Harry Potter and Salazar's Talisman

Chapter 12

A Slytherin Christmas and the New Curriculum

The holidays were flying by. Harry and Ginger's Christmas morning was an intimate affair of exchanging silly presents and breakfast in bed. They spent a pleasant day with the Weasleys at Bill's new place and had a wonderful visit with Sirius and Gwenn at La Casa Black.

Remus joined them for dinner one night accompanied by a young woman named Belle who seemed quite taken with him. Although Remus tried to insist she was merely a friend, Harry could clearly tell that they really liked each other.

The final couple of days before the start of the new term were in Bulgaria. A small dinner party with everyone staying for the night was planned. Ginger, with Voldemort's help Harry'd been told, had 'arranged' everything. Harry was content to just relax and enjoy the remaining days of his respite.

He stood beside Ginger in the main vestibule waiting for their guests to arrive. He had opened the floo to the network at precisely 6:30 gmt and it would only remain open for 10 minutes.

Voldemort hadn't appeared at the manor yet. Harry and Ginger had arrived that morning. And since Voldemort wasn't allowed at the Potter residence until after Ginger gave birth (as per the contract), Harry hadn't seen him since the morning after the duel. He wondered if he should call him but realized that Voldemort would get there when he was good and ready to be seen.

Ron and Hermione were the first through the floo. As they had seen each other only days before at the Bill's, the greeting was casual although Hermione was bowled over by the architecture of the old estate.

Severus arrived next, accompanied by Nagini who instantly went in search of rodents, with a reminder from Harry that Crookshanks was still off limits.

The Malfoys arrived separately. Lucius strode in from the library where he had been finalizing some paper work for Harry. Narcissa stepped out of the hearth, complaining about being dragged away from her manor - until she caught sight of Lucius. After a moment of shock, Narcissa was reduced to tears and hugs until she turned an impressive Malfoy scowl at Harry.

Her rage entailed reaming Harry, Lucius, Ginny and eventually Draco (who was last through the floo) about the secrecy.

Harry smirked as Draco finally swept out of the fireplace.

"Sorry I'm late," said Draco. It seemed 'Mr. Dress to Impress' could also be called 'Mr. Knows How to Make an Entrance.' He dusted off his robes with flourish, although if there were any speck of ash on his robes, it would have taken a muggle microscope to find it. And Harry was damn sure Draco had long mastered a dust repellent spell for the Floo Network.

Draco told them that he'd been called out of town by a freelance job. He endured the scolding from his mother, defending his own part of the secret by blaming Harry, until he turned to his father.

Harry couldn't help the feeling of envy that enveloped him as he watched Lucius embrace his son. They spoke quietly to one another and soon Narcissa stepped in to cry a bit more.

As family reunions went, Harry suspected it was joyful, judging by the smiles on their faces. Although it had been Harry's actions that insured they were still a family, he couldn't help the feelings that almost bordered on jealousy from lingering in him as he watched them.

Voldemort proved that he was still the master at dramatic flair. Whether it was some sort of instinct of Harry's feelings or simple timing, Harry couldn't be sure.

The words, "How charming," sarcastically muttered as he materialized behind Harry were over-shadowed by Harry's shout of pain as his palm hit his scar and his knees hit the floor.

"Oh dear," said Voldemort as he floated away. "Sorry about that, Harry."

Harry doubted it and dragged himself back to his feet. "I hate it when you do that," grumbled Harry.

Voldemort chuckled.

"Shall we move to the dinning room," said Ginger, in her perfect hostess voice. "I believe dinner is served."

The atmosphere around the table as they ate an extensive spread set out by the house elves was cheerful and the conversation interesting without broaching on any 'difficult' topics.

The duel was discussed and Ron was brave enough to speculate upon what Vandewater had suggested. Draco picked up on it too.

"Do you think Harry could've won if he'd had more time?" Draco asked Lucius.

Lucius was thoughtful a moment. "Well," he began. "Considering the intensity of the duel, Harry's youth and stamina may have given him the edge, but with Curio's experience, it's really very hard to judge. I believe stopping it where he did was quite acceptable."

"What if Harry had won?" asked Ron.

Lucius looked seriously at Harry. "Had you won," said Lucius. "You would have become the Grand Master. There can be only one."

"Does that mean Harry would have had to take on all those responsibilities?" said Hermione, glancing back and forth between Lucius and Draco.

"Oh, yes," said Lucius. "If Harry had won and refused the Grand Mastership, then a tournament of sorts would have been required to fill the position."

