm look. “Hiding them doesn’t make them go away, Doo.”
“I know.” Doo took a long sip of his tea. “Have you learned to live with yours yet?” He inquired of his tea cup.
“Yes.” The Dark Lord shrugged. “I suppose it’s easier when you know why you have them, of course.”
“Probably.” Doo agreed.
Another silence fell over the two, this time broken by Tom. “I was going to explain my little joke, wasn’t I?”
Doo glanced up. “Oh, yes, that’s right.” He grinned. “So, Tom, what’s so funny about sherbet lemons and tea?”
Tom grimaced. “I told you they were Dumbledore’s favourite, yes?” Doo nodded. “Well, he liked to offer them to people out of the blue. When someone came to his office, he’d offer them two things: sherbet lemons and tea.” The Dark Lord explained in an annoyed voice. “I swear he laced the damn stuff with a Calming Draught so people didn’t freak out if he told them something they didn’t want to hear.” Doo laughed as Tom continued. “Of course, an overdose of Calming Draught would have explained why he was so strange, now that I think about it...”
Doo buried his face in his hands, laughing helplessly.
Tom grinned at the younger man. “Is it really that funny?”
Doo shook his head, glancing up at Tom, once he got his laughter under control. “No, not really.” He offered with a smile. “It was just the way you explained it.”
Tom chuckled. “Should I audition to become a stand-up comedian, then?”
Doo snorted. “No offence, Tom, but, don’t give up your day job.”
Before Tom could reply, Nick poked his head in. “Tarrant, you need to come down here.”
Doo stood, gaze turning serious. “What is it?”
“Mz Riddock’s asking for you. I think Renny stole something again.” Nick explained.
Doo let out a groan and glanced back at Tom, who was smiling faintly. “I’m sorry, Tom, but I need to take care of this. You can wait up here, if you’d like.”
“I’ll come down with you, I think.” Tom decided, standing.
Doo nodded and led the way back down to the shop where a woman with bushy brown hair stood with a cold look on her face. “Good morning, Hertha.” Doo greeted the woman with a smile. “What can I do for you?”
Tom’s eyes widened as Hertha began to speak. ‘Hermione Granger!’
“I’m sorry to trouble you, Dooley, but Renny had this,” she held up a handful of bills, “hidden under his pillow. I’m trying to find out if anyone is missing any money.”
Doo frowned thoughtfully. “Well, my count’s been fine for a while now...” He glanced over at Nick. “Nicholas, do you know if any of the other shops have reported missing money?”
Nick shook his head. “None that I know of.”
Doo nodded and gave Hertha a helpless look. “I’m sorry I can’t help you any, Hertha. If I hear anything, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
Hertha nodded with a sigh. “Very well. Thank you, Dooley. And you, Nicholas.”
“Of course, Mz Riddock.” Nick replied with a smile.
Doo rested his hand on Nick’s shoulder for a brief moment before turning back to Tom. “Tom? What’s wrong?”
Tom shook his head sharply. “That woman. I know her.”
Doo frowned. “Hertha?”
Tom nodded. “She’s a Forgotten. Her real name’s Hermione Granger.”
“Nobody in my family’s magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it’s the very best school of witchcraft there is, I’ve heard - I’ve learned all our set books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough - I’m Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?” Said a voice in Doo’s mind that sounded like a younger version of Hertha.
“You’ve remembered something again.” Tom murmured, setting a hand on Doo’s shoulder. Nick watched them with a strange look on his face.
Doo nodded. “Yes. I-I knew her in school. She was...Muggle-born? And an overachiever?”
Tom nodded slowly. “Brightest student in the school, as I recall.”
Doo smiled rather suddenly. “Can I keep you?”
Tom’s eyes widened. “Wh-what?!”
“Can I keep you? You’re dead useful when I’m sorting memories out.” Doo repeated.
Tom rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. “Shut up.”
Doo laughed. “Well, since we’re down here...” He turned to Nick. “Take a break, Nick. I’ll watch the front.”
“What you got in your fridge, Doo?” Nick inquired, pulling off his smock.
