Harry Potter and Salazar's Talisman

Chapter 6

Memories and Semantics

Harry walked down the main street of Hogsmeade. He had tried to get Hermione to come with him but she was tutoring that afternoon and didn't want to disappoint her students.

"Hey, Professor," said Sean McIves.

Harry glanced at him and Stan as they fell into step beside him. "Hello boys," said Harry. "Can I help you with something?"

"Just wondering what you're doing in town without Voldemort on your back," said Sean.

Since Voldemort had been conspicuously absent the last couple of day since he went to visit Ginger, Harry didn't laugh. He knew Voldemort wasn't at the house anymore but Harry didn't know where he was. "Just visiting a friend," said Harry.

"Mind if we tag along?" said Sean.

"Suit yourself," said Harry. "Although without Voldemort's charming presence, it's guaranteed to be boring."

The boys laughed as Harry opened the door to 'Grandma's Trunk.'

There were a fair amount of people inside, milling about. Harry scanned the shop until he spotted Neville behind a counter, cornered by a bunch of youth who, by the looks of them, were the local adolescences from the town who didn't have the talent or the means to go to Hogwarts.

Harry moved closer and then he heard them.

"I don't care what you believe," said Neville, picking up a statue and dusting it off with the rag in his hand. "He was - is - my friend."

"A couple old photographs," sneered one boy. "And your word, doesn't prove you even knew him."

Neville replaced the statue on the shelf and took the one next to it to dust. "Believe what ever you want," said Neville.

Harry had never heard Neville sound so self-confident or so nonplussed.

"So why hasn't he been here to see you then, Longbottom?" said another boy. "If he was your friend."

"Look," said Neville, still not looking up from his dusting. "Dealing with the most evil Dark Lord on the century takes a lot out of a person. I'm sure when Harry is settled in Hogwarts, he'll come to see me."

Neville didn't sound angry, insulted or even impatient - merely like he was stating a fact.

Harry had to smile because Neville was right. Harry was settled now and had come to see him.

"Hello, Neville," said Harry.

Neville dropped the statue he had been dusting and turned.

"Harry!"

Neville rushed around the counter and grabbed Harry into a hug. Harry hugged him back then held him away by the shoulders, looking him in the face.

"Neville, you look great," said Harry. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. Just fine," said Neville. "You?"

"I'll live," said Harry.

"Still the cynic, Harry?" said Neville.

Harry grinned at him. "Always."

Neville laughed.

"How's your grandmother?" said Harry.

"She's fine," came a shrill reply from the inner doorway.

Harry had only met Mrs. Longbottom a couple of times but she looked the same.

"Dropped off the face of the earth, did you boy?" said Mrs. Longbottom.

"Er, No, Mrs. L.," said Harry. "First the trials, then the Ministry. I got married. My wife is expecting and now teaching and all..."

"Excuses," muttered Mrs. Longbottom.

Harry walked over to her and looked at her squarely. "Choices, Mrs. L.," said Harry.

Mrs. Longbottom laughed then hugged him. "I'll make some tea, Harry. Visit with Neville."

Harry turned back to Neville and Mrs. Longbottom left the shop. Neville rolled his eyes. "I wish you would teach me how to do that, Harry," said Neville.

"What?" said Harry, glancing at some of the shelves.

"Never mind," said Neville. "It's just that you are the only one brave enough to stand up to my grandmother."

"Yeah, well," muttered Harry, still scanning some of the items on the shelves. "I had the Dursleys."

"And Voldemort," said Neville.

Harry shrugged. "This shop is great, Neville," he said. "I thought you'd go into Herbology, but it looks like you're doing well."

"I do well enough," said Neville. "And I do have a nursery out back - side shop. Only supplier of parmason in England. Drives Snape up the wall."

Harry laughed. "Good for you."

"So what brings you to town, Harry?" said Neville, going back behind the counter.

"You do," said Harry, stepping to it. "One of my classes fought a boggart the other day and I immediately thought of you." Harry leaned on the counter.

"I'm never going to live that down," grumbled Neville.

Harry laughed. "Are you kidding?" said Harry. "That was the funniest thing I've seen in my life. The entire class will never forget it."

