Chapter 22
“My Lord, what do you need? I assume this is about my son’s letter.” Lucius asked a hint of surprise in his voice.
“Yes, the Potter boy, I want to talk to you about him.” Voldemort stated coldly as he stared into the soul of his most trusted follower. The man paled and clearly had some emotional connection to Potter, which makes his plans so much easier.
Lucius stayed silent before responding, “M-My Lord surely we could spare him? H-He is as dark as night, practices the dark art and even shares some of our beliefs! I mean didn’t y-you tutor him in some subjects?”
This time Voldemort chuckled mockingly then sneered, “I never said anything about killing him, I wish to recruit him. As you know he has most likely seen me as a teenager, he is sure to recognize me. And I don’t really want to wear a glamour, it would be a good opportunity to “woo him to the dark” if I say so myself. I wish for you to figure out what level of the dark arts he is on, perhaps we could train Draco as well.”
“I understand my Lord, does that mean we will also introduce Draco to you?” Lucius asked as his muscles stiffened, it was obvious that the younger man was worried for his son. Oh, how sentiment can do funny things to people.
Voldemort gave a cruel smile and stated, “No we will not introduce Draco to me yet, given that he already supports me he will start his training at 15 like the rest. Potter is a special case since the old fool of a headmaster will most likely try to manipulate the boy on his side, if we get him now then we won’t have to worry about that.”
Much to his surprise Lucius gave a faint chuckle and stated in his usual posh manner, “That boy could never be on Albus’s side, the boy is much too dark. You know last winter break I once caught him practicing wandless magic, there where multiple dead animals and dying animals around him. Not even Dumbledore himself could twist that into something light.”
Voldemort wasn’t too surprised that Potter would do something like that. He too was similar to that as a child, but perhaps not that bloodthirsty. If- no WHEN he gets the boy on his side, he will train Potter to control it and release it in the proper time. He may like Bellatrix, but she was a bit too annoying and loud, he wouldn’t allow that insanity to plague Potter’s mind. Giving no response he gracefully left the room.
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Albus frowned as he looked at the list of children leaving for the Holiday break, and in particular Harry’s name. The boy would be staying at Malfoy’s residence once again and he couldn’t bare to think that that family is corrupting his mind with. He was tempted to tell Harry he couldn’t do it anymore, but he knew it would simply make the boy angry and hateful of him. He was just so at a loss of what to do it was making him irritated, for someone as old and as wise as him he should know what to do.
Getting up he walked over to hawks and started to pet her gently, letting his magic seep into the castle around him. Albus knew he needed to show Harry affection on the light somehow, but he himself couldn’t do it as the boy was repulsed by him. He remembered Harry’s dark aura and he knew why; it was like opposites. Although Harry was more of a dark gray, not pitch black like Voldemort’s… Yet. He shuddered at the imagery of Harry kneeling in front of the Dark Lord, looking up at the man that was once named Tom Riddle, with such reverence and admiration. Then the idea popped up in his head, Remus! The man was a family friend of the Potters, and a good teacher. Smirking Albus sent a owl to Remus, the man would be thrilled to be a professor in Hogwarts.
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Harry smiled at his trunk, he was finally packed and would be leaving tomorrow. For now, though he needed to survive the day with an overly clingy Weasley and an anxious Neville. In the end however he decided to take a walk in the forbidden forest, most people would feel scared or nervous in the dark forest but to Harry it was like a 2nd home. It was going nice until he walked into a skinny, but massive dark horse with big wings. Harry stared at it in awe as he reached his hand to it, completely not noticing the woman behind him. He was interrupted by someone saying, “Hello Harry! Are you saying hi to them too? They get very lonely at times.”
Tensing his muscles, he flicked around to face the woman he sagged in relief to notice it was Luna. Harry said, “You startled me. Anyway, what are these things?”
Luna looked offended before she exclaimed, “You don’t know what a thestral is? Dear Harry, you aren’t as smart as you seem to be, but I guess it makes sense. No one see’s them unless you have witnessed death of a human.”
Harry stiffened slightly as he looked at his friend before saying a bit too casual, “I see, I guess that makes sense. Who did you see die? I think it’s fairly obvious who I have seen die.”
