Chapter 44: Whispers of the Dark Lord

Harry woke up with his head pounding.

' What the fuck'

His whole body ached. He felt like someone had beaten him with an iron club.

He groaned, clutching his head.

Blurry eyed, he managed to find his glasses. He blinked at this state of dress.

He was still wearing the same clothes he had worn the night before.

There were splatters of blood all over them.

' How the fuck could I have done that? What's wrong with me?'

His thoughts were coming sluggishly.

With another groan, he turned over. On the bedside table, there was a smoking potion in a black goblet, placed beside a jug of water.

He read the note below it.

Hangover potion.

Drink upon awakening. Follow with water.

He drank it. It tasted gross but still better than his tongue had.

By the time he finished showering, he was feeling human again.

Hazy memories of the night before began coming into his mind.

'" So, you're the one Pansy's so enamored with", the familiar looking wizard had said, after congratulating Harry on his induction.

" I hope so" Harry had replied, causing Mr. Parkinson to laugh raucously.

" Well, I'm glad to see you're worthy of her attention. Be seeing you later this week"

As he walked away, someone else refilled Harry's cup'

Harry got dressed and made his way downstairs.

' They all saw what you did! How brutal it was and-'

' I obeyed the Dark Lord's order, that's it. Besides, they were all respectful last night. I think'

He could clearly remember up until the third firewhiskey. After that, things started getting blurry.

From what he could remember though, he had been treated with-respect. Respect, and acceptance.

He smiled at the memory.

"The sleeper awakes!"

Draco was sitting at the dining room table, a plate full of crumbs and bacon bits in front of him.

"Tufty! Bring Harry his food!"

Seconds later the elf appeared, bearing plates piled up.

"So, how did that potion work?"

"Like magic," Harry said, grinning.

"Good. You really overdid it last night, mate"

"I was just doing what the Dark Lord-"

"Not that" Draco flushed. "I meant how much you drank. We had to carry you to bed. Wasn't pretty"

' Shit'

"Damn. Sorry"

"Don't worry. Do you even remember any of the party?"

"Bits of it. You?"

Draco laughed. "I didn't drink quite as much as you. Not even close"

"Still. We're in, now"

"Yeah. I can barely believe it. I mean, we're just kids."

"Not anymore," Harry said softly.

"No" Draco looked down. "Not anymore"

Silence descended on the table as Harry ate.

"When were you planning on visiting Pansy?"

"Dunno. Was gonna just owl her. Maybe tomorrow? Got any plans?"

"Not really. I don't know if you remember, but there's a meeting coming up. He wants everyone to be there"

There was no doubt who Draco was referring to.

"Do you know when?"

"Nope. Sometime the week before we go back, though"

"Where's it gonna be?"

"Here, of course"

"Cool"

Draco exhaled loudly. "Yeah. He wants to talk about His plans, and what He wants us all to be doing"

Harry frowned. "He can't want too much from us, can he? I mean, we're still in school?"

Draco looked at Harry blankly.

"He can want anything from us. Remember what we swore?"

' To die at your word'

Harry shivered.

"Let's do something fun," Draco said, breaking the awkward silence. "Wanna go fly a bit?"

"Sounds great. Let's do it"

"Where'd you learn that spell from?"

"What, the flaying one?"

"Yeah"

"That book your dad gave me. Shit, I was so scared. I'd never actually tried it before. I was so sure I was gonna fuck it up"

"You managed it on your first try?" Draco asked incredulously.

"Having the Dark Lord staring at you does wonders for your concentration"

"Yeah. Never mind all the other people"

"You can say that again"

"You know, I still can't believe we're in. It's just so crazy"

"Totally. I wish he'd have Marked us, though"

Draco goggles at him.

"Seriously? I heard it hurts almost as bad as a Crucio. And that's beside the fact that there is no way we'd be able to hide it. Especially not in the locker room"

Harry floundered. How could he explain, that being Marked would signify a total acceptance, something he'd practically never experienced before? How to explain that it would mean being a part of something, just being another person who's a part of it, not having people staring all the time? That not being Marked meant that there was something different about him than the other Death Eaters. He couldn't. So he settled with saying, "yeah, but still".