Harry looked over the counter so he could see behind it. There was an open bottle of butterbeer on the shelf. He looked up Neville with a grin. "As I thought," said Harry. "Got one for me? I've had your grandmother's tea before."

Neville smiled. "You know me too well, Harry." He reached into another cabinet and took out another bottle. He handed it to Harry who opened it and took a sip.

Harry glanced at the boys then. They were still crowded around the counter, but they were staring at Harry with disbelief. That was one of the only things he didn't mind about being famous, it was a perk for his friends.

He gestured at them. "Friends of yours?" said Harry.

"Sort of," said Neville. "Regulars from town who come in to annoy me."

"Got your own little gang of Voldemorts," said Harry.

Neville laughed.

"Professor," said Sean, stepping up to them (both boys had been looking around the shop). "Look at this?"

Harry looked down at the book Sean was holding. "What is it?"

"That's our yearbook," said Neville.

"Our yearbook?" said Harry incredulously. "We had a yearbook?"

"Didn't you get one?" said Sean.

"I didn't even know we had one," said Harry, taking the book from Sean and flipping through it. Pictures of school mates around the halls and on the grounds, all the teachers, some of the ghosts. "Who took all these pictures? I know Colin couldn't have done it all."

"The house elves mostly," said Neville. "I'm surprised Ron or Hermione didn't buy you one. But then they were both pretty upset at the end of the year."

Harry nodded distractedly noting all the people who had signed it. "Where can I get one?"

"Well you can probably order one through the school," said Neville. "If they don't have any extras. I think Lavender was in charge of ordering them for Gryffindor in our year. You can check with her."

Harry nodded again. "Is this yours?" said Harry curiously as he came across a signature he didn't expect.

"Yes," said Neville. "I keep it on display because it's such a conversation piece. Everyone wants to see it."

"Draco Malfoy signed your yearbook?" said Harry.

Neville laughed. "Well I did save his life in potions that day," said Neville.

Harry grinned at him and looked back down at the book. "You saved mine too that day, Neville."

There was a group gasp from the boys and even Sean looked surprised.

"You tell them, Neville," said Harry.

Neville relayed the tale of how their evil Potion Master had made Harry and Draco poison themselves in their fifth year and only Neville had the correct antidote.

"Have you heard from him?" said Neville.

Harry looked up from the book. "Who? Malfoy?"

"Yeah," said Neville.

Harry shook his head. "Not since the trials," said Harry, looking back down at the book.

Sean interrupted, pointing at a picture. "Is that your wife, Professor?"

It was a picture of Harry and Ginny by Hagrid's hut. "Yes," said Harry. Underneath the picture was a note in his wife's handwriting.

I wish you as much happiness and love that I had. Virginia Weasley

"That's so sad," said Sean.

"Yes," said Neville. "But then Harry was in a coma and the prognosis wasn't good."

Harry looked up at Neville. "Can I write in it?" said Harry.

"You want to sign my book?" said Neville with surprise.

"What kind of stupid question is that?" said Harry.

"But you hate all that publicity stuff," said Neville.

Harry smirked at him. "This is a little different," said Harry.

Neville handed him a quill and Harry leaned on the counter and wrote under what Ginny had written.

And health and success.

HP

PS Thanks for saving my life. Harry

Harry handed the book back to Neville. Pain exploded in his head and his palm hit his scar.

"Autographs, Harry?" said Voldemort.

The boys jumped back when they realized who it was and Neville sighed.

"Funny, Voldemort," said Harry.

"So it's true," said Neville. "He's haunting you."

Voldemort sent him a glance. "Hello, Neville."

Neville inclined his head in greeting and turned to Harry. "Can I interest you in some basatanium?" said Neville. "I'm told it repels ghosts."

Harry choked. Voldemort chuckled.

"As I have said, Harry," said Voldemort. "Your friends are both brave and loyal."

"Voldemort, don't you have something better to do?"

"Harry, I'm hurt," said Voldemort but his tone was still amused. "Haven't you missed me?"

"You wouldn't like the response off the top of my head," said Harry. "So give me a minute."

Voldemort chuckled again, stretching a hand out towards Harry's face. Harry leaned away.

