Chapter 15
Harry stared up at the ceiling. His life had become completely turned around while staying in Flint Manor. Marcus’s vow had changed something between them. Harry could feel whenever the other was near. Like a second beating of the heart. The presence, undeniable and always there. The other had been far more open now with him as well. Not that the other hid things from him before, but now it was like the flow of information was more freely given. His father had welcomed him to the family with open arms and though he spent a lot of time in his office attending to the needs of the family and title he was there for every meal and when they were in the library completing homework or simply talking.
He had taken time to explain what happened during the last task and even showed Marcus the note and gift he had received. They had come to the agreement that Harry should go alone despite Marcus wanting to go with him. It may disrupt the offer of peace talk. Then the talk of Marcus’s task was brought up. Apparently he had been approached by Barty before the task and told to return home and to take a parcel with him. He had done so without question and handed it off to a masked death eater that had been waiting with his father. He had been told he would be rewarded for his loyalty and service.
It was a confusing moment for sure and none of the pieces seemed to add up but Harry hoped they would soon. What would Voldemort need smuggled out of Hogwarts? Those questions could get answered today. His meeting with the man was only a few hours from now. He was dressed in a set of informal dress robes of green. His first few days had been mostly him just learning the manors and all the rules behind it. The next was being taken to the nearby magical town. It was the first time he had ever been in a real village. It had been a wonderful experience to be around so much magic and not stuck in the walls of it all.
Finally he dragged himself from the bed and straightened his robes before holding out his arm to the much larger serpent. It had a bit of a growth spurt now wrapping up around Harry’s arm to drape over his neck. A good four feet at last measure and it would continue to grow till it was an adult and about the size of a green anaconda. That was of course speculation as most adults of the species were rarely ever seen.
Once his familiar had settled he stretched carefully and stepped out of his room and down the hall. Marcus was with his father discussing some special event so he headed that way. Entering the main hallway until he reached the large double doors. Knocking gently and waiting patiently.
“Come in Harry.”
Said wizard smiled and entered the office, “I am leaving for my meeting. I wanted to let you know.”
Marcus stepped up close and took his hands kissing each one, “Will you be alright? I can escort you there and then leave.”
“I will be fine Marcus. He had assured my safety. I have to take this chance. I have my emergency portkey.”
Lord Flint stepped around the desk and settled a hand on the youngests shoulder, “You will be fine. Our Lord does not make such promises lightly. Even at the height of the war he kept to his word when he gave it.”
“Thank you sir. I have this feeling it will be alright.” He had been having such odd dreams lately and he wanted to ask Voldemort about them. He had so many questions. So many choices to make and tonight he would be deciding a few of them.
He gave his last goodbyes before going to the floo room and stepping into the fire and tossing the powder, “Serpent’s Hollow Password Walpurgus”
The world spun in a flash of green and he tumbled from the fire at the other end, almost faceplanting if not for a pair of arms catching him around the chest and shoulder.
“Hmm, so you were not lying when you stated that magical transportation is hard on you. I will work towards finding a more comfortable way of travel for you.” The voice was warm and honey dipped. The arms gave another squeeze before straightening and releasing him.
Harry looked up to see the man that he had been on the run from since he knew he had to be. He was tall and pale with flawless skin and a bone structure sharp enough to cut glass. Large red eyes peered at him over an aristocratic nose. It took him a few moments to realize that his skin wasn’t completely flawless; there were pepperings of scales green and vibrant in patches. One along his neck, another at his wrist. It was odd but not ugly or marring. It seemed to suit the man.
He quickly looked away and brushed the soot off his clothes and gave a polite nod of the head, “Thank you for agreeing to this peace talk uhm Lord Voldemort?” wincing some at not really know what to call the man.
A hand on his shoulder had him looking up into the red eyes, “Marvelo is fine but only when it is just us. Lord Voldemort will work around my followers.”
He nodded and followed the gentle pushing to a set of chairs facing each other with a low table in the center and a box placed on top of it. Each chair had its own side table and was settled in front of a large fire. A circle of runes already drawn around the chairs. Everything looked right from what he had studied but runes were still far beyond his talents. Marcus was much better at them. The chairs were a deep brown on a plush tan carpet. There were accents of silver and green giving the room a woodsy feel. “It’s beautiful. Makes you feel like you're in a forest.”
“I found this room to always be one of the more neutral ones. The rest of the manor is more Slytherin styled. Greens and silvers with hints of blue and gray. Very sophisticated but I prefer more down to earth things. Always have. Though the luxury is nice.”
Harry nodded, “So, I read a bit about this but not how to activate the circle.”
The Dark Lord stepped into the circle and touched the box, “We are to place our wands in this box and close it then place our blood on top. Only a drop each. That activates the circle. Only we can be within, so your snake must stay behind.”
He flushed, “Oh yes of course. He is my familiar, Araphel.”
“He is a lovely familiar and a good choice. I know him and Nagini have met before. He may join her if he wishes. Or just remain outside the circle.”
Harry nodded and knelt to let the snake slither off and around the room to his hearts content before entering the circle and placing his wand in the box. Watching as the Dark Lord followed suit and together they closed the box and pricked a finger to seal the circle and begin the peace talk.
