No more lies (To Victory)

CHAPTER 7

°°••°°

Harry came to Tom with bright eyes and a smirk on his lips.

At first it was his intention to manipulate the boy for his benefit, but Riddle quickly realized that Harry was not like everyone else.

There was something about Harry that drew him to Tom. Something he first believed to be a spell, but it was impossible- he had no body to be spelled.

Perhaps it was fate.

Or their uncanny similarities. 

Harry was so much like him, that for a very brief moment Tom had a moment of panic and thought that Harry was his son .

It was a ludicrous idea, but how else could the boy be so much like him?

Just as twisted, just as powerful, just as alone .

A tragedy for some, a gift for him, because if things were different… perhaps, in another time, in another universe… Harry would've fought him.

But not in this one.

No, in this one Harry chose to personally drive him insane with his innuendos and smirks and-

And he wouldn't have it any other way.

How was it fair that he was having much more fun now than when he was truly alive? All because of Harry, no less?

A boy his older self was hell bent on destroying, which is simply not going to happen. Tom won’t let him.

After he demanded the boy to tell him everything that happened, Harry did, sharing his frustrations and annoyance and downright glee as he spoke of threatening Bagman. A Ministry official.

And wasn't that perfection at its finest?

"A few weeks without me and you hog all the fun," Tom grumbled, wishing he was there to see Harry in action.

"Shouldn't have been a backstabbing bitch, Tom. Consequences and all that."

Tom sighed. "I deserve that."

"You do."

Tom hated that Harry still wasn't as free as before with him, still cautious. Still waiting for the other shoe to drop, but he shouldn't have expected anything different.

He messed up.

It will take time to gain Harry's trust back, his full trust, but Tom was certain he could do it. Harry's the only one he's willing to do that for.

"No wonder you're so wound up. Do you even sleep?"

"Of course I do! Hey, why have you never told me that Slytherin has so much better accommodations? Bigger rooms, beds, sheets, bloody bathrooms!" Harry whined.

Tom shrugged. "I told you Slytherin is the best. You should've assumed I meant at everything.” He paused. “How did you figure that one out, though?"

"Spent a night there after that party you were so smug about."

Tom's eyes narrowed. "Spent a night where exactly?"

"Slytherin dorm! I will be complaining about this to someone! Why can't we have such nice sheets?"

"Or you can just sleep here," Tom motioned to the bed with a slight smirk on his face. "Or get a resort."

Harry's eyes widened, a mischievous smile curling his lips.

"Imagine the uproar if I was to get resorted. Gryffindor and Dumbledore would try to outright murder me."

"You can do it next year, there's a rule about that. They would never be able to deny you."

"I know."

They spoke about this before, but there was no way Harry could ask for a resort without Dumbledore trying something on him to get him under control. It was too risky and he simply couldn’t expose himself so soon. Now though…

"So, who's bed did you sleep in, Harry?" Tom asked, his tone deceptively emotionless.

"Draco's. Hey, perhaps I could steal his pillows! He wouldn't dare say anything and I need them more than that prat does." Harry prattle on, completely missing Tom's murderous expression. 

This little Malfoy was becoming too comfortable with his Harry.

"I'm glad you've been making alliances, Harry. It's important to have important people in your pocket."

"So you've been telling me."

"That's because I'm right."

"An arrogant."

"But right nonetheless."

Harry rolled his eyes fondly, having missed the banter between them.

"What do you think of Luna?" Harry asked suddenly, referring to their earlier conversation..

"I have… never heard of these nargles . I'd consider her a threat if she hasn't sworn to you, but… something is off. She knows too much. But perhaps… take me with you next time you see her. I want to test a theory."

"We'll see about that." Harry's tone was rather clipped, Tom noticed.

"I'm not going to do anything, Harry." He sighed. Harry was still rather… clippy. "Forget about it.” Tom paced around a little, his mind whirling through their conversation. He was still furious about some parts, especially the last one. “Ginevra Weasley will die,” he stated imperiously.

Harry arched an eyebrow. “What? Right now? You should’ve told me you were a seer, Tom, would’ve made things a lot easier.”

“You know what I mean!” Tom bristled. “That bint is targeting you ! I should’ve killed her when I had a chance.”

“I will deal with her if she tries something. Goblins are onto it.” Harry watched him sharply for a minute. “Don’t even start, Tom, there’s no way in hell there is a marriage contract present. They need my signature and they know it.”

Tom still looked unhappy. Scratch that - downright murderous.

He was about to rant again, when Harry yawned, distracting him.

“It’s late and you need to sleep. What are you doing tomorrow?”

Harry shrugged. “Avoiding Snape. Might go to Hogsmeade, might not.”

“What? No more Ministry officials to harass?” Tom grinned at Harry's affronted look.

“No, just not sure how curse-happy I’ll be tomorrow. Their constant ogling is making it hard to slip away.”

Tom’s mood soured. Too many people believed they had a right to even speak with Harry, when they were unworthy of licking his shoes-

“Are you monologuing on the inside again?” Harry asked, his eyebrows raised. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Tom huffed. “Of course not.”

Harry had a knowing glint in his eyes, but said nothing.

“I’ll be off then. I’ll come see you when I can slip away. Thank Merlin I have my map and cloak back - it was an utter nightmare.”

“You could’ve come back any time, you know. I wouldn’t have done anything.” Tom was looking intently at himthe boy, as if willing him to believe through sheer determination.

“Maybe not, but I would’ve flayed your arse alive. I was hurt by your actions, Tom, I still am. I needed some time to deal with my best friend attacking me so bloody viciously that I was in a coma afterwards.”

“Harry, I’m sor-”

“I know you’re sorry, alright? I know that. But it doesn’t change the fact that it happened and that I need some time to get over it, alright?” Harry stood up and pulled out his cloak. “I’ll see you later, Tom.”

And then he was gone.

Merlin, Tom thought, before disappearing into the diary. Harry Potter was something else.

As Harry was walking to breakfast, he saw blond hair shimmer somewhere between students.

“Hey, Luna, wait up!” he pushed through the students to get to her.

“Hello, Harry. I’m glad to see you’re better today.”

Harry was taken aback momentarily, then smiled. “Of course. How did things go with Flitwick?”

“Exceptionally well, Harry. All of my things are back.”

“That’s good to hear. And those who did it?”

“Detention for two months. Flitwick was really pissed.”

It was true. Harry has never seen him so angry before. Or ever, for that matter.

“Come sit with me, Harry. There’s someone who wants to see you.”

Harry nodded, smirking when he saw how subdued quite a few ravenclaws were. Serves them right.

Ravenclaw was missing quite a hefty sum of points as well.

“Ah, ‘Arry! Sitting with us today?”

Harry was slightly startled to see Pierre smiling at him, as Luna dragged him into the seat next to him.

Traitor.

“Yes,” Harry smiled at the boy, when he noticed everyone watching him. Bloody hell.

“Splendid! Harry, meet my ah , friends: of course you know my dear friend, Fleur Delacour.” Harry inclined his head to her in greeting, but internally he started wondering if this was some ploy to get closer to him and find out his strategies and such. They’re shit out of luck if it is; Harry won’t be revealing absolutely anything. “Over there is Anette Bassett, Javier D’aureville and Frederic Boisseau.”

“Pleased to meet you all,” Harry said pleasantly, a voice in his head that sounded suspiciously like Tom saying ‘making connections with foreigners is important, do not mess it up’ .

They all smiled at him, so Harry took it as a good thing. “How do you all like Hogwarts?” he asked, genuinely curious.

“Ah, the castle is wonderful and brimming with magic, but- well, no offence, but it’s cold.” Anette said, looking only slightly apologetic.

“Yes, back in France it’s much warmer. I don’t know how you can stand it,” the boy - Javier? Merlin, Harry should probably remember their names - said.

“Well, it is December, and there’s one wonderful thing that helps.” Harry said, smiling mischievously at their clueless faces. He leaned in closer, as if to whisper a secret: “Magic.”

Anette, Javier and Pierre snorted, while Fleur looked like she was doing everything she can not to smile.

Frederic, on the other hand, sneered. “Yes, we know what magic is, we’re not stupid! You British people…”

Harry gave him a deadpan look that obviously stated he believed this statement to be bullshit, but didn’t say anything.

Instead, he waved his hand, placing a warming charm over all of them.

“You were saying?”

The french students gaped at him, eyes going wide.

“Did you see that, Pierre? He did wandless magic!”

“But how can you- you’re just a boy!”

“Not even I can do it!”

“Il est puissant.”

Harry felt somewhat smug, knowing he made a good impression. Younger and already able to do wandless magic? That will leave a mark.

“Thank you ‘Arry. it’s much warmer this way.” Fleur spoke up, but she looked a little stiff.

Ah, she didn’t expect much competition from him, did she? Called him a small boy. Now she’ll know he’s not someone to be messed with.

After all, wandless magic was extremely rare and those who used it were seen as powerful and not ones to be messed with.

“Yes, Harry, merci,” Pierre added too.

