Chapter 5
Voldemort gave Lupin and Black an international portkey to Paris. He instructed them to fetch the furnishings for Hara’s chambers. Price wouldn’t be an issue, both The Dark Lord, and Lord Black had enough wealth between them to buy a small country, maybe multiple. He thought it best to send them abroad. It’s best for them not to be seen any child related items since Hara was still missing in the eyes of the ministry and that old fool Dumbledore…
He could have completely ruined Dumbledore during that trial. But he didn’t want Dumbledore being the nosy old codger he is and attempting to dig into the history of “Lord Zadok Gregorovich.” Yes he has covered his bases and had that old wandmaker confunded into believing that he indeed has a grandson that had gone abroad, but that’s where his history ran dry. So he went with knowledge that was whispered about from time to time within certain circles, but never was it ever brought up in a public venue, much less in front of Dumbledore. He hoped that the Wizengamot would unknowingly do his bidding and start dragging out Dumbledore’s dark past. It would be much more believable and more widely accepted if people within the Wizengamot brought certain unsavory points in Dumbledore’s history rather than a foreign barrister. He was going through all of this in his masterful mind all the while a little Hara pawed at smoke shaped like a basilisk, Cerberus, chimera, and a manticore floating in circles above her head.
He sent for the Malfoys to come for Hara, but before they arrived Voldemort pried her new little snake pet from her fingers. He did not want the Malfoys aware of the depths their connection ran just yet. And her speaking Parseltongue would certainly raise questions he didn’t want floating around in their mind.
Little Hara was distraught. She had already loved the little thing, but her mood quickly took a one-eighty when the Malfoys arrived with Draco. She immediately perked up and was determined to escape Voldemort’s grasp and get over to the little boy with silver blonde hair.
Narcissa bent down to quickly retrieve her and bring her closer to her son in hopes to lessen the squeals and babbling now coming from two excited toddlers.
Lucius Malfoy gave a hesitant look up towards his hooded Lord. “My Lord, if I may speak freely…”
“You may… but keep in mind that I will cut out your tongue if I find that it’s uncanny ability to annoy me exceeds its usefulness to my cause…”
“I was just-“ Lucius cleared his throat, trying to gather his nerves. “Well we’ve notice my Lord that you’ve kept your hood up for the last few days… we were wondering if there was any assistance you might need… I know in the past that after certain dark rituals you required elixirs and potions to heal quicker my Lord…” he managed to choke out. Cursing himself for his insatiable curiosity. Why did I feel it pertinent to question my Lord about this again? He inwardly groaned.
“Lucius… I didn’t know you enjoyed seeing my face so much. I’m flattered really.” He chuckled darkly. “If I needed assistance I would of course send for it. Though your concern for my well being is… touching…” the Dark Lord mocked.
“But… now that we are on the subject. Call a meeting of the inner circle. Perhaps a dinner for later on this evening. There are a few changes that need to be established, plans to be enacted, and a few things that need to be revealed. Make it known that all information given will stay within the inner circle. Failure to do so will result in death of the dunce that talks and all who lend an ear. Am I understood?”
“Yes my Lord…” Lucius knew by his tone that he was dismissed so he, his wife, and the two toddlers took their leave through the floo network.
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He would not play babysitter while her godfathers were away. Despite his peculiar tolerance for the child, and the pleasant and calming hum that passed between them when he held her… Yet another side effect of this bloody shared horcrux predicament he found himself in. He was still the Dark Lord. He still has all of magical Britain to conquer. Followed by Magical Europe, spreading his reach further and further until he would finally be able to turn the tide in this wretched world. The magical would inherit the earth and muggles would be no more.
This new restored body could be of great use for his endeavors. His old body could have seen his aspirations through. It inspired fear, and through fear obedience. Whether magical, or muggle, both have the primal mammalian instinct for self preservation for themselves and their line.
Voldemort walked elegantly into his study. The smell of pine from the forest that surrounded his manor, aged books and parchment from his rare and extensive library, cinnamon and mint from his afternoon tea, and ozone and lightning coming from his magic alone permeates the room. This was where he was the most relaxed. He sat behind his heavy wooden desk intricately carved long ago. He took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly gathering his thoughts.
