Harry Potter and Salazar's Talisman

Chapter 2

The Slytherin Connection

The dull burning didn't go away. Harry slowly stood up, looking around the empty classroom with a deep rooted apprehension.

It couldn't be possible. It couldn't! But only one presence could do that to him. Had Voldemort found a way back? Even when he was whatever he was before he got his body back, Harry could feel when Voldemort was near. Is that why Harry had lived?

"Voldemort, you know you can't sneak up on me," said Harry.

Harry heard the chilling laugh and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.

"Show yourself," said Harry.

"No, I don't think so, Harry," he heard Voldemort's voice. "Not yet."

Harry moved in front of his desk and leaned against it. He felt the presence move around him, his head was pounding. A ghost?

"So, DADA teacher?"

"You don't think I'm qualified?" said Harry.

Harry heard the chuckle. "Don't you think it's a little mundane after fighting the most powerful dark wizard in history?"

Harry felt the presence circle him again.

"Actually, I find it refreshing," said Harry. "At least it doesn't give me a headache."

Voldemort laughed. "Ah, Harry. I have missed you."

Harry felt the presence stop before him and flinched.

"Look at you. All grown up," said Voldemort.

The pain increased in Harry's head as if Voldemort had raised a hand to Harry face.

"Sorry I missed your graduation, Harry."

"I missed it too."

"Mmm, yes. You shouldn't have, Harry. I didn't want you to. I told you that."

"I remember," said Harry.

"But you insisted that you had to die to insure that I did. Your valiant sacrifice," said Voldemort and Harry felt the hand grab his chin. Harry hit his knees and stared up as the ghost of Voldemort materialized over him. "It did indeed insure my death but it also insured my immortality."

"That doesn't please you?" Harry managed through the pain. Harry stared into those red eyes. Even as a ghost they glowed.

"I haven't decided," said Voldemort. "What does please me," he added, raising his other hand toward Harry's face. "Is I can still play with my favorite pet."

Harry was in too much pain to take exception to the remark. "How," Harry choked. "A ghost can't-"

Voldemort touched his cheek to shut him up.

"Because of my noble gesture at my death. I offered to die and let you live. That is why you didn't die, Harry, and that is why we are still connected."

Voldemort released Harry's face and floated away.

"So why are you here?" said Harry.

"I'm here because you are, Harry."

"Are you saying you're going to haunt me for the rest of my life?"

"Won't it be fun, Harry."

Harry stood up, staring at Voldemort in disbelief.

"We'll talk again later, Harry," said Voldemort. "I'm going to look around. It's been a while."

Harry stared at the spot where Voldemort had disappeared. No, this couldn't be happening to him. It was worse than a nightmare. That's it. It's a nightmare. He fell asleep at his desk. He'll wake up any minute.

But Harry had never been that lucky. He went straight to Hermione's office and urgently knocked on her door.

Hermione opened the door. "Harry, are you all right. You look like you've just seen a ghost."

"I have," said Harry. "Voldemort."

"Voldemort?" said Hermione. "You're kidding?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding," said Harry. Since Harry was still shaking, he didn't consider it. "He grabbed my face, Hermione, and put me to my knees."

"That's impossible, Harry," said Hermione. "Ghosts can't touch anyone nor can they hurt anyone."

"I remember what pain feels like," said Harry, getting frustrated. "He touched me and I felt it."

"Harry-"

"You don't believe me?" said Harry incredulously. Harry put his hand to his scar. Voldemort.

"Ah straight to your lawyer," said Voldemort a few seconds later.

"She's not a lawyer, she's a teacher," said Harry.

"Bad career move on her part," said Voldemort. "She would have made a better lawyer."

"Just show yourself," said Harry.

Harry heard him chucked. "She doesn't believe you, does she?"

"Harry are you feeling all right?" said Hermione.

Voldemort laughed. "Oh this is priceless, my pet."

"Don't call me that," said Harry.

"Harry, I'm getting worried," said Hermione.

Voldemort laughed. "Oh how wonderful. Harry Potter driven to insanity by his tormented memories." Voldemort laughed.

"Stop laughing, Voldemort," said Harry. He turned to Hermione. "Don't you hear him?"

"I don't hear anything," said Hermione. "Harry, are you feeling all right?"

"You believed me about the Triwizard Tournament," said Harry.

