Chapter 47: 

Rodrick stared impassively at his friends; he could see the looks of horror slowly take over their faces at his words. He didn't blame them, he felt shook himself.

"Rodrick... What you're saying is..." Tracey spoke first.

Rodrick just nodded, he knew it was true... All the signs were pointing towards it.

"We have to tell people... If that's true..." Daphne pointed out, a look of fear sprayed across her face.

Rodrick quickly shook his head at that, "No we can't!"

Daphne's eyes widened slightly, "Why not? If he's really alive, it's too dangerous."

"Who would believe us?" Blaise questioned.

"My parents," Daphne replied.

Blaise snorted.

Anger slowly took over the girl at that. Rodrick however quickly raised both his hands.

"Not now Blaise!" Rodrick warned.

Blaise frowned, somewhat chastised.

It really wasn't the time for sarcasm.

"Dumbledore already knows anyway," Rodrick pointed out, "And he hasn't said anything to anyone."

The three looked at each other warily at that; they were all confused, Rodrick included. They had no idea what to do with the information.

"What do you plan on doing?" Blaise asked the boy, curious.

Rodrick raised an eyebrow at that before sighing.

"Honestly... I want to kill him..." The word's caused the three of them to stiffen.

Rodrick quickly added on, "At the same time I don't want to do anything either."

Daphe stared at the boy's face; she found him looking both confused and worried.

"Why?"

Rodrick chuckled slightly at that, "Why do I want to kill him?" He asked amused. All three of them knew the answer.

"Why are you so... Worried?"

Rodrick had a rueful smile on his face, "Because... If I make myself his enemy... It put's your family in danger."

Daphne's eyes widened at that; she felt a grateful smile start latching itself onto her face... He'd looked so genuine when he said that.

"He's already t, ken one family... As much as I'd love to get him back for it... It wouldn't be worth the of risk putting my new one through. It'd feel pretty hollow I think... Killing him with nothing to show for it."

Daphne quickly pulled the boy into a hug at that.

Tracey had a small smile on her face, Blaise looked away uncomfortable.

The girl then slapped him playfully much to everyone's amusement.

"My family isn't that weak Rodrick," she spoke, lips tugging up.

"I'd rather not find out..."

"Bit of a cowardice thing to do..." Blaise drawled.

"Slytherin, not a Gryffindor Blaise." Rodrick spoke up, "Wanting to survive happens to be one of the purest forms of ambition."

"If you weren't a ward for our family, what would you do?" Daphne asked curiously.

"Join him or die trying to kill him," Rodrick deadpanned, earning a stunned silence.

"Bit extreme... Don't you think?" Tracey remarked.

"I doubt I'd be able to hide my name quite as well on my own. Eventually, he would take notice of me; Dark lords tend to borderline the extreme when dealing with other potential Dark Lords."

"But you wouldn't become that... Right?" Tracey remarked, hopeful.

"Doesn't matter, my mom didn't try to... Where is she now?" Rodrick asked.

The three fell into silence at that.

"Why not consider killing him? You know actually winning?" Blaise broke the silence.

"I am nowhere near egotistical enough to think I'd be a match for him... I doubt I'd live long enough to manage that on my own,"

"Aren't you humble," Blaise retorted, earning a chuckle from Rodrick.

"I know right?"

The other two laughed at that.

"So we do nothing? Leave it for Dumbledore to decide?"

Rodrick nodded at that, "Not much we can do anyway, the mans most likely still some dark spirit considering he'd possessed Quirrel two years ago."

"Everyone assumed he'd died..." Tracey remarked.

"I don't think Dumbledore did, he probably knew."

"What if he doesn't know?" Blaise asked skeptically.

"Well he'll know soon enough anyway," Rodrick replied.

"You'll tell him?" Tracey asked, a smile slowly etched itself to her face.

"Just in case," Rodrick shrugged.

The three started walking back to the dungeon after that.

"By the way... When you said putting her family in danger... What about Davis and I?" Blaise asked.

Rodrick turned to an embarrassed looking Tracey before remarking, "I'd be worried about you too," He spoke with a smile. The girl seemed to shy away even more at the sudden attention causing Daphne to laugh.

"..."

"What about me?" Blaise asked.

Rodrick took his potions book out.

