Harry Potter and the Slytherin Connection

Chapter 13

The Last Domino

"Hello, Harry," said Voldemort.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Charlie and Fred grab Ron and he saw Hermione grab Ginny.

"Enjoying yourself?" said Voldemort.

"I was," Harry managed to say.

"Good," said Voldemort. "As I told you, everything you do is controlled by me. You do realize that don't you, Harry. This wonderful vacation is happening because I'm allowing it to happen."

"That's not true."

Hermione clamped a hand over Ginny's mouth.

"Very wise, Miss Granger," said Voldemort. He looked back down at Harry. "I will give you another three days then you will come back to me before you go back to school," said Voldemort.

"You can't make me," said Harry.

"Oh, but I can, Harry." Voldemort raised his free hand and brought it to toward Harry's scar. The cry of pain was ripped from his lungs. "Three days, Harry," said Voldemort as he let go and Harry fell to the ground. Voldemort stood up. "Gentlemen," he said to the Weasleys. "Ladies," he said to the girls. Then Harry felt him leave.

Harry heard arguing over his head as he pushed himself to his hands and knees.

"Harry, are you all right?"

It was Ginny and she had wrapped her arm around his chest. It was comforting. "You stood up to him," said Harry.

"Yes, she's a brave little fool," said Fred as he grabbed Harry's arm. Charlie grabbed his other arm and they helped him up.

Harry reeled slightly. Voldemort hadn't touched the scar but had come close enough to it.

"He needs immediate attention," said George. "Let's take him to our house, it's closer."

As Harry was half dragged half carried to the Weasley's, he couldn't help feeling a deep sense of foreboding. What did Voldemort mean that this holiday was because HE allowed it. He had given Harry three more days. How could Voldemort make him go back?

The promise of more pain certainly wouldn't do it. A hostage?

Mrs. Weasley went nuts when they carried Harry in. Of course, she took instant control of the situation and went about making Harry comfortable. When Sirius arrived, he pulled the boys outside to find out precisely what was said and by the time he came back in to inspect Harry, he didn't look pleased.

"Ron said you knew he was there," said Sirius.

"I didn't think he would actually show himself, Sirius."

"But he did," said Sirius. "So he's checking up on you, now."

"Did Charlie tell you what he said?" said Harry.

"Yes."

"What does it mean?"

Sirius sighed. "I'm not sure, Harry," said Sirius, sitting down on the sofa next to Harry who was stretched out in it. "I'm just not sure."

"You don't think he'll try to take a hostage, do you?" said Harry.

"Everyone is packing now. They will be back at Hogwarts before dawn."

"So he managed to spoil my vacation anyway," said Harry.

"Harry-" said Sirius.

Harry forced himself to sit up and reached out. "Take me home, Sirius. Please."

Sirius settled Harry into bed and Rowan flew over to him right away. She tucked herself under his chin as he fell asleep and Harry slept peacefully. Harry spent the next couple of days going through the letters again. Reminding himself that he had lost everything because of Voldemort. He knew he was going back. He had to go back. But he was going back with the fresh memories of his parents' words and the memories they had with their friends. Voldemort was not going to take them away.

"Are you sure, Harry?" said Remus.

"Yes," said Harry. "He is using my own nature against me. He knows I'll come just to keep him from doing something to make me come."

Sirius nodded and grabbed Harry into a hard embrace. "Just remember, Harry. Remember."

"I know, Sirius," said Harry. He put a hand to his heart. "It's all in here."

Another nightmare.

Harry stared into the campfire. He had apparated into his chair. No one had noticed him yet, so he relaxed. He could hear Voldemort somewhere in the compound barking orders. He didn't sound pleased. Someone was ordered tortured. Harry didn't catch the name. He hoped it was a Death Eater.

Voldemort was moving closer to the fire, but he was still issuing orders so Harry doubted he had noticed Harry sitting in his chair. It was a big chair after all and you could easily be overlooked if you weren't being sought.

"And no one is to touch the boy if he shows up today," said Voldemort, proof that he hadn't noticed Harry yet. "And I'm to be-"

"You can't sneak up on me, Voldemort," said Harry as Voldemort hit the flinch zone.

Harry met those red eyes.

"Ah, Harry, you came. I knew you would."

"I knew that you knew I would," said Harry.

"How well we know each other," said Voldemort, looking a lot more pleased than he sounded before. "Are you hungry?"

"I could eat," said Harry.

Food appeared on the table beside his chair as Voldemort circled the fire and sat down in his chair.

"So what do you want?"

