Chapter 14
It was another day in the Malfoy Manor and Voldemort was starting to become restless. He was so unbelievably close to being at his full strength, but he still wasn’t quite there yet. Not only that but Lucius still hadn’t managed to get his Horcrux back in his ownership, and now his younger self is possessing someone and had opened the chamber of secrets. That was the one regret he had about making the Horcrux, it has a mind of its own and can project It onto people. He just hoped at this point that the Diary doesn’t manage to kill the girl and become physical. It would be incredibly weird tracking down and killing your younger self.
But this brings him back to the letter… The whole reason why he found out by the chamber of secrets opening is none other than Draco sending his father a letter. The boy sounded like he was on the verge of a mental breakdown, he was questioning his own beliefs and the morals behind it. But no, it wasn’t come revelation done by himself, no, Potter caused it. He was impressed in all honesty, the boy does bring up good, but vague facts. Voldemort himself wanted to have a full-on debate with the child once he is older, after all Potter is only twelve. However, is growing obsession with Potter has caused some concerning moments, he now dreams about the boy. It isn’t graphic or anyway sexual, more so watching Potter go throughout the day, or certain memories from his past. They are extremely vague but detailed at the same time. It worries him incase Potter is having dreams of him as well, if he did, he seriously doubts the boy even realizes it.
He is positively excited to see the boy again over Yule break. In a random spout of impulsivity Voldemort grabbed a piece of parchment paper and started to write a letter to the boy under the name of “Quirrel”.
“Dear Mr. Potter,
I doubt you would like to see a letter from me, but I feel like I owe it to you. I would like to be in contact again, you were my best pupil and I wish to give you defense tips over letter. I would completely understand if you do not wish to, after all I am a Death Eater. However, I am willing to go against my Lord’s will and teach you.
-Quirinus Quirrel
P.s Burn this when your done reading it.”
Giving a dark smile Voldemort quickly walked to owlery and sent to letter away. A hint of nervousness and excitement trilled through him, it was rare for him to feel things, due to this, emotions tended to get blurred together. But Voldemort concluded it was a positive emotion.
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Harry was sitting in the Great Hall picking at his breakfast. Since last night's incident all the Slytherins have been avoiding him with a fear and hatred, he was however lucky that Draco, and Theo did not abandon him. They still seemed wary of him, luckily none of the other Slytherins seemed to have said anything because Luna and Neville seemed oblivious of the tension on the table. His accidental magic had recked the common room, Harry was forced to return during the night and fix it. He also accidently killed three pets which he gave them the money to buy new ones, they were crying. Harry was confused by their emotions, he never understood why someone would cry over it if they can just get a new one. He could understand it if they didn’t have the funds, but Harry paid them back full. Sighing he forced down another bit of egg down his throat.
They heard the daily announcements and breakfast was soon over. The group headed to the library just to be confronted by Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, he also noticed Ginny Weasley hiding behind them. She looked worse than before, he was awed on how no one noticed. What he did find odd however she was clutching a black leather book as if it was a lifeline. Shaking his head, he put himself back into present time just to realize he’s being pushed.
“Looking at my sister? You slimy Slytherin don’t you dare touch her!” Ron yelled, Draco and Neville had caught him a bit shocked Harry would allow himself to be assaulted. Dear god did his back hurt.
Forcing himself out of their arms, Harry stared at the Weasley completely impassive as he asked, “Something is extremely wrong with your sister. No offense Weasley but I don’t think I could find that physically attractive.” He was slightly repulsed at the fact the male Weasley thought he would be looking at his sister. Harry doubted that he could even feel love at all, but he wouldn’t tell anyone that. No.
Granger turned red before saying, “Ginny is a very pretty girl! Its very rude to say that, but that’s not why we came. We don’t know what you and your friends are planning but we’ll figure it out!”
Harry inwardly groaned but responded with, “Why would you tell us that? Wouldn’t it be more intelligent to keep that a secret, now we will be suspicious of you for rest of the year. Guess you aren’t as intelligent as I thought you were.”
Ronald Weasley growled and pointed his wand at Harry, almost immediately he had five other wands being pointed at him. Granger too had stubbornly put her wand up as well, Ginny Weasley just scurried away from the trouble. The male Weasley gasped as he saw Neville holding up his wand as well. “Neville you traitor! You’re a Gryffindor what on earth are you doing siding with the snakes?”
Neville’s glare intensified as he said darkly, “Seriously? You all ignored and bullied me, if anything the Slytherins have shown me the true meaning of power and friendship.” Harry inwardly chuckled, he really did enjoy watching people argue.
“Stupif-“ Before the Weasley could have finished the statement, Fred and George had disarmed Granger and Ronald Weasley. The youngest male Weasley turned red and faced his brothers, “I- why are you defending them!?! You are my brothers!”
