Harry Potter and the Slytherin Connection

Chapter 15

Divide and Conquer

"Hello, Harry," said Voldemort. "I guess I managed to sneak up on you."

He had apparated right in front of Harry, his hand out-stretched toward Harry's face. Voldemort took a couple of steps back, out of the flinch zone to allow Harry to stand up.

"Very clever," said Harry.

Voldemort chuckled.

"What do you want?" said Harry.

"Relax, my boy, I merely would like a word with your godfather." He looked at Sirius. "Hello, Sirius."

"NO!" shouted Harry.

"Harry, Sirius is a grown man and perfectly capable of speaking to whom ever he chooses," said Voldemort. "What do you say, Sirius? Care for a little chat?"

Sirius leaned against the front of his desk, his expression unreadable. He told the rest of the class to leave, which they did in a hurry then turned to Voldemort. "I'll listen," said Sirius.

"No," said Harry again. "Voldemort-"

Voldemort grabbed Harry's chin. "You have a class to get to, Harry. Divination, I believe."

He let go and Harry took two steps back.

"Go on, Harry," said Sirius.

Harry was starting to panic. "But, Sirius-"

"Go," said Sirius firmly.

Harry stared at Sirius. Sirius nodded toward the door and Harry dropped his gaze. He picked up his pack and sent Voldemort a glare.

"You know, Voldemort," Harry heard Sirius say behind him. "If you keep showing up at the school where ever Harry is, you're going to get caught?"

"By whom?" said Voldemort. "Albus can't follow Harry around everyday."

Harry was a total wreck by the time he reached Trelawney's classroom. Was Voldemort going to start in on Sirius all ready?

Ron did his best to calm him down. "Harry, be serious. Sirius won't turn. You know it. Voldemort's just trying to scare you."

Since Ron had actually used his name, Harry stared at him. Maybe, Ron was right. But by the time Divination ended, Harry was frantic again. Trelawney had been using the stars again to show how they could predict betrayal and for once, Harry paid attention.

He couldn't bear not knowing. He raced to the Transfiguration classroom. Sirius wasn't there. He went to Sirius' office. He wasn't there either. Harry asked several students and a couple of teachers but no one had seen him.

Harry was never so scared in his life. He returned to the Transfiguration class and Sirius looked up from his desk where he was shuffling through some papers.

"Oh, hi, Harry," said Sirius.

Harry thought he was going to dissolve into a puddle of relief.

"What's the matter?"

"What's the matter?" echoed Harry incredulously. "What happened?"

Sirius looked up. "What do you think happened?" said Sirius with a shadow of a grin.

Harry walked very slowly toward the desk. "Sirius," said Harry and he almost choked on the word.

Sirius must have seen the anguish in his expression because he sighed and ran a hand over his face.

"Voldemort has some deluded ideas that I might think I could protect you, keep you out of trouble, if I joined him," said Sirius.

"And," choked Harry.

"And I don't know what was funnier, that idea or Voldemort's expression once I started laughing."

Harry had to lean on the desk, his relief was so great. Sirius got up and pulled Harry into his chest. "Harry, I would do anything to protect you, but that doesn't include betraying James or your trust to do it. I will die first."

"I just don't want that to happen either," said Harry.

Sirius held Harry at arms length. "He's going to keep trying though. Be prepared. He worked on your father for six months before you were born and used all sorts of threats and promises. If James could do, so can I - and so can you."

Harry nodded solemnly.

Hermione burst through the doorway at that moment. "Oh, thank God," she said seeing them both.

"What's wrong?" said Harry, noticing the tears in her eyes and the desperation in her voice.

"Ron's gone."

"What?" said Sirius.

"He's not in the castle," said Hermione. "Professor Dumbledore checked the map. He's gone."

Hermione starting crying and Harry immediately stared at the floor.

Another nightmare.

Harry glanced around the compound. There was very little movement.

"Voldemort!" Harry called as he moved through it. He went to Voldemort's tent and stopped dead just inside the flap.

They sat across a table with a chessboard between them.

"Oh, hi, Harry," said Ron.

Voldemort looked up and met Harry's gaze with a look that was so smug, Harry wished again that he could wrap his hands around Voldemort's neck.