There once was a time where his charismatic personality and overwhelming aura of magic drew people to follow him like moths to a flame. An apt analogy if he thought about it. A smug smirk tugged ever so slightly at the corner of his lips. A politician is what most people assumed he would become. He disregarded that nearly immediately. He didn’t want to have to behave, nor play nice with people he much rather crush under his boot. Now though, he could play both fields. A simple glamour could keep the menacing persona that had magical Britain checking under their beds at night alive, while this new face could charm and snake his way into the higher echelons of society with no one the wiser. He could now act the good boy that he did not have the patience and forethought for in his adolescence.
Tom Riddle was unknown to the majority of magical Britain, those who remembered him from school knew of him only as the scholarly head boy from Hogwarts. The only one who suspected anything was the current Bain of his existence. Albus bloody Dumbledore… He would need to overcome Dumbledore somehow. Yes, at some point he would take the old fools life. But for now he needed to find a way to get his reputation, political and societal standing to overshadow Dumbledore’s. Which… hopefully will be easier once they start to peel open the headmasters dubious and dark past.
He knew of one way that would surely earn him political and societal clout in a very by the book way that no one could contest. An inheritance test. He discovered he was the heir of Slytherin while he still attended Hogwarts. But on his travels he persuaded a goblin to give him an inheritance test that would not be sent to Gringotts for claim. Parseltongue made it completely unsurprising that he was a descendant of Slytherin, and by default inherited the Lordship from House Gaunt. But he was surprised when he discovered he inherited Lordships from house Blishwick, house Urquart, house Alton, house Killick, and most astonishing of all, house Ravenclaw. With him being the last heir of two of the most revered pure blood families people would clamour to build alliances with him. He never bothered to claim titles in his youth. He was far too arrogant to do so, though he would admit that to no one. He wanted to make his own name, gain his own riches, and earn respect and power by his own merit. Which he succeeded in doing to the nth degree. Now it was time to step into the stage light as Tom Riddle, heir to seven ancient and Noble houses and claim what was rightfully his. He would still have his Voldemort persona, the one he identified with his true personality to do his dirty work. The two would merge one day when he felt it time. But for now they would remain completely antithetical to one another.
They would accept him, more than that they would plead for him to lead them, bring them into the light, and provide them safety. He thought of a muggle children’s book that he had managed to steal from another child in the orphanage. A snake called Kaa luring a boy further into its coils, promising protection and comfort from the fearsome tiger that lurked somewhere below. The boy so entranced that he was completely unaware that he was about to be devoured whole. Yes… trust in me, indeed… Voldemort let a genuine smile blossom on his face that looked like it was sculpted by angels. Ironic, that it was worn by a devil… He finally found solace in the tumultuous past few days.
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Lucius and Narcissa did not dare to leave the children with one of Draco’s many nannies. If the Dark Lord called them to watch over Hara, then it meant them directly. It was not a task that was to be delegated to anyone else. Taking advantage of the unseasonably nice day they took the children outside onto the sprawling and lush Malfoy estate. They had house elves set out a gigantic picnic blanket that they would allow the children to play on with enough toys for a school bus of children.
The Malfoys took advantage of the bright and warm sunny day that was utterly bizarre for November in England, and lounged out on a luxurious white daybed with powder blue pillows, while the toddlers sat below playing with a ball that changes colors every time it's bounced.
Draco and Hara played happily and babbled to each other non stop. Draco had not been quite able to pronounce “Hara” managed to call her Harie instead, which she happily responded to. Hara on the other hand was able to perfectly say Draco. The only name she’s been able to pronounce correctly besides “mum, and Dadda.”
The Malfoy heir tossed the ball to Hara but it missed her by a few feet and rolled into a bush. The little girl stood up happily and chased after it, but had to get on her knees to crawl into the leaf dense bush.
“Hello young one…” Hara heard a voice say from somewhere near the center of the plant.
“Hi, hi, hi!” She responded enthusiastically. Hara crawled deeper in, searching for the little voice that sounded so familiar to her tiny snake at home.
Soon she came face to face with a snake that was a vibrant blood red with orange and yellow eyes. It’s scales held no shine but stead looked more like armor. It was radiating a strange feeling and Hara Hara paused for a moment when she felt it.
“Do not worry child, I will not harm you. In fact I want to be your friend…” the snake looked like it was smiling but it only intimidated Hara further when she caught sight of its long fangs.
“Fwend?” Hara repeated, her lower lip holding a slight tremble.
