Harry Potter and Salazar's Talisman

Chapter 14

Repercussions and Punishments

Voldemort was noticeably absent the next few days but not quiet. He conveyed his displeasure to Harry very effectively by manipulating the 5^th year Slytherins into pestering Harry to show them 'the experiment.' The second years were next.

Harry couldn't complain either because outside the classroom, Voldemort could 'harass' anyone he chose without restriction from the contract.

"He's sulking," said Sean. "Enjoy it while you can."

Harry eyed his 6^th years. "He's not harassing any of you, is he?"

"No," said Missy. "But I heard he's spending a lot of time with the Slytherins."

Damn if that didn't bother Harry. Harry had always been Voldemort's 'favorite pet.'

I don't miss the pain but the conversation is always a challenge.

Harry pushed the thought away. When Voldemort got bored, he'd be back to 'play.'

After another week, Harry began to worry. He thought about calling Voldemort to see what was wrong. Had Harry really been cruel to do that to him?

Harry didn't think he'd ever done an actual cruel thing in his life. Killing Wormtail and Voldemort didn't count because they had deserved it and the wizarding world had even honored him for it.

But to let Voldemort feel the power he'd lost 8 years ago... It had to... Voldemort had said how much it pleased him. How would Harry feel to have to exist without magic now?

None of the other ghosts seemed to mind though. Then again, this was Voldemort and the other ghosts have no chance of feeling magic again. But Harry had shown Voldemort that it could be done - for him anyway.

How bad could it be? If Harry made sure there was someone there to break the connection then it could be perfectly safe. He'd just have to stay one step ahead of Voldemort.

That was the trick though. Of course, Harry did learn from the best.

On a whim, he lifted his wrist. "Commentary."

Mr. Wormtail thinks that the experiment is a fine example of Master Harry's power and should be flaunted.

Harry smirked. Petigrew's attitude has certainly never changed.

Mr. Mooney thinks it's a very bad idea and still urges Harry to speak to Hermione about his medallion.

Harry sighed. Nor did Remus'.

Mr. Prongs thinks that it's a fascinating ability if one can learn to control it.

Harry blinked. That was an interesting opinion.

Mr. Padfoot thinks Harry's being manipulated again.

Harry frowned. He hadn't thought of that. Very bloody likely.

After 3 more days, Harry finally called Voldemort during his 6^th year class. Nagini slithered in.

"The master doesn't have to come when you call, Master Harry," said Nagini. "It isn't in the contract."

"Really," said Harry, because he could the burn feel on his scar. "Then why is he here? He can rarely sneak up on me, Nagini. He knows that."

Harry heard Voldemort sigh and saw him materialize in his chair. "What do you want, Harry?" said Voldemort, sounding bored. Harry could also tell that the class couldn't see or hear him.

Harry addressed Nagini. "Tell him I miss the repartee."

"Too bad," said Voldemort.

"But I have a surprise for you, Voldemort," said Harry.

"I'm not in the mood."

"He's here then?" said Missy.

"Yes," said Harry. "He's brooding."

"I'm told even evil dark lords may brood if they so desire."

Harry laughed and the class looked disappointed.

"Come on, Lord Voldemort," said Cindy. "We miss the amusing repartee too."

Voldemort sent her a scowl. "Ah, yes, the latest Gryffindor Parselmouth," said Voldemort. "But you've already told me, Harry, so if that's the surprise-"

"It's not," said Harry.

"Well, by all means, get on with it, my boy," said Voldemort. "So I may leave your exalted presence."

Harry started to laugh but stopped. He looked closely at Voldemort's expression.

"You do have to come when I call you, don't you?" said Harry.

"Apparently," said Voldemort with annoyance.

"And you can't leave until I say so?"

"Apparently," Voldemort echoed.

Harry did laugh then. "Oh, I do like that," said Harry. "A bit of role reversal. Is that why you're sulking? Because I have more control now than you do?"

Voldemort's expression turned menacing. "Is that what you think, Harry?" he said in a dangerous tone. He rose from the chair.

"That would be cruel of me, don't you think?" said Harry.

Voldemort fully materialized. "You're pushing it, Harry," warned Voldemort.

