Harry Potter and Salazar's Talisman

Chapter 13

The Experiment

The 'new' curriculum was going as well as could be expected. Once the students, 6^th and 7^th years who were the ones being taught, got their minds around the fact that Harry was, in fact, only their age when everything was happening to him, their manner had changed somewhat.

Many were horrified that someone their age should be subjected to such ruthless manipulation, others were awed that Harry had come through it at all. His Gryffindors came to appreciate his cynicism and warped sense of humor for what it was - reluctant acceptance of 'his lot in life.'

Harry found himself distancing himself from the students, everyone actually, during the day and became aloof and withdrawn most of the time. The students gave him a respectable berth.

Voldemort was in his element. At times he successfully managed to make Harry feel 16 years old again. He gloated over his sinister exploitation with the all-knowing perception he always had. It had been perhaps his most vulnerable year - his 6^th - when he felt the most helpless, when he felt he could never win. It was the year Voldemort started getting to Harry. But it was also the year Harry started getting to Voldemort as well. And it was when Voldemort started giving Harry 'gifts.'

Draco was the one who finally snapped Harry back out of his withdrawal by reminding him.

But, Harry, you beat him.

Draco-

No, you won, remember. You made him care.

We haven't gotten to that part yet.

I know, but a little reminder to HIM and to the students that you're here now and he's dead isn't against the rules.

I know but-

He can't control you anymore, Harry, Draco reminded. All he has is memories, his and yours.

They still hurt.

I know, but he's still just a ghost. YOUR ghost as a matter of fact. Draco was silent for a minute. You know Harry, there must be something to THAT. I'll talk to Granger.

What are you talking about?

Well if he's your personal poltergeist then there HAS to be some sort of control to it. I mean a part from the contract.

Yes, but it probably goes both ways, Harry had to argue. It always went that way. The damn Slytherin Connection.

Maybe. But...

Draco trailed his thought off but Harry understood. It was that concept that got Harry thinking again. He'd have to test his theory and he knew exactly how and for whom to try it.

********

Harry watched his most irritating class enter the room and settle into their seats. They weren't disrespectful or nasty but Harry didn't think they believed half of the things he told them. Although they did seem to latch onto the idea that 'famous Harry Potter' had been duped and manipulated by the heir of Slytherin and rather extol the idea a bit more than necessary.

Harry was getting a little tired of their skepticism and their total lack of curiosity. He knew the latter bugged Voldemort as well, which is why Voldemort rarely came into the class, despite the fact that they were Slytherins.

He wanted to snap them out of their blasé attitudes and get their minds moving. And he intended to stretch his 'free-hand' with the curriculum to do it. If his theory worked, he wanted it to be i front of this class.

Harry let them wait a few minutes as he pretended to look over his notes. Then he casually stood up, rounded his desk and leaned against it. Knowing he had their attention, he brought a hand to his scar and called Voldemort.

"Oh, Harry," Voldemort complained right away from his chair in the back, although he had not materialized. "You know I find this class tedious."

"I know, Voldemort," said Harry not moving his gaze from the class. "But we're going to fix them today."

"Fix them?" Voldemort chuckled. "Oh, I do like the sound of that. How pray tell?"

Still scrutinizing the class, Harry replied, "I have a couple of things planned to see if we can adjust their attitudes and get them motivated."

Several students snorted. The Dark Four, as Harry referred to them.

"Really?" said Voldemort as he appeared in his chair. Many students glanced his way, looking unimpressed. "What kind of things?"

"I don't believe they understand the magnitude of your effect on the wizarding world," said Harry. "They can't conceive the horror or the fear you inspired because they have only heard tell of it and now only see you as a harmless ghost."

Voldemort smirked. "Hardly harmless."

Harry crossed his arms. "Indeed."

"Harry," said Voldemort as he rose from the chair. "Are you saying you intend for me to touch you in the presence of this class?"

Several students perked up. It was known to the school that Voldemort could still torture Harry but only the 6^th year Gryffindors had witnessed it. Harry figured this particular class didn't believe that either, as loath as they were to trust the word of any Gryffindor.