"I'd like to propose another contract," said Voldemort.

"With what?" said Harry. "You don't have anything to bargain with."

"Oh but I do, Harry," said Voldemort. "I have you."

"Me?" said Harry.

"The wizarding world is a complex web, Harry," said Voldemort. "And all the lives interconnected with your own have woven their way right back to me." Voldemort laughed, that cold laugh that Harry remembered from the graveyard. "You are indeed mine now, Harry."

"I don't believe you," said Harry.

"Think about it, Harry," said Voldemort. "All the lives connected with yours and mine. You have read up on the Wizard Honor, haven't you?"

"Yes," said Harry.

"So what we have is a whole line up of lives, much like a complex set up of dominoes," said Voldemort. "Do you know what I mean, Harry? Have you ever set up dominoes?"

Harry's skin was starting to get goose bumps. "Yes," he said.

"You saved Peter, Peter restored me to my body. James saved Severus. Severus begged me to save Lily but Lily saved you. Severus then saved you. You also saved Sirius."

Harry's head was starting to spin. "What does it mean?" said Harry.

"It means Harry that all I need is the last domino."

"You lost me," said Harry.

"Harry, my boy, what happens when you knock one domino down?" said Voldemort.

"They all fall," said Harry.

"But the last domino always falls askew, doesn't it?" said Voldemort.

Actually it did, considered Harry. "So."

"Oh, Harry," said Voldemort. "Didn't I teach you anything. Who is left? Who is the last domino."

Harry stared into those red eyes. Peter was already his, his parents were dead, Severus was a Death Eater all ready too. "Sirius," whispered Harry.

"Oh yes," said Voldemort. "Sirius will do anything to protect his godson. Even join me. What I couldn't do through the father, I can now do through the son."

"No," cried Harry. "He won't do it. I know he won't."

"He will, Harry," said Voldemort. "You know he will."

"What do you want?" said Harry, carefully.

"Why, I want you to stay with me of course," said Voldemort.

Harry felt his stomach wretch again. Voldemort didn't have a hostage but knew he could get one. He knew that Sirius would even become a Death Eater if Voldemort convinced him Sirius could protect Harry by becoming one. This was worse than being tied by a contract. His father would roll over in his grave if Sirius did this, but Harry was afraid Sirius would do it for Harry. Harry couldn't let him do it.

"All right, Voldemort," said Harry in a hollow sounding voice. "You win. I'll stay. At least for now."

Voldemort smiled that grin of his. "Oh, don't take it so bad, my boy," he said. "Destiny is on your side."

Harry glared at him. "Not if you listen to Professor Trelawney," muttered Harry.

"Always the cynic, my Harry."

Harry tried to ignore the possessiveness of that remark. "Can I leave now?" said Harry.

"You just said you were staying."

"I meant to my tent although Bulgaria sounds good too," said Harry.

"Ah, Harry, how I have missed you. If you aren't hungry, then yes you may go," said Voldemort.

Harry stepped out of his tent the next morning and stopped. The compound was such a flurry of activity, Harry considered that maybe the camp had been found. Harry could hope.

Voldemort was across the compound talking with a man who Harry had never seen. He wasn't dressed as a Death Eater, either. Voldemort appeared perfectly at ease, which told Harry they hadn't been found.

Harry spotted Snape and went directly to him. "So you're here," said Harry.

Snape looked at him with surprise. "Of course, I'm here. What are you doing here?" said Snape.

Harry looked at the ground. "He has his ways," said Harry. "What's going on?" Harry's eyes swept the camp again and returned his gaze to Snape.

Snape stared at him. "What's he using?" said Snape. "And you may as well tell me because if I ask him, he'll tell me."

"He said he could make Sirius a Death Eater."

"Well, I don't think he could do that," said Snape. "But there are only a few days before school re-starts, so you don't have to-"

"Whoa, who's that?" said Harry. A girl had joined Voldemort and the stranger. A beautiful girl.

Snape followed Harry's gaze. "That is the ambassador's daughter and you will stay away from her."

"Why?" said Harry incredulously. Her hair was longer than any he had ever seen and as black as his own. Her heart-shaped face was unblemished. Harry wanted to get closer.

Snape grabbed his arm. "Harry, the last thing you need to do right now is complicate things with a new friend."

Harry stared at Snape. He was right. It was dangerous again to be Harry's friend. "So what is with the Ambassador?"

"The Ministry of Magic has sent an Ambassador from the States under a flag of truce to try and arbitrate."

Harry blinked at him. "Arbitrate?"