"You're friend is quite good, Harry," said Voldemort. "He's proving his worth as a strategist to me."

Ron directed a piece to move and crossed his arms. The bishop destroyed the knight that awaited in the square and Ron said, "Checkmate."

"Brilliant, Ron," said Voldemort. "You will do."

Ron got up smiling and passed Harry on the way out of the tent. "See you back at school," said Ron.

Harry started to shake as he watched Ron leave. Not Ron. "What did you do to him?" said Harry in no more than a whisper.

Harry felt Voldemort enter the flinch zone but couldn't look up. "I have done nothing but give him what he wants," said Voldemort. "I have taken away what he has too much of."

Harry swallowed hard and looked up. "What?"

"Competition," said Voldemort.

"You couldn't get Sirius so you took Ron," said Harry dismally.

"Sirius will take some time I admit," said Voldemort. "He will be worth it. But Ron was much easier." Voldemort held a hand under Harry's chin to hold his face up. "Judging by that expression, I may have chosen wisely."

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

"Harry, Harry, you know what I want," said Voldemort.

Harry would die for Ron, he knew that, but agree to join Voldemort. Ron would kill him.

"What have you done to him?" said Harry again.

"He's under the Imperius Curse, Harry," said Voldemort. "He's very happy. He doesn't have to compete with his brothers - with you. All he has to do is serve me."

Harry pictured Mrs. Weasley's face. She was the only woman who had ever held him as a mother would have, the only one who cried for him. How could he face her...

"Let him go, Voldemort," said Harry. "Please."

"Are you begging, Harry?"

"Yes," choked Harry.

"And what are you offering me in return," said Voldemort.

"Another contract," said Harry.

"You won't agree to join me?"

Harry met his gaze. "Everyone keeps telling me I'm not ready," said Harry.

Voldemort looked impressed. "All right, Harry. Let me hear what you're offering."

Harry's mind started moving as fast as he could make it.

"I will agree to write again every week. I will come when ever you signal and I will come back again at every break to be tested." Harry took a breath. "But you will let me return home after being tested and I will come back before the next start of school."

Voldemort took a step closer to Harry. "And me?"

Harry stood his ground. "You will agree to leave my friends alone - which includes any little chats you might like and you will not abuse Hedwig."

Voldemort considered Harry's words. "I will not stop talking to Sirius," he said.

"Sirius can take care of himself," said Harry. "I mean Ron, Hermione, the rest of the Weasley's and Catherine and her dad."

Voldemort looked suddenly pleased. "So that worked, did it?"

Harry ignored the fact that Voldemort as much as admitted that he had dragged them in on purpose. "Do we have a deal?"

Voldemort stepped into the flinch zone. "I think we just might, Harry."

Harry was forgetting something. He took a step back. Voldemort took a step toward him. What was he forgetting?

Voldemort grabbed his chin. "I agree to those terms, Harry," said Voldemort. "Do you?"

Harry squinted at him. There was something else. What was it?

Voldemort raised a hand to Harry's head. "Are we agreed, Harry?"

Harry started to shake. "Yes," he managed to say. "Agreed."

Voldemort let him fall to the ground and held out his hand. Harry shook it.

"Release Ron," said Harry.

Ron was leaning over him in only a matter of moments.

"Harry? Harry!"

"All right, Ron," said Harry.

"Yeah. What's going on?"

Voldemort laughed, that cold laugh that Harry could remember from his nightmares.

"You're very lucky, Ron," said Voldemort. "Apparently, Harry appreciates you as much as he does his godfather."

Ron looked at Harry. "What does that mean?"

"Harry just bargained for your life," said Voldemort. "We have a new contract thanks to you."

Ron looked horrified. "What did you agree too?" said Ron in a very shallow voice.

Harry told him and Ron looked the same as Harry felt. It was tolerable. Ron looked at Harry. "Until when?"

That was it! Harry cringed.

"Oh, no, Harry," cried Ron. "Don't tell me you didn't put a time limitation on the contract."

Harry was staring at Voldemort though, who looked triumphant.

"No!" shouted Ron.

"It's too late," said Harry.

