FIC: The Bloody Feather ~ 04 ~ R

[batsutousai]

Title: The Bloody Feather
Author: batsutousai
Rating: M/R
Pairings: Tom/Harry, others
Warnings: Clearly AU, OOCness, child abuse, anti-Dumbledore, pro-Hermione and Ron and Ginny
Summary: Even heroes need a saviour, and when an unknown admirer starts sending Harry letters the summer before his sixth year, it's time for Harry to meet his.

Disclaim Her: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N: So, I haven't really felt like writing in a while – got out of the habit when I couldn't find enough time over the summer with a computer to actually try and type. People have been reviewing this fic again and I was like, 'Oh, yeah, I know where that notebook is. I saved it out when I moved, 'cause I was using it, or planning to...' So I pulled the notebook out and carried it around for a while and now I'm typing again. Off and on, but at least I’m doing it?


-0-0-0-

-0-0-0-

After Harry had broken the news of his sexual persuasion to the other Gryffindors, he occasionally got random students coming up to him to tell him that they supported him or that they, themselves, were gay, and had been moved by Harry's bravery. (There were also the few that come up to him and told Harry how disgusting he was, but Harry just ignored them with the ease of long practise.) The whole thing was really rather mind-boggling. However, by the end of the third week, Harry was getting sick of all the attention.

"They like knowing you're human too," Hermione said in response to Harry's complaints, while Ginny and Neville offered him sympathetic looks and Ron pretended he hadn't spoken.

Needing a sympathetic ear, and not quite trusting Snape to not laugh in his face, Harry settled down one evening and drafted out a letter to Riddle, who had replied soothingly to his last letter about Ron and had continued to send flowers and candies through out the following weeks.

The letter was sent with Starlight on Friday morning and Harry received a reply that same evening.

'Harry,
'I have to agree with Hermione on this one; you are a figurehead for the wizarding masses, and they like to gossip about famous people, as I'm sure you've already figured out. I know this wasn't the response you were looking for, but I fear I have as many comforting words for your current plight as your friends. I do apologise for that.
'Care to join me for a butterbeer tomorrow morning?
'Raven'

Harry sighed. Why not? They needed to make it a bit more obvious, right?

-0-

"I'm meeting Raven in the Three Broomsticks," Harry told his friends as they stepped into Hogsmeade proper.

"And we get to come meet him if we so wish, correct?" Ginny pressed.

Harry felt his cheeks heat up. "If you want," he muttered.

Ginny gave him a terrifying grin. "Great," she said, while Hermione let out a peal of laughter and Ron scowled.

Harry groaned. "Go easy on him, Ginny. I do happen to like the man, you know."

Ginny kissed Harry's cheek, smiling when he frowned at her. "Just showing that I care."

"Try not to scare him off. Please?" Harry requested, looking so pitiful that Hermione stopped laughing and Ron's scowl smoothed out.

Ginny's smile softened. "Of course not. You know I'm only teasing."

"Thanks," Harry whispered, looking relieved.

"Well, I'm going to Zonko's," Ron announced loudly.

Harry just rolled his eyes. "Have fun, then."

But Hermione turned on Ron with a furious expression, apparently fed up with his great show of ignoring Harry. "Oh no you won't! You'll be coming with us to meet Raven or I'll give you detention for being a bigot! With Snape!"

"But, Hermio–"

"Shut. Up."

Harry and Ginny traded amazed looks. They knew Hermione was nearing the end of her rope with Ron, but they hadn't thought she gotten fed up enough to say 'shut up,' yet. Ron looked just as stunned. Hermione couldn't have shut him up faster if she'd hit him with a Silencing Spell.

As The Three Broomsticks came into sight, Hermione grabbed a hold of the side of Ron's jacket collar and proceeded to half-drag him into the building, Harry and Ginny following with smiles and the same thought: Glad I'm not Ron.

It wasn't until Hermione had stepped into the crowded pub that she realized that she had no idea what Raven looked like, as only Harry had ever met the man. "Er, lead the way, Harry," she said, smiling faintly at the amused Harry.