Doo rolled his eyes while Tom grinned. “Nick, you need to eat at home, not my place.” Nick offered him a pitiful look and Doo made a great show of twitching. “Oh, go on, then. There are some hard-boiled eggs in the carton on top. Don’t eat them all this time.”
“Sure thing, boss-man!” Nick replied with a salute before he ran up the stairs to the flat.
“Nah, you’d never make a good Slytherin.” Tom decided.
“Oh?”
“You’re too nice.”
Doo rolled his eyes and chucked a smock at the Dark Lord. “Put that on and pretend you work here.”
“Do I have to?” Tom mock whined, pulling on the smock.
“No.” Doo replied, smirking. “But if you help me out, I promise not to lock you in my office.”
“I have ways to get out.” Tom pointed out with a high-and-mighty voice.
“So I’ll take your wand and hide it.” The white-haired man shot back. “Then you’ll never get out.”
Tom shook his finger in Doo’s face. “No one takes my wand, Mr Tarrant.”
“Really?” Doo reached over and tugged the stick that he’d seen earlier out of Tom’s back pocket. “And what’s this?” He held up the wand with a smirk.
“Oh. You were talking about that wand.” Tom sighed.
Doo stared at him for a moment before laughing hysterically. “You’re horrible!”
The Dark Lord pulled his yew wand from the green-eyed man’s grasp with a wink. “I know.”
Doo just laughed.
Nick had known Doo for eight years, and, as he listened to his friend’s laughter, he realized that he’d never heard Doo laugh quite that freely before. Even with Zack, Doo was restrained. Nick had always thought it was because, on some level, Doo believed he was in danger from something, and that anyone he got too close to would also be in danger.
‘This Tom Marvolo is a person Doo feels safe around, feels can take care of himself, I guess. But, can he help Doo...?’ Nick sighed and popped the egg he’d just peeled into his mouth. ‘He cares about Doo, that’s obvious. I’m not quite sure Mr Marvolo’s realized it yet, but he does care for Doo. And Doo likes Marvolo being around, that’s kinda obvious too. They look good together, and they get along well... I suppose that’s good. But...I think I need to ask Deva about Marvolo. I get a creepy feeling around him...’
With that decision, Nick put the egg carton back in the fridge and slipped back downstairs. “Hey, boss-man, can I go over to the flower shop?”
Doo smiled. “Of course. Tell Deva hello for me.”
“And me, I suppose.” Tom added in calmly.
“Of course.” Nick nodded and vaulted over the counter.
“What have I told you about jumping over my counters?” Doo grumbled.
Nick grinned. “Not to.” He offered before leaving to Tom’s laughter. He wandered down the row until he got to the flower shop, then he stepped in with a smile. “Deva, I come with questions.”
Deva glanced up. “Oh, hello, Nick. Vat questions haff you for me?”
Nick sat himself backwards on a chair next to where Deva was working with a small rose bush. “Tell me about Tom Marvolo.”
Deva dropped the clippers she’d been using in shock. “T-Tom?”
Nick frowned. “Yeah.”
The Bulgarian nibbled on her lower lip nervously for a moment before making a choice. She stood and walked over to the door, which she locked. Then she turned around the sign that said whether she was open or not. Once done, she glanced back at Nick, who was frowning at her thoughtfully. “Come to the back.” She ordered, heading towards her back room.
Nick followed her quietly and sat in the chair she motioned to. “Why the secrecy?”
Deva sat with a heavy sigh. “Vat I am going to tell you is not something I should tell you.” She warned him seriously. “But I think it is something you deserve to knov.”
Nick nodded. “This is about Marvolo?”
“This is about many people.” Deva replied. “Let me start from the beginning.” Nick nodded. “First off, I am a vitch.”
Nick frowned. “A witch?” Deva nodded, biting her lower lip nervously. “Like, you can do magic?” The woman nodded again. Nick took a deep breath. “Okay. I can go with that. I mean, it explains some things, right? That’s good...”
Deva smiled slightly. “A little over thirty years ago, there vas an evil vizard vo vas trying to take over the vorld. The vole vorld, mind you, not just the magical one. His name vas Lord Voldemort, and people feared him, vith good reason.”