He leaned back into the comfy chair and was surprised to find tea and a few biscuits already on the table ready for them both to enjoy. He took the tea, knowing it was safe inside the circle and settled back, “Where to begin. I feel like we could be here for days.”
The tall male nodded and settled back himself partaking in the tea. “Indeed. I find myself curious as to how this talk will go.”
“I guess I want to start with, why did you come after me?”
“Ah, that would be a good place to start. The beginning of it all.” He stated, swirling the liquid in his cup, “I would say it was a combination of insanity, fear, and a prophecy.”
Harry blinked, “The first two I can understand by why a prophecy? Why would there be a prophecy about me?”
The man sighed and leaned back, “I only ever heard a piece of it, but in my mental state I took it for fact and attacked you to stop it from coming true. I see now that I only fortified the prophecy, in a way.”
“What did it say?”
“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies”
“That is what you went off of to choose who to kill? That seems a bit vague. You also mentioned your mental state?”
“Yes, you see, at that time in the war I was quite insane. Lost to my own power and greed. It took me losing my body and being stuck in such a reduced state to think about what had happened. You touching Quirrell began the process, something happened when you made contact with that piece of my soul. I began seeing where it all went wrong and have been working to correct my mistake.”
Harry took a long sip of his tea, “I won’t go as far as to ask what that mistake was but I am glad you saw it for what it is. Now to find out where that leaves us?”
“Indeed. You wished to speak about something specific. We have until midnight before the circle expires and I wish you home safely by then. It seems you have gained an ally in the Flint Family.”
He blushed a little, “Marcus is a wonderful person.”
“Indeed. A good match. You seem to find allies everywhere you go. Even my own Barty speaks of you like you have hung a moon just for him.”
Harry looked down at the cup of tea and watched a few loose leaves sink to the bottom. “I want to remain neutral in the upcoming war. I know that some will want me to fight but I don’t want that. I want a family and a place to belong.”
The Dark Lord peered at him curiously, “You would stay out of the fight? Even after I killed your parents?”
“Yes. You tried to spare my mother and my father knew what he was doing when he chose to fight against you in the war. I never really knew them and though I know what you did is wrong. What does killing you or fighting you actually do? Nothing. It just perpetuates the need for revenge and hate.”
The man made a soft hum and set his mug to the side, “I do not know if Dumbledore will allow you to become neutral. There will be sides in this upcoming war and lines will be drawn. If you do not choose one, someone may choose that side for you.”
Harry sighed and drained the cup, “What do you suggest.”
Voldemort smiled softly, “Join me. You won’t have to fight or participate unless you wish to. You would be safe from my followers and myself. I could protect you against Dumbledore as well.”
“I’m worried that you're right. When I woke up from returning he seemed odd. Like he knew I would see his way. Terence had me go through a cleansing potion and I felt better after.”
“There are many options that can change a person's mind or influence someone. If you joined me Harry I could protect you against him.” The man peered at him, red eyes glittering with an emotion that he was used to seeing from Marcus.
“Can I have time to think about it? I would like answers to my questions. I couldn’t support murder or torture.”
“Not even for people like your Uncle? Does he deserve such mercy when he never gave it to you? I could deal with him and people like him. Those that have hurt you. Betrayed you.”
Harry frowned, “What would joining you require of me specifically?” choosing not to rise to the bait the other dangled.
“I would not have you take my mark. You would not be a death eater. I would however like you to train as one. Learn all what magic has to offer. This would include the dark arts among others.”
“So what would I be if not a death eater?” so far it didn’t feel like a bad deal.
“My apprentice.”
Harry blinked in surprise, “You would make me your apprentice? Won’t others get jealous or be upset about that?”
The man laughed, “I don’t care if they do. I want you to be mine, Harry and I will give you anything to make that happen.”
“Yours? How am I yours?”
“I don’t know yet, but I know you're mine. I have come to terms with you choosing Marcus for your suitor and I approve of it. He will be a good protector and husband but in the end, you are mine.” The tone grew low and dark, daring Harry to question him further on it.
Harry shivered, “Does this have anything to do with those strange dreams I have been having?”
Voldemort glanced at the clock, “What dreams?”
Harry relaxed back and began to describe the few dreams he had and the rush of emotions that weren’t his own. The more he spoke on it the more the man seemed intrigued.
“Interesting. I am not sure how that is possible. You have been experiencing events I have lived through. Seeing them through my eyes. I am guessing the emotions are mine as well. I must admit, I have a theory but I would like time to study it more before we talk about this.”
Harry nodded, “I would appreciate that.”
“Excellent, now it is nearly 7 and I think your current guardians would like you home at a decent hour and to have dinner. The next time we meet we can discuss things further. Both your decision and this connection between us.”
The man stood and extended his hand to help Harry out of his and together they broke the circle and retrieved their wands. The younger was escorted back to the floo and sent on his way. Voldemort watched him go before his face grew dark, he would have Potter on his side. It was only a matter of time. If the boy was what he thought he was, oh yes. Dumbledore didn’t stand a chance.