"Fools think they can just convince Voldemort to disband," said Snape.

Harry shook his head. Snape moved away toward Voldemort. Harry didn't feel like suffering through any weird introductions, especially in front of the girl, so he decided on breakfast.

Harry piled some food on a plate and went to his chair by the fire, trying to ignore all the activity. There were more Death Eaters around than he had seen in the compound yet. It was too much to hope that he'd get through the meal without Voldemort bothering him. Before he even sat down, Harry's hand hit his head. He managed not to drop his plate,

It was only a signal and as Harry turned toward where Voldemort had been standing, he found most of the group looking at him. Harry looked back at his plate. He had lost his appetite but he put it on the table beside the chair and picked up a piece of bacon off it and put it in his mouth. He continued to look at his plate as if considering Voldemort's call.

Another signal. Harry fought to keep his hand from hitting his head. He put another piece of bacon in his mouth. Another signal, this time longer. Harry looked over at Voldemort again. He appeared as if he was fighting to control his expression.

Voldemort raised a hand then and hailed Harry the regular way. Harry sighed and decided not to press his luck. He walked over.

Harry stopped outside the flinch zone and looked at Voldemort.

"Ah, Harry," said Voldemort. "Good of you to join us."

He sent a glance toward the strangers now. They stared at him and Harry felt awkward not knowing whether they stared because of who he was or because they saw the power struggle Harry and Voldemort just went through.

Harry was introduced to Ambassador Matthew Johnson and his daughter Catherine. He tried not to stare at the girl and didn't even notice if either one of them gave a glance to his forehead. Holding his hand out to the man, Harry politely said, "It's nice to meet you."

Mr. Johnson looked at Harry's hand then looked at Harry's face as if he'd rather die then touch him. Catherine was looking at the ground.

Harry looked at Voldemort. "What lies have you been telling them, Voldemort?" said Harry.

"Oh, Harry," said Voldemort. "You know I have little use for lies when the truth is so much more satisfying."

"Then why is he looking at me like I'm more of a monster than you are?" said Harry.

The statement got a puzzled look from the ambassador.

"Careful, Harry," warned Voldemort.

Harry looked at the ambassador. "What's he been telling you about me?" said Harry.

"Harry, I have told you to address your questions to me," said Voldemort, his displeasure plain on his face. "I have not told him anything. He is merely here because the entire wizarding world knows the truth now?"

"What truth?" said Harry, really not liking the sound of that.

"Why, that Harry Potter belongs to Lord Voldemort, of course," said Voldemort.

"WHAT?" shouted Harry. He looked at Mr. Johnson. "The Ministry of Magic thinks I've joined him?" said Harry, incredulously.

"You're here, aren't you?" said Mr. Johnson, although he looked a little confused now. Even Catherine had finally lifted her gaze from the ground and was staring at him.

Even meeting her beautiful blue eyes, which were so light they almost looked like blue ice, could keep Harry's temper from rising.

"I'm only here because he uses extortion to keep me here," said Harry. "Everyone in this camp knows it. Dumbledore knows it."

"Harry, I think you've said enough," said Voldemort.

"Too bad," said Harry. "If you didn't want me telling them the truth, you shouldn't have called me over here."

"I'm getting angry, Harry," said Voldemort, taking a step into the flinch zone. "Do you think I won't punish you in front of our guests?"

"And prove to them that I'm telling the truth," said Harry. "Go ahead. I dare you."

"But will it prove that you're telling the truth?" said Voldemort.

He grabbed Harry's face and Harry hit his knees, staring up at Voldemort with surprise. He really hadn't thought he would do it.

"Or would it show them that Harry Potter is indeed totally under my control?" said Voldemort, reaching his other hand toward Harry's face. Voldemort's finger slowly moved up the side of his face. The pain growing with each centimeter. "How bad is the pain, Harry?"

Voldemort was prolonging it, moving his hand so slowly. Harry wasn't sure how he was enduring it. It was a new sort of torture that Harry wished would end. But he couldn't move, could only stare up into those red eyes, shaking with pain. Everything was a blur around him.

Harry felt his eyes burn and water as Voldemort's finger moved up again.

"Ah, that's new," said Voldemort, noticing the tear in his eye. "It's that bad, is it?"

"Stop it. What are you doing?" someone said. Harry couldn't tell who. "You're hurting him."

Voldemort's gaze left Harry's briefly. "Oh, indeed I am, Miss Johnson," said Voldemort then he turned back to Harry. "And Harry," said Voldemort. "Never dare me."

His finger hit the scar and Harry hit the ground, screaming.