"Meaning?" said Harry curiously.

"You would have had to fight until someone beat you," said Draco with a grin.

"But couldn't Curio have kept the position?" said Harry.

"Only if he beat you in another duel," Lucius explained.

"Well that seems sort of twisted," said Ginger. "If you have to beat an Acknowledged Master three times to become one, how come you only have to beat the Grand Master once to become Grand Master?"

"Obviously," said Severus with impatience. "The title explains it. There can be only one 'best.' Beating the 'best,' even once makes you the best."

The table was silent for a moment, everyone in their own thoughts.

Glad I missed out on that one.

Why?

Harry looked up at Draco across the table. I don't have time to go flitting about the country supervising Acknowledged Master duels.

But you could have quit your day job. Then you wouldn't have to worry about the new curriculum.

Harry sent him a glare. I was trying not to think about that. And thank you very much for bringing up such a painful subject.

Draco grinned maddeningly. Someone has to do it.

Hermione, who was looking back and forth between the two must have noticed Harry's scowl because she quickly intervened.

"So, Draco," said Hermione. "It must be so exciting investigating all those ancient artifacts.

Narcissa jumped on the subject and started bitching. In a tone that reminded Harry distinctly of Molly Weasley, she complained, "It's disgusting. All that grime."

"Honesty, mother," said Draco despairingly. "I told you I don't actually do the digging." Sure, it's ok for me to risk my life as a Death Eater but heaven forbid I get dirty.

Harry choked on his sip of wine and Ron instantly started pounding his back.

"I'm ok," said Harry. "Just went down the wrong way." He met Draco's gaze. You trying to kill me?

Draco shrugged with a grin. Sorry.

"So what did they have you chasing down this time?" said Harry.

"The amulet again," said Draco. "Had to go to South Africa this time."

"What amulet?" said Hermione.

"The Amulet of Quetzelcoatl."

"Oh, that's a fascinating object," said Hermione. "Is the Ministry still looking for it?"

"Incessantly," grumbled Draco.

"They'll never find it," said Lucius

"Why not?" said Ron.

"It doesn't exist."

All eyes were drawn to Lucius. "Why do you say that?" said Hermione.

"Because if it did exist," said Lucius with the distinct Malfoy drawl. "Salazar, or at the very least, one of the Dark Lords would have acquired it."

"I'm inclined to agree," said Severus, a bit sardonically.

Voldemort chuckled. "Indeed."

"I suppose," said Hermione with a resigned sigh. "But you can't discount the documentation of it's sightings."

That was Hermione. Always thinking of the facts.

"Alleged sightings."

That was Draco always pointing out the flaw in the facts. Hermione glared at him then turned back to Harry. "Speaking of Salazar and alleged sightings," said Hermione. "Professor Lupin said he noticed the medallion you wear around your neck and asked me if I had seen it."

"And?" prompted Harry warily.

"And I assume it's the one Voldemort gave you," said Hermione glancing toward the fire where Voldemort sat in a large comfy chair. Harry nodded. "He mentioned it was obviously old and had foreign markings. I didn't think anything of it because you've been wearing it for years."

"And," Harry prompted again.

Hermione grinned. "Then I had a class full of excited students talking about Salazar's Talisman."

Harry shrugged. "Yeah, sort of surprised me too," said Harry. "Although it shouldn't have."

In a manner similar to what Draco had done in Harry's, Ron startled and yanked the chain around Harry's neck to look at the medallion.

"This is Salazar's Talisman?" said Ron with awe. "And you didn't show Bill the other day."

Harry carefully extracted the talisman from Ron's hand and dropped it back under his shirt. "No, I didn't because I didn't want a lecture," said Harry who then looked up at Hermione. "And I don't need one from you either. I already got the low down on the medallion from my students."

"Ah yes," Voldemort spoke up. "Miss Larsen."

Hermione grinned with pride. "Yes, she is something isn't she?" said Hermione. "Remus mentioned that the inscription was in parseltongue. He seemed disturbed by it but I couldn't find anything wrong with it."

Harry blinked. "How do you know what it says?"

"Cindy told me of course," said Hermione. "You showed it to the class."

"Oh yeah," said Harry. "I forgot she could read it."

"Wait a minute," said Severus. "Miss Larsen read it?"

Harry couldn't help his grin. "Er, yeah. Cindy's a parselmouth."

Harry shared a laugh with Hermione as the Slytherins around the table complained about the latest Gryffindor parselmouth.

Ron turned to Harry. "So what's it say?"