"So where have you been?" said Harry.

"So you did miss me," said Voldemort.

Harry rubbed his temples.

"Is he always like this?" said Neville to no one in particular.

Sean answered, "Lord Voldemort has made it his deaths mission to annoy Professor Potter."

There was a group gasp and Harry turned to the adolescences who had been standing in wide-eyed, slack-jawed shock since Voldemort had materialized.

"Problem, MacBane?" said Sean.

"Y-you said his name," said the boy.

"Professor Potter is our teacher," said Sean. "We've seen what he's capable of." He looked at Voldemort. "We know what to call him."

Harry quickly looked at Voldemort. That was not a good tone.

Voldemort was staring hard at the student. "He's provoking me, Harry," said Voldemort.

But Sean was quick to defend. "I'm the only student from the class here. You can't touch him."

Oh, no. Harry tried willing Sean not to even try playing semantic games with Voldemort.

"But, Mr. McIves, they," Voldemort indicated the other youths from town, "Are not even students."

"I am," said Stan, looking confused.

Voldemort sent the seventh year a glance then turned a menacing glare back to Sean.

"Voldemort," said Harry with a sigh. "Please."

"All right, Harry," said Voldemort, but as he glanced back at Sean, he smiled.

Harry remembered that smile and what Snape had to say about it.

I've seen that smile before and I usually don't like what happens after it.

Voldemort vanished and Harry turned to Neville before anyone could say anything.

"So, been up to the school lately?" Harry completely changed the subject.

They spoke mostly about school, touching on Hermione and Neville's trips to deliver specialty plants to Professor Sprout. Invariably, the conversation came back around to Voldemort.

Sean was eager to stress the classes support against him. He brought up how they helped Harry contest a punishment.

"Professor Potter through us a party in the common room to thank us," said Sean with pride.

Neville laughed softly. "I haven't been in the common room since graduation," said Neville. "The Fat Lady won't let anyone in without the password and I had trouble enough with that while we went there."

"I remember," said Harry with a smile.

"Wait a minute," said Neville, looking at Harry with suspicion. "You've been to the common room?"

"Of course," said Harry.

Neville frowned. "You saw it, didn't you?" said Neville.

Harry fought his laugh. "I did," said Harry.

Neville bit his lip. "You don't look half as mad as I thought you'd be."

"I'm not," said Harry. "It was a bit weird, but I got the map back because of it."

"The-" Neville stopped and stared. "That was the map?"

"Yes," said Harry. "Now I can keep track of Voldemort."

"I'm glad."

Harry frown. "I didn't appreciate seeing the pieces of my Nimbus in the case though."

"That was Ron's idea, Harry," Neville explained. "He said you and he had such a history with that tree that it would e a shame not to include that incident in the memorial."

Harry blinked, then had to laugh. "Well, that's Ron."

Neville nodded.

"Professor?"

Harry looked over at Sean.

"We're going to head back," said Sean. "It's getting late."

"Ok, Sean," said Harry. "Thanks for the help."

Sean shrugged. "Don't forget practice on Tuesday."

Harry grinned. "I won't."

Sean and Stan left.

"Practice?" said Neville.

"I've been practicing with the Gryffindor Quidditch team, giving them some pointers."

"You're flying with the team again?" said Neville, sounding thrilled.

"Just teaching at practices," said Harry, with a shrug.

"Harry, that's great," said Neville. "I've got to come to see. What time?"

Because it was Neville, Harry didn't feel half as self-conscious. "7:00," said Harry. "Just keep it quiet, all right."

"Yeah, sure."

"Tea's on," called Mrs. Longbottom.

"Sorry, I have to get back to the castle, Mrs. L.," said Harry. He turned back to Neville and took his arm, locking their arms by the wrist. "I'll be back soon, Neville," said Harry. "We have a lot to catch up on."

"I know, Harry," said Neville with a grin. "See you soon."

Harry left the store hearing fragments of the boys comments behind him.

"Told you he was telling the truth."

"You didn't believe him either."

"And You Know Who was here."

"Wish I was going to Hogwarts."

Neville said nothing but Harry heard the sounds of broken glass being cleaned up.