“It was just a warming charm! Anyone can do it, non?” Frederic grumbled, looking less than satisfied.

“Nobody stopped you from doing it, instead, you complained .” Harry pointed out, giving the boy in front of him a searching look.

Frederic clearly didn’t like him. Harry tried to scan his thoughts, but there was just a faint feeling of jealousy and anger, nothing else - the boy clearly knew some form of occlumency.

But what the fuck could he have done to erect those feelings?

“If you don’t like it, then you can very well cast it yourself,” Harry said and spitefully removed the warming charm from the boy, enjoying it when he visibly shivered.

Frederic scowled and pulled out his wand, ignoring his friends' snickering.

“Frederic can be a bit… cold sometimes,” Anette said, smirking at her own pun. 

“ Tas-toi!”

From this point Harry zoned out, as they all started arguing in french and he couldn’t understand any of it. Perhaps he should invest some time into learning a language.

He turned to the other side, feeling someone blatantly staring at him and his eyes met Cho’s along with her gang.

They were glaring at him.

Well, that was new. Just a few days ago they were squealing and following him, when they weren’t following Cedric, or Krum. Pathetic.

What were they mad about now? Harry looked into one of their eyes, catching glimpses of sitting with Loony - he’ll pay for what he did - detention- and that was all he needed to realize they were the ones targeting Luna.

Filthy bitches.

Harry glared back, making sure to send a small, painful stinging hex at all of them, smirking when they all squealed and jumped into the air, looking around.

“Thank you, Harry, you didn’t need to do that,” Luna whispered.

“Oh, but I did. It’s so much fun, no?”

Luna smirked back at him, but then went back to reading her book. Which was still upside down.

Harry shook his head, not wanting to wrack his brain about this as well.

Luna was weird, but… good weird. 

“So ‘Arry, we were very impressed with your ah… parseltongue skills during the first task,” Javier said, looking excited. “Speak to dragons often?”

Harry snorted.

“He is friends with one,” Luna said from beside him, and Harry almost choked on his juice.

Bloody hell, how did she know this?

“What is she talking about, ‘Arry?”

“Nothing, um… my friend has a similar name to a dragon.” he explained, kicking Luna under the table. Did she have to say that?!

“Ah,” they all nodded. “It’s wonderful though, no? That you could speak to them?”

Harry shrugged. “I prefer snakes.”

“Big ones,” Luna muttered from beside him, and Harry honestly thought of murdering her right there and then.

How the fuck did she know about the basilisk?!

“Snakes are disgusting,” Frederic said snidely from beside him, his disdain clear for all to see. “And so is this parseltongue.”

“Keep talking, and I’ll send one to bite you,” Harry spat sharply, and he meant it.

“ Is that a threat? !” Frederic hissed at him.

“You shouldn’t be hissing, Freddie, you’re not very good at it. Try it like this: frigus. Make him feel cold the entire fucking day.”

The boy blanched back from him, instantly feeling the cold seeping into his bones and shivering.

Luna giggled from beside him.

“That was hot,” he heard Pierre mutter, but decided to ignore it in order to feel wonderfully gleeful when each and every one of the warming charms Frederic tried, failed.

This was hilarious. Perhaps he should mingle with students more.

“What did you do to me?!” Frederic growled at him, receiving quite a few questionable looks.

“Calm down, Frederic, you’re being very hostile today,” Anette said from aside.

“Yes, Harry was being nice, but you seem to have a problem with him,” Pierre frowned too.

“Because he’s the enemy ! Fleur, tell them! You are competing against ‘im, no?”

Fleur frowned. “Yes, but the task isn’t for another two months, we can be civil and mingle. No need to be all angry and hostile to each other.”

Frederic looked at his friends furiously. “He cursed me!”

“He just hissed.”

“‘Arry, could you ah, take whatever you did off of Fred here?” Javier asked, looking more than done with this conversation.

“No,” Harry said firmly, as his eyes landed on Frederic. His smile turned viscous. “He deserves it. Shouldn’t have insulted my heritage, Freddie. Next time I won’t be so lenient.” 

Some of them opened their mouths to argue, but their jaws snapped shut as Harry’s magic suddenly danced around the table, mostly focused on Frederic. 

Harry leaned in closer. 

“You really don’t want me as your enemy, Frederic. Doesn’t end well for most.”

With that, Harry stood up, having had had enough of this. “Now excuse me, I have places to be. Luna, are you coming?”

“No, you need to speak with your slytherins alone.”

“Alright. It was wonderful meeting you all.” Harry gave them all a beaming smile, and turned to walk away.

“Harry! Wait!” Harry stopped, as Pierre raced after him. “Ah, can we meet up later? To talk and all.”

“Sure. But I might be in Hogsmeade most of the day.”

“Oh, then I might see you there! And sorry about Frederic, I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

“It’s fine. See you later.”

Harry walked away, wondering if making enemies was always so much fun.

“You look entirely too pleased with yourself. What did you do?”

Harry gave Theo an amused look.

“Made a new nemesis, I think.”

They all groaned.

“What? Like you don’t have enough?”

Harry shrugged. “One more or one less, not much of a difference at this point. Besides, it’s fun.”

“Fun?” Draco deadpanned.

Harry nodded enthusiastically.

The boy sighed. “Alright. Fine. Fine! Who is it that wants to skin you alive this time?”

“Frederic D-... Actually, I have no idea what his last name is. One of the Beauxbatons students.”

“Oh, Merlin, is having enemies in Hogwarts not enough!?”

“The more the merrier.”

“I told you he’s insane,” Blaise muttered from aside.

Harry grinned at him. “I’ll take that as a complement.”

“Of course you would,” Draco snorted. “What in Salazar’s name were you doing there anyway?”

“Having breakfast with Luna.”

“Looney Lovegood?” Draco barely managed to get out, before jumping up and yelping loudly. “What was that?!”

Harry glared at him, having no patience for this. “You will never again call her that, is that understood, Draco?”

“But-”

“She is my friend, and if you call her Loony again, you won’t be.”

Draco paled. “Alright, fine. Sorry.”

Harry nodded, giving Draco one last glare. He knew how nasty Draco could be and he wanted none of that anywhere near Luna. She was already dealing with enough. And Harry liked her.

“You seem much more relaxed today,” Theo pointed out, wanting nothing more than to change the topics. He didn’t want any more arguments between Harry and Draco. Both were as stubborn as mules. “Don’t tell me that all it takes you to de-stress is making a new enemy.”

“Not at all, Theo. Just resolved some issues yesterday.”

For some reason, all of them seemed to relax at this.

Was his tension really so palpable for everyone? Harry needed to get a better hold of himself.

“So, anyone ready for Hogsmeade?”

Draco suddenly looked nervous. “I uh… I’m meeting my parents there today in Green Fields.”

“It’s a restaurant at the edge of Hogsmeade,” Theo explained, seeing Harry’s confused expression. “Not many students go there, as it’s pricey and is usually booked in advance, because it has great views and supposedly serves excellent desserts. Sometimes students go there to meet with their parents and such, or some take their betrotheds there for dates, etcetera.”

Oh.

Well, Harry had no idea about its existence. It’s not like he had someone to meet either. Last year he wasn’t allowed to go at all, but it didn’t stop him from sneaking down there a few times. He didn’t exactly have time to explore.

“When are you meeting your parents, Draco?” Harry asked, wondering if the boy had told them about their… alliance.

It would be most joyous to see Lucius Malfoy’s expression if he sees his son with Harry Potter.

“In… fuck , in an hour ! We’re going to be late!"

“You say that every time and you’re never late, Draco,” Blaise rolled his eyes, used to the boy’s dramatics.

“Better hurry up then. Meet at the entrance?” They all nodded and headed back to their dormitories to get their coats.

Harry has never seen Draco so nervous.

It was amusing, to say the least.

“It’s like you've never met your parents, Draco. I would be nervous too if I had to meet mine, but that would be entirely different circumstances, wouldn’t you say?”

Theo snorted loudly, followed by Blaise. 

“He’s got you there.”

“I’m not nervous, I’m just- cold. I’m cold .”

Harry waved his hand, a warming charm settling over all of them immediately.

“I’m not even going to comment on that,” Theo muttered. He was becoming used to all of Harry’s… everything, really. He was just glad he was on Harry’s side. Theo witnessed him when angry, he felt his magic, and he didn’t want that insanely powerful magic targeting him .

Ever .

He just thanked all the gods that allowed them a chance to become Harry’s friends, because Theodore had absolutely no doubt in his mind that Harry would kill them all if he needed to.

Making himself a valuable asset was his primary goal right now. And earning Harry’s trust.

“I think I see them,” Blaise said, pulling Theo out of his thoughts.

Draco walked forwards to greet his parents, while Harry watched in amusement just how jittery the boy looked.

“Why is he so nervous?” he asked Theo quietly, his eyes lever leaving the family’s. They were too far away for Harry to make out what was going on, but it was clear there was some tension in the air.

“Draco likes you and he wants his family to like you as well. But you know there’s been… things between us all.”

“You mean I was the enemy number one and you all believed I worshipped the old coot?”