"Rodrick..." Blaise tried again.

Rodrick started humming at that.

"Don't worry I am sure he'd be just as worried," Spoke a bemused Tracey.

"Mhm I am sure he would..." added on Daphne.

Blaise narrowed his eyes dramatically, "You're terrible liars you know that?"

"Don't we have History tomorrow?" Rodrick pointed out to the boy's irritation.

He, himself, had more than History if he was correct... He had the other two new subjects to look forward to as well.

...

"Did you really mean that? what you said earlier?" Blaise asked quietly.

Rodrick looked amused, he'd already set up a silencing spell surrounding the two of them, Blaise was still whispering anyway. They were currently in their dorm; the other's had fallen asleep.

"What part?"

"All of it... Him being alive... You wanting to avoid him," Blaise answered.

Rodrick took in the words slowly before nodding.

"Why?"

"Why what this time?" Rodrick asked again, a small glint in his eyes.

"He's weak right now, isn't he? Why wait for him to make the move first, you cou-"

Rodrick put his hand up silencing the boy.

"Blaise, what do you see when you look at me?"

Blaise blinked slightly at that before thinking of an answer.

"A sarcastically powerful idiot."

Rodrick raised an eyebrow at that, "Idiot?"

Blaise slowly nodded.

"What makes me an idiot?"

"You're clearly against him you know... Most of Slytherin could tell you have something against the Dark Lord, but because they think he's dead, they don't say anything."

"And?"

Blaise frowned at that.

"And? If you're willing to show that... Why would you then go on to admit you wouldn't openly go against him. It's like your meeting it halfway... Not willing to go to the end."

Rodrick sighed, relaxing his head into the bed. "What side would you say most Slytherin's take if there was a war?"

Blaise kept quiet at that, the answer was obvious.

"Hating him and actually taking a stance against him are different, How many Slytherin's here would choose me over him?"

None. "But if that's the case..."

"Blaise, why do you think they choose the Dark Lord?"

"He's powerful, he supp-"

"He's closer to them."

"What?"

"Voldemort is closer to the Slytherin's then Dumbledore."

Blaise flinched at the sudden name before composing himself. "What do you mean?"

"Dumbledore as great of a wizard as the world seems to consider him is unable to understand most of the Slytherins."

"I don't understand," Blaise frowned.

"Regarding house ideals, upbringing... even lifestyle, Dumbledore has never once truly understood what it means to be a Slytherin, were outcasted if you haven't noticed, from the other houses, we don't get along with them."

Blaise frowned again, "The same could be said for each house."

"There might be some rivalries between the others, but when it comes to Slytherin it goes a step further, it turns into distaste," Rodrick started. "Three of the four houses have a sense of distrust towards the fourth... When war comes, what happens when those three houses decide to follow one side?"

Understanding slowly filled Blaise at that, "Slytherins don't feel like they belong... And considering the only other option being You-Know-Who..."

"It's pretty simple to see what happens next."

Blaise nodded warily at that. "And you're trying to give them a third option... Avoid them both."

Rodrick nodded to that, "I am even closer than both of them, I understand the dilemma they're in... There'll still be those few who actually believe in the man, but most of them are only left to rot to peer pressure until they picked a side."

"A side that wouldn't get involved would seem safer than a side that could potentially result in death. And because you wouldn't actually be going against the dark lord... You could stay away from his radar as long as you didn't join Dumbledores side," Blaise conceded, "What happens if Dumbledore loses?" The boy suddenly asked.

"Then it's already too late," Rodrick remarked.

Sighing Rodrick added on, "Well Best to focus on the present... There's no actual war going on right now."

Blaise raised an eyebrow before huffing.

Rodrick had just pulled out the potions book.

...

"Do you think I am wrong?" Rodrick asked the elderly man in front of him. "About Voldemort, I mean," Rodrick had fallen asleep only to wake up in that dream world, his grandfather was sitting across him. They'd dueled for a while before Rodrick had taken enough of losing and settled down.

Gellert appraised the boy in front of him, "You're scared of him,"

"Scared of what he could do."

"Same thing."

"I want to kill him

"I know, but you don't want to put others at risk. That means you're scared of him."

"Alright fine... Am I wrong though, in what I am trying to do?"

Gellert locked eyes with the boy, somewhat unnerving him.