“How come he never took over the world?” Nick inquired.
“I am getting there.” The witch replied calmly. Nick offered her an apologetic look and she smiled. “Voldemort was stopped ven a Killing Curse he’d cast rebounded back on him. He became no more than a spirit. The baby he’d meant to kill vas named Harry Potter and he became famous.
“After many years, Voldemort came back for revenge, and to take over the vorld like he’d planned at first.”
“Did he fail?” Nick asked, his voice holding a pleading tone to it.
“Yes, and no.” Deva replied. “There was a big battle about ten years ago that ve call the Final Battle. In this battle, Voldemort fought vith Harry Potter, to the death. Potter died, and Voldemort cast a spell on all of the opposition on the field that vould make them forget everything. Ve call these people the Forgotten.”
“Doo. Doo’s a wizard, isn’t he?” Nick whispered, eyes wide. “And Hertha Riddock? Marvolo said she was once named Hermione Granger.”
Deva blinked a few times in surprise. “I vill trust his vord on that. He vould knov vat she looks like.”
“He knew her?”
“He knev everything about the Light. It vas his job.”
“What part did he play in this war?” Nick asked with a frown.
“Vill you promise not to run out of here and do something foolish?” Deva said by way of response.
Nick’s frown darkened. “Yes.” He growled.
Deva nodded. “Tom Marvolo is Lord Voldemort.” The witch replied calmly.
Nick twitched. “He doesn’t act like a man who wants to take over the world.”
“He has given up on the Muggle vorld. Your vorld. He is fine vith controlling the vizarding vorld right nov.”
Nick sighed and nodded. “Was Hermione Granger important?”
“Vat makes you think that?”
“The way you spoke of her.” Nick said dryly.
Deva smiled grimly. “Hermy-ovn Granger vas the tactical person for the Light, and she vas Potter’s best friend. She vas a dangerous person. Killed many of our people before Voldemort killed Potter and cast the spell.”
Nick nodded absent-mindedly. “Voldemort and Doo are getting close. Is there a reason why you put them together?”
“Vat makes you think I had any part in their friendship?” Deva inquired innocently.
“Deva.” Nick growled.
Deva smiled. “Voldemort is a very lonely man. My cousin and I haff been trying to find him a friend or maybe even a life companion for many years. He needs someone to see him as a person and not a ruler. Doo, I can see, also needs someone to lean on, and vy not the man vo hid his memories in the first place? Voldemort can help vith Doo’s flashbacks in vays both you and I cannot. Doo can see Voldemort as a real man because he knovs not vo he is, nor, I think, vould he care if he did.”
“No, he wouldn’t.” Nick shook his head. “How complicated. Do you think Voldemort will take the block from Doo?”
“It is a possibility, yes.”
“But not a very big one?”
“No.” Deva shrugged. “They haff knovn each other for one day, Nick, and they are already the best of friends. Do not ruin this, please?”
Nick looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking again. “On one condition.”
“Vat?” Deva asked suspiciously.
Nick smiled. “Will you go out with me this weekend?”
The witch’s eyes widened in surprise. “I- Yes! Yes, of course I vill!”
Nick nodded. “Then I shall play along and pretend Marvolo’s just another guy Doo dragged in with his charm.” He stood with a wink. “You gonna let me out now?”
Deva stood. “Also, you must not let anyone knov you knov of our people. Especially not Voldemort. He may like Doo, but he vill not pause in killing a Muggle that knovs our secrets.” She said seriously.
“I understand.” He replied seriously.
Deva nodded and led him out.
“I got a date with Deva!” Nick called as soon as he stepped back into the shop.
Tom stared at him in shock while Doo smirked. “I’ve been telling you for months to ask her out, you idiot. Why ask her so suddenly?”
“It was those eggs I ate.” Nick replied in a low, secretive voice.
“Best take them home, then.” Doo shot back. “You might need them for your date.”
“Tarrant, you’re one hell of a fucking bastard. Get out of my store.” Nick ordered, pointing at the door outside. “In fact, you’re fired.”