“Yes. That .”

“Well, I honestly don’t care whether those two like me or not. Draco shouldn’t rely so much on their opinion; he has his own.”

Theo and Blaise looked at him incredulously.

“But they’re his family , their opinion is important to him and-”

“Well, I can’t say I understand.” Harry cut them off. “I don’t have a family so nobody’s beliefs can influence mine. As simple as that.”

They winced.

Harry rolled his eyes.

“Please, don’t start apologizing or something as ludicrous. I’ve never had a family and it’s nothing new. You should know.”

“What about your guardians? Well, before you were… you know. ”

“What about them?” Harry asked, perhaps a bit too snappily.

“Do you not care what they have to say about this? And who are they?” Blaise asked, sounding eager to hear his answer. "Nobody has any idea who you live with."

“They are nothing but bottom feeding, filthy bastards who I will kill in the most painful way possible, if one of my associates doesn’t get to them first.”

Theo and Blaise shared a look, clearly startled by Harry's abrupt change in tone.

“Did they… do something to you?” Theo asked carefully, after Blaise vehemently shook his head that he's not going to be the one to ask.

What Harry said clearly indicated something bad happening.

To think of it, they never heard Harry mentioning his guardians or even receiving letters from them. Or going home during holidays…

Suddenly, Theo had a very bad feeling.

“That’s not something I will be telling you.” Harry snapped, then took a deep breath to calm his nerves. “Oh, look; they’re coming here.”

And indeed, the Malfoys were walking towards them, Draco looking a bit tense.

“Hello boys,” Narcissa Malfoy was the first to speak, smiling at them softly. 

“Good afternoon, Lady Malfoy,” Theo inclined his head, as did Blaise and Harry, although much more subtly. “I hope you are well.”

“We are, thank you for asking, Theo. How are you faring?”

“I can’t complain, Lady Malfoy.”

“I must say, Mr Potter, your performance at the first task was… one of a kind.” Lucius spoke up, peering directly at Harry, who couldn’t help but smirk.

“Thank you. I’m sure you’ve seen… similar kinds of performances before, Lord Malfoy.” Harry said, clearly insinuating Voldemort with his pet snake, and the man understood it well, but everyone else stiffened at Harry’s remark as if expecting a fight.

“Indeed, Mr Potter, indeed... Quite a ruckus it caused too. And the article! Dumbledore is under the fire. That must be so hard for you, as he’s your mentor-”

Harry’s eyes flashed and the temperature dropped around them significantly, even if his expression remained the same.

His friends’ eyes widened and they all took a cautious step back, except for Draco - he had both of his parents' hands on his shoulders and looked like he wanted nothing more than for the earth to swallow him whole.

“-and turned on you so quickly. So much for being Dumbledore’s favourite-”

“Father, stop ,” Draco was starting to panic when he saw the look in Harry's eyes, but his father wasn’t listening.

“-and he won’t even help his beloved Golden Boy.”

There was a moment of silence, before Harry smiled .

A deformed, bloodthirsty smirk before Harry flicked his wrists, and they all could feel wards being raised around them.

Powerful, impenetrable walls. It looked like there was a wall of ice between them and the rest of the street, obscuring the view from curious eyes and not letting anyone in or out.

Lucius stiffened at this, eyes widening slightly.

Did this boy just raise wandless wards?!

“You will find out, Lucius , that I am neither the golden boy nor do I care what that senile old bastard wants or thinks.” Harry stepped forward, his magic leaking out of his control and slowly suffocating the small space he made with his wards. He missed the terrified look that was appearing on Narcissa’s face as she realized what was happening. “If you dare to imply as such again, I will make you regret it. Not in a way of your career, because Draco seems to hold you in high regard and supposedly loves you, and I’d rather not have him suffer the consequences as well. No, I will make you feel pain worse than the Dark Lord’s crucio if you dare to come with such ludicrous claims straight to my face. Do you understand?”

Lucius looked beyond shocked at this boy threatening him of all people, not even shouting; just speaking softly, and yet his words held power, a certain sense of command in them - he couldn't help but shudder, yet still scoffed, choosing not to allow this child to intimidate him. He wasn't a pureblood Lord for nothing. “You’re a mere child-”

“ Pain. Hurt him.” Harry hissed, knowing the Dark Mark will react to his command and not a second later, the Malfoy Lord was writhing on the ground, screaming in pain while Harry watched passively.

Pain wasn't new to him, whether his own or others. He knew from experience reacting to it always made things worse, but now- now he was the one hurting others. It was his turn now.

“Harry, please-”

Harry’s head snapped up to see an extremely pale face of Draco and his mother, looking absolutely horror-struck and pleading - and he stopped.

“Get up,” he commanded, watching coldly how the wizard shakily got to his feet, looking dishevelled and absolutely terrified.

He was clutching his arm.

“How- howdid you..?” Lucius could only stutter as he stared wide eyed at Harry, as if seeing him for the first time.

Perhaps he was.

Harry found out most people had this reaction when they found out Harry wasn't a weak little boy and could do much worse than they just witnessed.

Tom would be so proud.

“You should be thanking your son, Lucius. I would’ve kept it on much longer, if not for him.” Harry stepped up closer to the man, allowing his magic to touch him, to make him feel it, and the man’s face lost all the remaining colour. “Next time you dare to implement that I am in cahoots with the old coot, it will be much worse.”

“W-who are you?” Lucius could barely get the words out, staring at Harry unblinkingly, as if not believing his eyes that it was real .

Harry smiled at the wizard. “Harry Potter. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Theo snorted somewhere behind Harry, more from shock than anything else.

“But- but, my- mark-” Lucius' eyes kept going from his arm to Harry, his brain refusing to come to the conclusion.

“I’m not your Master, if that’s what you think. Don’t you worry, though. I’m sure you’ll see your favorite Dark Lord soon.”

“You’re dark.” Narcissa spoke up, finally regaining her voice. She looked about to faint, but was holding onto her composure well, Harry noted.

That’s purebloods to you.

“I told you,” Draco hissed at them. 

Harry looked at the witch for a long moment, observing her with a detached clinical and calculating look, before nodding, as if in approval. She has never done anything bad to him so he will return the favour. And she was Sirius' cousin, a Black. Harry was quite curious to speak to her one day.

Technically, she was his family as well. 

“Oh, don’t worry, Lady Malfoy, your husband here will be just fine. Heal him up, but tingle for the rest of the day as a reminder. ” Harry commanded, watching how his magic worked with the mark. Parselmagic was a gift and anyone who said otherwise were complete morons.

More power to him, Harry guessed.

Lucius Malfoy blinked, suddenly standing up straighter.

He looked speechless.

He looked… humbled .

Harry couldn’t help but grin at this wonderful sight.

He just terrified the Malfoys into submission. If someone told him this last year…

Harry waved his hand and Lucius' attire returned to its previous impeccable state.

“I believe you have a restaurant to go to. I hope nothing that happened here will leave people present. It would be extremely unpleasant for everyone if the information got… displaced.” Harry said cheerily, ignoring the horrified looks.

“Harry, stop terrifying my parents,” Draco said after finally regaining his voice.

“But it’s so much fun, Dray. You don’t react the same way to me anymore; I need fresh blood.”

They all winced at Harry’s childlike tone, because it made him sound more unhinged and much more dangerous, especially with that insane glint in his eyes.

Then those eyes snapped to the pureblood Lord.

“Oh, and Lucius?” Harry leaned in so much closer, that only the man could hear what he was going to say next. Nobody else needed to know. “I believe I must thank you for… misplacing a certain diary . You know, the black one you slipped into Weaselette’s book in my second year? The one that belonged to the Dark Lord? Yes, well, thanks . It worked out absolutely brill .”

With that, Lucius Malfoy’s face went paper sheet white and he fainted.

“Harry…” Draco sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “What did I ask?”

“Not my fault he’s shitting his pants at the slightest show of power. Here, let my just-” he shot a wandless rennervate at the man, rolling his eyes. "Seriously?"

"Oh dear," Narcissa looked concerned as she walked up to her husband in order to help him up. “Are you alright, Lucius dear?”

Lucius' face was comical as he looked around at everyone’s faces peering down at him, and stared at Harry wide eyed.

The boy smirked.

Lucius knew that he knew, that what Harry just said could ruin the wizard if Harry so wished, especially if he slipped that information to Voldemort, or even Dumbledore. Anyone, really.

And with Voldemort clearly making a move to resurrect himself, their Dark Marks darkening, Lucius knew damn well that he will be punished most severely for misplacing the Dark Lord’s personal item.

Malfoy was just coming to realize what sort of power Harry held over him.

“Well, I will be going off, as I’m sure you’d rather catch up with your son and everything.”

Draco closed his eyes in exasperation. “Merlin, Harry.”

Lucius was already on his feet, looking extremely embarrassed as he glanced at Harry warily. 

Harry was certain no one had made him faint before.

Merlin, such a precious memory.

Harry shot them all a grin. “Have a wonderful the rest of the day.”

After one more warning look at Lucius, Harry practically skipped away.