Harry repressed a grin. "In a manner of speaking," said Harry. "But first," he went on to the class. "Did any of you know that I am part Slytherin?"

A quiet murmur of disbelief featuring the words "rumor" and "circumstantial" floated around the room.

"You doubt it?" said Voldemort with disappointment. "Harry possesses many of the characteristics Salazar Slytherin himself desired in all the student of his house."

"The sorting hat wanted to put me in Slytherin," said Harry. "It saw those characteristics and knew I could talk to talk to snakes."

"But you can't," said Cassiopeia Abbott quite convinced. "Not really."

"That's a rumor," agreed Dante Manelin, ring-leader of The Four.

"Just like that Larsen girl," Cassiopeia added. "She claims to be a Parselmouth but no one has ever heard her talk to a snake."

Harry sighed. "Miss Larsen aside," said Harry. "Who I can vouch for-"

"You've heard her speak-"

"No," said Harry interrupting Miss Abbott with a scowl worthy of Snape. "But she understands me when I speak to my snakes."

"Your snakes?" said Dante doubtfully.

"Indeed," muttered Voldemort, who appeared entirely too amused by the conversation to Harry. Then to the classes fascination he called Nagini, who had taken residence in Harry's office.

The class looked back and forth between Voldemort and the large snake as they spoke. Harry almost laughed as the conversation was nonsensical drivel but the class seemed engrossed by the scene so Harry remained quiet.

Then he straightened and moved away from his desk. "Nagini," Harry said to the snake. She turned her head to him. "Would you like to eat me now?"

Voldemort chuckled. The snake slithered toward him and wrapped her body around him, coiling up until her upper-most portion wrapped around his raised arm. She looked him directly in the eye.

"You have made me a fine nest, Master Harry," said Nagini. "I would not eat you."

"I know, Nagini," said Harry. "You have done well. You may go now."

Nagini bowed her head and uncoiled herself from around Harry. As she slithered back to Harry office, the class stared at him.

"Nagini is - er - was - Voldemort's snake," Harry told them. "But she obeys me now."

"But you are the heir of Gryffindor. Why would a snake obey you?" Cassiopeia demanded imperiously.

"Because I am also the heir of Slytherin," said Harry plainly.

"No way," said Daray Messina.

"You may be able to convince the Gryffindors of that," said Adair Darcy. "But we-"

Voldemort's chuckle cut him off. "But he is. I made him my heir."

"Why?" demanded Dante.

"Because he is worthy," said Voldemort simply.

Harry could see the class become more interested and he summoned his sword, which he had smuggled out of the fencing room.

"The Slytherin fortune was only one of Lord Voldemort's many gifts," said Harry. He pulled his medallion out from under his shirt and showed the class. "This is another," he said. "This is Salazar's Talisman."

The disclosure was met with a number of gasps, but none of them disbelief.

"This," Harry un-sheathed Sennie and waved it, "is another gift. You've all seen me fence now." He eyed the class, daring them to deny it.

"You beat a Malfoy," grumbled Adair.

"Ah, but only because I was taught by a Malfoy," said Harry.

The class perked up again and several looked at one another.

"Not Lucius Malfoy?" said Cassi.

"Of course," said Harry. "Who else would train Lord Voldemort's favorite pet?"

"Harry-"

"Work with me, Voldemort," murmured Harry. Voldemort chuckled.

"Indeed," said Voldemort. "All Harry needed to do was ask. And of course Lucius was a faithful servant."

Harry re-sheathed the sword and held it out by the blade, showing it to a number of students.

"That looks like a Slytherin sword," said Varian Vance.

"I've seen that sword," said Royce Serle "In fencing class. It's supposed to be entrapped."

Harry turned to him and held the hilt out to the boy. Excited, the boy took it. The webbing around the grip closed around his hand until he let go. Since Harry was still gripping the sheath, it didn't fall. He then held it out for several others to try.

Harry tried to suppress his smug relief that the class was now completely fascinated with everything he showed them. They didn't rely on blind faith, as his other students though, but when presented with evidence, all reluctance had dropped from their doubting little minds.

