Chapter 24
Harry took a deep breath as he looked into the mirror. The entire day had been such a wonder. It had started out early with being woken up by Nagini telling him he was expected in the dining room. Stumbling through getting ready and dressing he had made his way down to an extravagant breakfast with his new Father. They ate and the man had told him that tonight would celebrate both his birthday and announce his courtship. He had been nervous but they had been planning it for the past couple of weeks. Now here he was getting ready for the ball and struggling to figure out how to do his tie.
A deep chuckle, “Still don’t know how to tie one?”
He turned and gave the man a glare, “Not really.” He tilted his head up as long pale hands took the tie and began to work it into a windsor knot.
“There. Your cufflinks look good.” Then slowly he smiled and looked to the side, plucking up the wreath of silver and emerald he had worn for the Yule Ball, “This is beautiful and it suits you well. Heir Flint chose well.” He settled it on Harry’s head then took a step back to look at his son.
Harry had grown an inch or so over the summer, the three piece silver suit fit him well and instead of a robe he wore a ceremonial cloak of deep green and black. It was hoodless and draped over his shoulder in warm folds of acromantula silk. His dragon hide boots came up to his knees over the fitted pants and his sheath could be seen on his thigh with his dagger. The young wizard flushed under the intense stare, “Do I look that bad?”
Voldemort shook his head, “No, you look exquisite. I find myself wanting to do something that would make you hate me.” His red eyes glinted dangerously.
Green eyes widened, “You can’t kill Marcus.”
The man sighed, though the faint hiss of displeasure was clear, “I am not going to. He has not given me a reason to and as of right now, he makes you the happiest. So he lives.” The threat was made clear in his voice.
Harry sighed and shook his head before reaching and plucking up Araphel, draping him about his shoulders, “He does make me happy.” He stepped over to the vanity and picked up the black ring box and opened it smiling down at the ring in the box. It had been designed and made to perfection. He clicked it closed and tucked it into his pocket then turned, “Tonight, I get to show everyone just how happy he makes me.”
Voldemort smiled softly at him and pulled him close, gripping him tightly to him, “As long as he makes you happy.” He took a step back, “Tonight I will escort you until it is time for you to be handed to him. First is the formal dinner, you will sit on my right. Tonight I will be served first, then you. Then the rest. I will take the first bite, then you.”
Harry nodded, “I know. I won’t forget.”
“I know. Normally I do not care if you follow etiquette but tonight it is essential.” He paused for a moment and sat, “Normally at these formal affairs, there would be entertainment. I have forgone it tonight because I know you are not ready for such things and we will have other guests.”
Harry frowned, “What sort of entertainment?”
The man chuckled, “A spot of torture. Normally against someone we have caught. Or as a test for those wishing to join the ranks. I have the perfect specimens but you are not ready.”
The teen shifted, “If you were to do it tonight, who are they? What did they do?” He was beginning to see that the Dark Lord had a purpose for everything he did.
Red eyes caught his, “They are in our dungeons for child abuse, child neglect, and theft. Possibly more but that is all we know at this point in time.”
A thread of cold worked its way down his spine, “You didn’t.”
Voldemort stood and looked down at him, “I did. Don’t worry, they are still very much alive and we haven’t done much to them. Yet.”
Harry tightened his hands into fists, “You can’t just kidnap my family and not tell me!”
“So you would have me let them go? Let them get away with everything they have done to you? Would you have me let Dumbledore get away with it as well? He was paying them to hurt you Harry.”
Green eyes widened, “What?”
The man stepped over and took the younger’s face in his hands, staring down at him, “Those muggles deserve what I give them and more. I will never allow anyone who hurts you to live. Do you understand? I had your Marcus get them and bring them to me. He wanted too just as much as I. In this we agreed upon completely.”
Tears shown in the green eyes, “They are my only family.”
“Not anymore. Now they will be nothing but a memory, hopefully not even that in the future.” He kissed the other’s forehead gently.
Harry shivered, “I can’t watch that.”
“I would never make you but they will suffer.”
Voldemort adjusted the tie and smoothed the others' jacket and cloak, “There, you look like the prince you are meant to be. Let us go greet our guests. Most are already here. Some are running a bit late, they like to make an entrance.”
“So this is all what? Your followers and their families?”
“Some yes. Also sympathizers and the like. Those who want the return of the old ways. Important figure heads from around the world. You see tonight I am not Voldemort or the Dark Lord. I am Lord Ares Slytherin. Lucius has been helping me reinstate myself properly. I am coming back into the world as a Lost heir, homeschooled due to my creature inheritance marking my person. My parents felt I would feel safer being raised away from England.”
Harry shook his head, “So you are going to disguise yourself as Ares Slytherin?”
“No need to. Harry, thanks to you the world believes Voldemort to be a noseless monster. Then Dumbledore has long squashed any memory of Tom Riddle. Noone knows what I look like outside of my followers. All thanks to you.” He settled a hand on the others shoulder, “When you re-enter the world you will be Heir Harry James Potter Slytherin. Adopted son of Ares Slytherin. Your home was attacked by death eaters and your family killed. You managed to flee on the Knight Bus to your fiance Marcus where I was having dinner with the family. We met and hit it off quite well and I decided to extend my place for you to stay. You began staying with me and I offered to adopt you.”
The younger blinked, that was actually a good tale to spin. He smiled, “that sounds like a beautiful happenstance that would make me happy.” He grinned and hugged the other.