Harry smiled back, then turned to the crowd of faces with a sinking feeling. He was pretty sure that Riddle would disguise himself this close to Hogwarts, but he wasn't sure what sort of disguise he would wear. He didn't know the man that well, though he certainly knew him better than most.

"Harry!" A tall, thin man stepped easily out of the crowd. His features were plain and inconspicuous, the sort of person one could easily lose in a crowd. If not for his shout and the midnight owl travelling pleasantly on his shoulder, Harry would have completely overlooked him.

"Hey, Raven," Harry said, his lips twisting up of their own will.

Riddle stopped in front of Harry and gently ruffled his hair. "You're letting it grow out again?" he inquired.

Harry ducked his head. "Yeah. I liked it better long. It behaves that way."

"Told you," Riddle teased with a grin, then glanced behind Harry at the group of teens. "And I see you've brought your friends."

"Oh, we're only here to make certain you'll treat Harry right," Ginny replied with a shrug. "I mean, someone's got to do it."

Riddle chuckled while Harry's face turned crimson. "Let's all go sit down before you quiz me, then. And I'm afraid I only know your names from Harry's letters, so you'll have to forgive me if I get you mixed up," the tall wizard offered, motioning for them to follow him through the crowd.

Starlight fluttered over to Harry's shoulder and proceeded to tease his human for his blush. Harry scowled back and stated, "You've been spending too much time with Raven," which sent Riddle into gales of laughter and tugged grins from Ginny and Hermione.

The group settled around the table Riddle had grabbed before the Hogwarts crowd had descended upon the pub, Ginny and Hermione sitting on either side of Ron on one side of the table and Riddle sitting on Harry's left on the other. Riddle knew that Harry would rather have him on his blind side, as opposed to the entire pub. "Introduce me, Harry," Riddle pressed gently.

"Raven, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and Ginny Weasley. Guys, Raven Desdemona," Harry murmured.

Riddle touched Harry's shoulder gently, concern dancing in his false brown eyes. "Are you alright?"

Harry shrugged his left shoulder, mindful of Starlight on his right. "Yeah."

Riddle pursed his lips and, much to Harry's surprise, pulled him into a gentle hug.

Harry rested his head on the other's shoulder, closing his eyes. Much as he distrusted Riddle, he found that he couldn't help but be comfortable in the man's presence. "Thanks," he whispered against the other.

"Of course," Riddle breathed.

Clicking heels interrupted the quiet moment and Harry pulled away gently, avoiding his friends' eyes in favour of looking up at the newcomer. "Hullo, Madam Rosemerta."

The witch smiled brightly down at the members of the table. "And what can I get for some of my favourite Hogwarts students today?"

"Butterbeer!" Harry and Ron chorused immediately, then burst out laughing after trading wary looks.

Hermione and Ginny joined in with the laughter, relieved looks on their faces, so Riddle took the initiative with a faint smile on his face and ordered five butterbeers. Madam Rosemerta walked away with a cheerful look.

"You two are such idiots!" Hermione said suddenly, making Ron and Harry laugh all the harder.

-0-

"Things are solved between you two, then?" Riddle inquired as he and Harry walked through the town, after having ditched the other three teens.

Harry shrugged. "Kinda. It's more like we've come to an agreement: He promises to try things the way they are for a while and I promise to not push him."

Riddle snorted. "So many words in simple laughter."

Harry smiled faintly. "You'd be surprised what's possible after five years of friendship."

"I shouldn't be," Riddle murmured, "knowing what your friendship has been through I like do."

"Perhaps." Harry shrugged. "Where to now? Or are we just wandering?"

"Since I cannot take you from Hogsmeade, we're going right here," Riddle said before taking a gentle hold of Harry's left elbow and leading him into the small, Muggle-style weapons shop.

"Why here, Ri-Raven?" Harry inquired, just barely catching himself.

Riddle shot him an amused look. "Why not? I'm sure a small knife or something of the like would prove useful."

Harry looked away. He knew the other was referring to Vernon. "It's not such a big deal, Raven."

Riddle pressed his lips to Harry's cheek. "It is to me. I don't like seeing you hurt."

Harry felt his cheeks flush. "Fine," he agreed quietly.

Riddle took Harry's hands gently and waited until the younger wizard looked up again before speaking, "If you don't wish for this, dear heart, I won't force you."