To awe them just a bit more, Harry took the hilt in his own hand and released Sennie. The delighted gasps and 'wows' from the class when Sennie erupted from the sword bolting up and down Harry's arm rewarded him further.

Encouraged, Harry magicked a rack on the wall for his sword, hung it up and dismissed Sennie to his rooms.

Turning back to the class, Harry quizzed, "Who is the most powerful witch or wizard you know?"

The students answered as expected: parents, some claimed Lucius Malfoy, other reluctantly named Albus Dumbledore.

A snort came from the door and Harry looked over.

"Come in Professor Snape," said Harry.

"Professor Snape is a very power wizard," said Adair.

Snape snorted again.

"Indeed he is," Harry agreed but the students were more interested in hearing from the head of their house.

"So who is the most powerful witch or wizard you know, Professor?" said Dante with a challenging grin.

Severus hesitated, folding his robes across his chest as he crossed his arms. "Living or dead?" said Severus.

Voldemort chuckled. "Always the diplomat, Severus," said Voldemort. "Living," he specified.

"Potter of course."

The class erupted in denial and some even sounded outraged, betrayed.

"Time to grow up, children," said Severus, moving toward the front of the room. "Albus was the most powerful for a very long time," he paused to look at Voldemort, "You know its true. Then once Lord Voldemort returned to his body and started absorbing power from Mr. Potter, he became the most powerful until Harry learned to control his magic and their powers equaled out.

"Now Harry Potter is the most magically powerful wizard in the world as well as the most influential."

The students were silent through Severus' declaration.

"And I believe he is about to probe it," he added.

The students were instantly interested again. So did Voldemort.

Severus looked at Voldemort then at Harry. "Your theory is sound, Potter," said Snape. "But I'm not sure you should reveal it to him."

"This class needs a reality check," said Harry. "I will deal with the rest."

"You always do," said Severus with a sigh. "Very well. I'm here."

"Harry, my boy, you have me rapt now," said Voldemort.

"I'm sure," said Harry. To the class, he said, "This next demonstration is more of an experiment. It's a test of my powers. I'm hoping to show you all exactly what I - and Voldemort - can do."

"Really?" said Voldemort with unmistakable interest.

"Yes," said Harry. "Everyone stand up." The class did and Harry cleared the room with a wave of his hand. "Now. I am going to give Voldemort the power to use his wand."

Several students choked as Harry pulled a wand from his robes. Voldemort drifted closer, focused curiosity on his expression.

"And how do you intend to do that?" said Voldemort.

Harry looked at him. "Our connection, of course." Voldemort's eye brows shot up. "So be nice," added Harry as he held the wand out. Voldemort drifted closer and stared hard into Harry's face.

Harry grinned. "Aren't you curious?"

Closing his eyes, Harry concentrated on his internal magic. The memory of burning at the stake.

"Just one hand," said Harry.

Voldemort's hand gripped around his fist and Harry was able to block out the pain. He relaxed and felt the charge flow through him. "Apporton," said Harry and just like when he was 17 he felt the magic float around him, through him, over him.

Voldemort laughed with delight. "Harry, you are indeed brilliant."

Voldemort started moving Harry's hand, throwing mild spells around the room. The students eagerly egged him on, wanting to see, and he began to cast stronger hexes.

"Show them, my lord," said Severus.

"Crucio."

Harry heard Severus scream and heard the children gasping.

"Oh this pleases me," said Voldemort. "Indeed it does." Harry's arm moved again and Voldemort must have touched the tip of the wand to his head because pain exploded in Harry's scar.

Harry hit his knees. Voldemort didn't let go of his hand. Harry looked up into Voldemort's gaze. Voldemort looked as pleased as ever. Still gripping Harry's hand, he moved the other toward Harry face.

"To feel this power again," said Voldemort, staring deeply into Harry's eyes. He waved the wand again and the class was restrained, some of them looking shocked, some struggling within magical bonds.

