Chapter 24
When Harry left the room with Draco, he heaved a sigh. Voldemort’s magic was like his own but so much more oppressive, he could barely breath in those few seconds. He looked over at his friend who was staring at him with confusion and surprise. And for the first time since he became friends with Draco, he had ordered him to do something, and all he said was, “Don’t tell anyone about what happened there.” His voice was dark and seemed a bit too deep for his age.
Draco only nodded understanding the hint, it was right to disobey Harry when he was in these moods. Harry nodded back as he headed to the guest room, while Draco walked to his room to unpack for yule break. He tried to ignore the sinking feeling in his heart, it was similar to fear. And who wouldn’t when they are faced with the Dark Lord? Shaking his head, he concluded he would ignore this information unless Voldemort confronted him, he doubted that it would be long before it happened. From what Professor Quirrell has told him he would be looking into him for proper… Death eater material. And all Harry knew is that he won't bow down and serve, after all he is neutral, just slightly leans towards the dark. Looking at the window Harry realized it was darker than he realized casting a wandless tempus spell it came up to 6:30 PM they would be called for dinner anytime soon. Plopping down on his bed he stared at the roof as he slowly started to drift to sleep. Sadly, he just dozed off when a Tipsy, the house elf, came to inform him of the time. Groaning he got up and spent a few minutes taming his already messy hair.
When he finally arrived, everyone was already seated waiting for him, a quick flush of embarrassment passed through him till he shoved it down. Quickly sitting down, he explained, “My apologies for being a few minutes late, my hair is quite hard to tame.”
Draco rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, “Harry you spend like ten minutes every day to get it all flat, sometimes I wonder why you go through all that trouble. I’ve heard rumors that you broke a comb once.”
He had never felt such an intense feeling to rip out someone’s vocal cords and use it to strangle them in his life. But instead of showing his annoyance he just nodded as the house elves popped up with food. Harry just focused on his food as he tried to ignore that Voldemort was staring at him with his red beady eyes. Finally, Mrs. Malfoy ended the silence by announcing, “Boys behave, I have something important to announce. I am holding a yule ball next week; I feel like you boys are old enough to attend. Remember you are both representatives to the Malfoy, and Potter family I require you to behave.”
Draco lights up and asks, “Really! Anyway, why didn’t you do a Yuletide party last year?”
Narcissa smiled and said, “We went to the Nott family’s party last year. You will most likely be expected to dance so I and Leon will be teaching you, the first lesson will be in two days. Be ready by two, in case you forget I will send a house elf.”
Harry nodded then took a bite of his steak as he calculated how he will manage to get a small grasp on dancing in those two days. The rest of the dinner went as planned, small talk, or just pure silence. Although he was stiffer than usual, Harry could feel Voldemort stare at him. Forcing himself to relax he focused on his food once more. After dinner he got up about to leave with Draco when Lucius stated, “Mr. Potter, stay here I have something to tell you… Privately.” He nodded coolly and glanced over at his friend who seemed to have stiffened. It was clear that Draco was using as much as self-control not to ask what is happening. At least he made a swift exit. No one else left though, Voldemort, Mrs. Malfoy, and Mr. Malfoy were seated all of them, but Voldemort, were stiff. The tension would be glorias to Harry if he was not the one experiencing it.
Clearing his throat, he then asked, “Yes?”
Voldemort chuckled darkly, it was suspiciously like Quirrell’s, and said, “Now Potter why don’t we get too actual talking? It obvious you are aware of who I am…”
Mr. Malfoy nodded and added, “Potter I know this is hard but…”
Saving his friend's father from obvious discomfort he interrupts, “No, I understand this was an order from you’re Master.” He put emphasis on, you’re, before continuing, “My confusion is why you would want to reveal yourself to me.”
Voldemort raised his eyebrows but did not retort, he simply responded with, “Because Potter, I want you to join me. We share many beliefs; I believe that you would unlock your full potential if you became a death eater. You of course wouldn’t get your mark today, at the youngest you would be sixteen. I just want assurance that you will join me. Matter of fact I will personally train you, not many death eaters get that opportunity.”
Harry stayed quiet for as long as possible, his body thrumming with nervousness. The thought of being more powerful than he already is makes him giddy inside, but the cost is to sell his soul to the older man is far too much. Staring Voldemort straight into his eyes he responds coolly, “As much as I am flattered, I simply cannot accept. I do share some of your views, but not all. And I don’t want to serve you, I may admire you, but I refuse to be an object. A simple pawn in a war that you are about to create. I won’t be one for Albus Dumbledore, and I most certainly won’t be an object for you. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be crudiod if I somehow make you mad.”
Mrs. Malfoy’s breath hitched as she stared at him with surprise and fear. Not fear of him, but fear for him. No one in many years have dared spoken to Voldemort that like that. Harry remained silent as a mouse as he stared at Voldemort, both of their eyes locked together. Voldemort looked angry almost as if he would crucio him on spot, but the Dark Lord simply asked, “How did you learn of the cruciatus curse?”