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

The first day after the weekend, Harry's sixth years came in all muttering and chattering about their weekend. He let them talk for a few minutes as he got his notes out.

He had an interesting lesson planned and he was sure Voldemort would find it amusing. Harry wondered briefly where he was. He hadn't seen him since Hogsmeade.

Settling the class, Harry sat on his desk. "I'm going to be jumping around topic wise the next few weeks," said Harry. "Keep things interesting.

"Today," said Harry but he didn't get far.

Pain exploded in his head. His hand hit his scar, then he fell off the desk to the floor as Voldemort materialized and grasped him briefly with both hands.

Gasping, Harry demanded, "What the hell did you do that for?"

He started to get up but Voldemort grabbed his face again.

"We have an issue that needs clearing up," said Voldemort.

"We do?" rasped Harry.

Voldemort nodded gravely. "If you can not control your student, Harry," said Voldemort. "Then I will."

"What-"

Voldemort's fingers trailed down his cheek to keep him quiet.

"Mr. McIves deliberately provoked me, knowing I could do nothing to stop him."

Harry heard the class gasp and Sean groan.

He opened his mouth but Voldemort moved his knuckles up the right side of his face. Harry closed his eyes against the pain.

"The contract states," Voldemort continued, "That I can not touch you in front of any students but this class." He looked at the students. "Look at him, Mr. McIves - all of you. This is why he can counter the Cruciatus Curse. The pain he has endured, is capable of enduring is far greater than the curse can inflict. All the Unforgivables are no more than an annoyance to Harry now."

He looked back down at Harry, his eyes moving over his expression, knowing just how much pain Harry was in.

"He knows what to expect when he pushes me too far," said Voldemort. "His sarcasm and even disrespect amuse me, but he knows what I will do when he crosses the line. But he can take it and he does."

"Lord Voldemort," croaked Sean.

"Pay attention, Mr. McIves," said Voldemort harshly. "All of you. If any of you cross that line, Harry will suffer. Do you understand?"

The class murmured something. Harry wasn't sure what. The room had blurred.

Voldemort let go and Harry hit the floor.

"I only give one warning," said Voldemort.

Harry took a breath. "I contest," he managed.

Voldemort looked down at him. "You can't," said Voldemort.

"I can," said Harry as strongly as he could, which wasn't much. "Think hard. Rowan." It came out breathless but it came out.

Voldemort vanished as Rowan soared in. When he was pain free, he sent her back out and turned to the class. They appeared rather horrified at what just happened. Sean looked almost ill.

"Professor-"

Harry held up his hand for silence. "He can not control you," said Harry. "We will straighten up this issue right now."

Hand to his scar, Harry called him. Voldemort.

He materialized, frowning.

"We're not done, Voldemort," said Harry confidently as he sat down at his desk.

"She came."

"She did," said Harry. "I did nothing to provoke you. You had no 'just provocation.' You can't control what the students say to you in this class or out of it.

"Our contract covers me and Ginger by extension," Harry went on. "I can accept that. No one else is included in the 'just provocation' clause."

Voldemort smirked at him. "But, Harry, the 'just provocation' clause is only included in touching your scar."

Sean couldn't argue semantics with Voldemort, but Harry could. Harry had learned from the master after all.

Harry smirked back and Voldemort's eye brows shot up.

"But since you can only touch me in front of these students, the contract doesn't specify as to why you touch me," Harry pointed out. "You know I will accept punishment when I cross the line, which you so indiscriminately set," Harry stood up, "but there is no reason in hell that I should accept it any other time."

Voldemort stared hard into Harry's eyes.

"I will not accept your 'threat of torture manipulation' over this class, Voldemort," said Harry. "If you would like the contract to include that if anyone in this class provokes you then it is grounds for my punishment then I require a concession from you."

Voldemort continued to stare, his expression unreadable. Harry walked around his desk and across the room to stop in front of Voldemort, in side the flinch zone.

"You have told me, more than once," said Harry softly. "That it distresses you to see me in agony. What's it to be, father?"