The snake shifted and it’s colors changed to a pastel pink and purple, and it’s eyes turned into a vibrant green not unlike Hara’s. Immediately Hara seemed to warm to the snake after it had altered its intimidating appearance.
The snake coiled itself around Hara and looked into her eyes. The snake gently prodded into her mind and brought forth a memory of Voldemort holding her. “Little one, the dark one is not your friend… he can hurt you. Has tried already, see?” The snake now pulled the memory of Voldemort killing her mother and attempting to kill her. Hara was too young to comprehend any of this. She didn’t understand that her mother was dead. Only that Voldemort sent a pretty green light at her mum and she fell asleep, and then he sent the pretty green light towards her and then he took her away.
Hara tilted her head at the snake in confusion. She knew the words “friend, and hurt”, she knew he was saying something about Voldemort, well to her, “Dadda.” Hara reached a tentative hand towards the odd snake. She was not a fearful child, in fact just the opposite. She was rather fearless. But for some reason this creature made her uneasy. At first it looked like the snake was angry and flashed its teeth before an odd look of resignation crossed its face and it let Hara place a hand on its head.
“I will visit again soon little Hara… you will come to understand your role in this world. I will make sure of it.” Hissed the snake before it released Hara from its coils and disappeared further into the bush.
“Hara! Hara!!!!! Where are you!? Please, Hara come out! Oh Lucius, where could she have gone!?” Hara heard Narcissa sob.
She crawled out from the bushes and toddled over to them. The Malfoys rushed to her in a flash and picked her up looking over every inch of skin for some sort of injury. Draco’s parents looked at each other with worry worn on their face. They were used to her giggling, smiling, and causing too much trouble for a child under the age of two. But she was silent, her lips in an almost pout.
“Dadda?” She looked at them pleadingly with tears forming at the corners of her eyes. “Want dadda!”
Narcissa looked utterly sad. “Poor thing… she doesn’t know her father is now dead…” she whispers into her husband's ear.
The little girl started to sob in earnest. Her face turning a soft pinkish color that was turning red as she cried more.
“Actually Cissa, I think she is asking for the Dark Lord…” Lucius said, his lips pressed into a line.
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Voldemort had just walked into his bedroom to find robes that would look more fitting of his sixteen year old self. A robe that wouldn’t make people give him odd looks when he walked into Gringotts to claim his many inheritances. He felt an odd sensation in the back of his mind. An unpleasant buzzing at first, then the feeling increased and he felt sadness, confusion, and fear wash over him. Where is this coming from?! He grimaced at the onslaught of foreign emotions, but then he felt his own pang of panic when he realized its source. Hara.
In a flash he apparated into the Malfoy grounds wand drawn. When he appeared the sound of a crack of thunder reverberated around. He was only feet from where Narcissa stood trying to console a weeping Hara.
Both of the Malfoys jumped at his sudden arrival. They immediately drew their wands and pointed it directly at him.
“ Who are you and how did you get on my estate!? My wards should have kept you out! Identify yourself!” Lucius said sounding angry and ready to strike at the trespasser. He pulled Narcissa and Hara behind him, and little Draco was clinging to his leg.
Voldemort absorbed the situation, and realized he was not currently wearing his hood. The Malfoys were staring at a “sixteen year old boy” they had never seen in their life that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. That would explain their vitriol response to his presence. He was planning on making the reveal at the gathering Lucius was supposed to be planning. But it seemed as though he would have to reveal himself to the Malfoys sooner than he originally intended. With a quick wave of his wand he summoned both Narcissa's and Lucius’s wand both of which he caught in his left hand.
“Now now Lucius, after all your questions earlier about how you missed seeing my charming face, this is how you greet me when I decide to grace you with it once more?” Voldemort lifted an eyebrow in question.
“My… Lord? It’s… i…” Sweet Circe… my wife and I just pointed our wands at the Dark Lord. Lucius visibly paled. Narcissa’s eyes were as wide as saucers.
Hara on the other hand was fighting tooth and nail for Narcissa to unhand her. “Dadda… hurt…”
Those words grabbed Voldemort’s full attention. He flicked his wrist once and had her levitating towards him while he took two long strides to close the gap even quicker. He grabbed Hara and she quickly pressed her face into his neck, trying hard to stifle her cries.