“The restricted section in the library.” Harry responded a bit too soft for his liking. He wasn’t expecting Voldemort to react like that, to be honest he was expecting to be punished somehow. Although there was obvious anger in his eyes it wasn’t as prominent.
“Ah I see. I won’t hurt you as you most likely expected.” There were undertones that stated ‘for now’ but he continued, “The offer of me training you is still up, given the fact I am just curious of your potential. Although I highly recommend reconsidering the offer, I gave you.” Voldemort stated with clear concealed anger.
Harry nodded respectfully, but not submissively, and said, “I would like that when should we start.”
Voldemort grinned predatorily and said, “How about tonight at 1 AM? Every night of this break, besides the of the Yule break party.”
“Yes sir.” Harry stated as he determined he wouldn’t get any sleep for the next two weeks. He didn’t mind that too much, he rarely got any sleep anyway.
Mrs. Malfoy coughed uncomfortably before stating in her usual comforting voice, “I think it is time that Potter goes to bed, he will need to wake up in three hours anyway.”
Harry nodded in agreement; he would be lucky if he got at least thirty minutes of sleep.
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Voldemort stood in the dueling room waiting for Potter, the session should start in fifteen minutes. He would admit it freely that he chose such a late time to punish Potter, I mean how dare he refuse Voldemort himself! Of course, Potter didn’t seem to mind it too much, but it was still infuriating. Potter was HIS and he doesn’t even realize it yet.
After thirteen minutes of pacing Potter opened the door and stridden in. Voldemort couldn’t help but say, “Your two minutes early.”
The boy looked at him curiously and stated, “Yes, I am. May I ask what we will be doing?”
His stomach curdled in excitement, but he quickly shoved it down as he said, “I am going to see where you are at so I can improve you in where I find necessary. Although do you have any request for the future?”
Potter seemed to have thought deeply about his question as he then answered, “Okay. And I suppose I would want to learn how to be an animagus or occlumency, I can think of many possibilities were it would be useful.”
Voldemort nodded in agreement, having an animagus would be useful, although he was hesitant to teach the boy occlumency it would be useful too. Both were extremely advanced so depending on Potter’s talents he’d have to see the results. “Both of those are extremely advanced, not the average wizard or witch could accomplish what you want. Let’s start simple, what is the strongest spell you know?”
“I don’t know, if I were to pick maybe avada kaderva? Its fast and efficient. I’ve never casted it before though, only read it.” Potter stated coolly.
Voldemort smirked and said, “I think I would be more surprised if you did. And I would be inclined to agree, I do tend to lean to fast and efficient spells myself. Although at this point, I’m wondering how efficient it really is…”
The boy chuckled darkly at the reference and stated, “Nah, I think I’m immortal at this point.” He then continued by asking curiously, “Anything else?”
Voldemort smirked smugly as he announced, “Not yet at least, I think we could come up with something if you truly desire…” He suddenly became aware of how creepy that sounded and if he wanted Potter on his side he couldn’t scare him off yet, and continued, “We will have a minor duel, I will hold back since if not I could easily kill you.”
Potter paled but nodded silently, he sadly didn’t know which part he paled at. Probably both. Voldemort then asked, “Do you know the rules of a proper duel? First we bow, then walk at least six feet away from each other. Do you understand?”
“Yes sir.” Potter stated. The Dark Lord inwardly sneered, he hated the words ‘sir’ coming from the boy’s mouth, it should be ‘My Lord’ but Potter hadn’t technically joined him yet.
When they finally did the motions to start the duel it was Voldemort to shoot the first spell. “Expelliarmus” The older wizard stated coolly, clearly at ease.
Potter stepped aside just barely missing the spell, he quickly stated, “Diffindo!”
Voldemort just waved his wand and a light blue shield appeared. Potter then stared at him, and a black fog came out of his wand, a clear sign of wordless magic. Voldemort quickly identified the spell as Incarcerous Spell, he quickly stepped away and dodged the spell. Impressive nonetheless for a second year able to not only cast the spell, but to it wordlessly.
After a few minutes of back-and-forth dueling Voldemort soon incapacitated him with a wandless and wordless expelliramus. Surprisingly though Potter didn’t immediately give up, he had tried to light him on fire. It was quite impressive, a simple Aguamenti couldn’t fix it, but he did eventually. The price sadly was that his robes would have to be trashed. In general Potter was okay at dueling, it was obvious he was inexperienced. He thought too much of the right spell which caused him to be delayed and not as quick. But the boy had an arsenal of spells, and when he cast the spells were strong. In probable no time the boy could probably best some of his low-ranking death eaters, which was quite a feat given Potter’s magic hasn’t fully matured yet. All he needs to do is manipulate him to his bindings and it will be done.
After all Harry James Potter was HIS. And he couldn’t wait to exploit and show him what a wonderful world it is in the shadows.