Chapter 25
Dessert was amazing, the sweet small round balls of ice cream was a burst of flavor, mochi the other had called it. It was a perfect bite-sized piece of joy. Once it was finished many of the men went to a side room for a glass of alcohol while the women remained and talked softly to each other. Harry on the other hand followed Voldemort to a different side room and changed out the cloak for a full formal robe in a beautiful silver.
Voldemort smiled looking him over, “You look perfect.”
He shook his head, “I feel like I am playing dress up. I just don’t feel comfortable in these clothes.”
The man stepped up behind him and met Harry’s eyes in the mirror, “Look at your reflection. Tell me what you see.”
Harry sighed and looked at his reflection, “A short skinny kid playing pretend. A carbon copy of a man I never really knew. A freak.”
Voldemort took a deep breath, his red eyes flashing angrily. “I see a strong young man. Someone who has seen hardship and lived through it. A beautiful soul that never got a chance to see itself in a good light.” He tucked a finger under the other's chin, “You are no freak. You are a prince among these plebeians. I can not erase what has been done to you but I will make you see yourself how you truly are. Close your eyes and open your mind to me.”
Harry sighed and closed his eyes and tried to relax. He felt a nudge against his mind and slowly accepted it. Warmth and power flooded him and he gasped leaning back against the other. Then he felt his mind being tugged and his eyes were open. No, not his eyes. He was looking at himself from a higher vantage point. Voldemort. He was seeing through the others' eyes. He seemed taller somehow now even looking at himself. He looked different. More sure of himself. His back straighter, head held high. Then a smile slid across his face and he felt a flush of joy and pleasure. The tugging was back and his vision faded to black.
“Open your eyes.”
He did as he was told and teetered a little in the other's arms, “What was that?”
“That is how I see you. Sometimes seeing ourselves through another’s eyes can help us see who we truly are.”
Harry smiled and looked back at himself in the mirror. He took a few deep breaths, “I think I am ready.”
“You are, you always have been.” The man raised his hand and the chime sounded throughout the house alerting everyone to now convene to the ballroom.
He took the younger’s arm and led him to the ballroom where they were joined by a small party of his more loyal Death Eaters. He nodded in greeting to them before leading Harry to the small dias where a band was already doing soft music. Stepping up he smiled at the crowd and waited for silence, “Tonight is not only my son and heirs birthday but also the celebration of two houses joining. It is my greatest pleasure to be able to announce the official courtship of my son Harry James Potter-Slytherin and Heir Marcus Flint!”
Marcus stepped up to the bottom step of the dias and lifted his hand to Harry.
Harry looked back and got the nod before taking Marcus’s hand and being led to the center of the floor with the clapping sounding around him.
“They shall lead the first waltz!” more clapping before it died down and the music grew louder.
Marcus pulled Harry flush and the younger took a few deep breaths before taking the first step and they were off. Twirling about the dance floor. The steps are long memorized. The same they used when dancing at the Yule Ball. It was just as thrilling and all consuming.
The younger leaned into the older’s form as they moved about and was soon joined by the rest of the party goers. A dance turned to two and it wasn’t long before Harry had to finally leave the dance floor. Smiling as Marcus lead him to a table that was settled a little further away from the others. The Dark Lord already sitting there with the minister, Lucius and a man that Harry didn’t know.
Harry took a seat next to his father who beckoned him close and gently tucked a few strands of hair behind his ear, “Are we interrupting?”
“Of course not, we were just discussing the new changes coming to Hogwarts.” Voldemort peered at him and glanced to Marcus, “Perhaps you should grab your fiance something to drink Heir Flint.”
The man cleared his throat and gave a quick bow, “Of course. Please excuse me.” He kissed Harry’s cheek before fleeing the table.
Green eyes rolled a little, “You scare him on purpose.”
“Of course. You are my heir. If he is worthy of you then I must know and test him.” He took a sip of his wine, “How was your dance?”
Harry smiled, “Wonderful. I am beginning to enjoy dancing. Would it be rude of me to ask what changes?”
The Minister cleared his throat, “Well, we were discussing keeping an eye on Dumbledore this year. Installing a minister employee as the Defence teacher. Perhaps other changes.”
Lucius nodded, “Indeed, I want to all push for a resorting. I would not put it past that man to have manipulated the sorting in some way.”
Harry listened to the men talk back and forth, his eyes wandering around the ballroom, he saw a few of his friends from Slytherin and they waved at him and he waved back. He would have to go over and say hello once Marcus was back.
“Ah, friends of yours?” the Dark Lord’s voice dark and intrigued.
“Yes.” He looked at him curiously.
“Do call them over. I would like to meet these friends of yours.”
Harry held back the small shiver, he could feel the other’s spike of interest and jealousy. At what he didn’t know but he looked up and beckoned them over. It was odd watching them immediately break off from talking to a couple others and come over to them each giving respectful nods of greeting. “Hey guys, my father wanted to meet you. I hope you don’t mind.”
Graham smiled, “Of course not. It is an honor to meet you Lord Slytherin. I am Graham Montague. These are my friends Cassius Warrington, Adrian Pucey, and Terence Higgs.”