Voldemort had taken over. Harry wasn't giving Voldemort the power any more, he was taking it. The pain interfered with Harry's ability to control the flow to the wand.

"Let go of him," said Severus.

Voldemort looked down at Harry again.

"Harry, my son," said Voldemort, touching Harry's cheek. "The true heirs can unite once more. You have shown me the way. As always, you've made me proud."

Voldemort's wand was starting to shake in Harry's hand. He tried to let go of it, but Voldemort's grip was firm around his own.

What have I done?

Another hand came around Harry's wrist and the connection was broken. Harry hit the floor.

"That wasn't nice, Severus," said Voldemort with amusement.

"Harry, are you all right?" said Severus, leaning over him.

"Rowan," Harry managed to call. Once he was pain free again, Harry looked over the class. They all look stupefied.

"Do you understand now?" said Harry.

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

Before he knew it, word had spread about the experiment. Harry's 6^th year Gryffindors came into their next lesson looking miffed. The bell had barely ceased reverberating when they started in on him.

"You gave Voldemort your power," said Sean. "And you didn't show us?!"

"Slytherins!" said Cindy aghast. "You showed them!"

Harry really should have expected their annoyance but he couldn't show favoritism all the time.

"So why not show this class as well, Harry," said Voldemort, settling into his chair. "We can show them all."

"I don't think so," said Harry hopping onto his desk.

"Why?" said Voldemort.

"Yes. Why not?" said Missy.

"See, the class want to-"

"Voldemort," Harry cut him off.

"You have Rowan, Harry," Voldemort went on.

"And we are your favorite class," said Sean. "Voldemort always says so."

Voldemort chuckled. "Yes. Do reconsider."

Harry crossed his arms. "I won't," said Harry. "And you know why."

Voldemort couldn't hide his amusement. "A tad worried are we?"

"Worried?" said Rufus, looking around.

"I won't have you running amok with a wand," said Harry.

"Amok?" said Cindy.

Voldemort drifted over to him, outside the Flinch Zone. "You don't need a wand," said Voldemort. He looked down at Harry's hands crossed over his chest. "I wonder..."

"I don't think so, Voldemort," said Harry. "Besides, I have to give it to you first."

The class was riveted which Harry suspected Voldemort intended.

"So what happened?" said Cindy.

"Something that won't happen again."

Voldemort chuckled. "Oh, Harry. Don't be a spoil sport."

"Tell us what happened, Professor," Sean begged.

"Yes."

"Please, Professor."

When Harry only stared at them, Voldemort muttered, "Stubborn."

"Lord Voldemort will tell us," said Cindy.

"We know he won't lie or omit little facts," said Sean.

Voldemort laughed. Harry made a frustrated gesture and jumped off his desk.

"Harry showed just how much power he has," said Voldemort as Harry moved around his desk and sat down. "He used internal magic to block the pain from my touch and sent magic to my wand which was in his hand. Because I can still touch him, I took his hand and-"

"You could use the wand?" said Cindy.

"Yes," said Voldemort. "But as I know that Harry's internal magic can not block the pain from me touching him with 2 hands..."

"You did."

"Oh, yes," said Voldemort. "I had to see what would happen."

"And."

"Due to the pain, Harry lost control of the power he was feeding me and I was able to take it."

"So you took over his power?" said Missy stunned.

"Yes. If Severus hadn't touched Harry, breaking the single connection between us," he paused to chuckle, "I could have indeed run amok."

"Well then, I don't blame him for not wanting to go there again," said Cindy.

"Thank you, Cindy," said Harry.

"Miss Larsen, I'm hurt," said Voldemort. "Harry gave me a taste of the power I once had. Don't you think it's cruel-"

"You taught him well," half the class shot back and Harry laughed, so hard he had to hold onto the desk.

Voldemort smirked at the class. "Very amusing."

"But very accurate," said Harry, standing up again. "Now that we have covered the experiment, we can move on."

Voldemort glanced at the class. "I am most annoyed," he said, then he looked at Harry with an expression Harry hadn't seen in a while, "with all of you."

Voldemort vanished.

"Too bad," said Harry.