Not soon after he heard footsteps running after him, shaken Theo and Blaise staring at him.

“What was that, Harry?”

The boy shrugged, but they could see amusement on his face.

“I just… had some fun,”

“You made Lord Malfoy faint ,” Theo said. “I don’t know what you said and did to him, but Merlin’s pants, Potter. I think I need a drink.”

“And I’m quite curious to see how Lord Malfoy will react. I mean, what you did just there…”

“He’ll know for sure you’re not playing for Dumbledore’s team.”

Harry rolled his eyes at the boys’ intent looks. If Lucius couldn’t figure it out by himself and needed such a direct approach, then he wasn’t all that smart.

“I think it was rather obvious already, Theo,” Harry said, and it was true. With the recent articles it must’ve been glaring obvious, but for some unknown reason that blind bastard just had to push his buttons.

Well, he got what he deserved.

Now he had to wait for Lucius to make a move, whatever it might be.

“So… Three Broomsticks?”

“Oh, Harry! I’m so glad to meet you here!”

Harry turned to see Pierre standing behind him, and he noted that the girl - Annette was browsing the shop as well.

Most students were, as it was the last Hogsmeade weekend before holidays, and people were buying last moment gifts.

Harry inclined his head in greeting, noticing Theo’s suspicious look at the Beauxbataton’s student.

“I told you I’ll be in Hogsmeade. How do you like it?”

“It’s cosy. Can’t wait to try some of these sweets; we don’t have anything like this in France.”

“Ehem.”

Harry rolled his eyes and looked at Theo. “Yes?”

“Going to introduce us?”

Should he?

“Theo, this is Pierre Beaumont-LaRue - Theodore Nott.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Pierre shot him a short smile and returned his attention back to Harry, which seemed to irk the slytherin at being dismissed just like that .

“Who’s that?” Blaise asked Theo, who was watching Harry speaking to some Beauxbatons’ student. 

“Pierre Beaumont,” Theo bristled. “ LaRue.”

Blaise raised his brows in question, a bit shocked at Theo’s clear dislike for the boy. Did something happen? “Why is he speaking to Harry?”

“I haven’t the slightest.”

“They look cosy,” Blaise noted. “You think they know each other?”

“It seems so. Harry did say he spoke with some of them this morning, made a new nemesis of one of them and all that.”

Blaise snorted. “Can you blame him? All they do is complain.”

Theo rolled his eyes, but conceded. It’s not like Blaise was wrong - most French students continued to praise Beauxbatons over Hogwarts at every chance they got. Their current fixation was the cold and if Theo was honest, they could all freeze to death for all he cared.

Harry laughed loudly, snapping the boy out of his more sinister thoughts.

He focused on the two wizards in front of him and watched suspiciously how this Pierre character handed a box of Swiss chocolate flowers to Harry, and the two continued to chat.

Something was going on.

It was confirmed when a clearly pleased Harry walked over to them, asking if they were ready to go or needed to buy something as well.

“What has you so pleased?” Blaise inquired. 

“Oh, nothing, just got something resolved. One less thing to worry about.”

“And what would that be?”

Harry leaned in closer, eyes glinting slightly. “My Ball date.”

Theo choked on his spit. Oh, fucking hell -

“You’re going with him?! ”

Harry’s expression froze and he gave Theo a sideways look, clearly shocked at Theo’s sudden outburst - the boy was usually the calmest of them all. “Yeah? Why not? It’s just one dance. Nowhere in the rules does it state that I have to stay there indefinitely.”

“So what, he just asked you like that and you agreed, after cursing everyone else who dared to even try?” Blaise was suspicious as well; it wasn’t like Harry at all.

“No, he asked me over a week ago. I just figured, why not? Pierre’s got quite a few foreign connections, wouldn’t hurt to have someone like that on my side. And it's not like there's someone else I can take, not that I particularly want to. Everyone is either annoying or want their five minutes of fame. This whole thing is a sham."

Theo and Blaise exchanged glances.

"He clearly likes you," Blaise said bluntly.

"Who doesn't?" Harry muttered absently, his eyes raking over the shelves, looking for something he'd like. 

Perhaps he should actually buy gifts for his newest acquaintances. Or is that too soon? Slytherin’s clearly thought of him as a friend, an ally , so maybe he should… ask Tom. Yes. Brilliant. He'd know exactly what to do. 

Why hadn't this come up earlier?!

"Harry, Pierre likes you, " Blaise repeated slowly, looking intently at his classmate, who seemed to be completely unaware of what was happening around him.

"Yeah, I heard you the first time. What do you think of toffee eclairs?"

Theo and Blaise exchanged incredulous looks that clearly stated Harry was an idiot. An oblivious, clueless idiot.

"They're great. I like the coffee ones as well."

Harry browsed for the next ten minutes, eventually buying a few dozens of boxes of different kinds of chocolates, simply because he couldn’t choose, and left the store with his two slytherins behind, who were acting a bit too suspiciously, in Harry’s humble opinion.

“Where in Merlin’s name have you been?!” Draco’s voice rang loudly and they turned to see a glaring Draco Malfoy. “I’ve been looking for half an hour for you! 

“Honeydukes. Harry bought half the store.” Blaise shrugged.

“Hey! No I didn’t! Blaise is just a filthy liar.” Harry crossed his arms, slightly insulted. He didn’t buy that much… did he? “How was your meeting with parents?” Harry asked instead, unable to keep the glee out of his voice. He was incredibly curious to see what Lucius had to say.

Draco pursed his lips.

“You scared them both half to death. I’ve never seen my father so shaken and out of bounds. Mother said something about Black madness,” Draco pierced him with an intent look. “It would make sense, you know. Because you’re absolutely off your rockers, Potter. I thought having you as a rival was bad, but Merlin, being your friend? I need to start carrying calming draughts around.”

Harry’s eyes glinted with amusement.

He’s never had so much fun before.

“Please, I’m a joy to be around. Look at all the fun you get to have.”

Draco rolled his eyes, but Harry could see him trying not to smile. 

Ha!

“Black madness, huh?” Theo muttered, gazing at Harry speculatively.

“I’m not mad,” Harry bristled. 

“Don’t all mad people say that?” Blaise chimed in and jumped into the air when a stinging hex hit him. “What was that for?!”

“Being annoying.”

“Draco’s the one who mentioned it!”

“No, his mother mentioned it, Draco just told us, and you-” Harry glared at both of them. “You immediately accused me of being mad. You haven’t even been around all that long to know all the stuff I get up to!”

“We heard rumours,” Blaise said.

“Pff, rumours. You heard those when I was in the hospital wing. They believed that Snape tried to kill me.”

“Well, no one knew what happened and you never told us,” Draco pointed out, glaring at Harry. “Still haven’t.”

“And I’m not going to.” Harry said curtly, because that’s not something he wanted to remember. He was trying to forget it. Move past it. “Ready to go back or do you still want to walk around?”

“Back. There’s nothing else to do here.”

“Alright.”

“Did your father say anything else?” Theo asked, once they were finally back in their common room, without Harry with them this time.

“Plenty.” Draco draped himself over in a sofa. “I wasn’t lying. I’ve never seen my father so shaken.”

“Did he tell you what Harry said to him? I mean… it must’ve been pretty horrible,” Theo said, as he cast some privacy wards around them; they didn’t want this getting out.

Draco was already shaking his head. “No. He said it was too dangerous for me to know. That it can get me killed. ”

“Then how in Merlin’s name does he know?!”

“And what could it be?”

Draco shook his head again, ignoring the worried looks of his friends.

He’s been asking the same things.

Harry was dangerous .

Incredibly so. Now more than ever. Whatever rose-tinted glasses Draco had at the beginning of this year, they were gone now, and he saw the truth for what it was.

Harry Potter was not one to be messed with.

He knew this. Now his parents knew this, and his father had ordered him to be on Harry’s good side no matter what.

“He has dangerous information, Draco, you must be extremely cautious. The magic he performed… the ease he wielded it with… I haven’t seen anything like it since the Dark Lord’s days.” Lucius leaned in, eyes completely serious. “Donot anger him. I know you had your ridiculous rivalry before, but you said you consider him a friend right now. Keep it that way. I don’t want him to hurt you.”

Draco took his father’s warning to heart.

After what he witnessed since the day Harry unleashed his potential, allowed them to see his true self, Draco was determined to get on the boy’s good side; slytherins always were drawn to power and Potter had it in spades.

He had no intention to be the one under fire.

“I don’t know,” Draco answered Theo eventually, too lost in thought. “You know just as well as I do that Harry’s secretive as fuck. If we asked him, he’d just smirk and not say anything at all. He doesn’t trust us enough and can you really blame him?”

It’s been only a few months of their tenuous friendship. The first steps.

“I still can’t believe what he did to your father. It was practically torture,” Theo muttered after a long pause. “He didn’t even pull out his wand.”

Draco shifted uneasily. “Father said Harry did something through his Mark.”

Both boy’s eyes bulged out. “How is that even possible?”

“I have no idea. Father believes it might have something to do with parseltongue, but even he wasn’t sure.”