"I saw your face," said Hermione. "Now you just look - well-"

"What? Crazy?" said Harry.

"I was going to say desperate."

"Fine," Harry snapped and walked away. Voldemort followed him.

"Oh don't take it so hard, Harry."

"Shut up, Voldemort," said Harry.

"Don't try to make me angry Harry. I'm enjoying this too much."

Harry tried to ignore Voldemort all the way back to his office so no one would see him talking to himself and when Harry entered his room, Voldemort didn't follow. That surprised Harry.

Harry scanned his book shelves, determined to look up everything he could about personal ghost hauntings. He had hoped he'd have Hermione's help. He brought a book he had found to breakfast the next morning and ate with his eyes on it, ignoring Hermione, who was casting him worried glances. Dumbledore and McGonagall were looking at him oddly too. Had Hermione told them? Great.

Harry knew Voldemort would show up. He wouldn't miss the opportunity to try to make the whole school think he was crazy. He endured the pain and tried to keep from flinching.

"I guess I'll have to try to sneak up on you, Harry," said Voldemort. "Your reaction is usually better than that."

Harry ignored him. It felt as if Voldemort was standing right in front of him.

Voldemort chuckled. "I'm bound to hit upon something to set you off, my pet." Voldemort chuckled. "I know how you hate that, Harry. You do look rather angry."

The words Harry was looking at seemed to blur, the pain was increasing as if Voldemort held his hand out across the table towards Harry's face. Harry picked up the book and stood up. As he left the table, he heard Hermione call him.

He ignored her too. He went to his classroom trying to think of a way to get Voldemort to show himself. Harry wondered if the other ghosts could see him.

Voldemort was quiet but Harry knew he was still following him.

Peeves whizzed by him with the comment, "Crazy Harry Potter." Harry looked at him.

Voldemort chuckled. "No, Harry, they can't see or hear me either. I am your personal poltergeist and unless I want to be seen or heard no one will see or hear me but you."

Great, thought Harry.

"Oh, talk to me, Harry. You're spoiling my fun."
Harry fought the urge to say, "Too bad."

"Harry, my son."

Harry stopped dead and the pain that hit him was almost as bad as if Voldemort had touched his scar. He screamed and hit the floor clutching his head.

Voldemort didn't laugh. "I see I've hit a nerve," said Voldemort. "I also suggest you don't try to walk through me."

Apparently when Harry stopped, Voldemort didn't and had passed right through Harry.

"Are you all right, Professor Potter?"

Two students came over and helped him to his feet. Struggling for his composure, fighting the pain that lingered and squashing his temper, he thanked them and moved on.

"No comment, Harry?"

Comment?

"Hah," said Harry, with dawning. He figured out how he was going to force Voldemort to show himself. His 6 years would do it for him. Voldemort fascinated them and he would be so pleased, he would want to talk to them.

He didn't have them again until tomorrow so he had to suffer through getting through his classes trying not to talk to Voldemort, enduring the occasional pain every time Voldemort came close to him and ignoring Voldemort's comments during class.

The last wasn't easy as Voldemort started to get personal, reminding Harry in vivid detail of their past.

At one point, during his 5^th year class, where he was describing Azkaban and the dementors, Voldemort brought up Sirius and his time in Azkaban and Sirius' time in Voldemort's cage.

"Will you shut up, all ready," said Harry.

"Er, we didn't say anything, Professor," said a student. Harry was pretty sure it had been Dave McIves which Harry assumed was Sean's brother.

"It's nothing, I wasn't talking to the class," said Harry.

"You slipped, Harry," said Voldemort, sounding pleased.

"Who were you talking to?" said another student.

"No one," said Harry. "Forget it."

"Oh they won't forget, Harry. It will be all over the school by tomorrow."

But Harry's plan would be in effect by then.

Harry looked towards the sound of Voldemort's voice. "Oh, you think so?"

"Yes, Harry. You know it too." Voldemort laughed.

"Keep laughing, Voldemort," said Harry. "You taught me too well."

"You have a plan, do you, Harry?"

"Yes, now will you be quiet so I can finish the lesson," said Harry.

"Oh, by all means," said Voldemort with a chuckle.

By dinner, each class after that one started looking at him strangely. He didn't go to the Great Hall for the meal (he didn't want to see Dumbledore and the rest of the staff looking at him oddly either).