Fred started the sentence and stated, “We saw everything..”
George continued and stated in the same stern voice, “They didn’t do anything wrong, and you assault them?”
“We like to prank and all…”
“But that spell could have harmed them…”
“Especially in your close proximity.”
The group decided to use this opportunity and leave the library. Draco and the other were laughing hysterically at the occurrence, but Harry only gave a small smirk. Suddenly, he stopped, his friends turned around and looked at him in worry and confusion. He heard the creature again,
“KILL, BLOOD, TORTURE.”
Harry asked them slightly dazed, “Can’t you hear it too?”
“No Harry we can’t, come on let’s go to class early. Are you feeling unwell? You might want to go to Madam Pomfrey instead.” Theo said, Harry shook his head and continued to walk to potions. Luckily, they shared the class with Hufflepuffs who didn’t seem to get into any drama at all. Though he did have to suffer with Snape.
Class went as expected, although Snape was being more aggressive than usual. The man teamed him up with the worst potion maker in the school, it was once Neville but after he got a proper wand and more confidence he gradually improved. Not only that but the Hufflepuff thought he was the best at it as well, he would prevent Harry from doing anything with the potion. Even when he tried to defend himself, he got insults from his professor. Then ultimately the cauldron melted, and he got the blame for it. Professor Snape had given points to the Hufflepuff, and retracted points from the Slytherins. And for the first time in years Professor Snape had taken the side of a Hufflepuff. The Slytherins were livid with Professor Snape because it was so painstakingly obvious that it wasn’t his fault.
After Potions it was Harry’s least favorite class of the year, Defense against the dark arts. Sighing Harry walked into the classroom with his friends. Lockhart was as pompous as ever as he said arrogantly, “Today class we will be doing a test on me! After all I am a big part of wizard history, and your defense teacher.”
Everyone nodded and looked at their test, all uninterested. He immediately knew most of his pupils will be failing today’s class except for his slightly obsessed fans. He had read Lockhart’s books just because he wanted a good grade, in all honesty he found him phony and fake. Sighing he answered the first question that was, “What was Professor’s Lockhart’s favorite color?”
Lockhart looked slightly disappointed as he said, “Shame, Shame, most of you don’t even know my favorite color. You all should know it is lilac! Raise your hand if you got the answer right, if you don’t you shall get detention for lying.” Harry reluctantly raised his hand; he didn’t want anymore unwanted attention. But he couldn’t bear the thought of having detention with him. God he just wanted the man dead.
Lockhart smiled predatorily at Harry; Harry stared back his race remaining impassive. Finally, Lockhart continued, “Good job, Harry, I knew you were going to be a good student. 20 points to Slytherin. 15 points to the other students with their hands up.”
Theo turned over to Harry and whispers quiet enough for Draco to hear as well, “I don’t like how Professor Lockhart stares at you. And the blatant favoritism, if he does anything other than being off let’s tell the headmaster.” Harry and Draco nodded before returning to their test. At that the conversation was over. Before class was over Lockhart said in a cheerful voice, “Dueling club next week! If you are interested stay after class and I will hand you a pamphlet.” After a few minutes of debating inside his head Harry decided to go for it. He may not like Lockhart, and he found him a horrible teacher, but any kind of training would be better than none. And it’s not like the man could cause any harm to him anyway, after all it would be a public affair. Draco and Theo were about to walk out when Harry grabbed them and motioned to the crowed. They both shrugged but obeyed him anyway. Harry inwardly smiled, he liked it when people would obey him without a second thought.
“Ah Harry glad to see you will join our club, even better you brought friends! Mr. Nott, Mr. Malfoy.” He said holding his hand out for a handshake. They both did it with confidence and firmness, though after a year of knowing them, he could see they are suppressing anger. They both got their pamphlets and they darted out of the room.
When they entered the hallway Draco exclaimed, “Harry why on earth would you want that? Now we are basically obligated to go.” Theo ferociously nodded.
“Well, I am quite interested in dueling, and it’s not like Professor Lockhart could actually do anything to me in public.” Harry coolly dismissing the worries
Theo shrugged but said, “I guess if that’s what you want, I doubt we could stop you.” Harry nodded and they both agreed to drop the subject.
The rest of the day past as usual, he did well in school. He did do better than usual in charms; Professor Flitwick had fawned over him more than usual. He gave Granger a smirk when he noticed her glaring at him. It was all fine other than the worried looks of Theo and Draco. It annoyed him to no end, he wasn’t a baby that needed their help. Not only had they seen him extremely angry, but they had also witnessed him hear things that ‘weren’t there’ but Harry doesn’t believe that they are. There must be something around him, and whatever it was it had to do with the petrification of Mrs. Norris. (Mr. Filch’s cat) Perhaps he could find the answer in his book on dark magical creatures.