"I know." Harry sighed.

Riddle nodded. "Why don't you pick something that you like?"

Harry frowned, suddenly think of something. "You're paying, aren't you?" he asked suspiciously.

"Of course." Riddle smiled. "I like spoiling you."

Harry moved to look over the selection as he fought another blush. Why am I always blushing around him? It's like I'm a bloody girl!

Riddle stayed back and watched Harry browse the cases, smiling as the teen became more interested with each passing weapon. Riddle had figured that, with Harry's life up until this point and his natural abilities in Defence, he'd probably excel in non-magical defence as well.

Harry returned to Riddle after few moments of browsing.

"Did you find something?" Riddle inquired, still smiling.

Harry's cheeks bloomed pink. "Yes," he allowed.

"Let's see it, then."

Harry led Riddle over to one of the smaller glass cases and pointed at a small knife that was probably about the length of Riddle's hand – a little longer than Harry's own. The hilt was covered in a criss-crossing, Celtic-like design of snakes. The small scabbard had one serpent going around the end, where the scabbard met the hilt.

Riddle's smile widened and he motioned the owner of the shop over to them. "I would like this one, if you would," he said.

"Not a problem, sir." The man touched his wand to his side of the case and the glass disappeared. While Harry watched on in wonder, the man called the knife out, then touched where the glass had been and it appeared again. "Right this way, sirs," the man called, motioning for Harry and Riddle to follow him over to the register. Riddle led an amazed Harry over with a fond smile.

-0-

After a stop at the bookstore for a few books that Riddle insisted Harry get in self-defence, the two wizards met back up with Harry's friends at The Three Broomsticks for lunch.

Lunch went much smoother than Riddle's first meeting with Harry's friends, since Ron wasn't trying to get away and Hermione wasn't two steps from killing him for it. Rather, Ron spent lunch telling Harry all about how he was going to use all the pranks he'd just spent his last Knut on from Zonko's to prank his brothers. While Harry and Ginny tried telling him it wouldn't work through their laughter; Hermione was busy trying to convince Luna – who Ginny had found somewhere and dragged along – that Wrumplaghouls didn't exist. Riddle just smiled and contented himself with watching Harry be happy.

Lunch ended on a happy note that shattered when they got outside. Riddle stopped off to the side of the crowded street and gave Harry a sad look, then said, "I need to get back before my housemates start to miss me."

Harry felt like the air had been knocked out of him. He'd been having so much fun that he'd forgotten that Riddle was, in fact, Lord Voldemort, his mortal enemy. "O-of course..." he stuttered.

Riddle and Harry's friends all frowned in concern. "Harry?" Hermione asked.

Harry forced a smile that probably would have fooled anyone but the five around him. "I'm fine."

No one believed him, but Harry's four friends let it go, knowing that pushing it was likely to either make it worse, or make Harry clam up. Riddle just sighed and drew the young wizard into a hug. "I'm sorry, dear heart," he whispered.

Harry's smile turned sad. "Me too." Then he pulled away. "Best get going before they get it in their minds that they need to come hunting for you."

"The horror," Riddle assured Harry, earning him a small, but quite real smile of amusement. "Behave."

Harry stuck out his tongue. "Pot-kettle, Raven."

Riddle chuckled, then nodded to Harry's friends, who were all smiling. "It was a pleasure meeting you all. Do me a favour and keep an eye on his this year for me?"

Hermione, Ron and Ginny all laughed while Luna smiled distractedly and Harry scowled. "You're such an arse," he informed the Dark Lord.

"It was a pleasure for us as well, Raven," Ginny assured the elder wizard with a smile. "And don't worry, we'll tie him to his bed later."

"Ginny!"

Harry's friends laughed while he pouted some more.

Riddle winked at the laughing group before leaning over and gently kissing Harry. Then, without another word, he left them with a quiet crack.

Harry touched his lips, surprised. "Well then..." he murmured, mostly to himself.

"Well what?" Hermione asked carefully once she'd gotten her amusement under control.

"He's never kissed me before, that's all..." Harry replied absent-mindedly.

"You're acting a bit like a girl, mate," Ron informed him warily.