The next morning though, Harry was ready. As the 6 years came in, at least they all didn't look at him like he was nuts.

"Is everyone here?" Harry asked to cut the attendance.

"Missy had to go to Madam Pomfrey," said Sean.

"She all right?" said Harry.

"She's ok. She fell down a moving staircase."

"Nasty those moving staircases," said Harry. "I fell down one myself in my 5^th year. Broke a rib and fractured my knee."

"Harry, are you lying to your students?" said Voldemort. "Lucius and Goyle did that to you."

"I stand corrected," said Harry.

"Er, by who, Professor?" said Sean curiously.

"As many of you may have heard I have acquired my own personal ghost."

"So it's true, you're hearing Voldemort's voice?" said Sean.

"He said my name," said Voldemort with surprise.

"Of course, whose class is this, Voldemort." Harry turned back to the class. "It seems Voldemort has made it his death's mission to annoy me."

Voldemort chuckled.

"Is he here then?" said Cindy.

"He is," said Harry, "And in honor of that fact, I've decided to base this lesson entirely on him."

Voldemort chuckled. "Harry I'm touched."

"He's honored," Harry told the class.

"I said I was touched, Harry, not honored."

"I stand corrected," said Harry again. He magicked a comfy arm chair in the back corner. "Have a seat Voldemort. You may enjoy this lesson."

"Why in the back, Harry?" said Voldemort.

"Because you've already given me a headache," said Harry.

Voldemort chuckled and Harry felt the pain diminish.

"As we've discussed, Voldemort used several methods of persuasion to control people. His favorite was torture."

"More like the threat of torture," said Voldemort.

"I stand corrected again," said Harry. "This however didn't work with me so he had to devise other methods to attempt to get me to do what he wanted."

"What was corrected?" asked a student.

Harry went on, "His other attempts, although innovative were pretty lame as well."

"Harry," said Voldemort, sounding insulted.

"Professor Weasley could find a loop hole in any of his little contracts despite Voldemort's fondness for semantics."

Voldemort laughed. "I know what you're doing, Harry. You're trying to manipulate me into joining this discussion."

"Mmmm," said Harry. He didn't look towards the chair, but addressed the class "I thought I had learned manipulation from the master. I guess I was wrong there too. Pity."

Harry felt Voldemort move toward him.

"All right, Harry," said Voldemort. The class gasped as he materialized. "I'll join this little discussion." He continued to move toward Harry until he entered the flinch zone. "But I will have compensation."

But Harry was smiling. "Go ahead, Voldemort. Show them. They can take it."

"Can you, Harry?" said Voldemort, as he grabbed Harry's chin. The class gasped again as Harry hit his knees. Voldemort turned toward them. "As you can see Lord Voldemort can still put Harry Potter to his knees in pain. Pain so great even the Cruasious Curse, which Harry can counter, pales to it."

"How is it you can touch him," said Cindy.

"Ah," he looked down at Harry's face. "A curious class. Is that why you picked this class?"

Harry nodded.

Voldemort let go and Harry took a couple of deep breaths as Voldemort moved away to study the class.

Harry pulled himself to his feet and leaned against his desk, pressing his palm to his scar.

"Will you tell them, Harry?" said Voldemort. "Or should I?"

Harry didn't really want that particular information public so he almost hugged Hermione as she rushed into the room.

"Professor-" She stopped dead when she saw Harry's hand still pressed to his forehead. Then she saw Voldemort.

"Ah, Miss Granger," said Voldemort. "Very nice to see you again."

"I told you, Voldemort, it's Professor Weasley now."

"How quaint," said Voldemort. "I still think you missed your calling, Hermione. You would have made an outstanding lawyer."

"Oh, Harry," cried Hermione. "I'm so sorry."

"Hermione wait," called Harry as she rushed out of the room.

"Oh, dear, you've upset her."

Harry turned to Voldemort. "Me?" said Harry with surprise. "You know damn well why she's upset."

"Couldn't be my fault," said Voldemort looking appalled.

Several of the students laughed and Harry looked at them. "Did I mention what a warped sense of humor he has?"

"Shouldn't you go after her, Harry," said Voldemort.

"And leave you here? I don't think so."

"Harry, don't you trust me?"

"No," said Harry.

