True Caretaker
Harry P.O.V
(It's going to be his for a while if ya haven't noticed yet; also let me know if ya'll search Apollyon's name... I do my research sometimes, and I'm not religious so this is for DRAMATIC effect. Also because I wish to see some discussion about the name... Up to you all)
It's been a week. A week since Harry had summoned Apollyon, a week since everything has changed. Since finding out about his magic and forging history; in his experimentation this past week he was able to clean up the rest of the mess he made and repair everything he broke with a few wishes and wants. Unfortunately, there have yet to be any other animals alive or dead for Harry to forge. Luckily, Apollyon was smart and deadly enough for it to be worth whatever trade-off fate made with him for his demon.
Apollyon had taken to the role of caretaker quite well, stealing food from grocery bags or refrigerators from the fools who'd left their windows open; there were enough forgotten plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery for him to eat off of. The demon had claimed to be something of a scholar when he was alive and so Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker about teaching him how to properly write, understand texts, calculate mathematics, and understand sciences (cleaning done and being trapped in the attic didn't leave much for one to do) and filled the majority of their time; Apollyon even managed to snatch a fountain pen from somewhere to practice with when finding another small note from Lily- his mother- advised he practice writing with a quill.
While Apollyon was a stricter teacher when it came to grading and giving praise, he explained everything thoroughly and clearly and was patient with any questions Harry asked, no matter how dumb-stupid it seemed ("Don't use the word 'dumb'!" Apollyon had said some time ago. "It makes you sound stupid!"), and the fast pace and length of each lesson had turned Harry into quite a scholar for his age; even if it had been only a week.
Yesterday Apollyon started on how 'having charisma' is the key to most success with people. Harry himself didn't truly understand why charisma is so important, as the only other person who's been referred to as charming around him is Dudley. However, the ability to recognize and understand subtle body language and glimpse someone's wants from the conversation is a useful skill and will be needed.
Harry wouldn't be able to use his new found knowledge anytime soon with the Dursleys', particularly Vernon's disgusting breath going to be breathing down his neck in a day or so; most definitely hoping he died in this attic and play the 'stupid nephew managed to lock himself in the attic while we were gone, didn't bring him because of his delinquent tendencies, and killed himself' card. They would use his death to their full advantage: more days off, attention from pitting neighbors, possible money compensations, anything they could milk from his death.
Apollyon claimed that there were plenty of souls from similar people in hell, but were made into mindless creatures for forgemasters to use as they please. 'And to think the Dursleys believe they're going to heaven, even bragged about being rewarded for taking 'care' of him. Maybe they'll be in my control one day, I wonder if they will be the animals they resemble.' Harry chuckled a bit at the irony, turning the page of a book he had in his lap; another reread.
All the while, Apollyon was perched on a box behind him. "Are you ready for your revenge?" He asked unblinkingly, he nodded.
"What is the first thing you will do?"
"Improve my reputation, starting with the teachers."
"Why are the teachers the first target?"
"It will be easy to prove my intelligence if I willingly go under their direct watch, get Dudley in trouble for lying, will start the first spread of rumors once the teachers start openly discussing it, and may be a safe haven for me if I play my cards right as it will be out of Dursley influence and allow me to truly grow and have access to plenty of recourse; teachers included." He said plainly, having gone over it the seventh time.
"And?" Apollyon questioned sharply.
Harry rolled his eyes but dutifully responded, "And I may make a few allies in my time there."
Apollyon's eyes narrowed at the attitude. "Remember young one, hardships are just that much harder and lonelier the more you are alone."
"And also makes great leeway for traitors and backstabbers." Harry said sharply, jerking his head over his shoulder.
"That's only if you tell them the wrong things." He raised a brow at the mutated bat, unbelieving.
Apollyon sighed in response and continued, "To ensure allies stay allies, you need to know what their interests are and how to twist your words in a way that makes your interest align with theirs. Tell them only the information they need to know, consider their ideas and praise their intelligence occasionally. Build a persona for them so well they won't even take note when you lose it. Tell them enough to be able to work with but hide everything else so even if they betray you, they won't know who you truly are or any good information to sell off." He lectured as if common information. "Not only will I teach you how to get information and useful allies, but how to intertwin the two to create a beautiful network of webs with dozens of points for support. Even if one or five were to be cut, you still have a few dozen more support points unknown to the ones who cut the web. Points that will then support you in cleaning up those loose ends and rebuilding them if desired or necessary. Those are what allies can do for you, if picked right." Apollyon finished with flare.
"You would do this all that for me?" Harry asked, surprised by the devotion in those eyes as Apollyon talked.
"Of course I will only be able to teach these points as they happen, and will continue to do so until I feel you have mastered those skills." The two sat in silence for a few long moments, Harry had his head tilted down not knowing what else to say.
The demon bat sighed, "Look at me Harry." His head shot up to look the bat in the eyes, he had never called him "Harry" before now, "I am not these relatives of yours, I am not the instructors at your institute, I am not the neighbors gossiping about you being a delinquent, and I am certainly not that crazy cat lady your relatives used as your sitter... I am here because of you and I am here for you, Master. You are the one to bring me from hell and you are the only one I will ever be loyal to while I'm here. I will do as you say, and you told me to be a guardian and a caretaker of sorts, so I will be a caretaker and guardian to the best of my ability; and my standards are certainly not the abysmal standards your previous caretakers had for you or their own boy if what you've told me about them is anything to go by. You asked me to be a caretaker, so I will be your True Caretaker as the ones you've had before have certainly been fake." Apollyon finished, voice softer then it's been since the bats revival.
Harry starred at the other's eyes, looked for any hint of a lie that Apollyon taught him to look for and found none. He smiled and with the softest voice he's ever used, said "I think I'll be alright with that."
With the moon shining through that attic window, encasing the two in the beautiful light of the night. The one that allows those to look upon its beauty without burning their eyes as punishment for their daring.
(Sorry for such a long delay in updating anything. Hope this helps make up for it!)