"You're both, wrong and right."

"How so?" Rodrick asked. He could feel the blank canvas surrounding slowly start to shift into something else.

"Calm yourself" Gellert warned. "You're right in that your house mates certainly need a third more open side. The idea you have has merit and would usually work"

"But..."

"That's where you are wrong," Gellert replied impassively.

"I am not sure I understand," Rodrick replied.

"Voldemort is not a typical Dark Lord," Gellert pointed out.

"How so?"

"He's a powerful idiot."

Rodrick gaped at his grandfather's words.

"Perhaps in the past... Such an idea may have worked... But ever since the man had deigned to create multiple Horcruxes, he lost quite a lot of that common sense. He sees the world as Black and White. Those with him and those against him. Anyone that doesn't follow him is against him."

Rodrick could feel a breeze encompass both of them at that, he felt something chill him to his bones hearing those words, was it inevitable?

"What side would be best?" Rodrick sighed.

"I'd stay hidden for as long as you could... Prepare for the worst and if you had to pick one... Dumbledore."

Rodrick raised an eyebrow at that.

"No matter how faithful a servant you could be," Gellert scoffed, the very idea set his stomach on edge, "The moment the inevitable war ends, your life is forfeit. You are a Grindelwald. Your name carries too much potential harm to the Dark Lord."

Rodrick nodded understanding, "If I kept my name hidden?"

"How long would you manage that?"

Rodrick sighed again, "Not very long."

A silence seemed to take over.

"I told Daphne... about this place."

"I am aware," Gellert replied evenly.

"You're not disappointed?"

"It was the right choice, although the girl seems to blame me for more things then I am responsible for, like your relations with Malfoy."

Rodrick shrugged, he wasn't sure what to make of Lucius Malfoy, the two had been corresponding with letters, but not much had been said in them, it was mostly to keep up a pretense. Ever since the Basilisk incident, the man had been somewhat wary of meeting him, no doubt due to Rodrick knowing his involvement. He didn't care all that much about it but Malfoy didn't need to know that. It was better to keep him on his toes then let him relax too much. Rodrick didn't want to risk trying to survive another Basilisk attack.

"What about Dumbledore? should I tell him?"

Gellert appraised him at that. "Do what you think is best regarding that... I am afraid I can't give you an unbiased opinion."

"I'll take a biased one."

"The man's insane."

"That's not...Nevermind"... "Grandfather? Why was Potter able to open the chamber?"

"You're referring to his Parseltongue?"

Rodrick nodded at that.

"It is a trait that runs in the family," Gellert replied.

"I don't think the Potter's were related to Slytherin..."

Gellert stared at the boy in front of him, "No... It's not that you don't think it's in the family, you have another idea?"

Rodrick nodded slowly... "It's just the coincidence seems a little too perfect..."

"Ask Dumbledore," Gellert remarked.

Rodrick raised his head at that before frowning, "I doubt he'd willingly tell me..."

"Offer him something valuable."

"What could I have that-" Before Rodrick could finish, however. Gellert spoke.

"It's not what you know... More what I knew."

Rodrick stared impassively at his Grandfather before a small memory took root in his mind.

Wide-eyed Rodrick asked, "Are you sure?"

Gellert smirked, "It would give him sleepless nights to know that piece of information..."

"..."

"You're evil..."

Gellert laughed.

"Once you're finished with those two spells your working on... I want you to start on learning curses."

Rodrick raised an eyebrow at that, "Curses? I thought we already covered that?" he mused.

Gellert had a certain glint in his eye, one that set Rodrick on edge.

"Read the books on curses... In fact, read as many of them as you can... you'll find some spells that will make those unforgivable's look like a cheering charm."

...

Rodrick woke with a groan; his grandfather had shown him one of those lovely spells on a conjured practice dummy... It was downright screwed up... How could someone come up with something like that, it was completely and unnecessarily brutal.

He simply had to learn it.

Rodrick chuckled at the amount of work he was putting himself through. He really was turning into a bookworm. Putting on his robes, pocketing the things he would need for the day, Rodrick left the Dungeon. He woke up earlier than the other's hoping to get some early practice in before the lessons started, It was Friday, he had three subjects to look forward to. Arithmancy, Runes, and History. He smiled knowing he wouldn't even need to ask Binns for permission to do his own work, the man was literally too dead in the head to notice.