"I can't hurt anyone," said Voldemort.

"Except me," said Harry.

Voldemort chuckled as he settled back into his chair in the back. "So how is Ron?"

The wizard in question strode into the room and Harry straightened. "Ron," said Harry with surprise.

"Harry," said Ron. "What did you say to Hermione?" He walked up to Harry without looking around.

"Ah, hello, Ron."

Ron turned and made a frustrated gesture. To Harry he said, "Never mind answering that question."

"Ron, what are you doing here?" said Harry.

"Hermione was worried about you," said Ron. "She sent me an owl the other day."

"So the Ministry sent you to make sure I'm not crazy," said Harry.

Ron looked insulted. "I came here for you, damn it," said Ron.

"Sorry," muttered Harry.

Ron grinned. "But I do have to owl the Minister when I find out."

"All idiots in the ministry," said Voldemort.

Harry glared at him. "Ron's in the Ministry," said Harry. "We fixed it remember."

"I stand corrected," quoted Voldemort. "And have you taught about that yet? How we fixed the ministry?"

Harry grimaced at him. "Not yet," said Harry.

"Why not?" said Voldemort. "Afraid they aren't ready or aren't you ready."

Harry ignored Voldemort's question and turned to Ron. "It's all right, Ron. After every thing that's happened to me, even I'm surprised I'm not crazy."

"No it isn't all right," said Ron. "After every thing you've been through I was hoping you were crazy." He glanced at Voldemort. "It seemed better than the alternative."

"Ron, I'm hurt," said Voldemort.

"You're dead," said Ron. "So would you mind butting out."

Harry laughed and so did most of the class. Voldemort chuckled.

"I've said it before, Harry," said Voldemort. "Your friends are very brave and loyal to the end."

"Yeah, I thought we saw that end," said Ron. "What-"

"Ron," said Harry loudly. The last thing he needed was Ron pissing off Voldemort. Ron didn't know he could still hurt Harry. He addressed the class. "This is Mr. Ronald Weasley, Professor Weasley's husband, my best friend and the Head of the Defense against the Dark Arts Dept. of the Ministry of Magic."

The class murmured respectful greetings.

"Harry, why didn't you go into the Ministry?" said Voldemort.

Harry shrugged. "I was afraid it would give me a headache."

"Harry surely you don't blame all your little headache's on me," said Voldemort.

"Everything Harry's been through is your fault," said Ron.

Voldemort turned to Harry. "Is it, Harry?" Voldemort quizzed.

"No," said Harry.

"Why?" said Voldemort.

"Choices," said Harry.

Voldemort smiled. "Ah, Harry. I have taught you well." Voldemort stood up and took several steps toward the front of the room. "But as the most powerful wizard in the world, I'm surprised they didn't insist you join the Ministry."

"Is he the most powerful wizard in the world," asked Cindy.

"Do you doubt it?" said Voldemort. "My dear, when Harry and I were together, every wizard around us could feel the power we shared. Isn't that right, Ron?"

"Voldemort," said Harry. "If I was as powerful as you are trying to have everyone believe-"

"Don't be so modest, Harry," said Ron. "You know it's true."

Harry went on, "Then I would be strong enough to rid myself of a certain pesky poltergeist that doesn't know when to be quiet."

"But look what a valuable teaching aid you have," said Voldemort. "I won't let you omit little facts just because they embarrass you and you know I rarely lie, not when the truth is so much more satisfying."

Harry opened his mouth to say something that in the old days probably would have got him punished, but he was interrupted.

"Professor Potter," said Professor McGonagall, moving into the classroom. "I've heard some distressing - oh, dear." She stopped when she saw Ron. "The Ministry has heard it too?"

"Hello, Minerva," said Voldemort.

Professor McGonagall turned and saw him. "Oh, my," she said and looked at Harry. "Then it's true. He's come back to haunt the school?"

"Oh no, Minerva. I've come back to haunt Harry," said Voldemort.

"It's all right, Professor," said Harry. "He can't hurt anyone."

"Except you," said Voldemort.

Harry sent him a glare.

"But the students shouldn't be exposed-"

"It's ok, Professor McGonagall," said Cindy. "It's weird but it's kind of funny."

Voldemort chuckled. "You see, Minerva. The class finds Harry's situation amusing."

"I think Cindy was referring to the repartee," said Harry.