"If truth is timeless. Death is a deception," Harry told him.

Draco's attention rifled back to Harry. "What?"

"The medallion," said Harry. "That's what the inscription says."

"If truth is timeless, death is a deception," Draco echoed with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Profound, isn't it," said Hermione.

Draco blinked at her. "Yeah," said Draco, still frowning. "Profoundly familiar."

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

The rest of the week went too fast as far a Harry was concerned. Draco and Narcissa remained at the estate for an extended visit with Lucius. While Ginger soon began to complain about the intrusion (as soon as Narcissa discovered Ginger's 'condition' and the implications of her bearing twins, she latched onto Ging with the enthusiasm of any over-protective mother), Harry enjoyed the time fencing with the Malfoys.

It reminded him specifically of another Christmas - one spent with Death Eaters. And while Harry was loath to admit it, he was just as comfortable as he had been back then.

It also reminded him that these were some of his private memories that would soon become public knowledge. He hoped he had the some Gryffindor courage left to endure it.

**********

Harry sat in his chair off to the side (the same as he had while the students did their curse presentations) while Voldemort floated in front of the class. The sixth year Gryffindors appeared both appalled and enthralled that the first class of the 'new curriculum' was going to be led by Voldemort.

"Harry has promised not to interrupt me," Voldemort told the class. "As I have promised him as well. At times we will be explaining things together."

The class sat enrapt almost forgetting to take notes as Voldemort explained a little about his up-bringing in a muggle orphanage, how he considered Hogwarts his true home, and he paralleled the circumstances to Harry's life after Voldemort had killed his parents.

He expounded in great detail of his elaborate plot to collect Harry's blood after the Triwizard Tournament. Harry couldn't help smirking as Voldemort gloated about how brilliant the plan really was. But Voldemort did make a point of mentioning that he didn't know at the time that Harry had saved Wormtail's life.

Voldemort spoke with seriousness and gravity through the whole lecture, which Harry appreciated.

"It was after we had set up our new hidden camp that genius struck," said Voldemort. "My Death Eaters were all lamenting on Harry's luck in escaping me again." He paused to send Harry a glance. "I admit I was quite livid and I was brooding as I listened to them.

"But I kept hearing the word connected."

"The wands connected," said Sean.

"Yes," said Voldemort.

"And you had Professor Potter's blood," said Missy.

"Indeed," said Voldemort. "But as you will hear, there was so much more. Much of it I - we" he amended with another glance at Harry, "would not learn of or come to experience until later. All I began to focus on was the fact that I could not kill Harry Potter. Therefore, I had to convince him to join me. Then I recalled the prophesy."

"The prophesy?" said Cindy.

Voldemort looked at Harry and lifted an eyebrow. Harry sighed.

"This particular prophesy involves 'the heirs uniting,'" said Harry. "We'll go further into the details later."

Voldemort chuckled.

"Uniting?" said Cindy. "So you figured that since Professor Potter is the heir of Gryffindor and you're - er, were - the heir of Slytherin, that you could come to more power if you were united."

"Oh yes," said Voldemort. "I was convinced - and of course, I was right-"

"Voldemort," said Harry.

"But I'm jumping ahead," Voldemort went on with a knowing smirk. "But now you have the problem. How does one convince a 15 year old boy, orphaned by your own hand to join you?"

"You wanted to turn him?" Missy wanted to know, looking puzzled.

"Oh no, my dear," said Voldemort. "Harry could not be turned. He is inherently good. I needed him that way for the Balance of Power." Voldemort raised a hand to keep the class from questioning about that. "Later," said Voldemort.

"Ok," said Sean. "But what could you do to get him to join you?"

"What indeed," said Voldemort. "Just offer him what he'd never had. What he'd always wanted."

Voldemort studied the class as they mulled over the facts. He was making them think. Harry had to admire that. He'd done the same thing with Harry many times.

Cindy laughed suddenly. "No way," said Cindy.

Voldemort looked at her pointedly and her expression changed to dawning.

"Yes, Miss Larsen," said Voldemort. "I had to force Harry to see me as a father."

The class laughed and Voldemort simply let them. He turned to look at Harry but Harry dropped his gaze.

"But to do that," Voldemort went on once they had settled, "I had to spend time with him. I had to find ways to make him come to me and entice him to stay with me so I could get to know him and so he could get to know me."

"Threat of torture," said Sean softly, remembering one of Harry's earlier lessons. "For those he cared about."

