Harry Potter and the Slytherin Connection

Chapter 7

The Truth

Harry waited until everyone left Gryffindor Tower before going down to the common room. He spread out his notes and pulled out his Divination book. He was going to concentrate. He was. But he couldn´t. Not after the first cheers erupted from the stadium.

"Come on, Harry," Fred had said to him earlier. "Don´t you want to at least see the game."

Harry, who was still Captain, assigned their new Keeper, Colin Creevy, to be Seeker then used a replacement Keeper. Colin was better than anyone on the team (aside from Harry) as Seeker, so everyone agreed to the temporary shift. The team assured him that he was being stupid for thinking that they would let him off the team just because he missed a few games and that made Harry feel a bit better.

But Harry still couldn´t bear to watch it. Conducting and watching the last practice session from the ground had been bad enough.

Harry´s hand hit his head as pain erupted.

"Brooding, Harry?" said Voldemort.

Harry looked up and Voldemort backed out of the "flinch zone." "I guess. What are you doing here?"

"I´m here to cheer you up, of course."

"Cheer me up?"

"Yes," said Voldemort as he began to pace around the room. "So this is the Gryffindor Common room. Very cozy."

"Haven´t you been here before?"

Voldemort turned to him. "Oh, no, Harry. I wouldn´t know where to look for it from the outside, as I was never in Gryffindor and since I didn´t know what it looked like, I couldn´t apparate in here, could I?"

"Then how-"

"Because I didn´t apparate to the room. I apparated to you," said Voldemort. "You see, I didn´t quite believe that Sirius would actually ground you, so I had to come and see if your complaint was legitimate. I apparated to the grounds - oh, don´t worry, I was well concealed," he chuckled. "Wouldn´t want to cause a panic," he said. "When I didn´t see you in the air or in the stands by your friends, I figured you would be off somewhere by yourself. So, I focused on you."

Harry watched Voldemort slowly move around the room, taking in little aspects of the room with a glance. Why would Voldemort want to cheer him up? Why would Voldemort care if Harry was brooding because Sirius had grounded him?

"So what were you doing before you started brooding?" said Voldemort

"Huh?" said Harry, startled from his thoughts. Voldemort indicated at the papers in front of him. "Oh, that. Divination homework."

"Not an easy subject. Nor is it a very precise branch of magic," said Voldemort. "This teacher of yours..."

"Professor Trelawney," said Harry.

"This Professor, does she have any ability?"

"Well not normally," said Harry. "But she did go into a trance after my final in my third year. She predicted that the servant of the Dark Lord would return to his Master. That he would go back before midnight. And well that was the night that Pettigrew - Wormtail - got away."

"Interesting."

Harry half expected Voldemort to continue on that subject. He didn´t.

"Other than that, all she does is predict my death and one of my classmates clumsiness," said Harry. "Since both are highly probable, I wouldn´t classify them as prediction."

Voldemort chuckled. "Always the cynic, Harry."

Another cheer echoed through the castle. It sounded as if the game had ended. A quick defeat. Harry felt humiliated already.

The pain increased in his head and he felt Voldemort´s hand under his chin, holding his face up.

"I must go now, Harry," said Voldemort. "But I will see what I can do."

He let go of Harry´s face. "I don´t know what you think you could do," said Harry. "I-"

Voldemort´s knuckles stroked gently down the side of his face, silencing Harry.

Voldemort spun away abruptly. "I have my ways, Harry," said Voldemort. "I have my ways."

"Oh," said Voldemort, reaching into his robes. "This might help. I´m told it has it´s uses." He tossed something at Harry then he was gone.

Harry looked down at his hands, which were clutching soft material. His Invisibility Cloak. Harry almost smiled.

"Harry," shouted Ron, as he burst through the archway. "We won!"

"We did?" croaked Harry, this seemed to reverse the effect getting his cloak back just had.

"Yes. Colin didn´t get the Snitch, but we won by 10 points."

His team had won without him? They didn´t need him? This brought Harry´s dejection even lower than he thought possible.

The result was that he didn´t sleep very well and when he joined Ron and Hermione at breakfast the next morning, he felt worse than miserable. He didn´t think it could get much worse until they heard people enter and several adults sat down at the teacher´s table. He caught Sirius´ gaze and Sirius smiled at him.

Harry felt like a knife had jabbed him in the back and he quickly looked away. He moved a lot of food around on his plate but none of it ended up in his mouth. Finally, he tossed his fork onto his plate. "I´ve got to get out of here," said Harry.

The entrance of the owl, stopped Harry from getting up. He had never seen a pitch black owl before. The owl soared across the Great Hall and flew directly to Sirius. Sirius untied the parchment. The owl sat there.