"Was she?" said Voldemort. He turned to the girl. "Were you?"

"Considering this class is going to get full marks for proving I'm not crazy and for putting up with you, her answer better be yes," said Harry.

******************

"Hermione, please," begged Harry. "It's all right."

"No, Harry. I should have believed you."

"Forget it," said Harry. "Even Ron said he was hoping I was crazy."

Hermione glanced at Ron. They were all in Hermione's classroom. Hermione was sitting behind her desk and Harry and Ron had perched on top of the closest student desks.

"So, can I count on you?" said Harry.

"Of course," said Hermione. "I've already been to the library and have taken out a bunch of books. I don't know why he can touch you yet, but-"

"What!?" said Ron. "What do you mean he can touch him?"

Now that Harry knew why, he felt bad. He had never told either of them the entire truth about what had happened in the Chamber of Secrets.

"Voldemort can still touch Harry," Hermione told Ron. "And it still hurts him."

Ron stared at Harry as if suddenly he knew Harry had left something out.

"Anyway," said Hermione. "I know why he's haunting you now."

"Why?" said Harry eager to change the subject. Ron was still looking at him suspiciously.

Hermione glanced up at Ron then looked at Harry. "I don't think you'll like it."

Great, thought Harry. "Just tell me Hermione."

"Well, he never changed his will," said Hermione.

"What are you talking about?" said Harry.

"Well, remember in our 6^th year, Tom M. Riddle left you the entire Slytherin fortune?"

"Yes," said Harry.

"Well, it's still yours," said Hermione. "He never changed it. And well, it went into effect as of your 25^th birthday and you turned 25 this last July."

"So that's why he can haunt you now," said Ron. "Maybe that is why he can touch him," Ron said to Hermione.

"No, it can't be," said Hermione. "Everything I've read indicates it would have to be something very magical. Some very strong connection."

Harry heard Voldemort laugh, then felt the burn in his head. Hermione's classroom was quite large. How long had Voldemort been there listening?

"But Harry and Voldemort's connection has always been strong," said Ron.

"No," said Hermione and she turned to glare at Harry. "What happened that you didn't tell us, Harry?"

Voldemort's laughter got louder and the pain got stronger. "So you didn't even tell them, Harry," said Voldemort.

Harry was staring at his hands.

"What didn't he tell us?" said Ron.

Harry almost groaned. They had heard Voldemort.

"Choices, Voldemort," said Harry softly. "How would I know?"

Voldemort grabbed Harry's face and Harry hit his knees looking up into the red slits.

Voldemort held Harry's gaze. "After Harry thrust the sword through my heart, I conceded my life to him so he could live. I gave up my right to demand his death at mine because I wanted him to live. Harry didn't understand that I could do that. He insisted that he had to die to insure that I would so he picked up my hand and pressed it to his scar. He held it there until he passed out from the pain.

"If not for Harry's valiant sacrifice and my noble gesture, we both would have died. But because of both our actions, Harry lived and I am immortal and we are still connected," said Voldemort. "Aren't we Harry?"

Voldemort let go and Harry hit the floor.

Hermione bent over him, her arm around his chest. "Oh Harry," said Hermione. "You should have told us."

"I didn't know," rasped Harry still breathing hard.

"Why the hell didn't you listen to Voldemort?" said Ron angrily.

Harry turned his head to look at Ron.

"He's the one who always told you everything. How often has he lied to you?" said Ron.

Voldemort stared at Ron then looked at Harry.

Harry saw Voldemort smirk but there was a serious intensity in those red eyes. "Harry, you know better than to argue with me."

Harry dropped his gaze to the floor as Hermione helped him up.

Harry's chest ached. It was his own fault. He walked soundlessly from the room.

"Harry," called Ron.

Harry kept walking, expecting to hear Voldemort's smug comments behind him. But the halls were quiet as Harry walked to his office and into his private room. Rowan looked up at him as he entered and flew instantly to him. She could see his pain.

She looked up into his face and started crying.

Harry laid down on his bed, Rowan still crying on his chest and let The Phoenix' tears wash away his pain and guilt. Voldemort couldn't physically hurt anyone but Harry after all, Harry reminded himself. He may become a nuisance but he couldn't hurt anyone.

Great, more guilt. He couldn't seem to break the habit of a lifetime.