"No," said Ron. "We'll make an addendum. It will last until graduation and then if Harry hasn't joined you by then - then I - I-I'll become a Death Eater."

Ron had their complete attention then.

"Don't say that, Ron," said Harry.

"But he did say that," said Voldemort.

Ron was looking resolutely at Voldemort.

"All right, Ron," said Voldemort, holding out his hand. "You've just become a third party in the contract."

Ron looked at the hand and shook it.

"I do not agree to that," said Harry.

"You have no choice, Harry," said Voldemort. "You made the contract for Ron. He made the addendum for you. Wizards honor. You can not take it back now."

Harry thought Hermione was going to have a stroke over the contract until she heard that Voldemort had grabbed Harry before he had agreed.

"He put you in duress," said Hermione.

"Well he put me in pain," admitted Harry. "I don't see-"

"Harry," said Hermione. "It means you only agreed to the contract because you were forced to. I can find a loop hole now."

"Oh," said Harry. "I knew I could count on you. Will that make the addendum null and void too?"

"If the original is," said Hermione. "Then yes."

"Whew," said Ron.

Hermione glared at both of them. "I wish you two would stop doing things without me," she complained. "I hate cleaning up your messes after the fact."

"Sorry, Hermione," said Ron. "Maybe You-Know - I mean Voldemort is just scared to face you."

Harry stared at Ron. Ron and Hermione continued to swap barbs but Harry's mind locked in a state of comprehension. That was it. Voldemort never touched Hermione. Harry originally thought it was because her parents were Muggles, but now Harry saw it. She was clever. She could run circles around his little mind games and she knew wizarding law as well as any adult.

Voldemort could deal with Ron. Had proven it. But he didn't want to have to deal with Hermione Granger. Harry started to laugh.

True to form, Hermione did indeed find Harry's loop hole. He was in fact "under duress" when he agreed to the contract. He was not mentally capable of making a cognizant decision in the state he was in.

Hermione worked up the entire defense for him and even wrote it down. Harry knew it wasn't enough though.

"You have to come with me," said Harry.

They were walking down the main street of Hogsmeade.

"Harry," said Ron. "You can't seriously be thinking of taking her with you."

Hermione seemed thrilled. "Oh, yes. Of course I have to go."

"We have to teach her to apparate first," said Harry. "Why do you think I insisted on going on this visit to Hogsmeade?"

Ron didn't look happy, but as they made their way up the path that they had taken to Sirius' cave, he concurred. "But I still don't like it," complained Ron.

Harry sent Ron down into the woods and told Hermione what she had to do. It didn't take her nearly as long as it took Ron to get the hang of it.

"Wow," said Hermione. "It's pretty easy isn't it," said Hermione.

Ron grumbled something but Harry said, "We'll leave just after dinner. There usually isn't a big crowd and I want to make sure we have his complete attention."

"Oh, I think you'll have his attention all right," said Ron. "Why can't I come too?"

"Because I can't take both of you," said Harry. "I'm not even sure if I'll be able to disapparate from Hogwarts with Hermione."

"You will, Harry," said Hermione. "I know we'll be fine." She turned on Ron. "And you, stop being such a pessimist, I have everything covered."

"Just be careful." Ron looked at Harry. "Both of you."

Harry looked at Hermione. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, Harry. I'm ready."

"I'm counting on you."

"I won't let you down," said Hermione. She looked at Ron. "Either of you."

From Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, Harry wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders. "I'm your focus, Hermione," said Harry.

She nodded. Harry closed his eyes, picturing the campfire and hoping this wasn't going to turn out to be a nightmare.

Harry wasn't expecting Voldemort to be sitting in his chair by the fire and both he and Hermione startled as they apparated.

"Ah, hello, Harry," said Voldemort. "An unexpected visit." He looked at Hermione. "And you brought a guest."

Hermione took a small step behind Harry and Harry looked back at her. "It's all right," he whispered.

"Is Miss Granger just as curios as you and wanted to see my compound, or is there something else?"

"Actually, we have a problem with the contract," said Harry.

"Do you?" said Voldemort, not sounding as surprised as Harry thought he would. "What is it?"