"Did you write to Pansy?"

"Yup," Harry said, with a popping noise.

"And?"

Harry tried to imitate his girlfriend's voice. "I can't wait! My parents are so excited to meet you, and I'll show you my manor and everything"

"Her parents are so excited to meet you?" Draco laughed. "Merlin, they're keeping it secret well"

"Yeah. I'm just looking forward to having some time alone with her"

"Of course you are," Draco said, raising his fingers in a v in front of his mouth, "but I think she might be even more excited".

"Stop it," Harry said, laughing. "We haven't quite done that"

"So what have you done?"

"None of your business," Harry said primly. Draco chortled.

"Has she given your wand a shake?"

"Dracooo" Harry whined.

"Has she caught your Snitches?"

"Come on man. Don't make me practice spells on you" Harry raised his wand as he spoke.

Instantly, Draco's entire demeanor changed.

"Don't even joke about that" he hissed, "Don't".

"Dra-"

"No, I'm fucking serious Harry. Don't"

' He's scared of me. He saw what I can do, and now he's scared of me'

A part of Harry wanted to cry at that. Another part started getting angry.

He heard Snape's voice.

' Clear your mind'

And he did.

He banished all the emotions he was feeling and discovered something very interesting.

He could understand exactly where Draco was coming from.

"Sorry, Draco. I get it, I do. After what you've seen me do, I get why it would be scary for you. I really do"

Draco was quiet for a moment, before asking, in a soft voice.

"How do you live with it? The things you've done?"

Only one fact held back Harry's anger. There was no accusation in Draco's voice. There was fear, and worry, and stress.

' He's asking for himself, idiot'

"You just-learn to, I guess. It's like you told me once. They're not human"

"But-"

"Yeah, yeah. They look like us, and they sound like us. But I've been thinking about it a ton. The shit they put me through. No wizard could sit back while that was happening to to a magical child"

' Dumbledore did. And don't forget what those Ravenclaw girls did. They're not really that different-'

"But they do. They did. They're just not like us-"

"That doesn't help! I can tell myself that, but I still just see him pleading and-"

"That's cause you don't believe it. You need to totally believe it. You don't care that those rabbits squealed when we practiced on them, do you?"

"No, but it's not the same-"

"That's up to you to decide"

"I guess"

Harry visited Parkinson Manor the next day. It was a beautiful place, not quite as large or as richly decorated as Malfoy Manor, but then again, few places were.

Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson were very pleased to finally meet Harry and introduced themselves to him as Lance and Maeve. Harry managed to keep the grin off of his face as they made their introductions.

' Last time they saw me, I had blood all over my face', he thought, simultaneously wanting to laugh and feeling disgusted.

Pansy was pretty excited to have Harry in her house. She took him on a tour of it, (not letting him spend more than a few minutes browsing the library), which ended in her room.

Her bed was-freaking enormous. And soft.

Harry sank into it gratefully, legs aching from walking around the large property.

"You like it?"

"Yeah. Its a bit lonely though, without you on it"

Smirking, Pansy dropped into the bed next to him.

Almost immediately, they were kissing, his hand running through her long her.

His other hand gripped one of hers.

She didn't pull away when he moved her hand down to his throbbing tumescence.

"Wow"

He lowered his robes and underwear.

"Harry, I don't kno-"

"Please, babe. Please. Help me out, here"

"She bit her lip as he looked at him, innocent worry naked on her face.

' One word and I could make her do anything-'

' What the fuck is wrong with you?'

"What do I do?"

"Just stroke it".

After a scourgify, Harry kissed her again, basking in the afterglow.

"I love you" he whispered, hugging her close.

"Not as much as I love you," She said back.

"Do so"

"Totally not"

"Totally do"

They settled into a nice routine over the break. Flying, when the weather allowed it, relaxing, reading.

Practicing spells.