Harry watched Sirius open the note looking curious then surprised. But when he began to read, his expression changed. Sirius´ eyes widened and his hand actually moved to his heart as if he were receiving devastating news. As if that knife that had stabbed Harry was being moved slowly into Sirius´ heart.

Remus laid a hand on his shoulder, looking worried, and said something to him. Sirius ignored him. He closed his eyes, the parchment now crumbled in his balled fist. When he looked up, it was straight at Harry. His expression was filled with such stricken pain that Harry felt it was somehow his fault.

Sirius got to his feet abruptly and left the hall.

"Wonder what that was all about," said Ron.

"Sirius didn´t take that letter very well," said Hermione. "Maybe you should go after him, Harry."

But Harry noticed as soon as Sirius left, the bird flew directly to him and presented his leg. There was another letter. Harry was afraid to open it. He was afraid it was going to be from Voldemort. He was right.

Well, Harry, I believe I´ve just taken care of your problem. If there is anything else I can do, don´t hesitate to ask. You are under my protection now and not even Sirius will challenge my authority.

Harry started to shake. What had he threatened Sirius with? What did he say to him that would make Sirius look like that. Just what the hell-

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

"No." Harry got up and moved toward the doors. He had to talk to Sirius. He was intercepted in the Hall.

"This way, Potter," said Snape, as he grabbed Harry by the cloak and dragged him towards Dumbledore´s office. The door was open and they moved through and took the moving staircase to Dumbledore´s office. Voices were raised from within.

"He´s starting to get nasty," said Remus.

"Calm down, Remus," said Professor McGonagall.

"No, look at him. If I got a letter like that, I´d be sick too."

"It´s all part of the plan," Professor McGonagall went on. "And if you´d be-"

Snape cleared his throat loudly as he pushed open the door, which had stood slightly ajar. Remus was pacing the office, McGonagall sat in the chair before Dumbledore´s desk and Dumbledore sat behind it. Sirius was standing before the window, his arms crossed over his chest, staring out. He looked at Harry briefly then turned back to the window.

He still looked staggered. As if he had been hit in the stomach with a Bludger.

"Harry," said Dumbledore, "You were sent another note from Voldemort, were you not?"

"Yes."

"Let me see it."

Harry handed Dumbledore Voldemort´s letter. He read it and nodded. "We thought correctly," Dumbledore told Remus. "He thinks that what he has told Sirius will lift Harry´s restrictions."

"What is going on?" said Harry.

"Harry," said Remus, "Sirius was very hard on you because we had to insure that Voldemort believed you were miserable."

"Why?" said Harry.

"To see what he would do," said Remus. "He came to you during the Quidditch match."

"So, I was feeling miserable."

"Don´t you see," said Remus. "He-"

"That´s enough, Remus," said Dumbledore. "Harry, you may leave now."

"NO," shouted Harry. "Someone tell me what´s going on! What did he say to Sirius? Why does he have to think I´m miserable?" Harry felt someone grab his arm and drag him toward the door.

"It´s too soon for you to know, Harry," said Dumbledore. "You´re not ready."

"Damn it, yes I am!" shouted Harry. "Tell me!" But Snape had all ready dragged him out of the office, closed the door and was ushering him out passed the gargoyle. Harry stared at the gargoyle with frustration

"Well I think the answer is obvious," said Hermione.

Both Ron and Harry stared at her. Hermione always thought everything was obvious. But then again, everything usually was to her.

Harry had just told them everything and they sat quietly talking in front of the fire in the common room.

"So are you going to sit there looking smug or are you going to tell us," said Ron.

Hermione looked up at Harry. "They´re fighting over you," she said.

"What do you mean?" said Harry.

"I had a neighbor. When her parents got divorced they did the same thing," said Hermione. "Both trying to show her that they were better. Both attacking each other with taunts and innuendo. Look at the scene in the Great Hall on Halloween. It was a power play. Then he makes Sirius upset about punishing you. Then he takes credit for you not being punished anymore." Hermione looked at Harry. "You´re aren´t by the way. Punished anymore. I heard it. But it wasn´t because of You-Know-Who."

Harry considered that it made sense. But... "Why?" said Harry. "And why are they making it so public? Everything is in front of crowds of people."

"That I don´t know," said Hermione.

"I´ve got to find out," said Harry. "This is going to drive me nuts. But no one will tell me anything."

"What about You-Know-Who?" said Ron.

"Oh, no," said Hermione. "I don´t think you should ask him, Harry. He might get mad or suspect something."

Harry nodded, thoughtfully. "Malfoy," he said suddenly.

"What? That´s nutters," said Ron.