"Well, for starters it's not valid," said Harry. "We just wanted to make sure you were aware of that fact."

Voldemort chuckled as he stood up. Harry took an instinctive step back almost knocking down Hermione.

"Of course it's valid," said Voldemort. He looked to Hermione. "I'm assuming Miss Granger is going to tell me why she thinks it isn't."

Hermione must have mustered her courage because she took a step around Harry, facing Voldemort with determination. Voldemort had challenged her perceptions and it had her hackles raised, Harry imagined. Bad move for Voldemort.

"Yes," said Hermione. "Harry has made me his legal council and-"

"He has?" interrupted Voldemort.

"Yes, and-"

"So you speak for Harry on behalf of this contract?"

"Yes."

"Very well," said Voldemort. "I'm listening."

"You rushed through the agreement of the contract," said Hermione. "You forced Harry to agree to the terms before he was ready."

"How do you mean?" said Voldemort. "I didn't hold a wand to his head. I wasn't threatening his life." Voldemort looked at Harry. "If you are talking about that stupid little duress clause, I assure you that Harry wasn't afraid for his life." He turned back to Hermione. "He knows I can't kill him."

"You touched him," said Hermione. "He was in pain. His mental capacity was diminished-"

"Diminished capacity?" Voldemort started to laugh. "Is that your defense?"

"Yes, your touch-"

Voldemort grabbed Hermione's face. "And have I just diminished your mental capacity, Miss Granger?"

Hermione looked suddenly at a loss for words. She shook it off, pulling away from him. "The community versus Nersus Vandike," Hermione quoted, "Personal injustices toward one wizard-"

"Ah," Voldemort cut her off and looked at Harry. "She's done her homework." To Hermione, he said, "But that was a Ministry trial," said Voldemort. "I adhere to all the old powerful rules of magic. But I do not consider myself under any obligation to follow any of the Ministry's new rulings."

"Simonius versus Casius," Hermione said. "Krand versus Pike. Both show how one wizard tortured another to get an agreement."

Voldemort frowned. But Hermione wasn't done. She named two more cases, which were apparently old enough for Voldemort to accept.

"Very well," said Voldemort.

Harry suddenly found his wrists magically tied together.

"I will accept your contention of the contract." Voldemort looked at Hermione. "Have a seat Miss Granger."

As soon as she sat, the satisfied look she had been wearing was wiped off. Voldemort magically tied her to the chair instantly.

Voldemort looked down at Harry. "So what do we do now?" He glanced at Hermione then back to Harry. "Since I now have Miss Granger, I suppose we must make a new contract. She wouldn't like being with me, I assure you, since I'd be forced to gag her most of the time."

Harry opened his mouth to say something but Voldemort grabbed his face. Harry hit his knees. Voldemort looked at Hermione.

"Well, Miss Granger," said Voldemort. "You are Harry's legal council. Propose a new contract for him."

Hermione was looking aghast now. She looked from Harry to Voldemort.

Harry nodded his head.

"Um," Hermione started but she stopped as Voldemort lowered himself before Harry.

Harry stared into those red eyes. Voldemort's other hand reached for his face. One hand touching him was barely tolerable but two...

"Go on, Miss Granger," said Voldemort, without taking his eyes off Harry.

Harry could hear Hermione breathing heavy as she watched Voldemort.

"The same contract without the addendum and it ends at graduation," she blurted out.

"I might accept that," said Voldemort as a finger from his other hand touched Harry's face. "With an added concession on Harry's part."

Harry had cried out which made Hermione make a sort of strangling noise as she sat there watching Voldemort torture him.

"What?" whispered Hermione.

Voldemort looked deep into Harry's eyes. Harry knew he saw the pain he was in. Knew that he knew Hermione saw it.

Voldemort considered the question. "I think I'll settle for Harry addressing me as "Master" for the duration of the contract."

"Harry won't do it," said Hermione hoarsely. Harry could hear she was close to sobbing.

"He will if you say he will," said Voldemort, running the finger down his face.

Harry was shaking so bad he was sure he was close to unconsciousness.

When Voldemort's finger moved toward the scar, Hermione shouted, "NO. All right. I agree on Harry's behalf."