Harry would Floo over to Pansy almost every day. At some point during his visit, she would ease his aching need. He returned the favor, of course, reveling in her smell and taste on his fingers.

' Mine'

And yet, he wanted more. She was amazing, no doubt, and it was nothing to even compare to getting himself off, but he wanted more.

And he was afraid of even bringing it up, afraid of ruining the amazing thing they had going.

But he could just imagine her head bent over him, running his fingers through her hair, and-

' One word is all I need. Just one word. She would never need more than one crucio'

He cleared his mind, removing all emotion, all need.

' We'll move further when we do. This is great, for now'

They had the usual party with all their friends. Daphne scowled when Theo, of course, made some lewd comment when Harry and Pansy tried, unsuccessfully, to sneak back in after disappearing. Harry just smiled while Pansy blushed furiously.

And then, a few nights before returning to Hogwarts, the Dark Lord called a meeting.

The East Ballroom was set up totally differently.

' Well, of course. They weren't gonna just leave the stage and blood and bodies, were they?'

There was a long table running down the length of the room, with place for a good sixty or so seats.

The Dark Lord sat at the head, in his throne-like, gilded chair.

He beckoned for Harry and Draco to sit at the two seats closest to him- Harry on his right, Draco, on the left.

Slowly, the seats filled up.

Harry recognized the faces from his initiation.

He remembered some of the names and half-remembered bits of conversations they had.

Once the table was full, the Dark Lord raised his hand. Silence immediately fell.

"For now, my return is still unknown by the Wizarding world. For now, it must be kept this way. We have time to prepare, to plan for their reactions when it is revealed.

Lucius"

"Yes, my Lord?"

"If Fudge is removed from power, as he most certainly will be once war is declared, who would take his place?"

Lucius seemed to think for a few moments.

"Assuming Dumbledore does not take it, probably either Amelia Bones or Rufus Scrimgeour. Possibly Artemius Faulkner, but I don't believe that as likely, my Lord"

"I want articles to discredit them. Not much, but some. Do it slowly. In the meantime, who can you position to take the role as minister? Someone who would be susceptible to the Imperius."

"I believe Pius Thicknesse would be perfect for that, my Lord. He is not well known for his strength of will or mind"

"Excellent. Do it very slowly, all of you with pull."

"My Lord?"

"Yes, Ian?"

"What is the time frame we're looking at? How long do we have to get him into position?"

The Dark Lord was silent for a moment. "Between one and a half and two years"

"It shall be done"

"Good. Lucius, you will be spending some time with the group in France. Narcissa will be visiting Hungary. Chiara, you will go to Italy, Greece, and Spain. Rowle, I want you to take the group in Estonia. They must know not to act at all until they receive my order. I will be visiting them as well"

The Dark Lord looked at the people he had named.

"Not even the most minor actions. For now, they are to train and prepare. I will be most displeased if my orders are disobeyed. In fact"

He smiled at Harry, "Perhaps I will have Harry punish any who deserve it"

There was light laughter around the room.

For an instant, Harry bristled, before the realization came to him.

' They're not laughing at me!'

"Severus. What is Dumbledore planning at the moment?"

Snape spoke with his usual, lazy drawl.

"He is planning an event to foster greater international relations. He wishes to host the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts, next year. I believe he is currently in talks with Madam Maxime of Beuxbatons"

"Interesting. What else?"

"I do not think he believes you have regained physical form, my Lord. However, he never believed you to be dead, and the events of last year, as well as Quirrell's disappearance, have definitely raised his suspicions about you. He also plans to bring Harry closer to him"

"Oh?" The Dark Lord said, watching Harry.

"Yes, my Lord. He is afraid that Harry is in prime position to hate muggles and fall to our ideology"

"He should be afraid"

The room laughed, again.

"What does he plan to do about this?"

"I believe he will offer Harry private lessons. On Magical Theory, or Transfiguration, whichever Harry is more interested in"

"You will take him up on his offer, Harry. Of course, give him no indication of your allegiance. You could be a most useful spy"

"Yes, my Lord"

"Now, Harry, Draco, Severus. I want you watching the sixth and seventh-years. I want a list of those who you think are appropriate for recruitment"

They nodded.