The man stood and peered at each of them, “It is good to meet you gentleman. I trust you are taking good care of my heir?”
Cassius nodded quickly, “Yes of course. He is an honorary Slytherin. Or well…” The poor teen broke off not sure what to say anymore.
Harry shook his head, “You are scaring them Father. They have been nothing but kind and welcoming. They helped me train for the tournament last year as well. Terence is training to be a healer and Adrian knows more about plants and magical creatures than anyone else I know.”
The Dark Lord peered at them, “A glowing review it seems. Alright.then I trust you to take care of him again this upcoming year.” His eyes met each of the young boys.
It was Cassius who spoke up, “We will keep an eye on our little chimera.”
Harry facepalmed groaning softly, “Don’t call me that.”
Voldemort laughed, “Chimera? Is this a new nickname I am not aware of?”
Green eyes glared, “Because I am a lion and then an honorary slytherin. Chimera is the mythical beast that has both. Though I really want to know how they explain the goat part that is also in a chimera.” He grinned at the four.
“Why are we talking about goats? Hey guys.” Marcus stepped up and handed Harry a glass of sparkling cider kissing him gently on the cheek.
“They called me a Chimera. So I want them to explain the goat part.”
Voldemort raised a brow staring the four teens down, “Answer him.”
They looked between each other before Adrian cleared his throat, “Goats are often creatures of free spirits and independence. Fauns for example are creatures of great creativity and resilience.”
Harry shook his head and leaned back in his chair, “Good save.”
The Minister laughed brightly, “Ah the joys of youth and their creative minds. I look forward to hearing more about it. However the night grows late and I do have a meeting early in the morning. Do have a good evening Lord Slytherin. Lucius. Heir Potter-Slytherin, have a lovely birthday, I do hope you like your gift.” then the man excused himself after pleasant goodbyes.
Harry noticed many of the guests seemed to be leaving early. One man and his wife drifted over and bid him a good birthday and night before leaving as well. Soon it was just those he knew to be death eaters and some he suspected to be supporters. They all seemed to be dressed in darker colors. Even the musicians had already packed up and seemed to be leaving. “Am I missing something?”
The man shook his head, “Of course not. This is the second ball, it is time that your fiance takes his mark.” He waved his hand and another chime sounded and a house elf popped into the room, “Have all the regular guests left?”
“Yes my lord. Only your followers and their others be remaining.”
“Then let us convene to the second ballroom.”
Marcus held out his arm and Harry took it as they walked with Voldemort in the lead to a smaller darker ball room. It was done up in deep greens and blacks. Even the floor was black marble with silver veining. The columns are the same dark marble as the floor. Towards the back of the room was a large circular dias with two steps going up to it. Two thrones sat in perfect symmetry. White against the black, the design twisted and gnarled an almost grotesque beauty of what looked to be rotted wood. There were already a few people there, Fenrir and a few others in dark masks, Harry bet one of them was Barty. None of the convicted or on the run death eaters could have come to the ball after all. He had not seen Barty in a few days as he served out his punishment doing some of the dirty work he normally didn’t have to.
Marcus led him up to the dias and Harry paused watching Voldemort go up first and was unsure. He knew he was probably meant to join the other but this felt far more official than he was expecting. Voldemort looked at him and raised a single elegant brow and extended a hand to him.
Harry took a breath and glanced at Marcus before taking the other hand and stepped up the steps to the throne on the right. He shifted a little uncomfortably until he settled into a more comfortable position. Despite the throne looking like something out of a nightmare it was smooth and warm. He looked next to him and noticed Voldemort had not sat down and went to stand but got a small shake of the others head so stayed.
Voldemort looked out at the gathering crowd and with a flick of his hand his outfit changed into flowing black robes and many of the others did the same sliding their masks into place. “Who here presents my heir with his mask?”
One of them stepped forward, his mask was full faced bone white with intricate designs swirled into the surface. He held up a black velvet pillow where a mask rested. It wasn’t white like the others. It was silver and elegant, only covering part of his face. The upper half and then curved down over the right cheek, “I, Barty Crouch Jr., present him with his mask.”
Voldemort took the mask and stepped over to Harry and held it up for him, “Is it acceptable?”
Harry blinked, wait could he turn the mask away? But if he did that what would happen. Carefully he touched the mask curiously. He could almost feel the magic humming in it. Well, in for a penny in for a pound he supposed. “Acceptable.”
The mask was pressed against his face and he felt it adhere and conform to his face perfectly. When he opened his eyes again it was almost like it wasn’t there. No weight or feeling. It was like his skin, yet not. He looked up and noticed he was being watched intensely. The only ones not wearing a mask were Marcus, Fenrir, a few of the pack he recognized, and the other teens or children around the room. All of which were with their respective parents.
Voldemort turned to look out at them, “Now, let us begin the initiations! Tonight we welcome new brothers and sisters into our circle and we begin the mission to free our lost and trapped brothers and sisters.”
Cheers went through the air.
The man looked to Harry, “To celebrate the birth of your new Prince we will be creating a new chapter of brethren. Those who shall be directly under my Heir. Though they will still follow the proper Hierarchy. Much like my knights. Those who wish to join the Knights of the Chimera, step forward.”