Harry merely grinned. "Am I?"

"Professor?" said Sean.

Harry held up a hand as Voldemort continued to move toward him. "It's all right, he won't."

"Won't I?" said Voldemort, now at the flinch point.

"Not yet you won't," said Harry, reaching into his robe. He pulled out Voldemort's wand and rubbed it between his palms.

Voldemort stopped. Harry turned back to the snake.

"Your master knows I am not a cruel person," said Harry.

Voldemort caught on and laughed with delight.

Harry stood up, looking at Voldemort with all seriousness. "I don't appreciate your old forms of manipulation."

Voldemort smiled. "Ah, Harry, you know me well," said Voldemort. "But we are teaching the class, aren't we?"

Harry smirked. Leave it to Voldemort to accredit getting exactly what he wanted by 'teaching.'

"I get it," said Cindy of the manipulation. "The neglect scenario. He was ignoring you."

"Very good, Miss Larsen," said Voldemort. "You see, once Harry knew he had my attention, my favor, he found it very hard to do without it."

"I wouldn't go as far as to say that," said Harry with a snort.

"Wouldn't you?" said Voldemort, lifting a hand to Harry's face. "I could've simply killed you."

"If I remember correctly, you tried that route a few times with little success," said Harry.

Voldemort chuckled. "Indeed." Voldemort's knuckle brushed down Harry cheek. "Admit it, Harry," said Voldemort. "All my favor, my gifts, my personal attention, you needed it."

Harry swallowed, not only from the pain of Voldemort's touch but from the pain of his words. Harry had needed it. It's what Voldemort used against him.

"You know I did," said Harry.

Voldemort let go. "Yes, I know."

"So Lord Voldemort used this manipulation again?" said Missy looking confused.

"Yes," said Cindy. "First by calling him cruel, which would rankle any Gryffindor. Then by totally ignoring him in favor of Slytherins."

"I used that manipulation once," said Voldemort wistfully. "Harry came back to me to be tested, as was required in his contract, and another boy had impersonated him by using polyjuice."

"In the beginning, I was very glad to be ignored," said Harry. "I was already upset that Voldemort had been getting to me, so I just sat in the cell and kept quiet. It didn't take long however before I got annoyed that he couldn't tell that other person wasn't me. When he finally did realize it was an imposter (with my help) I was starving for the recognition again, so I accepted it blindly."

"And when was this?"

"Christmas break," said Harry. "5^th year." Harry looked at Voldemort. "That one really wasn't your plan though, was it?"

"Oh no," said Voldemort. "That was completely Lucius. Crafty bastard."

"Not that they were punished for it," complained Harry.

Voldemort chuckled. "Harry, why would I punish such cunning? It got you to do exactly what I wanted you to do."

Harry nodded. "Just as this last example has."

"Indeed," said Voldemort.

"I will concede, Voldemort," said Harry. "But there will be rules and you will shake on them or it won't happen again."

The class looked alarmed.

"Professor, you aren't going to-"

"I am," said Harry.

"But-"

"It will be alright, Sean," said Harry.

"But-"

"Shush, Sean," said Cindy. "Don't you wan to see it?"

"Thank you, Miss Larsen," said Voldemort.

Cindy ignored him. "Besides, Professor Potter said there would be rules. I'm guessing Lord Voldemort will agree to anything to feel his power again."

Harry chuckled as Voldemort turned an irritated look to her. "Be nice, Cindy," said Harry.

"Sorry, sir."

"So what are your rules, Harry?" said Voldemort.

"First," said Harry. "I will give you plenty of time to show the class so there is no need to abuse it. If you try to touch me with a second hand, Sean will be standing next to me to break the connection."

"I will?"

"Yes, Sean," said Harry. "All you have to do is touch me and it will break the connection. And anyone in this class can call Rowan," Harry added, "And she will come." He turned to Voldemort. "Behave and-"

"Harry, don't you trust me?"

"No," said Harry. "Sean."

Looking both worried and curious, Sean stood and moved to stand on Harry's left side. Harry reached out a hand. "Do you agree, Voldemort?" said Harry.

"Certainly," said Voldemort as he shook Harry's hand.