"Very well. I will be checking up on all of your progress. Do not disappoint me"

The day before returning to Hogwarts, Harry had a private meeting with the Dark Lord.

"Well, Harry, you performed most admirably at your initiation. I am proud to count you as one of my followers"

"Thank you my Lord," Harry said, eyes downcast.

"As I recall, I said I would tell you about the events leading up to your parents' death, did I not?"

"You did, my Lord"

"Let it never be said that Lord Voldemort does not keep his word. Very well. There had been a prophecy, which one of my spies overheard, announcing a possible threat to me. As a result, your parents, and another family, went into hiding"

"Why? My Lord"

"Because, Harry, the prophecy foretold a child who would have the possibility of challenging me. You, Harry, fit the other criteria the prophecy said of such a child"

"Me? But, but I wouldn't-"

"The prophecy never said you would have the inclination to be a challenge. Or indeed, be successful. Nevertheless, I would not sit idly by while there is a possible threat"

"I-I-"

"Harry, Harry. You have given me ample reason to trust you. See that you never give me reason to mistrust you"

Harry gulped. He didn't even want to imagine what would happen in that case. Only that it would make what he had done to Gordon seem like a kindness.

"Your parents hid well, making use of the Fidelius charm"

"What is that?"

Voldemort smiled coldly, no humor reaching his burning eyes.

"It is a brilliant charm. A secret is given to one person to guard. Unless that person gives it up, the secret cannot be revealed. If the charm is cast correctly, as indeed, it was, it is unbreakable. I could have been standing outside your parents house, but without the information directly from the secret keeper, I would not have been able to see it"

"Wow"

"Indeed. Dumbledore cast the charm. At first, Sirius Black was the secret keeper. He was your father's closest friend, his best man. Your godfather. And then, something wonderful happened"

"What?"

"One of your father's other friends was secretly one of my followers. Black became concerned, he felt it would be too obvious that he was the choice, and that it would only be a matter of time until he was captured and had the secret tortured out of him. And so, telling no-one other than your parents, he switched secret keepers, giving it over to my servant. The rest, as they say, is history"

"But why is Black believed to have served you?"

"As I said. He told no-one of the switch. However, he figured out what must have happened, and went after my servant. My servant, Peter Pettigrew, must have faked his death, made it seem like Black had killed him. He still lives though"

"Really?"

' The man who caused my parents death is still alive? I should-'

' On your Lord's orders! You would have to kill yourself too! You dare not betray him! Besides, Black indirectly caused it, too'

"Truly. His Mark is still active. Where exactly he is, I can't tell. He could be behind powerful wards, or he could simply be transformed. He is an animagus"

"Oh"

' Even if you were willing to betray him. If the Dark Lord can't track him, you definitely can't'

"Harry, I wish to ask you something. How would you feel about your childhood being revealed in the newspaper?"

' Not a fucking chance-'

' You swore an oath! To die if he wants!'

"You see, it could accomplish much. It would lead to some distrust of Dumbledore. It would make people more distrustful of Muggles. It could do a lot"

"It is my Lord's choice"

"Harry, Harry" the Dark Lord laughed. "I would not suffer any ill effects as a result of this. You would. Tell me, truly. What do you think?"

' NO! I don't fucking want to be looked at with pity! With-'

' You swore an oath!'

Swallowing thickly, Harry spoke. "There's stuff I wouldn't want to come out"

"Like what?"

"I killed two muggles. I don't want to be looked at as a murderer-"

"If your actions were left out, and only the fact that you had been abused was discussed, without too many details. How would you feel?"

' I don't-'

' You swore an oath!'

"If it would really achieve so much," Harry said slowly, "then I guess I'd be ok with it"

"Excellent. We will discuss what will happens closer to the time"

The Dark Lord watched Harry leave the room with a feral grin twisting his snake-like features.

' Mine!'