Outside of the dungeon, he found a special surprise waiting, a surprise in the form of a red bird.

'Ah right, Dumbledore,' Rodrick thought with a sigh.

"You don't happen to have the password? Do you?" Rodrick asked the red bird amused.

"Screech"

Rodrick stared warily at the bird before shaking his head 'I am really losing it... for a second I thought I understood that,' Taking his potions book out, Rodrick began his routine mantra as he walked towards the headmaster's office, the bird flew slowly behind him. It made for an amusing sight.

It almost looked like the bird was trying to take back its feather.

Passing what Rodrick assumed were two second-year Hufflepuff, Rodrick felt somewhat embarrassed when he noticed the girl's giggling towards him.

"I don't know why he's following me..." Rodrick muttered causing the two girl's to start laughing even more.

"Rude..." Rodrick whispered as they walked in the opposite direction.

He shook his head; he had more important things to worry about.

Reaching the Headmaster's office, Rodrick stared at the Gargoyle idly before wondering what the password could be... A small smirk took over the boy at that before he muttered one word that seemed to work. He doubted it was the password. Dumbledore must've heard it and quickly let him in.

"Horcrux."

...

Dumbledore stared down at the boy warily; he could feel his own Occulemency shields staggering slightly. He was unsettled... very unsettled.

"Hello, Headmaster," Rodrick spoke up cheerfully.

Dumbledore sighed after that; the boy was something else entirely...

"I am sure you have many questions," Rodrick spoke amused.

"Far more than I'd thought yesterday..."

Rodrick had actually laughed.

"I suppose so, where would you like to start?"

Dumbledore had a thoughtful gaze on his face at that... There were so, so many things to discuss...

"The vision you had... What did it entail?"

Rodrick eyed him at that, "Would you like to see it?"

Albus had a certain twinkle in his eye at that, "I wasn't aware a person could recreate a vision from the future"

Rodrick had a strange light in his eye, "I wouldn't call it that... You'll find out what I mean soon enough."

Albus called for the Pensieve to appear in his office.

Rodrick stared wide-eyed at the expensive artefact... It was so difficult to get a hand on one of those...

"How does it work?" Rodrick asked.

"Focus on the memory and I will do the rest."

Rodrick nodded. He quickly set about finding the memory, once that was done he gave the go ahead to the headmaster who took his wand and placed on the side of Rodrick's forehead, slowly he set about removing the memory before placing it into the Pensieve.

"Shall we?" Dumbledore asked, amused.

Rodrick nodded his head once again before the two dove their heads into the clear water.

The vision appeared once again, surrounding them. Rodrick watched as Dumbledore's expression slowly turned to a frown, no doubt wondering where he was in all this.

"This is..." Albus started, confused.

"See?"

"This is not what happened..." Albus spoke, watching as the young Tom Riddle spoke towards one Harry Potter.

He turned and saw Rodrick's eye on the book.

"I suppose you saying Horcrux wasn't a coincidence?"

Rodrick nodded.

Albus turned his attention back to the scene, his thought's lay elsewhere regarding the boy next to him... He truly was an enigma.

Once the vision ended, Albus had a thoughtful look on his face.

"I must admit.. That wasn't what I expected..."

Rodrick nodded before admitting to having another one to show.

Albus raised an eyebrow at that before he repeated the process.

Rodrick and the headmaster this time appeared back in front of the same tree, Luna Lovegood and another version of Rodrick Grindelwald lay relaxed against it.

Albus Dumbledore was confused by the vision until Rodrick pointed towards the book in hand. The headmaster's eyes slowly adopted a frown at that. The vision quickly ended after that.

"I am as confused as you are..." Rodrick remarked with a sigh as he fell into one of the chairs.

Albus watched with amusement as the boy plucked a sweet into his mouth.

"Certainly strange, I presume this is what you meant when you said they were not actual visions?"

"I think they were possibilities... Things that could've happened."

Albus raised an eyebrow at that.

"How would the first one have happened?"

"I think it might've if I'd decided to go to Durmstrang instead, I did receive a letter from them."

"Hmmm... What about the second?"