Voldemort reached a hand towards Harry face but stopped inches away. "I have taught you well, Harry," said Voldemort, his red eyes never leaving Harry's green. "I will concede your point." Lowering his hand, he turned to the class, who were all on the edges of their seats. "But if anyone here provokes me with any such impertinence, they will regret it."

Harry knew Voldemort could do little more than be nuisance, like Peeves, but that would quickly bore him.

Harry inclined his head. "Fair enough," said Harry, returning to the front of the class.

"Professor?"

"Yes, Missy?" said Harry.

Missy glanced at several of the other students. "You - er - you called him father."

Voldemort chuckled, settling into his chair, looking very pleased. "You did, Harry."

"I'm aware of what I said," said Harry casually, as he hopped on his desk.

"Will you tell them why?" Voldemort dared.

"We'll get the that, I'm sure," said Harry evasively.

"But-"

"Suffice to say for now," Harry cut Cindy off, "that in my 6^th year, Voldemort left me the entire Slytherin estate. So in effect - he made me his heir."

"So you are the heir of Gryffindor and the heir of Slytherin?" said Rufus, his eyes wide.

"Yes," said Harry. "The document you saw me sign when we negotiated the contract was my acceptance of the inheritance."

The class rippled with the sounds of dawning. Harry knew he was making light of it but-

"But there is so much more to it than that, Harry," said Voldemort.

And it was too much to expect that Voldemort might not notice.

"I know, Voldemort," said Harry. "We will cover it later."

"Oh, Harry."

"Please, Voldemort," said Harry. "I'm asking."

Voldemort sighed. "All right, Harry."

"Besides, you're going to enjoy this."

"Am I?" said Voldemort.

Harry turned to the class. "How many of you have done any formal dueling?"

Several students raised their hands. Missy poked Sean, who hadn't.

"You're in the dueling club," she whispered.

But Sean was apparently still feeling guilty.

"Sean?" said Harry.

Sean stared at his hands on top of the desk. "He tortured you because of me."

"Which he's done many times," said Harry.

"But it was my fault," said Sean hollowly. "There was nothing I could do."

"Sound familiar, Harry?"

Harry nodded. "Sean," said Harry. Sean looked up. "There was a boy in my sixth year class who used to get physically ill at the thought of people suffering because of him."

"Oh?" said Sean, interested.

"Yes. He couldn't stand the feeling of helplessness either."

"Really?" said Sean. "What happened to him?"

Voldemort chuckled.

"Honestly," said Cindy with a frustrated gesture. "Men are so dense."

Sean looked at her then back at Harry. "You?"

Harry nodded. "Threat of torture," said Harry. "He used every one of my family and friends to get me to do what he wanted."

Sean looked at him with a combination of awe and surprise. Harry ignored it.

"Never seemed to work," muttered Voldemort. "Had to resort to other methods."

Harry ignored that too and hopped off his desk.

"I have an interesting little demonstration if I could have two dueling volunteers."

Now likened to Harry, Sean stood up. Harry picked Philby to face him. They cleared out a dueling field, and the two boys pulled out their wands to face each other.

"Expelliarmus!"

The wands flew to Harry's hand.

"But, sir," said Sean. "How can we duel without wands?"

"How indeed," said Voldemort with a chuckle.

Harry ignored him again. "You will be using different wands," said Harry. He stepped up to Sean and pulled out his wand, placing it in Sean's hand. "You will use this one."

"Is this-"

"Yes, Sean," said Harry. "It's mine." He moved to Philby and pulled another wand out of his pocket. "You will use this one."

Philby gripped the wand and Voldemort stood up.

"Harry?"

"Yes, Voldemort. It's yours."

"They let you have my wand?" said Voldemort, drifting closer to the duelers.

"They didn't have a choice," said Harry lightly.

Voldemort laughed.

"This is Lord Voldemort's wand?" said Philby anxiously.

"Yes."

"Interesting demonstration, Harry," said Voldemort.

"I thought so," said Harry then to the duelers. "Now, you will both attempt to hit the other with a curse or hex at the same time."

"Do you think it will work, Harry?" said Voldemort.

"I believe so, since we are both here. Technically we are forcing them to duel."

"What-"

Harry cut Cindy off before she could get going. "Just go ahead, boys," said Harry.