Doo’s eyes went wide and he grasped at his chest. “No, please, no.” He whispered in a horrified voice. “Anything but that Master Ripley. Anything! I beg you!” He fell to his knees behind the counter, disappearing from view.
Nick poked his head over the edge of the counter and grinned down at his boss. “You really should have taken up acting, Doo.”
“So you keep saying.” Doo agreed, pulling himself to his feet.
Tom clapped for them with a smile. “Bravo, gentlemen. Bravo.”
Both Nick and Doo bowed formally before grinning. “You should see when we have kids in here.” Doo said.
“I can hardly wait.” Tom replied dryly.
“Don’t like kids?” Nick inquired, vaulting over the counter. He ignored the scowl Doo shot at him, focusing, instead, on the Dark Lord.
Tom sighed. “No, not really. I mean, I used to watch the younger kids all the time at the orphanage.”
Doo picked up on that tidbit of information. “Orphanage?”
The Dark Lord gave both of the men who worked at the shop an odd look before nodding. “Yes. I grew up in an orphanage.”
Nick’s eyes widened while Doo frowned. “Why didn’t you live with your parents?”
Tom’s eyes narrowed, not at Doo, but at the past. “My father didn’t want me, my mother was dead.”
Doo scowled. “Then your father was a jackass. I hope he’s dead.” He said coldly.
Tom cocked his head to one side calmly, studying the furious Forgotten before him and his friend, who looked like he’d just pieced together a puzzle. “He is.” Was all he said. ‘No one’s ever cared before...’ Tom thought as Doo nodded once and turned to greet a customer. Nick was getting his smock. ‘Why does he care? He doesn’t know who I am. He doesn’t know what I’ve done. But...I don’t think he really cares, either... How very puzzling...’
“My Lord, you’ve been gone all day.” Goyle muttered as Voldemort swept into the Headmaster’s office coldly. “I looked for you, but Syna said you’d left this morning.”
“And so I did.” Voldemort replied before settling himself in an uncomfortable-looking chair. “Tell me, Goyle, why is it that Severus seems to think you have a small rebellion on your hands that you aren’t addressing?”
“I-I don’t, my Lord.”
“You are a bad liar, Goyle.”
Goyle took a breath, nervously eyeing the Dark Lord who sat so calmly before him. He hated serving that man. He hated serving that monster. “I am not aware of any rebellion, then, my Lord.” He said firmly, shielding the truth from the searching red gaze. He’d keep their secrets if it was the last thing he’d do.
“Then you don’t mind if I plan on remaining here for the rest of the week.” The Dark Lord declared cheerfully.
Goyle shuddered. A cheerful Voldemort was not a good thing. “Of course not, Lord. You are always welcome in my school.”
“Good.” Voldemort nodded and stood. “Good evening, Goyle.”
“Good evening, my Lord.” Goyle agreed. ‘And may you rot in Hell!’
Voldemort swept from the room and nodded at the shadows hiding against the wall. “He is lying. Keep a closer eye on him.”
Severus Snape stepped forward, greasy black hair hanging dully in front of his beady eyes. “As you command, my Lord.”
Syna stepped forward next to the Potions master. “You will spend more time at Tarrant’s shop tomorrow?”
The Dark Lord considered this for a moment before shaking his head. “Have your cousin tell him to expect me on Wednesday, instead. I’ll keep an eye on Goyle for tomorrow.”
“As you wish, Lord.” Both of his loyal servants agreed, bowing.
Voldemort nodded to them before sweeping down the spiral staircase.
-~/\~-
A/N: *sniggers* I’m putting the OCs together, ‘cause I have nothing better to do. Gomen.
Yes, Sev’s loyal to Voldemort. He was Voldemort’s man again by the end of the second war. Hope that clears that up(in case anyone was wondering...). *grins*
The Headmaster is the elder Goyle. He’s not as stupid as Gregory, but nor is he as brilliant as, say, Hermione.