"I don't know... Maybe If I'd known about the diary? I did have visions regarding Ginny Weasley... It doesn't make sense why I'd show it to Luna Lovegood though."

"The Diary is gone in any case..."

Rodrick nodded.

"There was something else... The second vision... I think that that version of me... he could sense me... he kicked me out," Rodrick spoke, earning an amused look from the headmaster.

"I believe it might have something to do with your wand."

Rodrick raised an eyebrow at that.

"Elderwood is sensitive; it is extremely picky regarding its wizard... Some wands tend to even downright refuse certain wizards... if they deem them unworthy," He spoke thinking of his own.

Rodrick was trying to follow but failed to understand the point.

"What happens if two of you suddenly appeared before the same singular wand?"

"Ah!" The understanding seemed to click. "The wand would respond to it!"

Albus nodded to that. "It may have been that same disturbance that caused the other you to react the way he did."

"I think Voldemort must've sensed me as well but couldn't actually tell where I was."

There was a strange look on the headmaster's face when he spoke.

"Professor?" Rodrick asked uncertainly.

"Forgive me my boy, very few people would dare say his name."

"Oh right..." Rodrick responded, unsure of what else to say.

"How did you hear of the Horcrux? I hardly imagine you found it in a library book by accident... You seemed to know the diary was one as well," Albus suddenly brought up.

Rodrick looked down slightly; there was a thoughtful look on his face. Wondering what he should say.

Sighing, he turned back up to the headmaster's piercing eyes.

Pointing towards his head, "The mind shield... I am sure you've noticed it?" Rodrick spoke bemused, receiving a nod. "It does more than just protect my mind... it provides a link to anyone with my blood... to my Grandfather."

Understanding soon dawned on the man... "Remarkable... I take it this is how you learned your spells as well?"

"I see him almost every night," Rodrick added on, a small smile on his face.

Albus stared at the boy in front of him, there was an almost fond look on his face, "He told you about the Horcrux as well?"

Rodrick nodded.

"Headmaster?" Rodrick spoke in an impassive tone, earning Dumbledore's attention.

"Yes?" Albus replied, there was something about the tone of his voice.

"There's something... I am fairly sure," Rodrick started, watching as the the headmaster's gaze strengthened, "You would find both difficult to take in and consider just as important."

Albus curiosity was peaked.

"I want the same value of information in return," Rodrick spoke evenly.

"A trade?" Albus spoke amused. Wondering what the boy was about to tell him. Something about his eyes though... Something warned him to avoid it...

Rodrick nodded.

"What kind of Information?"

"Regarding Potter..."

There was a sense of dread slowly filling up in the headmaster at that.

"Why is he a Parselmouth?"

Albus Dumbledore found himself walking on thin ice at that...'What is he...' The thought quickly halted itself. Was he testing him?

"I-" Albus began before he saw Rodrick raise a small hand.

"Professor... This is a matter of trust..."

"You suspect something."

"Looking through that vision brought back some memories."

"Such as?" Albus enquired.

"The diary allowed Ginny Weasley to open the chamber. The diary was a Horcrux. Voldemort had more than one."

Albus tensed slightly... "You want to know how many he has?" he asked hopeful.

Disappointment and a sense of dread took over when the boy shook his head.

"You know what I am asking."

Albus looked away at that. Sighing.

Rodrick waited with bated breath for the headmaster to answer.

"When did you start suspecting it?"

"I saw it... A thin cord attached to him... To his scar... The same one was attached to Riddle."

Albus' eyes widened, "You saw a cord?"

Rodrick nodded slowly, "The vision was strange, I could recreate the imagery, but the Magic involved... that I couldn't copy." "It's true then?" He continued.

Albus nodded slowly.

Rodrick sighed. "Harry Potter's a Horcrux," he confirmed. "Who did he kill for it?"

Albus raised an eyebrow at that, "You don't know?"

"I am grasping straws here Headmaster."

Albus looked amused, "Quite the large straws," causing the boy to chuckle. "What will you do with that information?"

Rodrick shrugged, "Nothing, it isn't my problem really, I'll let you solve that one. Just wanted to know for the sake of knowing,"

Albus started laughing, "You truly are a peculiar one, most students your age would jump at the chance to take control."

Rodrick chuckled, "Trouble seems to love finding me anyway, the small amount of time I get, I want to dictate to what I feel I need to do."