"Ronald!" Hermione turned on the red-head with a furious look.

But Harry just laughed. It was good to have his best mate back again.

-0-

After another week of his schoolmates driving him up the wall, Harry finally took Snape's offer of sanctuary and snuck down to the dungeons under his father's old cloak. Using his map, he easily located Snape's room door and knocked.

The door opened and Snape frowned at the floating, disembodied hand for a long moment before standing back and letting the young wizard enter. Harry waited until his professor had closed the door again before taking off his cloak. Then the two wizards stared at one another for a long moment

Snape broke the uncomfortable silence with a curt, "Sit," and motioned to a couple of chairs situated before a fireplace, before disappearing swiftly into an adjoining room.

Harry sat gingerly, setting his cloak over the arm of the chair and his school bag next to his feet. Then he took a look around the room.

Simply put, the room was cold and the walls were made up of damp-looking stone. A dying fire flicked in the barren fireplace on the other side of a sturdy coffee table from the three mismatched chairs, one of which Harry sat in. The only other furniture in the room was a desk piled high with scrolls, the stern chair that sat before it and the wall of bookcases bracketing the desk on the far wall.

Unlike the rest of the castle dungeons, Snape's rooms weren't dark. The walls seemed to glow and three torches cradled against the glowing wall lit the room nicely.

"Yes?" Snape inquired of Harry's perusal of his rooms, setting a silver tea tray on the coffee table and taking a seat across the table from Harry.

I didn't expect your rooms to be so light," Harry replied honestly as he took a small biscuit.

Snape allowed a snort. "Most people don't, I assure you."

"I know – I live with the Gryffindors," Harry replied with a faint smile.

Snape stared at him for a long moment before asking, "Who are you and what have you done with Potter?"

Harry burst out laughing.

Snape allowed himself a small smile, which he hid from his guest behind his cup. Laugh away, Potter. You look like you need a good laugh. He frowned to himself when he realized how thin the young man was and how worn out he looked. As Harry's laughter calmed to a peaceful smile, Snape asked, "Potter, how much sleep are you getting?"

Harry's expression turned blank and a part of Snape was impressed by the mask. "Do I really look that bad?"

Snape pursed his lips. "You look like you might fall over, dead, at any moment."

Harry groaned and rubbed at the bridge of his nose under the false glasses. "Great. Raven's going to have my head."

"He can hardly see your current state, Potter," Snape pointed out, slightly confused. How would the teen's friend find out how he looked? Unless one of Potter's Gryffindor lackeys was reporting back on his status.

"Starlight'll tattle on me – Raven's told him to watch me," Harry explained numbly. "I'm going to get it in his next letter..." The young man looked like he might cry.

Snape sighed and transfigured his extra chair into a comfortable couch. "Take a nap, Potter. I'll wake you in time for dinner."

"Thank you, sir," Harry whispered gratefully, moving over to the larger piece of furniture.

Snape just nodded and conjured the boy a blanket. He wasn't used to being thanked, least of all thanked by a Potter.

-0-0-0-

A/N: So, I promised on my LJ that I would get this chapter typed up before November started, since I'm planning to do NaNoWriMo this year and I won't have the time to do much of anything else with that and my reading/papers for my classes. (Never mind that I'll probably have to take the GRE during that month, too.)
For anyone who's interested, the info about my NaNo piece is on my LJ – link to my LJ is on my profile as my homepage – and I'll also be posting what I've got written up there as well, so you can read along, if you want to.

I think that's all. Uhm, didn't really beta the end of this story more than spell check 'cause I wanted to get it out – the sooner this is posted, the sooner I can go eat. XD So forgive any mistakes.

~Bats

Chapters:
One ||| Two ||| Three ||| Four ||| Five
Six ||| Seven ||| Eight
Incomplete

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Comments

[(Anonymous)]

This story is wonderful, I love it.

Good luck on your NaNoWriMo! I'm very interested to read it! Can't wait.
-Syio

[mizstorge.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this update - I found it to be quite uplifting today of all days to read about tolerance for diversity in the Wizarding world!

The Bloody Feather Fic

[elfin69.livejournal.com]

This is a wonderful fic and I hope you update it again soon