"Yes," said Voldemort. "I started manipulating Harry's emotions when he turned 15. The day after his birthday as I recall. But the planning for that fateful meeting, the first time that Harry came to me of his own free will, started well before that.

"I had to get him out of his relative's house. I could not touch him there."

"What did you do?"

"My first gift to Harry," said Voldemort almost smugly. "His godfather."

"Sirius? What-"

Voldemort held up his hand to silence Harry. "I have your word, Harry."

"Sorry," muttered Harry.

"I used my faithful rodent," said Voldemort. "I sent him out to brag. Once it was public that Wormtail, and not Sirius Black, betrayed the Potters and murdered all those people that day, I knew Sirius would be freed.

"And I knew Sirius would get Harry," Voldemort went on. "Sirius was too loyal to the Potters to leave Harry in his Muggle relative's hands alone and miserable. Once he was moved, I snatched his owl."

"How did you do that?"

"I tempted her with a rat. Wormtail did have his uses," said Voldemort. "Then I put her under the Imperius Curse. After that, I knew I could get Harry to come to me."

"How?"

"Threat of torture?" said Sean.

"Sort of." Voldemort turned to Cindy. "The first note I sent Harry is on his desk. Read it aloud, Miss Larsen."

Cindy moved to Harry's desk and picked up the old piece of parchment. She glanced hesitantly at Harry and he nodded to her.

She read:

I know where you are, Harry. Who will it take to bring you to me? Perhaps your precious Sirius Black or maybe Mr. Ron Weasley? Miss Granger might suit my purpose too. Who will it be, Harry?

"What did Professor Potter do?" said Missy.

"Think very hard," Voldemort told the class. "Harry finally had what he could only dream of: a home with his godfather, where he would be loved and spoiled by 2 particularly devoted house-elves, living next door to his best friend and his family, able to play quidditch everyday if he wanted. What should he have done?" quizzed Voldemort.

"He should have gone to Sirius with the note," said Sean.

Cindy sighed. "But Professor Potter wasn't used to having people to turn to."

"Very good, Miss Larsen," said Voldemort.

"He could have gone to Mr. Weasley - er, Ron," said Sean. "He usually counted on him."

"Yes," said Missy. "But after reading that note, he probably would have thought it was too dangerous to be his friend."

Harry snorted. "It was too dangerous to be my friend." Harry couldn't help it.

Voldemort chuckled. "Go on, Miss Cooper."

"I bet he ran away," said Missy, looking anywhere but at Harry.

"Yes, and when Harry noticed that Hedwig was waiting for a reply," Voldemort paused and gestured at the desk.

Harry magicked the rest of the letters onto the desk and Cindy picked up the next one. Cindy read them in order until she reached Voldemort's last letter.

Come now, Harry. I told you that I don't want you dead. I merely want to talk to you. You will be quite safe. Your last note was amusing but I am very sure that we do indeed have a lot to say to each other. For example, has anyone told you why I have wanted to kill you all these years? Would you like to know why now I don't? I could apparate anytime I wanted to into Hogwarts and take one of your friends with very little effort. You could too. Would you like to know why? I will explain it all to you, my boy.

Hedwig is under the Imperius Curse. You have a very loyal and intelligent owl but I had to insure that I was the only one who could correspond with you.

"That is the one that got to Harry," said Voldemort.

"Why?" said Sean. "Threatening to steal his friends?"

"That and more, Mr. McIves," said Voldemort. "I was relying on the hope that Harry didn't know my capabilities. And I wanted to know how much he knew.

"When I got his reply, I knew that he knew absolutely nothing. That his so called friends and family had told him very little. And that is what I used."

"What?" said Missy. "Used what?"

"Harry picked this class to force me to show myself."

"Curiosity," said Cindy. "Information."

"Indeed," said Voldemort. "Harry had so little knowledge of the Wizarding World that he was practically starving for knowledge, especially about his own life.

"So even at 15, armed only with his wand, his broom and his cloak, he came to me," said Voldemort. "He used his cloak and his broom and followed Hedwig who carried his reply to my note.

"Four times he faced me and every time I tried to kill him, but he came anyway. I admit I was surprised how readily he came and how bravely he faced me yet again. For all he knew I could have struck him down right there and then. But I saw no fear. The whole of the wizarding world, the Minister of Magic himself was afraid to even say my name, but this 15 year old boy came before me and boldly said, 'I'm here, Voldemort. What do you want?'

"The only hesitance I noticed was when I approached him. I didn't know at the time that my presence hurt him, and we both found out rather quickly that my actual touch became more painful every time."