"Such as?" The headmaster asked intrigued.

Rodrick took and unshrunk the potions book.

"Ah the infamous book itself," Albus spoke amused, "A lot of your teachers have told me about that little habit."

"I wanted to lay off Gryffindor's points, give them a chance you know, figured I should get another hobby."

Albus frowned slightly knowing the points... The boy wasn't even bothered to win.

"You're still keeping up?"

Rodrick nodded.

The headmaster's eyes quickly went to the open page, recognizing the magic.

"Is there a particular reason you're attempting Extraction?"

"You know it?" Rodrick's eyes widened. If the headmaster could do it then...

"I know the alchemy way, yes," Albus replied evenly.

Rodrick deflated at that; he'd seen that form... It wouldn't work... if anything it might make it worse. Rodrick shuddered.

"Is there a particular reason you're going for the more difficult path?"

"I'll show you once I've managed it," Rodrick replied, a small grin taking over at the headmaster's frowning face, the man really didn't like not knowing something.

A few moments passed before the headmaster asked another question.

"Has your grandfather mentioned anything regarding his views of the world."

"Has he tried to push his ideals on me you mean?" Rodrick asked stifling a chuckle.

Dumbledore nodded.

"No... I think he tried it with my mom though."

That brought a sombre note to the headmaster.

Rodrick noticed the look on his face.

"You knew her quite well?"

Albus nodded slowly, remember memories of the young girl.

"She was a student here in Hogwarts."

Rodrick's eyes lit up at that, "Really?"

Albus had an amused look on his face, "She was in Gryffindor."

Rodrick coughed as if he'd swallowed a bug.

"What?" His eyes narrowed.

Albus was barely holding in his laughter. "Your father too."

Rodrick could slowly feel his world crashing around him. Turning back up he sought to get back at the headmaster.

"My grandfather told me about the Deathly Hollows."

Albus' eyes widened at that, "Did he now..." He asked unable to control his emotions regarding them.

"No," causing the old man to stutter. "I just wanted to see your reaction."

Albus shook his head at that, "Where did you hear about those three items then?"

Rodrick raised an eyebrow at that, causing the headmaster to momentarily wonder if he'd said too much. It was the boy's question that confused him though.

"Three? I thought there was four."

Albus blinked at that, wary. "Where did you hear about them?"

Rodrick slowly looked up towards the headmaster's gaze, "There's a book... In my vault."

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Never having heard of such a thing "Did you read it?" His mind already wondering if there was any way to convince the boy to let him read it.

Rodrick shook his head, "No, He warned me not to."

"Did he now?"

"Said he hated it."

"Are you sure we're talking about the same person?" Albus asked amused. Gellert had been obsessed with them. For him to hate it... That served to only intrigue the headmaster even more.

Rodrick nodded slowly.

"Is there anything else? Regarding them, you wish to tell me?" he asked a small twinkle in his eye.

Rodrick considered telling him about the necklace but refrained from doing so, "Not at the moment."

Albus frowned at the meaning, "Perhaps another time then. I believe you have a lesson to attend to in any case."

Rodrick nodded, he turned to leave before remembering his deal, "Do you still want to know?" he asked amused, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Albus considered the question carefully, something told him to decline the offer. "What does it relate to?"

"The war," Rodrick replied.

Feeling a sense of relief wash over him, Albus nodded, he had been somewhat afraid Gellert would tell the boy to reveal something earlier...

"What about it?" The headmaster asked intrigued.

Rodrick smiled, setting the headmaster off. "My grandfather, he knew you know, he knew he was going to lose that war. Years before your fight with him," The boy quickly left after that.

If the boy had turned back, he would've seen an inquisitive look on the Headmaster's face.

Albus Dumbledore took out his wand, examining it, intrigued by the unexpected new piece of information.

"That would certainly explain a few things..."

He turned to Fawkes and asked it's opinion.

"Screech"

Dumbledore frowned "It's not that far-fetched..."

...

Leaving the headmaster's office, Rodrick was pleasantly surprised to find two girls waiting for him, Tracey and Daphne both stood in front of the office with grins on their faces. Pocketing the potions book Rodrick moved towards them.

"So Arithmancy?"

Receiving two nods, the three friends made their way to their second first elective lesson.