“Good, now we have people waiting. Shall we, my son?” He extended his arm and Harry took it happily and the two began walking through the home and down a large staircase to the ballroom that had been decorated for tonight. People were talking and partaking in the wine and small horderves available. When they reached the middle landing a chime sung out and people paused in their talk to look up at them.
Voldemort raised his free hand, “Thank you everyone for coming tonight to celebrate the coming of age of my son Harry Potter-Slytherin. It is an honor to have you all here this evening. I have not known my new son for long but he has made me proud in his accomplishments and steadfast loyalty.” He turned and raised their joined hands, “Tonight we have this celebration in his honor to welcome him into courtship age.”
Harry flushed and kept his head held high, now was not the time to shy away with embarrassment. He had agreed to this. He looked out at all the people and recognized a few from the tournament judges and other officials he had learned about over time. The minister was here along with several death eaters that he knew about that had not been caught or had been exonerated the first time. School friends were here as well much to his surprise. The speech finished and soon they were walking down the steps and toward the large dining hall where dinner seating had already been laid out and prepared. He was led to his seat and took it as his father took his and watched others find theirs with the small slips of paper in each place setting. Sitting across from him was Lord Malfoy and next to him was Marcus to his joy.
Marcus stepped close and kissed his cheek, “You look lovely Harry.” then sat next to him, Marcus’s father on his other side.
“Thank you. I had to have help with the tie.” He admitted softly.
“I thought I taught you how to tie them.” the voice from the other side piped up and Harry looked over to see Draco.
“One lesson is not teaching Heir Malfoy. I have the basics down though.”
Voldemort piped up softly, “It was a more complicated knot for this evening. He did well for his attempt.” Then looked around at the table waiting for everyone to be seated, “I was never very good at them either. It took many hours of practicing in front of a mirror to get it right. As I am sure you remember.” He gave the blond a sharp look.
“Of course Lord Slytherin.” The words clipped and careful.
The minister chuckled, “ah to be young and arrogant again.” He patted Draco on the arm, “You have to forgive the young Lord Slytherin they speak without the practice of wisdom.”
“Indeed Minster, how are you this evening?”
“Oh very well. Our talk last week had me excited to come and see your son. I must say, your words eased my heart. I had not realized how dangerous Hogwarts had become for the students. Honestly, hiding a basilisk attack from the Ministry and school board. How dreadful.”
Lord Malfoy nodded, “Indeed, and that is just a few of the transgressions we have come across. It is no wonder the tournament played such a hardship on young Heir Potter-Slytherin.”
Harry blinked in confusion, wait what. He felt like he was missing out on something important. He raised a brow at the Dark Lord who looked at him and chuckled softly.
“They are speaking of your credibility. Dumbledore has been using your admission of my return to bolster support and the Minister has been calling him and you a liar in the papers. Last week Lucius and I had a meeting with him and corrected him. Explained how much pressure Dumbledore placed on you and how your mind had simply had too much. Lucius has been going over all the things you have gone through at Hogwarts to launch an official quarry. Your name was cleared and now you can be a normal child in the eyes of the ministry and people.”
“So you turned me into a sob story instead of a liar?”
“Of course not. I merely turned the opinions to your favor. It will do well to have the Minister on our side.”
Harry laughed softly under his breath and turned back to see the surrounding people staring at him, “Apologies.” He nodded to them.
The minister shifted a little, “I was unaware you were a parselmouth Mr. Potter.”
Lord Malfoy cleared his throat, “It is Heir Potter Slytherin. Minister.”
“Ah yes, of course of course. My apologies.”
Harry shook his head, “It is fine Minister. It has been a change for all of us. As for being a parselmouth. I wasn’t aware it was a secret. It came out publicly in my second year of Hogwarts. Heir Malfoy conjured a snake during our duel and I spoke to it when it went to attack a student.”
“Ah yes, I was not made aware of that, forgive me.” The man wheezed out.
A soft chime and the first dish appeared before them, Voldemort raised his hands to call silence, “For our second course we will be enjoying caprese bites with a basil vinaigrette.” Harry waited till Voldemort took a bite and then took his own before everyone else started eating as well.
Harry took one of the small bites and had to bite back the noise he usually made when eating something delicious. It was a conspiracy to get him to try new things. He could feel several sets of eyes on him as he ate and had to will himself not to blush. Dammit they all planned this. By the time the main course was served, A spicy thai basil chicken he was asked multiple times what he thought of the food.
Draco looked at the dish and leaned close to his father, “I do not understand the theme of tonight.”
Lord Malfoy blinked and looked to him, “I am not sure but I am sure Lord Slytherin has a meaning behind these meals. They could be his heirs' favorites for example.”
Harry decided to speak up, “They aren’t my favorites and there is no theme.”
Marcus grinned, “It has become a bit of a running idea to have Harry try as many different foods as possible. I am assuming it is the same with this one?”
Voldemort gave a dark grin, “Indeed. I have discovered many interesting things about my heir since this game began. He is not fond of things overly sweet nor bitter. Peaches have been removed from the menu as well as all duck dishes.”
Harry shuttered at the memory of the slimy gritty meat, “Never again.”
Marcus laughed, “Yet he likes caviar.”
The Dark Lord nodded, “Yes it is a bit of a conundrum. You seemed to enjoy the mushrooms earlier.”
The gryffindor nodded and cleared his throat, “Eventually they will run out of food.”
“Nonsense, new foods are created every day. We have not even gone outside of our continent yet. Tonight’s dessert however is from Japan. I found it to be quite delightful.”
Harry sighed and shook his head, “If I can make it that far.” There was so much food, he had never sat through a full seven course meal before. Though the dishes were smaller to accommodate.