“My mother, she was trying to create a new spell and it didn’t work. I was nine. Harry, can I ask you something? I wanted to ask you it for a while, but you are rarely by yourself, and when you are hard to find.” Luna asked with a strange glint in her eyes. Harry quickly felt uneasy, Luna always seemed to just know things and it worried him.
Remaining silent for a moment Harry relied tersely, “Depending on the question, ask and I might answer.”
“Did you kill Theo’s cat?”
Harry felt his body grow cold, how had she known? Forcing himself to relax, other than him clasping his wand harder than usual he asked, “Why would you ask that? Theo is my friend; I wouldn’t do that.”
Luna eye’s glazed slightly as if she had taken some sort of drug but she said, “The day when I saw Theo look so distraught, I saw a glint in your eyes. It was cold, dark, and hungry, a prey and a predator. I won’t tell anyone Harry; I just want to know what I am getting myself into when I follow you.”
“Luna your talking nonsense, I refuse to talk to you when you are in such moods.” Harry replied and walked away elegantly, completely ignoring the tear strolling down Luna’s face. The young girl looked heartbroken as he watched the boy, she so desperately cares about fall deeper into the darkness. It was against her nature as a witch who had such a massive affinity to light magic to serve the dark, but she would do it if it meant being near Harry.
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Draco searched for Harry’s compartment, his best friend was always guilty of going in his own and ignoring the rest. They had just gotten onto the train for Yule break, and he was excited to meet this extended family member as Father talked highly of him. After a few minutes he found Harry sitting in the last compartment and much to his surprise, Neville, Luna, and the Weasley twins were sitting with him. A hint of jealously shot up in him as he thought, ‘how come they were sitting with him and not me!?’ Quickly shoving down his jealousy he sat with the group.
Harry shot his bright green eyes and said, “I’m surprised Parkinson isn’t with you, usually you are with her when we leave for Yule break. A surprise but nonetheless a good one.”
Slightly blushing he said, “Yeah, I guess. Anyway Harry…” and they went to different subject. All in all they had a pleasant trip to the station.
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When they finally arrived at king’s cross station Draco was practically jumping in his seat with anticipation, a complete contrast to Harry who was only smirking slightly. They were greeted by his father and they apparated to the Malfoy manner. Draco forced himself to calm down to keep a professional mask on, after all he was a Malfoy and needs to be the perfect heir. Before they entered the house his father stopped them and said seriously, “Now boys, you need to respect this man no matter what. Now come on, no dilly dallying.”
Draco nodded enthusiastically while his friend just nodded politely, and they walked in. When they entered the sitting room, they were greeted by a man with dark hair, as he was also wearing high quality wizarding robes that clung to his frame. Although that wasn’t the part that surprised him it was his bright red eyes, and his pupils were snake like. The man smiled cruelly and said, “Hello Draco, my name is Leon Malfoy, your father had told me many good things. Nice to meet you.” The man held out his hand and Draco accepted it as gracefully as possible. He was too intimated to respond but he didn’t notice until Leon had turned to Harry who seemed to have shifted personality entirely. His friend was stiff, and his cold eyes were wide and held a darkness he hadn’t seen before, Draco realized that he had actually seen his friend taken aback. Draco involuntary tensed as well.
“Harry Potter, it is a pleasure to… meet you.” Leon said as he held out his hand. Harry had forced himself to relax and took his hand and shook it. There was an obvious tension between the two, Draco couldn’t tell if it was magic power or pure energy. Looking over at his father for answers who just stared at them a terrified. For once Draco was glad his mother wasn’t in the room.
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Voldemort stared at the boy who was currently shaking his hand, he had taken it better than he had expected. Potter was different since last time he had seen him in person his magic was stronger and more oppressive, it was clear he wasn’t lying about practicing on is own. But nothing could compare to what he felt now the boy had obviously released his magic and it was circling around him, obviously trying to get a taste of his own magic. If Potter wanted to feel his magic he’d feel it, he released his magic which was wildly darker and more oppressive then Potter’s, although Voldemort suspected that it was mainly due to Potters lack of experience. The two magic auras combined caused the people around them to feel oppressed and crushed, but Voldemort didn’t care. The boy finally relented and put his magic at rest, Voldemort followed suite and did the same.
He couldn’t wait to train the boy without any restraints and morals.