Speaking of Hermione, do you like that I brought her in? I don’t know if I’ll ever really flesh out her story any more, so I’ll tell you here. She was pregnant during the Final Battle and gave birth to her son after the war was over. She took on the name Hertha Riddock because Hertha sounded right to her, and Riddock means “from the smooth field” and that’s the terrain of the area she was from. She and Doo are friends, yes, but they aren’t as close as they were back in Hogwarts. I don’t think they’ll ever be, actually. Hermione works at her son’s school as a teacher.
Also, Herm’s son, Renny, will be attending Hogwarts next year, when he turns eleven, so now you know he’s a wizard, k? We don’t know the father(it’s not Ron, so leave me alone.) and “Hertha” never married after the war.
~Batsutousai ^.^x
Prologue
1 - Hogwarts |||
4 - The Greatest Idiot ||| 5 - Another Clue ||| 6 - Discovered
7 - Harry Potter Lives ||| 8 - The Power Over the Dark ||| 9 - Answers
10 - The True Threat Becomes Known ||| 11 - Gathering Allies ||| 12 - A New Bond
13 - Culross and Her Staff ||| 14 - Courting Your Fate
Discontinued
.
no subject
Date: 8/5/05 04:47 (UTC)“My ex-boyfriend.” Doo offered as he held a teacup out to the Dark Lord, having noticed where he was looking. “I don’t have the heart to take the picture down, I’m afraid.”
In retrospect, since this is a reread... *smashes picture*
Dumbledore overdosed on calming draught AND sugar (contradictory surely - more reason for strangeness): *twinkle twinkle "... of course, my dear boy..." *twinkle twinkle* "Zzzzzzzzz..."
Doo smiled rather suddenly. “Can I keep you?”
Tom’s eyes widened. “Wh-what?!”
Sweeeeeeeeet!
“Oh. You were talking about that wand.” Tom sighed. *snerk*
"The vole vorld, mind you, not just the magical one."
Vole: Squeak squeak SQEAK squeak.
Translation: We shall NEVER surrender.
“On one condition.”
“Vat?” Deva asked suspiciously.
Nick smiled. “Will you go out with me this weekend?”
Way to get a date Nick!
“Tarrant, you’re one hell of a fucking bastard. Get out of my store.” Nick ordered, pointing at the door outside. “In fact, you’re fired.”
Doo’s eyes went wide and he grasped at his chest. “No, please, no.” He whispered in a horrified voice. “Anything but that Master Ripley. Anything! I beg you!” He fell to his knees behind the counter, disappearing from view.
Funfunfunfunfun!!!!
Doo scowled. “Then your father was a jackass. I hope he’s dead.” He said coldly.
I like him when he's being scary and protective.
“Good evening, my Lord.” Goyle agreed. ‘And may you rot in Hell!’
Goyle is expendable - kill him. Or have Doo do it. (Only if you wish to, of course)
Doo, or Doo not, there is no Harry - The Antiyoda of Chaos.
Subconsciously, I think Deva is a vampire - but that's just from reading too much Terry Pratchett. All those v's...
Still love this story.
Cheers!
no subject
Date: 9/5/05 00:06 (UTC)*snigger, snort*
Dumbledore overdosed on calming draught AND sugar (contradictory surely - more reason for strangeness): *twinkle twinkle "... of course, my dear boy..." *twinkle twinkle* "Zzzzzzzzz..."
*laughes*
Vole: Squeak squeak SQEAK squeak.
Translation: We shall NEVER surrender.
*headdesk*
Goyle is expendable - kill him. Or have Doo do it. (Only if you wish to, of course)
He's not quite expendable. I need him for the plot. Then we'll kill him! ^.~
Doo, or Doo not, there is no Harry - The Antiyoda of Chaos.
*falls over laughing*
Subconsciously, I think Deva is a vampire - but that's just from reading too much Terry Pratchett. All those v's...
Sadly, she's just Bulgarian. *amused look*
no subject
Date: 9/5/05 12:01 (UTC)Bulgarian, vampire... same dif. *blinks innocently*
no subject
Date: 10/5/05 01:23 (UTC)no subject
Date: 14/8/11 09:03 (UTC)well, i haven't read this one before and i really have to say that i like that idea a lot. it's really intriguing and i can't wait to read on, which is exactly what i plan on doing now, so bye!
*shuffles off to read the next part*