"You aren't under duress, are you Miss Granger?" said Voldemort, his finger still moving slowly toward Harry's scar.

"No, I'm fine," said Hermione although she was taking great gasps of breath and almost choking on her words.

"Good," said Voldemort. He released Harry and Harry hit the ground limply.

"It's been very - interesting bargaining with you Miss Granger," said Voldemort. "You know your law very well."

Harry heard more than felt Voldemort walk away from him, the pain was so bad. Hermione's arms came around him.

"Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry." She was crying now. "I didn't know what else to do."

"It's all right, Hermione," said Harry, trying to push himself off the ground. "You did the right thing. You got Ron out of the contract and put a time limit on it."

"But," she sobbed, "But he tortured you because of me."

"I told you. That's one of his favorite past times. Don't worry about it. I'm used to it."

"But-"

"Hermione," said Harry. "Just help me to my tent. We can talk about it in there."

Hermione supported Harry into the tent and almost dropped him when she actually looked at the office. She settled him into the chair and looked around wide-eyed.

"Hermione," said Harry. "What was that last thing you told him I'd do?"

Hermione tore her eyes off the bookshelves and looked at Harry. The tears started again.

"Oh, I'm sorry Harry," she cried. "He was going to touch your scar."

"What did you agree too?"

"He said you had to address him as "Master," she said. "I couldn't bear to watch-"

"It's all right," said Harry. "I can deal with that."

"What?" sniffled Hermione.

"I just won't address him."

"Won't that make him mad?" said Hermione.

"Fat lot I care," said Harry. "Ron isn't going to be too pleased with this though."

Hermione moved to him and kneeled down by his feet. She looked up at him, leaning on his knees. "Harry, we should get out of here."

Harry sighed. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I'm too weak to apparate us both back right now. When he touches me, especially for that long, it's like he drains the strength right out of me."

Hermione stared at him for a minute, then picked up one of Harry's hands, staring at it

. Her mouth dropped opened.

"What?" said Harry.

"Oh Harry," said Hermione. "I can't believe I didn't realize it."

"What?" said Harry. Hermione was just too clever not to take that statement seriously.

"Think about it," said Hermione. "The connection between the two of you."

"Hermione, I all ready have a headache. Could you just tell me?"

"Well, he's getting more and more powerful, right," said Hermione. "They said he would rise more powerful than before."

"Yes, and..."

"And your powers have been growing very fast."

"Yes, and..." Harry said getting as frustrated as when he talked to Voldemort.

"He drains you of strength when he touches you," said Hermione. "What happens to him?"

"I have no idea," said Harry.

"She figured it out," said Voldemort from the tent flap.

Harry's head still ached so he hadn't felt Voldemort enter the tent.

"What did she figure out?" said Harry.

"You're feeding magic off each other," said Hermione.

Harry took a long hard look at Voldemort. He hadn't stepped further into the room but he was staring back. It had been so gradual, Harry hadn't noticed. Voldemort wasn't as thin or frail looking as he had been. True, he looked his age, his black hair combed with gray, his face lined but with the exception of those red snake like eyes, he appeared - well - healthy.

"You are stealing my strength?" said Harry.

"Yes, Harry," said Voldemort. "I didn't know if it would work at first, but it does." Voldemort stepped into the room then. Harry flinched. "But you are young and your resilience is still remarkable so you recover from the process easily enough."

"But-"

Voldemort silenced Hermione with a glance. "But as Miss Granger mentioned, you are feeding off me also. The quick increase of your powers and the ease of your classes are not due to some simple growth spurt as Sirius would have you believe," said Voldemort. "Wizard's Maturity could not give you so much, so fast. It is the knowledge and the power you are getting from me, which also drains you."

Voldemort moved to stand over Harry. He looked down at him, an intense look in his red eyes. "The bond grows ever stronger between us, Harry," said Voldemort. "It's only a matter of time."

Very real fear gripped Harry. He didn't want to believe it. Voldemort must have seen it. He grasped Harry's chin.

"Oh, Harry," said Voldemort, searching Harry's expression. "I refuse to accept your fear now. You aren't even sure what you're afraid of. I know it isn't me. Let go of your fear and your hate. Time is still on your side."