They sat in silence for a moment, contemplating the information.

“Perhaps I should ask my grandfather,” Theo said eventually. “I mean, he was there when the Dark Lord rose to power. He’s been telling me stories since I was a kid. Maybe he’ll have some information?”

“About what? If Potter is the next Dark Lord?”

They all chuckled uneasily, after a moment of tense silence.

“It’s not possible… is it?” Draco’s voice shook a little.

“Well, he supposedly already gained an alliance with the Dark Lord. He’s against Dumbledore. He’s powerful and quite frankly, terrifying, when he wants to be. He spoke to a dragon. He’s already a Lord. People already flock him. I think he’s on the right path, if that’s what he chooses,” Theo said in an undertone. “Merlin .”

“Can you imagine? Potter as a Dark Lord?” Blaise’s voice was slightly hysterical. 

“I don’t think we’d survive,” Draco whispered. “Let’s hope not.”

“You’re a hard one to find, aren’t you, laddie?”

Harry closed his eyes in annoyance, wishing he checked the damned map.

What if he got caught while entering the Chamber?

“I didn’t know anyone was looking for me, professor,” Harry answered pleasantly, turning around and facing the wizard. “Is there something you needed from me?”

Moody stared at him for a moment, before smirking. “Ah, you’re a sly one, aren’t you? Come with me, Potter.”

Harry begrudgingly followed the professor, wishing he’d just slip and break his bloody neck.

He didn’t want an ex-Auror breathing down his neck.

Sure, Moody seemed alright; insane and impulsive, paranoid as fuck, but he was still and Auror and Dumbledore’s friend. Supposedly.

What did he want from Harry? Especially now?

He looked around cautiously once he entered the professor's office, as if waiting for someone - most likely Dumbledore - to jump out and curse him.

“No need to look so suspicious, lad, I mean no harm to ya.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“Ah, still suspicious, eh? Good, good. Not enough of you are cautious here, let me tell you that. That Weasley? An oblivious fool. One day someone will curse him good, I’m telling ya.”

Harry didn’t say anything and waited for the professor to get to the point.

“Not much of a talker, eh? That’s alright. I’ll talk. Tell me, Potter, how are you doing?”

Harry blinked. “How am I… doing?” he repeated, not sure if he heard it right.

“Aye. Dumbledore asked me to keep an eye on ye. Said you’re acting different, something might be wrong.”

“I’m perfectly fine, thank you,” Harry answered coolly, because of course that bastard would stick Moody on him. “Is there something else?”

The man huffed. “I told Albus the same thing, but he insists that something’s wrong. Ya see, you’ve been best buddies with loads of slytherins, and you know they’re dark right? Who their parents were?”

Harry was becoming seriously irritated with this conversation.

“Yes, I do know that, I’m not an idiot. I just don’t see how that is any of yours or Dumbledore’s business. I don’t see him ignoring Karkaroff, do I?”

“Karkaroff?”

“Yes, he’s a bloody Death Eater, isn’t he? And a traitor too, on top of that. And dark. Somehow he still speaks with him, no?”

Moody barked out a laugh. “I like you, laddie.”

Harry couldn’t say the same. Moody was… bloody insane. Another bipolar nutjob.

“So, ready for the Yule Ball, Potter?”

The boy scoffed. “Are you?”

“I asked first, laddie. Heard you’re taking that… Weasley girl, eh?”

Harry grimaced. “Merlin, no. Who told you that?”

Moody was a bit surprised. “No? Well… heard her boasting to other annoying girls. Took points too, they were screeching louder than bloody banshees.”

“Well, I’m taking one of the Beauxbatons students and I’d appreciate it if you kept it to yourself. Or better yet, give Weaslette a detention.”

Moody started laughing, to Harry’s surprise.

He really was mad.

“The girl will be disappointed, lad.”

“Good. Not my problem. Is there something else, professor?”

“Not really, no, yer good to go, Potter. CONSTANT VIGILANCE!”

If Harry shot a small hex at the professor for startling him, neither of them said a word about it.

Moody may have even been proud.

“Stay after class, Mr Potter.”

Those infernal words.

Why Snape never said this to someone else? Anyone?

Just once, please.

His evading tactics won’t work either; not unless Harry literally runs out from the classroom, but that would get him detention and even more rumours.

So he waited.

“You’re a hard person to find, Mr Potter,” Snape said, hinting at Harry’s rather abrupt escape the last time and him being a complete no-show everywhere else this week.

“So I’ve been told.”

“Oh?”

Harry didn’t elaborate.

This was the last week before the holidays, and that thrice-cursed Yule Ball, and students were becoming more and more vicious every day in haunting him.

As he’d ever go with any of them. Two-faced weaklings, just waiting to get their moment of fame at his side.

At least Pierre looked like he didn’t care, and, well, Harry was gaining something from it too: foreign alliances and someone new he can talk to. Worst case scenario, Harry’s not going to have to deal with him next year, unlike the rest of the Hogwarts population.

“I think it would be best if we finished our last conversation, Mr Potter. It ended rather abruptly.”

“I think it would be best if you left it alone, professor.”

Snape’s eyes peered into Harry’s for a long, silent moment, but Harry didn’t lower his stubborn gaze. He didn’t want to finish that conversation, not knowing where it was leading. 

Snape was too damn smart for his own good.

Eventually the professor sighed deeply and waved his wand to make some tea for both of them. “I believe we ended up on the wrong foot. You said some things-”

“I don’t want to talk about them,” Harry said heatedly. “Call it a slip of tongue, if you will, but you’re the one who was prying into something that is none of your business, professor, not the other way around.”

“Either way, what you disclosed concerns me deeply, so I cannot in good conscience let this go, Mr Potter.” Snape continued observing him and Harry was desperately looking for a way out of this. If Snape found out how Dursleys treated him… Merlin, the humiliation alone would be the end of him. And it would get out, it always does. And it was Snape. The man might be more tolerant towards him this year, more observant, much more annoying, with his sudden interest, but he was still a bastard who might use what happened to Harry against him.

Harry blamed his short temper for blurring out the things he did; as always, it caught up to him.

“I don’t see how anything I said would be concerning or school related,” Harry started, hoping that if he somehow pissed off Snape enough, then perhaps the wizard would just do his usual routine of belittling him and send him on his way with a few detentions.

Wishful thinking on his part.

“You heavily implied - no , downright stated, that your guardians portrait your parents in a horrible light, were forced to take you in and didn’t care about you at all. I believe that is a cause of concern for any student, Mr Potter.”

Fuck.

“Even so, why do you care ?” Harry asked snidely.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, please, you never cared about any of it before, but this year you’re determined to pry into my business. Tell me, professor, why is that?”

“Perhaps, for the first time, I saw the real you, Mr Potter, not whatever mask you were hiding behind all these years. Call it personal curiosity, if you will. I want some answers.”

“Well, tough.”

“Cease your snide remarks, they will not deter me from getting to the bottom of it all.”

Harry crossed his arms and stared blankly at Snape, not saying a word. Snape stared right back.

Harry wondered how long this stare-down is going to go on and raised his eyebrow challengingly in a ‘ what are you going to do now ’ manner, showing the professor he wasn’t about to back down. Not with this.

After another long minute, like this. However, I do not see any reason why you’d want to hide who your guardians are from me. I’m sure if I were to ask some of your… gryffindor friends about who they are, they’d have an answer, no?” Harry paled. Granger knew Dursley’s phone number. Weasleys knew his address and even more. They rescued him. They were aware or at least suspected of some of their treatment of him. Buggering fuck. 

Even if Ron didn’t want to tell Snape anything, that dunce was no occlumens and Snape would see everything he needed straight away.

Snape continued to press on, clearly noting a weakness: “I’m willing to hear it from you, rather than go through other sources, which I will, make no mistake of that.”

And he would, Snape was a bastard like that.

“Does this mean you already went looking and didn’t find anything?” Harry asked, because surely Snape would’ve snooped somewhere, like his file , which he had an access to. 

“Your deflection tactics will not work, Mr Potter. I’m not the head of Slytherin for nothing.”

Harry scowled, but Snape’s non-answer was an answer too. His file must’ve been tampered with or incomplete, which wasn’t a surprise. Dumbledore needed to hide his sins, after all.

“Exactly. Head of Slytherin. I’m a gryffindor.”

Snape snorted. 

“If there is one thing I’m absolutely sure of, Mr Potter, is that you’re no gryffindor. Whatever act you had going for the last few years seems to have evaporated and I’m sure the whole castle has seen by now how much of a non-gryffindor you are. My snakes can attest to that.”

Harry’s eyes narrowed at the last proclamation. They better not be tattling everything he was saying to Snape.

“Oh, do relax, they are not spying for me. You managed to gain their confidence, somehow, and I can respect that - they’re not very easy to sway. However, they were the first ones to notice that something changed. If you may recall your first ever… hm, questioning -”

“You mean interrogation? An ambush?”

“If you wish to call it that,” Snape smirked.