"Very well." Harry gripped Voldemort's wand and told everyone to stand up as he cleared the room. Eyes closed, he concentrated on his internal memories. It was still an awesome sensation, feeling the flow of power move through him. Unfortunately, Voldemort didn't wait before he cheated.

The moment Voldemort felt the power, he used a restraint spell and Harry heard Sean hit the floor beside him. Harry opened his eyes and saw the entire class in full body binds.

"One step ahead," said Voldemort as he wrapped his other arm around Harry's chest. The cry of pain ripped out of him. "I'm not using my hand, Harry."

Trapped between Voldemort's arm and his chest, the pain was almost unbearable. Voldemort chuckled. "Harry, my son," said Voldemort. "What should we do now?"

Harry felt the hand wrap around his left wrist and sighed. The connection was broken. Voldemort released Harry to angrily look around.

"What happened," demanded Voldemort.

Harry heard the rustle of fabric and knew it was Hermione throwing off Harry's cloak. "One step ahead, Voldemort," said Hermione. "Rowan," she called.

Voldemort looked down at Harry, shaking on the floor. "Oh very good, Harry. I have indeed taught you well."

Voldemort disappeared as Rowan soared in.

While Rowan cried Harry's pain away, Hermione released the class and restored the room.

"You knew he would do that?"

"Oh yes," said Harry. "I know him too bloody well."

"That really wasn't very nice of him," said Missy.

"No," agreed Sean. "You had an agreement. He could've at least shown some appreciation for your gesture of even trying it again."

"Yes, exactly," said Harry. "But don't worry. He'll pay for it."

"Will he?" said Sean. "How?"

"Yes, how?"

"You'll see," said Harry. Of course Harry wasn't even sure if it would work, but he was on a streak now and didn't want to jinx it.

He kept Rowan with him the rest of the day so Voldemort would know Harry was angry with him. When he was alone at the end of the day, Harry leaned on the front of his desk and called Voldemort.

He appeared immediately before Harry, outside the flinch zone.

"Why?" said Harry harshly before Voldemort could say anything.

"Oh my," said Voldemort. "You do look angry."

"I've passed angry, Voldemort," said Harry. "Tell me why."

"Because I could," said Voldemort simply. "You knew I would."

"Irrelevant," said Harry. "I had hoped you would have shown some appreciation. At least in front of the students."

Voldemort stared hard into Harry's eyes. "You don't know what it's like, Harry," said Voldemort. "Being stripped of your powers. You've personally done it to me twice."

"Yes and both times I gave them back," snapped Harry. "In the graveyard, I had no choice but today, I chose to give them to you. I let you use me, my power, which is equal to what yours were - what ours were."

Voldemort blinked. "Harry, are you - hurt?" said Voldemort with wonder.

Harry sighed. "I'm disappointed," said Harry. He turned away to walk around his desk. "Even the class was surprised. They didn't think it was very nice."

"So who said-"

Harry leaned over his desk and stared Voldemort down. He put all the disappointed misery he could into his expression.

"Leave me now, father," said Harry.

Voldemort looked horrified and Harry was reminded of how Voldemort had looked after he had told Lucius to lash him.

Voldemort vanished.

"Well, that's another round to me," muttered Harry.

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

Voldemort was particularly nasty after that although Harry didn't see or hear him. He was avoiding the 6^th years around the castle as well. He didn't leave Harry alone though. Harry almost continually felt his presence.

He felt it now as he sat at his desk working on a test for his 6^th and 7^th years. Harry was trying to remember the questions Voldemort had put on the bizarre written test he had given Harry the beginning of Harry's 7^th year.

On a whim, he pulled out Voldemort's wand and stared at it as he twirled it within his fingers.

"Did you use your wand?" whispered Harry. He didn't expect Voldemort to answer. He didn't. Harry pulled out his own wand and felt Voldemort moving closer to see what he was doing.

Harry hit the tip of Voldemort's wand with his own. "Prior incantum," said Harry. He kept doing it until he did indeed find the test.

Voldemort was within the flinch zone now, probably going insane with questions. Harry made a copy of the test wondering why Voldemort didn't say anything. Harry didn't acknowledge his presence even as he felt the pain increase. Voldemort was reaching a hand toward Harry's face, Harry could tell.