"No, I mean it," said Harry. "He´s always boasting about how much his father´s knows and he´s been being nice to me since we poisoned ourselves. I´ll ask him to ask his father."

"Do you really think you should trust Malfoy though, Harry?" said Hermione.

"Well what´s the worst that could happen," said Harry. "He says no."

"I´m afraid of what will happen if he says yes," said Ron.

But Malfoy said yes and before the next potions class, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were waiting outside. Malfoy dismissed his two cronies with a wave and Harry nodded to Ron and Hermione and they went into the classroom. Harry and Malfoy moved away from the door and both looked around to make sure no one could hear them.

"You were right, Potter," said Draco Malfoy. "It´s definitely a tug-off war over you. And they are making sure it´s public."

"Did you find out any of the `whys´?" asked Harry.

"Only that it is believed by the entire wizarding world that which ever side has you will win," said Malfoy. "I tried to get more, but I think my father was getting suspicious."

"That´s all right," said Harry. "You´ve at least confirmed some of my theories."

"And no one will tell you anything?" said Draco.

"No," said Harry not without irritation. "Dumbledore keeps saying I´m not ready."

"Well, I´d want to find out."

"I´m trying to, Malfoy," said Harry. "Why do you think I asked you. And I appreciate your help. I-"

Pain exploded in Harry´s head and his hand hit his palm. He turned a full circle but saw no one else but Malfoy as the pain went away.

"What is it?" said Malfoy, also looking around.

"I-" Pain interrupted again, then went away. "He´s calling me," said Harry. "He must have found out."

"You want me to tell Snape?" said Malfoy.

Harry was sure he had never seen concern of any kind in Draco Malfoy´s face, but he saw it now. "Would you?"

"Yeah, I don´t think he´ll doubt me about this," said Malfoy.

Harry pulled out his wand and stuck it in his bag, then handed it to Malfoy. "Just dump this at my station and tell Snape I´ll be back as soon as I can."

"Sure. Good luck."

Harry´s hand hit his forehead again as the pain signaled again. Voldemort was getting impatient. "Thanks, Draco."

Harry closed his eyes. This is going to be another nightmare.

Voldemort was before him.

"What kept you, Harry?"

"I had to make excuses from class, Voldemort," said Harry. "I can´t simply vanish without telling someone I have to leave."

Voldemort chuckled. "That pleases me, Harry. When I call you, you have accepted that you have to come."

Harry bristled over that one. "Did you signal me to discuss semantics? Or is there something else?"

"Oh yes, Harry. There is something else. A matter of great importance. A matter I had all ready thought was settled between us, which is apparently not."

That didn´t sound good to Harry. Voldemort took a step into the flinch zone, which Harry surmised was to keep Harry quiet.

"Did I not tell you several times that when you had questions, you should come to me and I would answer them?" said Voldemort.

Harry nodded, his gaze caught in the bright red ones that didn´t look as pleased as they were when Harry first got there.

"Then why did you feel the need to circumvent my generosity by asking someone you dislike to investigate through one of my Death Eaters?"

Harry opened his mouth, but Voldemort took a hold of his chin. "Is it because Dumbledore will not tell? Because Sirius will not tell you? Because, in fact, no one but me has told you anything at all this year?"

Harry could only nod his head.

"But Harry," said Voldemort, apparently interested in holding this conversation by himself. "As I am the one who has been the source of your information and I did tell you that I would satisfy that curiosity of yours, why didn´t you come to me? Why didn´t you ask me?"

To Harry, it sounded as if Voldemort sounded - well hurt.

Voldemort let go of Harry´s face and stepped back. "I will hear your answer now, Harry," said Voldemort. "Why didn´t you ask me?"

Why did Harry feel so guilty all of the sudden? "I-I didn´t think you would tell me."

Voldemort continued to stare into Harry´s eyes, as if trying to read his mind. "Why? When I told you I would tell you anything you wished to know. Why? When, as you put it yourself, there has to be trust between us. Why? When I have offered you everything I have, all my knowledge, all my experience. Why do you shun my generosity?"

Harry felt the same way as he did when Sirius looked up after reading that damned letter and almost choked. "I-I´m sorry," was all he could say.

Voldemort took a step closer and examined Harry´s expression. He appeared satisfied.

"Good boy," he said and indicated Harry´s chair. "Sit down. I will tell you."

Harry sat down as Voldemort settled into his own chair by the fire.

"I´m sure you may have figured much of this out on your own soon enough, but between your friend Ron worrying over the small points and your friend Miss Granger overloading you with too much information, I´m afraid your theories would come out rather deranged when everything is really quite simple," said Voldemort.

Harry had to say something about Voldemort, he certainly knew how to entice an audience with his speeches. He had seen it last year when Harry saw him address his Death Eater then several times again, when Voldemort had explained things to Harry.