“Well, you were the one to lock me in the room with your slytherins to be questioned. Sounds like an ambush.”

“Which you dealt with swiftly and with grace, from what I gathered. Left my snakes terrified and slashed clean through my wards as well.”

Harry smirked smugly at that.

It was rather entertaining, back when they weren’t trying to instate themselves as his friends and were just trying to find out why the fuck he was acting like a complete bastard all of a sudden.

“I’m not apologizing for that.”

“I suppose you’re not. Which brings us back to my point, if you’re acting like a slytherin, I will treat you like one. Merlin knows Minerva is turning a blind eye to this and believes it’s just stress from the tournament, but I beg to differ. From what I’ve seen so far, you’re not exactly worried about the Tournament at all and denied every attempt of help, going as far as to call it insulting. I’d call you arrogant if I haven’t seen you deal with a dragon in a matter of minutes. Speaking in parseltongue . Yet another Slytherin trait.”

Harry snorted, amused how Snape was going on in circles as if to prove to him how much of a slytherin he was. It still didn’t give him the right to pry into his personal life.

Was he like this with every slytherin?

“Which reminds me, have you had any luck pinning down who might’ve put your name into the goblet of fire, since you’re so adamant that you didn’t do it?”

“No.” He didn’t exactly have time to think about this. Harry was so busy with everything lately, especially evading giggling gangs of girls, that whomever put his name completely slipped his mind. “Might as well be Dumbledore.” it wouldn’t surprise him in the slightest: another way to test him, but it didn’t seem like it. No, someone else did this - someone with a motive.

“I’m sure the headmaster did not do it; he spent enough time snooping around to find out who did.”

Well, that was surprising. And if Dumbledore didn’t find out who, it meant that that someone was skilled enough to stay undetected. Unless the old coot hid it.

“Did he share his suspicions with you of who it might’ve been?”

Snape hesitated.

“Yes,” he said eventually, finally receiving Harry’s full attention. “He believes it to be a ploy of the Dark Lord, so, naturally, it must’ve been one of his followers.”

Harry snorted, eyes glinting with excitement. “I’m well aware, professor.”

And he was.

Who else had a motive to get to him, other than the Dark Lord?

Tom agreed with him as well, especially with some of the… visions he got from that insane lunatic. He had a body now - a homunculus. It would make sense he’d make a move.

“You’re… aware? And you didn’t think to say something?”

Harry snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the professor. Snape looked livid .

Whoops. Did he overshare again? What was up with him lately?

“Who else could it be? Voldie is obviously getting stronger, as you probably estimated from your Dark Mark-” Snape cringed. “-and it would make sense he’d try something like this. I’m just not sure why. It can’t be to get me killed, I’m sure he’d like to do that personally.”

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something that sounded awfuly lot like ‘irresponsible teenagers’ and ‘ bloody insane Potter ’.

“And you didn’t think to inform anyone?”

“What can anyone do? I still have to bloody compete.”

And it was true. The contract was iron-clad, although Harry was reaping the benefits of becoming emancipated. 

“How do you know about the Mark?”

Now, this question brought a toothy grin on Harry’s face, making Severus uncomfortable.

Harry leaned forward, knowing full well that he looked half-insane.

“It’s a Dark Mark, professor. His mark on your skin that reeks of his magic. It’s not hard to draw to conclusions after that. And it’s been getting stronger all year.” Harry’s eyes zoned into Snape’s left forearm and the man’s arm twitched. He looked like he wanted to hide it from Harry’s intense look.

“Does it bother you?”

Snape pursed his lips and didn’t answer.

“Because if it does, I could… remove that little inconvenience. If…” his eyes twinkled. “If you stop poking into my personal life.”

Then something incredible happened.

Harry was absolutely certain - he’d swear on his parents graves if they weren’t already dead - that Severus Snape looked proud and was fighting a smile.

“And you called yourself a gryffindor. What a disgrace ,” the man drawled, then looked pointedly at him. “Not a chance.”

“Was worth a try,” Harry muttered.

“How come you can tweak the mark?”

Harry wasn’t sure if he could, since Voldemort was the one who put it there, but it was parselmagic. If it worked to bring Lucius to his knees, it sure would work with this, but was Harry going to start giving freebies? Absolutely not.

“I’ll tell you if you drop your sudden onset obsession with my life.”

“While I’m sure it would be interesting information, Mr Potter, I lived without knowing it for years. Your situation, however, is happening right now and is of more importance than my own personal choices during the war, so, despite your wonderful little game of ‘let’s distract the professor’, we’re back at square one.” Snape sat up straighter in his chair, expression completely serious. 

Their drinks were long forgotten and most likely cold by now too.

Harry wanted to stand up and leave. Why was Snape so insisted on this?

“What will you do once you find out?”

“Depending on the information you give me, I’ll act accordingly.”

“That’s vague as fuck and you know it.”

“Language.”

Harry rolled his eyes. “What will you do?” he asked again.

“I cannot answer that unless I have full information.”

Harry was beginning to get frustrated. Snape wasn’t letting this go and there was no way out of this. If he tells Snape some of it, at least this way he has some control over the situation, because if he goes to Weasleys… they will tell everything .

Harry really should just obliviate the lot of them.

And besides, since he’s emancipated… he doesn’t really have to go back, does he? Unless he’s going to pretend to not know about it.

“Fine. I live with my aunt and uncle. Vernon and Petunia Dursleys.”

He expected some snide remark, something like ‘that wasn’t so hard’, but Snape was unnaturally still.

Something was up.

“I would’ve said this sooner if I knew it would cause a petrification.”

Snape didn’t even take points for his sarcasm. To think of it, it’s been awhile since he did at all.

“Petunia? Lily’s sister?” he asked instead, and Harry was instantly on alert. 

“Do you know her?”

Snape nodded, then scowled, to Harry’s surprise. “Unfortunately. Back when I was your age. I believe I told you I was friends with your mom-” Harry nodded, “-and, well, she was there too. Nasty, stuck up bitch, even then. Was insanely jealous of Lily and her talents, and turned it into excessive bullying. When she was denied entry at Hogwarts-” Harry's eyebrows shot up, never expecting to hear that his normal aunt wanted to go to school of magic , “-she became even more nasty and proclaimed that Lily was abnormal, a freak , and started preaching against everything that was not normal by her standards. Did a full 180 and hated everything magic related with passion.”

That sounded absolutely like his dearest auntie. Was this all hatred for magic just a pent up anger that she got rejected from Hogwarts? Holy shit, if this was true…

“Sounds just like her,” he muttered absently, wondering the best way to bring it up to Petunia. He can use magic now, there’s no way they’d be able to hurt him in any way for saying such things. They wouldn’t dare. And Harry could get his revenge, if there was anything left after Tom was done. Riddle was enraged over their treatment over him and taught Harry exceptionally violent curses every time they were mentioned.

Harry snapped out his slightly murderous thoughts only to see frozen and pale professor staring at him in poorly disguised horror.

“How- Harry, you need to tell me the truth -” Snape was looking at him with something akin to desperation. “How are they treating you?”

Harry gulped, wanting nothing more but for the earth to swallow him whole.

“Fine,” he answered curtly, his blank mask back in place, but it was useless anyway. Snape will see right through his bullshit. There was no running away.

Fuck.

And he did .

“You’re telling me that a woman who hated Lily simply because she was magical up until the day she died, accepted you into her family? Cared for you? Never once treated you differently?” Snape was leaning in and looked quite angry. “Do not take me for a fool, Potter. It would be a miracle if Tuney suddenly grew a heart, one that I do not believe. And let’s not forget that the last time you told me they were forced to take you in.”

He should’ve never opened his damn mouth.

Too late now.

Anger blossomed in Harry’s chest like fire, at Snape, for daring to expose his private life - his shame - like that.

“Fine. You want to know just how much they loathe me, professor?” Harry’s voice was sharp like a knife. “How I ruined their perfect little life by appearing at their doorstep, bringing freakishness into their normal home? I was a burden they didn’t want, I was never welcome there, and they never let me forget it.” Harry felt magic tingle at his fingertips, his emotions heightened as he gave Snape the nasty truth he wanted to hear oh, so much. He just hoped it hurt him just as much as it hurt for Harry to admit to it. “Did you know that when beating the magic out of me didn’t work, they tried to prevent me from coming to Hogwarts? When that didn’t work, they were so disappointed I came back. Probably hoped someone would off me for them. What a shame it didn’t happen.”

Snape’s face was paper-white.

He looked appalled, and for a brief moment Harry felt the sick sort of satisfaction for making Snape regret ever asking, but it quickly turned into downright fury.

“They- they dared to-” his cup exploded.

Harry jumped from the sudden burst, not expecting it.

Fucking hell, Snape must be really affected by this for his magic to react like that.

“Did they tell you the truth about anything before you came to Hogwarts? Explained your accidental magic?”