He wondered if Voldemort would touch him. The knock on the door prevented it.

"Come in," called Harry.

"Harry?"

Harry leapt to his feet as his godfather poked his head inside.

"Sirius?" he said suddenly alarmed. "Is Ginger ok?"

"She's fine," said Sirius as he strolled in. "She went to the Burrow for a couple of days so I decided to visit. I told her I'd tell you."

Harry sighed and hugged him. Sirius grabbed him by the shoulders, looking hard into his face. "You all right?"

"I'm fine," said Harry.

Sirius looked skeptical. "Harry-"

"Oh give it a rest," said Harry. "You're getting as bad as Remus."

Sirius ruffled his hair. "Well, Remus is concerned."

"I'm fine," said Harry, moving away. "All grown up, remember."

"Yes, but I'm still your godfather and I will bloody well still worry about you until you're 65 and I'm dead, so there."

Harry laughed betting Voldemort was simmering over that one. "Ok, ok," said Harry. "So how's Gwenn?"

"She's fine," said Sirius. "She misses you."

"Really?" said Harry with surprise.

"Yes. Must be a girl thing. They all get attached to you."

"More like a sympathy thing," muttered Harry.

"I'm not touching that one," said Sirius.

"Appreciate that."

"Speaking of girl things," said Sirius. "You are going to the dinner on Sunday night, right?"

"Sunday?" said Harry thoughtfully. He smacked his forehead with his palm. "Damn, I almost forgot. Thanks Sirius. Ging would kill me if I didn't go."

Sirius grinned. "Yeah, I guessed that."

The Weasley's anniversary was Sunday. Harry had almost forgotten. "Hey, that gives us something to do tonight," said Harry.

"Sorry, Harry," said Sirius. "We already have a gift. We have dinner plans in Hogsmeade tonight."

Harry smirked at Sirius smug grin. He shrugged it off. "OK I guess I'll see you both on Sunday then."

"I'll be around tomorrow," said Sirius. "I'm going to help out Minerva with an animagus class."

"All right," said Harry, sitting down at his desk and rifling through a drawer for some cash. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

Sirius left and Hermione rushed into the class a few minutes latter sounding breathless.

"Harry!"

Harry didn't even bother to look up.

"It's all right, Hermione," said Harry. "I almost forgot too. We can go together."

Hermione relaxed. "I hate it when you do that."

Harry laughed. "You just missed Sirius."

"Sirius was here?" said Hermione with disappointment.

"Yeah," said Harry. "He's visiting for a couple of days."

"Great," said Hermione. "By the way, what did you say to Voldemort?"

Harry looked up then. "Why?"

"Because he's acting all hot and bothered."

"I just told him to leave me," said Harry. "Haven't seen him or heard him since. I still know when he's around though."

Harry had a sneaking suspicion that Voldemort couldn't reappear to Harry again until Harry said so.

"Interesting," said Hermione. "I'll check the library."

Harry laughed. "Thanks, Hermione." Finding his sack of galleons, Harry pulled it out and dumped it onto the desk.

"Still need a gift for Sunday, don't you?" said Hermione.

"You know me," said Harry.

Hermione kissed his cheek. "I do. See you later."

As she left, Harry felt Voldemort drift closer and again he felt Voldemort's hand reach toward his face.

Knuckles brushed down the side of his face and Harry closed his eyes. He could almost hear Voldemort's words.

"Talk to me, my son."

Was Voldemort helpless until Harry addressed him or called him? Something about how Harry had reacted must have restricted him. But Harry had an intuitive feeling that the minute Harry addressed Voldemort, the restriction would stop.

He'd be damned if he'd give over now.

"No," said Harry, staring at his desk. "I have accepted his punishment, he will accept mine."

He strode out of the classroom. Unfortunately, Voldemort followed.

Stan and Renee, a beater from the team, met him in the hallway.

"They found one for you," said Stan, presenting Harry with a yearbook from his year.

Harry took it and smiled. "Great timing," said Harry, taking it. "Thanks."

Harry left Hogwarts grounds, clearing his mind. He forced Voldemort from his thoughts as he tried to think of gifts for Ginger's parents - his parents.