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Harry jolted awake after another nightmare about the Dursleys, it was a peculiar thing for him to dream about the Dursley’s. It had always been about the Orphanage or that mystery man that made his scar burn. Sighing he got up and went to get ready for the day. After spending 15 minutes to tame his hair he walked to the Great Hall and promptly took his seat next to his friends. They were talking about menial things Harry didn’t really care about like the weather, Quidditch, and wizard candy. Sighing Harry forced himself to eat his oatmeal parfait, as he did his best to zone out the conversations of his friends. He was too deep in his in his thoughts, he had unfortunately not found anything in the book of dark creatures. Unfortunately, he would have to sneak it back in the restricted section soon and if he doesn’t people will notice it gone. Madam Pince does check the restricted section for all its books once every month and tomorrow should be the check date.
Suddenly, a pure black owl had flown in front of him with a letter tied to his foot. He cursed himself mentally for not being aware of his surroundings before he took the letter. It had the Malfoy manner address on it. Taking the letter he opened it slowly, he had never really got mail before, so he was wary. He knew the whatever the Malfoys sent him must be important, opening it his eyes widened in shock. It was from Professor Quirrel.
“Dear Mr. Potter,
I doubt you would like to see a letter from me, but I feel like I owe it to you. I would like to be in contact again, you were my best pupil and I wish to give you defense tips over letter. I would completely understand if you do not wish to, after all I am a Death Eater. However, I am willing to go against my Lord’s will and teach you. Do not tell ANYONE.
-Quirinus Quirrel
P.s Burn this when your done reading it.”
He must have read it over three times because Draco asked,
“Who is it from, and what do they want?”
Harry flicked his eyes over to his friend, forcing the surprise to be gone from his face he said, “Just hate mail, these idiots really do think I opened the ‘chamber of secrets’. I should have known it would be hate-mail, as you can expect no address or name” He stated, as then burnt the letter in the fire before Draco could ask to read it. He observed his friend who was currently scowling at all Gryffindors, Harry internally laughed. He had lied to his friend. Harry had thought he would feel bad about it, but in all honesty, he felt nothing. He needed to write a reply to Professor Quirrel fast, he didn’t want the man to write him another letter and get killed. Although he did find it odd that Quirrel was staying at Malfoy Manor the handwriting was the exact same and the tone was how Professor Quirrel would speak. He is a refugee now, and a supporter of Voldemort so in theory it makes sense.
“Hey guys, can I miss study? I need to finish my transfiguration essay; I would prefer it to be in the common room. After all I’m already getting hate-mail” Harry states as he noticed Neville and Luna slightly sag in disappointment.
Neville whined, “But Harry we didn’t study yesterday either, and I’ve barley gotten to see you!” Luna nodded in agreement. Draco and Theo however just shrugged; they clearly knew that there was no point in trying to convince him of something.
Harry sighed and said, “Join the dueling club, I’m sure we’ll get to each other more there.” Harry noted the hesitance on Neville’s face, so he continued to ask, “What are you scared of?”
Neville shrunk slightly in his seat and muttered, “I know my wand had been making magic easier, but what if I make a fool of myself? I’m that that powerful.”
Harry scoffed in reply before saying confusingly, “Neville even if you were near-squib level, I would still encourage you to join. Nevertheless, you have to be one of the strongest people in the Gryffindor house. Neville, you are strong you just need more confidence. I mean what did Ollivander say about your wand, it was extremely strong. If anything, this is an opportunity to prove yourself!”
This seemed to have inspired Neville as he sat up a bit straighter and nodded with determination in his eyes. Harry smirked and walked over to the common room. The second he was alone the smirk and emotion in his face was gone, he hated faking emotions. Sitting down he started to write his letter.
“Dear Professor Quirrel,
I must admit I was extremely surprised to receive a letter from you, especially with the return address of the Malfoy Manor. I am glad you are okay, but you made an idiotic choice to write me. Not only have you jeopardized you, but you have risked the Malfoy family as well. I could have easily given this to the headmaster and had you caught. Although you also gave yourself an early grave because you went against the Dark Lords orders. I may not be a supporter, nor can I imagine myself ever becoming a death eater, but I find it quite traitorous of you. (I do not plan to defeat the Dark Lord either, I am neutral. I may share some of the political opinions with the man, but I do not serve.) I will not stop you from writing me, but I will not take accountability if you are murdered.
My best regards,
Harry Potter.
P.S I do recommend telling the Lord Voldemort though. Bring up the fact I do not plan to kill him (Not that I believe I am capable of such strength, I am twelve after all.), his hatred for me is probably put on that assumption.”
Going up the owlery he gave it to an owl that looked exactly like the Malfoy’s, other than the fact it was pure white. He watched as the owl fly into the distance.