Who dared hurt his horcrux… he thought. An audible growl left his lips as he glared daggers at the Malfoys. While Hara cried into his neck he cast numerous diagnostic spells on her. All coming back normal. But the child was still completely distraught. The comforting hum that passed between their touching skin, and even just the close proximity they shared, calmed her enough to raise herself to look at him.
“Dadda… hurt? She gently placed both of her little hands on either side of his face while looking at him intently. Her eyes scanning every inch of his face critically. Not satisfied, she tugged on his left arm, and he somehow knew what she wanted. He raised his left arm within her view, and turned it slowly. He then switched her around so he was now holding her with his left arm while letting her inspect his right. Her breathing seemed to even out upon seeing his unblemished skin. She pressed her forehead to his, which seemed to increase the calming hum by double. “Bad snek... no hurt dadda. No… won’t let…” She sniffled
It looked like Lucius’s eyes were going to pop out of his head and his jaw was going to drop at any moment when he heard the child speak in Parseltongue. Narcissa looked about ready to faint. But Voldemort was completely focused on the girl and noticed none of it.
“What bad snake little one..? Who is going to hurt me? Did it hurt you?” Voldemort prodded the little girl for answers. His eyes searching hers.
He decided he was done with the audience and disapparated both of them on the spot back to Riddle Manor, leaving behind a completely rattled Malfoy family.
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In the brush a serpent witnessed the scene that was unfolding in front of it.
“Stupid little human…” the serpent hissed angrily. It curled in on itself and vanished into thin air.
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Voldemort places Hara on the nearest surface and gently held her head in his hands. He could perform legilimency without eye contact, and especially without skin contact, but having both would make it a lot more comfortable for his target. The Dark Lord delved into her mind and immediately found what he was looking for. Hara was speaking to an odd looking snake. He felt her fear, and the weird aura that emanated from the serpent. More surprising he was unable to understand what the snake was saying at all. He witnessed the weird expressions the snake leveled at her and could tell its annoyance with his horcrux. Voldemort was experiencing the emotions Hara was and saw the memories that the snake had brought forth. The fear, her concern for him, her need to make sure that he was okay, she seemed more concern for his safety and well-being than her own. He felt some weird flicker in his chest at that revelation, but he just focused further to the task at hand.
No matter what he did he couldn’t understand what the snake was saying for the life of him. It was like it was completely distorted. He was absolutely furious. How could someone infiltrate the Malfoy Wards? Who was this being? An unregistered animagus perhaps? Could a snake animagus speak Parseltongue and understand it? Where was Lucius and Narcissa when this all happened!? He told them to watch her!
Voldemort was pulled from his own musings when he felt Hara’s head grow heavier. The little girl had fallen asleep while he was going through her mind… That takes a significant amount of trust… He didn’t want to feel any sort of attachment to the girl other than that of possession. She was his, indisputably as she carried a piece of his soul within her. So he reasoned she fell asleep from the long day, not to mention the increase of that odd comfortable hum when he delved into her mind. That had to be it… her soul being comforted by the piece of her soul within him, that’s why he felt the comfortable hum as well. He was merely recognizing the other piece of his soul within her…
He lifted the little girl carefully into his arms, not knowing quite where to place her. He walked into his study, feeling the warmth that the roaring fireplace gave off, coupled with the soft orange, pink, red, and yellow light coming from the window signaling sunset all made him remember his fatigue. He sat down on the midnight green Victorian style wingback lounge. And summoned a pillow to place behind him. He raised his legs onto the lounge and laid back. It can’t hurt to rest for a moment… and there isn’t a safer place for the child to nap at the moment since her two dunces for uncles aren’t back yet… the Dark Lords eyes fluttered closed, and his chest fell into an easy rhythm rising and falling, which soothed little Hara who was in a sound doze laying on top of him.
Remus and Sirius walked in to the study to a sight that they wouldn’t think possible. Their goddaughter sleeping soundlessly on the chest of the most feared sorcerer to ever live, with a small heart warming smile no less. It seemed as she was having a good dream. The Dark Lord has one arm protectively around her. To say they were stunned, bewildered and confused was an understatement. Just then they noticed a cobalt blue eye fly open, and turn a blazing red. They were thrown from the room, and the door to the study slammed and locked, with a heavy ward sliding into place in front of it. All of that commotion and all of it happened in complete silence.
The Dark Lord let his eyes close once more and drifted back into a very satisfying slumber.