Harry snorted. “Please. They simply blamed me for doing freaky things. Hagrid told me I was a wizard when he gave me my Hogwarts letter. Before that I just thought that I was a-” freak , Harry wanted to say, because that’s what he thought for the longest time. That’s all he was told. “-special,” he said instead, but could tell from Snape’s expression that he heard the unspoken word. “I had to learn to control it somehow, because my magic was extremely reactive, and I didn’t fancy getting punished for every single thing that they deemed freaky. I knew something was up, I just didn’t realize it was magic specifically.”

Snape’s face looked grim. “You knew nothing ?”

Harry shook his head.

Professor sighed deeply and leaned back into his chair, covering his face with one hand. He looked extremely tired. “ Good Merlin. Your first Potion’s lesson…”

“Yeah, you were a complete bastard to a kid who knew nothing, but wanted to learn. Good job there.”

Once again, Snape said nothing over Harry calling him a bastard, and Harry took some pleasure in that, even this whole conversation made him want to jump off the Astronomy tower. 

“I believe I owe you my most sincerest apology, Harry. I was under the impression that you simply chose not to learn anything and break the rules because you didn’t care and were too arrogant.”

Harry was speechless.

An apology . From Snape ?!

He had no idea how to react.

Was Snape having a midlife crisis? Mental breakdown? Possession ? This could not be real.

Harry just stared in disbelief.

And shock, quite frankly. Perhaps he actually died, got eaten by the dragon, and this was some sort of fever dream. Alternate reality.

“Say something.”

“Do you- do you need a healer?”

“Brat,” Snape said with fondness in his voice. “I assure you, I’m completely sound of mind,” he reassured Harry, then his expression became serious again. ”How did everyone miss this?”

“Miss what?”

“How those despicable people treated you and kept everything from you! Albus assured everyone that you live with a light wizarding family under heavy wards, loved and cared for, not with bloody magic hating muggles! That he kept an eye on you all these years! He assured me- he swore you were safe.”

Harry just raised a brow in a very Tom-like manner.

“The first time I saw the old coot was during sorting. And besides, plenty of people knew about the Dursleys, but nobody ever did or said anything, so I just assumed it was normal and didn’t matter.”

And wasn’t that the truth.

His primary school teachers were concerned a few times, but nothing ever came of it. Dursleys swore he was a lying delinquent, just looking for attention and trouble, getting into fights and out of control. Any bruises he had were explained by getting into fights or being clumsy, and no one ever batted an eye after some time.

And when Ron and Weasleys found out about the Dursleys not feeding him and keeping him locked in a room, all he received was a pat on the back and ‘ tough luck, mate ’ from Ron.

The only time he was told that it was in no way normal and they should and will be killed for daring to hurt him, was when he brought Tom with him after the second year, and he learned of what’s been going on.

They weren’t that close back then, so it was mostly ‘those filthy muggles daring to touch a wizarding child’ kind of thing, but with time Tom coaxed it out of him and swore revenge.

Even offered to possess him and do all the dirty work a few times, but Harry vehemently refused.

If and when the Dursleys died, it will be coming from him. They’d deserve it.

“Who knew?” Snape asked, voice deceptively calm.

“Well, Ron and Hermione did. Probably the whole Weasley family too, seeing as Ronald and the twins rescued me from the Dursleys before second year, but they never said a thing. Said something about some families not knowing how to show love,” Harry sneered, hoping that Molly Weasley would just choke on something for being such a bitch. “Dumbledore definitely. McGonagall probably. I asked them if I could stay during summer after the first year, hell, I begged , but all he said was that they love me and I must go back. Later he told me there are blood-wards that need my presence to stay active, which is a joke, because they never really held anyway.”

Tom explained the concept to him. From what they gathered, these specific wards were keyed into Lily’s blood relatives, thus Petunia and Dudley as well, acting as anchors, but needed Harry’s blood and magic to be active. However, for them to actually function and work, protect, they had to be fed one thing - love. And the Dursleys very much did not love Harry, nor did Harry love them, thus they were barely even there. 

Useless, really.

“They knew how you were treated and still sent you back?!”

Harry jumped slightly at Snape’s tone, forgetting for a brief moment just where he was.

He shrugged, feigning nonchalance.

“Where else would I go?” And it was true, wasn’t it? It’s not like he had any other family to go to during summers. He could stay at his friend’s house or even a motel, but no, not an option.

He should probably look into his property and see if it’s even livable, if he wants to have a place to stay this summer.

“Anywhere but to an abusive household you were kept in.”

Harry glared at the professor. “I was not abused ,” he stated vehemently.

“No? Then what do you call it?”

Harry didn’t know. “I had a roof under my head, didn’t I?”

Something in Snape’s expression shattered.

“Harry…” he stood up from his seat and walked over the table to stand in front of him, leaning down so they were almost eye to eye. “Roof over your head is not everything. It’s a bare minimum. It’s below a minimum. From what you let slip so far, it was abuse . No, don’t deny it. You don’t need to tell me details. Not yet. I can very well tell you’re ready to bolt out of here and never return, but please, do not. I do not wish you harm and my only intent is to help.”

“Why?” Harry had a right to be suspicious. This was bloody Snape.

“Because I swore a vow to protect you and keep you safe, and I’ve been unknowingly breaking it this whole time,” Snape admitted quietly, looking painted.

“You swore a vow to protect me? Why would you do that?!”

“When the Dark Lord went after your family, I begged him to spare Lily - even if we haven’t spoken in a long time for reasons I’m unwilling to tell, I still loved her dearly. But when the Dark Lord showed no indignation of keeping his promise, I ran to Dumbledore, begging him to keep her safe.” Snape looked like it physically painted him to be telling all of this to Harry, but he also knew that truth was a must if he wanted the boy to trust him. “He agreed if I swore a vow. I did.”

Harry was too shocked to speak.

It… explained a lot.

Why Snape was helping him, while being a complete bastard.

During his first quidditch game… even from a bloody werewolf. Snape was always there .

Harry spent many days wondering where Snape stood, and could never find the right answer. Snape was too inconsistent: a seemingly dark wizard, at the command of Dumbledore, saving Harry while showing nothing but contempt towards him.

Now it all fell into place.

“That’s why… I know you’ll hate it, Harry, but I’m asking you to allow me to do a health scan. If not me, then I’ll call a healer, a close friend of mine, who will swear a secrecy oath.”

"No," was Harry's immediate answer, because a health scan would make it real. It would cement it as the truth, a proof that Harry could not deny, not like he could deny ever telling Snape anything. 

And then he would have to deal with it.

Right now, Harry was pretty much ignoring everything he endured, all the scars he wore on his skin, pretending it never happened, but once healer performs a diagnostic charm… Harry would never be able to run from it.

Not with Snape acting like a dog with a bone.

"It's for your own benefit, Harry. If you have any ongoing issues with your health, even if they seem insignificant now, they might become a problem in the future if not fixed as soon as possible."

Harry knew this.

Tom said the same thing.

But Harry was healthy… wasn't he? He had no broken bones or lacerations, no wounds on his body.

So the scan wouldn't show anything, right?

And once Snape sees that he's fine, he'll bugger off once and for all.

Right ?

"Fine," Harry snapped, choosing to ignore that little voice in his head saying it will come to bite him in the ass. "You both will swear a vow or this isn't happening."

Snape looked unhappy and about to protest, when he most likely realized that it was either this or nothing.

"Fine, brat, if that's what it takes."

Harry blistered for another moment, wishing he just ran when Snape asked him to stay, even if he felt a bit lighter for some reason.

"I will arrange for a healer to come here as soon as possible, but it’s possible it will take time during the holidays. I'd appreciate it if you didn't kick up a fuss when they arrive."

"I'm not an idiot."

"That's questionable."

Harry very nearly sent a stinging jinx towards Snape before he realized that it was his professor and he didn't fancy a detention on top of this horrible conversation. 

"If that is all, professor, may I leave? Or do you wish to interrogate me further?"

"You are free to leave, Mr Potter, however, this discussion is nowhere near over, I'm afraid."

Harry scoffed.

"Of course not. Merlin forbid you leave Harry Potter be."

"Get out of here, brat."

Harry descended down the stairs into the Chamber of Secrets.

Bloody sneaky Snape.

Bloody slytherins.

Nobody could mind their own business in this castle, could they?

Harry wished he was just some unimportant, unnoticeable student and could simply have a grand time in Hogwarts and study, quietly and without everyone coming at him for their own personal gain or some other schemes.

It seemed he was too special for that.

“What has you in such a foul mood, Harry? Did something happen?” Tom asked the moment he saw Harry’s face.

“Snape,” he answered shortly, causing Tom to purse his lips.

“What has he done now? You said he’s been leaving you alone, apart from being too curious for his own good.”

“Well, apparently, he’s a bit too curious.” Harry stopped pacing and turned to look at Tom with a slightly worried expression on his face. “He’s been digging into my home life. I… I let something slip and he latched onto that, digging even deeper. Asked me to stay after class and demanded answers, going as far as using blackmail. Bloody git.”

Tom’s expression was inscrutable. “What did he want to know?” he asked carefully.