And it worked. Pheonix song filled the room as the bead slid back and forth between the wands as the two boys struggled for supremacy. Harry felt Voldemort move up behind him.

"Harry, I don't think this will be pleasant if Mr. McIves wins," said Voldemort softly.

"They can handle it," Harry whispered back. "But," he added as the bead slid closer to Harry's wand, "I don't think that will be a problem."

The bead hit Harry's wand and with a spark the image of a castle floated between the duelers. Grand images of every ornate room flashed before them. The class watched in awe as the shadows of the last things Harry had done with his wand appeared before them.

Then Harry took hold of Sean's wrist and pulled up, breaking the connection.

"Wow," several students said at once.

"Harry, what were you doing?" said Voldemort.

"I was setting the wards," said Harry with a shrug. "I still need a wand for that."

"And what did you use it for before that?" said Voldemort curiously.

"Um, I don't really remember," said Harry honestly. In reality, Harry rarely used his wand anymore.

"Wormtail?" said Voldemort.

"No," said Harry.

"Who's Wormtail?" said Sean.

"What's a Wormtail?" said Cindy.

Voldemort chuckled. "Oh tell them, Harry."

Harry sighed. "Wormtail is Peter Pettigrew," said Harry.

"The animagus?" said Cindy. "The one who was friends with your father?"

Harry flinched. "Er-"

"Allow me, Harry," said Voldemort. "Wormtail betrayed Harry's parents and yet Harry saved his worthless life anyway. Then he took some of Harry's blood for me."

"They've heard that, Voldemort," said Harry. "Wormtail also kidnapped my friend Ron, Mr. Weasley, to offer him to Voldemort as a hostage."

"Which I didn't need because I already had Sirius."

"Then he betrayed me to the Ministry of Magic and almost landed me in jail. Then he nearly got Sirius killed."

"He sounds like a bloody-"

Missy cut Sean off, "Why didn't you go to jail, Professor?"

"I wasn't about to let them lock up my son," said Voldemort aghast.

Harry answered as if Voldemort hadn't spoken. "Voldemort caused an uproar (he has an unmatched flair for dramatics) in the courtroom," said Harry to Voldemort's amusement. "And at that point, I was powerful enough to break out of most magical bonds so I escaped."

Voldemort laughed at that. "Call it what it was, Harry. He ran. He tried to run from me."

"Semantics," muttered Harry.

"But by then there was no where Harry could go that I couldn't find him."

"Well, be that as it may," said Harry. "Wizarding code of honor is very specific. After everything Wormtail had done, I had every right to take back the life I had saved."

"So you did," said Cindy.

"I did," Harry admitted.

"Sounds like he deserved it," Dawn piped up.

"So what does this have to do with using a wand?" said Cindy.

"Well," Harry explained, "If I had used a wand to kill Pettigrew, the longer the wands were connected, the more the past uses for it would have been shown, just as you saw the shadows of the castle. It's called Prior Incantum which happens when brother wands are forced to duel."

"Brother wands?"

"Both of those wands contain a tail feather donated by the same phoenix," Harry told them.

"Wow."

"Cool," said Missy.

"You killed without a wand?" said Cindy. "I didn't think it could be done."

Leave it to Miss Know-It-All, the second.

Voldemort chuckled. "I dare you, Harry."

Harry glared at him and sighed.

"Let's just say I can do any curse there is without a wand," said Harry.

"Any curse," said Cindy. "Why?"

"We will get to that."

"Not ready are you, Harry?" said Voldemort seriously.

The class was looking between them with open interest.

"They are curious, Harry. You know how I admire that," said Voldemort. "And the truth is so satisfying."

Fortunately, Harry was saved by the bell. He took the wands back from the boys and return their own.

"So where is that castle, Professor?" said Missy.

"Bulgaria," said Harry.

"Do you live there?" said Sean.

"It's far too big for me and my wife," said Harry. "But we go there every once in a while and," he looked at Voldemort, "change things around."

Voldemort laughed. "Very good, Harry. Is my room still there?" he asked curiously.

"Of course," said Harry.

"Why?" quizzed Voldemort.

Harry began digging out his notes for his next class. "Respect for the dead," he shot back without looking up.