"As you have deduced, Dumbledore and I are indeed having a very public possession issue over you. But of course, you want to know why," said Voldemort. "Am I correct?"

"Yes."

"So let me ask you," said Voldemort. "What is the first thing that comes to your mind?"

"More questions," said Harry.

"Ah, very good. Like what?"

"Like what does he want me do?"

"Why do you ask that?

"Well after the Triwizard Tournament," said Harry. "Dumbledore said "...and now we know what we have to expect..."

"Yes, and," said Voldemort.

"Well, I got the impression he expected something of me," said Harry.

"Very good, Harry."

"Then why won´t he tell me?" said Harry. "Why aren´t you telling me? You said you would."

"Harry, calm down," said Voldemort. "You will know everything you need to know when we are done. But you will figure it out. That way I can´t be accused of telling you."

"Why wouldn´t you want to be accused of telling me?"

"Oh, Harry, don´t be silly. It is simply more fun this way."

Harry stared at him. He imagined Voldemort would look at it that way. "So, what is it I´m expected to do?" said Harry.

"Well, to find your answer, we must examine the past and the connections between the two of us," said Voldemort. "During my first reign of power, the entire wizarding world was terrified of me. The most evil lord of the century was killing all the most powerful wizard unless they would join him. Everyone, except for my loyal followers, wanted me dead. When I started going after the heirs, everyone was even more afraid.

"That´s where you come in, Harry. I failed, as you are well aware. And I have failed every other time I have tried to kill you since you´ve found out that you are the wizard you are."

"So, you think that Dumbledore thinks I can defeat you again?" said Harry, a little confused.

"Oh I´m sure that the entire wizarding world thinks that," said Voldemort. "I believe it myself."

"You do?" said Harry.

"Harry, you´re jumping ahead," said Voldemort. "Think about the connections between us. Your mother´s sacrifice was the most purest sort of magic there is. In retrospect, even I can admire her for it."

Harry sort of liked hearing that.

"But it left it´s mark on you and cursed me to that oblivion that I resided in," said Voldemort. "Then when I returned to my body that night at the graveyard, I used your blood. Do you remember, Harry?"

Harry nodded.

"Now I can touch you without hurting myself," Voldemort went on. "But my touch puts you in agony."

"I could always feel when you were near me," Harry pointed out.

"Yes, but I believe the potion I used with your blood made it worse," said Voldemort.

Harry made a quick connection. "And you used Wormtail´s hand."

Voldemort looked at him. "Yes," said Voldemort. "Go on."

"Well," said Harry. "You used his flesh and my blood. Dumbledore said there was a bond because I saved his life."

"Yes, we spoke of this after Wormtail brought Ron to me." Voldemort stared over the fire at Harry, his red eyes glowing all the more. "The connection grows ever stronger between us," said Voldemort softly.

"I don´t understand," said Harry.

"Don´t you Harry? You are directly responsible for bringing me back to power. You saved Wormtail, who became my servant. If I had actually hit you with the Killing Curse that night, you would have ended up with another scar and I would´ve ended up back in that oblivion."

"So what does that have to do with what Dumbledore expects me to do?" said Harry.

"I have just given you an example of what happens when one wizard saves another wizard´s life," said Voldemort. "Or in your case a witch."

Harry stared at him. His brain was starting to hurt. Harry saved Wormtail, thusly Voldemort therefore Voldemort would die if he tried to killed Harry. Voldemort had tried to kill Harry but his mother had saved him... Voldemort had his mother´s protection now... Harry´s blood was half his mother´s blood... If Harry killed Voldemort, he would die too.

Voldemort was looking at Harry and seemed to notice the moment Harry had figured it out.

"What does the wizarding world want, Harry?" said Voldemort.

"They want you to die."

"And it order for that to happen, what must you do?"

"I have to die too," said Harry. Harry felt a little disconcerted. Well a lot. Actually he felt like he was going to throw up.

"Very grim, our perspective fates," said Voldemort.

Suddenly, Harry recalled something else. He was almost afraid to ask. Damn his curiosity. "You said you wanted something from me too." It was almost a whisper.

Voldemort frowned, as if he had not expected Harry to ask so soon.

"You told me you would tell me, Voldemort," said Harry. "I´m asking. What do you want me to do?"

"Harry, when you do join me, we will share great power," said Voldemort. "But there is one wizard that stands in my - our - way. I can not defeat him alone."

Harry stood up slowly. He could only stare at Voldemort. Those red eyes stared back.

"Dumbledore," rasped Harry. His entire body had gone numb. "You want me to kill Dumbledore."

Voldemort settle back into his chair. "When you are ready."