"Why?" said Cindy.

"You see, because of the connections between us, when ever I touched him, magic was transferred between us."

"You fed magic off each other?" said Sean aghast.

"Yes. Harry, being young, absorbed more from me and the transition used to weaken him. But we digress," said Voldemort. "The gradually increasing amount of pain he endured from my touch - not to mention when I touch his scar - is why Harry is capable of countering the Cruciatus Curse.

"Anyway, it was that initial drain of strength which - persuaded - Harry to stay with me that first time. After that, it became very convenient that I could persuade Harry to stay with me by just touching him for a brief period of time."

Harry could easily recall all the occasions Voldemort drained him to make him stay with him. But something about their connection and the transferences of power stuck in his head. Could it still work? In reverse? Harry wondered.

"Professor Potter has a temper?" Cindy was asking.

Apparently Voldemort had begun telling the class what he had taught Harry.

"I dare say, he's learned to control it," said Voldemort. "Especially with me. Whenever he lost it, I punished him."

"You would torture him?" said Sean softly.

"Indeed," said Voldemort. He sent Harry a glance. "I always wondered..."

"Wondered what?" Dawn asked.

"Why Harry never asked me why I punished him so severely when he lost his temper."

"I always assumed it was because whenever I lost it," said Harry. "I never had anything nice to say about you."

Voldemort chuckled and turned to face him. "There is that. But you lost it many times with others and I punished you just as severely."

Harry sat up with interest. "Alright, Voldemort, I'll bite. Why?"

"What happened when you lost your temper with your Aunt Marge?"

"How do you know about that?" said Harry.

"Harry, how could I achieve my goal if I didn't know what you'd been through?"

"But-"

"Just answer the question, Harry."

"I blew her up," said Harry.

The class reacted with surprise. Harry looked to them and grinned.

"Not blew up like explode, blew her up like a balloon."

"Yes," said Voldemort.

"She deserved it," said Harry plainly.

Voldemort chuckled again. "Maybe, but then you ran away, putting the Ministry into an uproar because 13 year old Harry Potter was missing with Sirius Black at large."

Harry couldn't help smiling at the memory. "If Sirius had really wanted to kill me, he could've done it easily in the alley before the Knight Bus came."

"Yes," said Voldemort. "And you thought you were going to be arrested didn't you?"

"What does this have to do with Professor Potter losing his temper?" said Cindy.

"What indeed," said Voldemort, his expression intense as he stared at Harry.

"I didn't mean to do it," said Harry, staring back.

Voldemort nodded and turned back to the class. "Harry understands. Do you?"

The students appeared to be thinking until Cindy's hand shot up.

"Go ahead, Cindy," said Harry.

"He - you lost control of your magic," said Cindy.

"Yes, Miss Larsen," said Voldemort. "It is very dangerous, especially for a powerful witch or wizard to lose control of their magic. Harry sometimes did rash things when he lost his temper. I knew he'd be very powerful one day and knew I had to teach him to control it."

"Threat of torture?" said Sean.

"For Harry," said Voldemort. "The ultimate torture. But he did indeed learn to control his temper."

As true as it was, Harry couldn't help but taunt. "Didn't stop me from provoking you though," said Harry.

"No," said Voldemort. "Or arguing with me."

"Far be it for me to deprive such an exalted presence from the mental stimulation," said Harry lifting his brows.

Voldemort chuckled and the bell rang.

As the class prepared to leave, Voldemort drifted over to Harry. He reached a hand out toward Harry's face, not quite touching him.

"That wasn't so bad," said Voldemort. "Was it, my son?"

Harry stared at him. "It's only the beginning."

"Professor," said Cindy, startling Harry.

"She can't see or hear me, Harry," said Voldemort. "You're second years are coming in."

Harry nodded and turned to the girl. "What is it, Cindy?" said Harry.

"Did Voldemort really try to make you see him as a father?"

Harry glanced at Voldemort then looked down at Cindy's curious expression. The truth would be coming out anyway.

"He did," said Harry. "And I will tell you all - am now obligated to tell you all - how he succeeded."

"But-"

"It's a very long, complicated story, Cindy," said Harry with a sigh. "And you will hear it. In the end, I did what I had to do."

Subdued by Harry's seriousness, Cindy nodded. "You shouldn't have to tell us," she said softly. "Just doesn't seem fair."

Harry had to smile. "Miss Larsen," said Harry. "Are you sure you aren't related to Professor Weasley?"