Voldemort chuckled and Sean snorted.

Harry looked up then. He hadn't realized any of the students had remained. Cindy, Sean and Missy (what Harry considered the equivalent of Ron, Hermione and himself) were standing by his desk, listening.

"Why would Voldemort have a room at your house?" said Cindy.

"You three will be late," said Harry, sending them a glance. "I don't need another lecture from Professor Weasley."

"Avoiding the question?" said Voldemort suggestively.

"My second years are coming in, Voldemort," said Harry.

"Whoa, is that him?" said Jason Brent a young Slytherin, stopping inside the door.

Voldemort vanished and the Gryffindors left.

"Aw, Professor," said Jason. "Can't we meet him. All the upper classmen talk about him."

"He was here?" said Gabriel Vashton with awe. "You saw him?"

"Yes," said Jason.

Several others crowded around Harry's desk.

"Please, Professor Potter," said Sara Duvalle, tossing long blond hair over her shoulder. "We can take it."

"Yeah, let him come back."

"We want to meet him," Jason tried again. "He was in Slytherin too."

Harry felt smothered. "Everyone sit," said Harry.

The class took their seats, albeit reluctantly, and muttering complaints. They looked up at Harry with disappointment.

"Is this a class decision?" said Harry. "It has to be unanimous. If even one person doesn't-"

"Oh, it is," said Jason. "We all want to meet him. Honest."

Since the entire class was nodding enthusiastically, Harry sighed and relented.

Voldemort.

"This is most unusual, Harry," Harry heard Voldemort's voice. He hadn't materialized.

"The students want to meet you," said Harry, looking toward the voice.

"Do they?" said Voldemort.

"Yes."

"Are you expressly asking me to this class?" said Voldemort.

"Will you behave?" said Harry.

"Will you beg me?"

"Voldemort," said Harry with exasperation.

Voldemort chuckled. "Just ask, Harry."

"Join us, Voldemort," said Harry. "Please."

Voldemort materialized and the class all started talking at once.

Harry quieted them and introduced him as, "Lord Voldemort, Tom Marvolo Riddle, the former heir of your house."

"These are Slytherins?" said Voldemort.

"Yes."

"Former heir?" said Sara.

"Well I am dead, aren't I," said Voldemort.

The class laughed.

"I heard the Slytherin estate is the biggest out of the four," said Gabriel.

"Me too."

"Salazar was the richest and the most powerful," said Jason with confidence. "Wasn't he, Lord Voldemort?"

Harry looked at Voldemort and raised his brows expectantly.

Voldemort sighed. "Salazar was indeed very powerful but so was Godric Gryffindor," said Voldemort. "As for the estate..."

"Slytherin is larger," said Harry simply.

Everyone looked back at him.

"Is it?" said Voldemort.

"Not by much," said Harry. "But, yes, it is."

"Fascinating," said Voldemort.

"But how do you know, Professor?" said Jason.

"Here we go again," muttered Harry.

"Oh, tell them, Harry," said Voldemort. "They'll find out anyway."

Harry sighed. "Because Tom M. Riddle," he gestured at Voldemort, "Lord Voldemort, left the Slytherin estate to me."

"Isn't that odd though?" said Gabriel "Weren't you in Gryffindor?"

"I am also the heir of Gryffindor," said Harry. "Which is why I know how big both estates are."

"Wow," said Jason. "You must be loaded."

The class laughed. So did Harry - he had to.

"But why would you leave your inheritance to him?" Gabriel addressed Voldemort. "I mean you tried to kill him so often..."

Harry opened his mouth but Voldemort stopped him.

"Before you jump all over that one, Harry," said Voldemort and he turned to the class. "As you mentioned, Professor Potter was always a worthy adversary. He succeeded in thwarting my plans time and time again. Since I didn't have a physical heir, who could be more worthy of the Slytherin fortune than him?"

"Choices," said Harry.

"Prophesy," said Voldemort. "The most powerful wizard in the world, Harry Potter, has inherited both prestigious titles. His children will continue the line of greatness for both houses."

Voldemort settled into his chair, his smile smug.

"The new heirs will be great. Mark my words."