“Who my guardians are, for one. I wouldn’t have told him shit, but he threatened to ask the Weasleys, and there’s no way I could obliviate them all, of everything, so I had to tell him. And then…” Harry paused, biting his lip nervously. He still had this irrational fear that Tom was simply humouring him, while thinking he was weak for not putting muggles into their rightful place. “That they hate me and… some other things. I’m sure he came to his own conclusions and I know for sure he’ll want to know more later, but I- I don’t want him to know. And he wants me to see a healer!”

The older boy kept his expression carefully blank. “Harry…” he spoke gently. “Maybe that’s a good thing.”

Harry stared at Tom with pure disbelief in his eyes. “A good thing? How is this a good thing?!”

“You need help- no, listen to me,” Tom cut Harry off before he could start protesting. “We both know what those filthy muggles did to you.” Harry winced. “It does not make you weak in any way and you know that,” he stated fiercely, knowing exactly what Harry must be thinking. “But you never received any treatment, for any of it. I’m certain your magic is compensating for whatever damage your body sustained, but it’s not completely healed. It would benefit you immensely to see a competent healer, not this oblivious medi-witch - someone out of Dumbledore’s sphere. Besides, you wanted to see one anyway.”

Harry wanted to argue, but reluctantly stopped himself before he could, simply shooting a glare at Tom’s smug expression for being right. 

He wanted to see a healer, alright, just not with Snape breathing down his neck.

He crossed his arms and pouted.

“Oh, don’t be like that, Harry. It’s for your own benefit. As for Snape… he could become a valuable ally.” He rolled his eyes at Harry’s incredulous look. “He’s a spy, isn’t he? At the very top of both, the coot’s and Voldemort’s inner circles. That takes some sheer talent and skill, my dear. And for some unknown reason, he’s willing to help you, whether you see it as help or not.”

“He said he swore some sort of vow to protect me too,” Harry grumbled, annoyed at himself for not asking for more details. In his defence, he was a little bit preoccupied with wanting to leave.

Tom’s eyes became sharp. “He did?” the boy hummed, thinking. “Oh, this changes things.”

“How so?”

“It means that you have a competent dark wizard willing to help you, something he’s been doing all this time and now, since you’ve shown your slytherin side to him, he’s actually admitted to being on your side, Harry. Not the coot’s, not the Dark Lord’s - yours .”

“It’s still Snape .”

“For all you know, everything you’ve known about him is the same he knew about you; a carefully crafted mask to appease the masses.”

Tom had a point, Harry thought miserably. 

“It still doesn’t mean I want him to know about the- you know …”

“The abuse?”

“It was not abuse!”

“Then how do you call it?” Tom asked sharply, having had this conversation before.

“I don’t know! But it wasn’t- it’s not abuse.”

Riddle took a deep breath, praying for more patience. Harry was so fucking blind sometimes.

“They hurt you, locked you up and starved you, among other things. How is that not abuse?”

Harry flinched back from Tom, hating how the boy could just… say things so bluntly.

“I don’t want to hear it,” he said instead. Because he didn’t. He sometimes wished he could obliviate Tom as well, so he could forget Harry’s shame -

“I’m on your side, Harry,” Tom’s soft voice brought him out of his less than pleasant thoughts. “And you may want to forget everything that happened, which I understand perfectly, but getting help for yourself will not make you weak. You’ve never been weak. It will make you stronger.”

Harry took a moment to breathe deeply and just calm all these thoughts swirling around in his head, making him go mad - he just needed to breathe.

He didn’t flinch away when he felt a hand on his back, guiding him to the sofa and gently pushing him down.

“You’re working yourself up. You’ve been overly stressed for the past few weeks. Is this because of the ball or..?”

Harry sighed deeply and allowed himself to sink back into the seat and closed his eyes.

This room seemed to be the only place where he could relax.

With a mini-Dark Lord at his side. 

Perhaps he was already mad.

“Mostly. Did you have people stalking you during your time here too?”

Harry didn’t see Tom’s eyes flash in anger. “Who’s stalking you?” he demanded.

Harry shrugged. “You know. Fans. Or not. Every student that wants me to take them to the Ball with me. They’re all insane and overly annoying. Theo says I’ve been hissing at everyone; that seems to have worked on most, but not all.”

“Good,” Tom said immediately. He didn’t want anyone going after his Harry. “As for your question, I did have admirers during my school years, except no one was as bold as they are during this time. It was way more subtle back then, but of course, I denied everyone.”

“Let me guess,” Harry opened his eyes and looked at Tom, eyes glinting with mischief. “No one was good enough for the future Dark Lord?”

“Precisely.” Tom smirked back, and it was the truth; he never allowed anyone close to him. None of them were worthy of his presence, the simple-minded fools, the lot of them.

But Harry was different. 

He was special .

Just like Tom was. And he genuinely enjoyed Harry’s presence.

“Sooo…” Harry moved a bit so he was facing Tom, grin on his lips. “No one ever caught your eye? Not once?”

Tom was slightly startled by Harry’s question, but didn’t show it. “I’m not sure what happened after I was created, but before that, no, Harry dear, I had absolutely no dalliances.”

Harry didn’t let up. “Not even a crush?”

“No. Have you? You’re awfully focused on my love life. Projecting? Perhaps you’re hiding something, Harry dear?”

Harry blushed, and wasn’t that a wonderful sight.

“Oh, you have ,” Tom purred, leaning closer to a clearly flustered teen. “Tell me, Harry, who has caught the eye of the chosen one?”

“N-no one,” Harry stammered, his cheeks blushing as he tried to move away from a very pleased looking Tom, who clearly didn’t believe him. “I’m serious!” he insisted, because Merlin’s saggy balls, he’d rather go back to Snape’s office than admit to Tom that he found him attractive in that way. Harry had no idea if Tom even liked blokes, let alone him. It would be an utter disaster if he lost Tom because of some crush; who knows how the teen would react.

“I know when you’re lying, Harry,” Tom scooted closer to the blushing boy, smiling like a shark who spotted prey. “You shouldn’t hide things from me, you know. And what’s the big deal if you tell me who caught your attention. I swear I won’t tell a soul.”

Harry was shaking his head again. “No, no one, Tom, just drop it.”

“Well, if you insist, ” Tom moved back a little, but he wasn’t about to drop or forget the subject at all. He’ll just let it go for now. “The Ball is this week though, isn’t it?”

Harry nodded, pursing his lips in displeasure. “Unfortunately.”

“Don’t be so glum, Harry, you need to socialize. And I'm sure there will be plenty of important people from the Ministry you can pull to your side. Wonderful opportunity, wouldn’t you say?”

“Is that what you did?”

“Absolutely. Old Sluggy used to do parties at least once a month, so his chosen students could make important connections. I was always invited and it was deadly useful.”

“Bet you loved it.”

“It was alright. Most Ministry personnel loved to boast about their achievements, however pathetic they were, but it didn’t hurt to make connections, if the price was a few mind-numbing conversations.”

“I’m not looking forward to it.”

“Relax, dear, I have a feeling they will try to please you, not the other way around. You’re the Chosen One, after all. Oh, and have you found a date?”

Harry nodded. “Yeah. I’m going with Pierre Beaumont, one of the Beauxbatons students.”

Tom’s eyes flashed angrily. “Pierre, hm? Why him?” his tone was cold, but Harry either didn’t notice or didn’t pay any attention to it.

Harry shrugged. “He’s less annoying than most. Then there are those foreign connections you keep babbling about-”

“I do not babble .”

“-and I don’t see why not. He’s an alright bloke and I need him for one dance, then I can happily leave.”

“No, you cannot. You’re the champion and will be expected to be there until at least the dinner is done, so, at least an hour, not to mention time to network.”

Harry groaned, sinking back into the couch. “Fuck my life.”

Tom hummed. “Why aren’t you taking one of your slytherins instead?”

“That would be weird, wouldn’t it?” Harry grimaced. “I mean, they’re alright, but I’ll have to interact with them on a daily basis, for the next few years. It would be awkward, probably, so I'd rather not.”

“You’re not planning to talk to this Pierre then?” Tom asked, disdain clear in his voice, but Harry chose to ignore it. Tom didn’t like anyone, really.

“Well, I am, just not so… consistently. He’s not a bad company, although one of his buddies is a complete idiot. Frederick, a complete pompous git. Tried to be all snarky to me, so, naturally, I made a new nemesis.”

Tom released a heavy sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t you have enough of those already?”

“You’re the one who says if someone doesn’t hate you, you’re doing it wrong.”

“Plenty people hate you, Harry, you don’t need to go out of your way to make more enemies!”

Harry just shrugged and relaxed back into the sofa. Merlin, it was comfortable, or was he just too tired to care?

“It’ll be fine, he’s an idiot,” Harry muttered, closing his eyes for a moment.

“You look exhausted. You should get some sleep, Harry.”

“Maybe I will,” Harry muttered, suddenly overtaken by a yawn. “I swear you jinxed me. I didn’t feel so tired before you mentioned it.”

Tom smirked.

“Just go to sleep, Harry. I swear I’ll watch over you.”

“That’s fucking creepy, Riddle, even for you.”

“What can I say? Future Dark Lord.”