Harry Potter and the Trelawney Prophesy

A/N Wow. Such passionate opinions from all of you. I'm eating it up.

1^st let me apologize for taking so long with this chapter. I do try not to keep you waiting for long as most of you know. Anyway, I had a "where the hell is the bloody revised version" crisis (pardon the language). Meaning some of the chapters are not completed on my computer which means I have to re-input them from the printed out copy. This chapter and the next has the biggest "chunks" missing but I will get them out asap.

General response - THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE. Er - sorry. But I didn't write this to support any particular ship nor did I intend to go into the details behind the H/G relationship. It's just there. No psychological analysis needed. Although if you think about it, as the only girl in a family that large and throw in that she's the youngest, stands to reason that she would be spoiled and her mothering instincts (inherited obviously) would probably make her a bit smothering. Harry, being who he is and how he was raised, probably wouldn't mind at all. End of analysis. (added a/n - there is also a very good reason why Voldemort approves of this match but that doesn't come out until the next installment - but I can mention that it has to do with the prophesy and her family)

AND - No this will not be, in any shape or form, slashed. Although I warn you now that the subject (that is the subject of homosexuality - not of slash) is mentioned. I don't want to be burned for something that IS a part of life, especially when I know some of you perceptive people will see the point of the scene. Whew. Now that that's over.

Kateri - the stupid thing the ministry is going to do is coming up.

Brenna - once again you have nailed it (just what Voldemort is 'giving' Harry).

Luver - Dumbledore will start talking soon, enumerating what Brenna mentioned.

Acyla & Sherlock - I think I covered the H/G thing.

Acyla - the Vengeance Curse wouldn't have worked on Lucius because Lucius never beat Vandewater.

Sherlock - Aw, someone remembered that chapter. It's coming up soon also. I dare not post it now. As for your list of questions: Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. No. No and Yes.

Cantthinkofagoodname & Spike - see above.

Cant - Loved your review. The good guy bad guy thing is very gray in the Malfoy family as of now. You'll see. And predict away. Never hurts.

Spike - thanks for finally reviewing. Yes Voldemort is "always one step ahead" which is why Harry never knows if he's doing the right thing. The party is in this chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 13

Remedies and Reasonings

"Harry, try not to move," Harry heard Draco's voice.

Draco was sitting beside his chair on Harry's left. Lucius was standing on Harry's right looking down at Harry's arm with dismay. Across the room, Severus stood behind a table strewn with potion making paraphernalia. Voldemort was standing in front of the chair he usually used and Vandewater was on his knees before him.

"What's going on?" said Harry.

"We're trying to find a way to keep you alive," said Draco.

"Why bother," said Harry automatically.

Voldemort chuckled. "Always the cynic, my Harry," said Voldemort. "But I thought you told me that you were taking me with you."

"Oh yeah," muttered Harry. "Almost forgot."

Voldemort chuckled again. Draco snorted.

"Can't I just call Rowan?" said Harry.

"NO!" came quickly from Voldemort, Lucius and Severus at once.

"Who's Rowan?" said Vandewater but everyone ignored him.

"Why not?" said Harry. "Fawkes healed the bite of the Basilisk."

"If this was simply a snake bite," said Voldemort. "Then there wouldn't be a problem."

"Then what-"

"Because it's combined with a Dark curse," said Lucius staring gray ice at Vandewater. "Calling her now would complicate things."

"Who's Rowan?" said Vandewater again.

"My phoenix," said Harry to shut him up. Vandewater gasped but Harry was looking at Voldemort. "Why would she complicate things?"

"I've seen her with you, Harry," said Voldemort. "She is very possessive. She would be most distressed and frustrated that she couldn't help you."

"And," prompted Harry, having heard one.

"And," said Voldemort, "she would in all likelihood fly into a rage and attack anyone even remotely involved in your condition."

"Why would you think that?" said Harry somewhat surprised.

Voldemort sighed. "Because she picked you, Harry," said Voldemort. "She is like you, has the same characteristics. She would react the same way you would."

Harry opened his mouth to ask but stopped himself. "Short fuse," said Harry not being able to stop his grin.

Voldemort nodded and lifted a brow. "Have you ever seen an enraged phoenix?"

Harry shook his head and sighed. "So what now?"

"Since there is a curse involved," said Severus. "Additional ingredients will be needed for the potion. However, I still need to find out what bit you so I can formulate that anti-venom potion."

"Unfortunately, Sennie doesn't know what we would call him," said Draco.

"We have to be able to see him," said Lucius. He held Harry's sword out.

Harry took the sheath with his left hand and looked down at the hilt. He looked at Voldemort.

"So what do I have to do?" said Harry.

"First, get him to talk to you," said Voldemort. "He is most distressed and ashamed of what he did."

"But it wasn't his fault, right?" said Harry.

"Correct, Harry," said Voldemort. "But most snakes consider themselves stronger than Dark Magic."

Harry nodded and looked back at the hilt.

Sennie, called Harry. The sword was silent. Sennie, talk to me.

"Stubborn," said Voldemort.

Harry sent him a glance.

Sennie, I know it wasn't your fault. It's alright. I don't blame you for what happened.

Oh, master, how can you forgive me?

I do, said Harry. I know it wasn't your fault.

But I should-

Sennie, said Voldemort. It was a very powerful Dark curse. Not even a Basilisk could have fought it.

But-

The thing is, said Harry. I need your help. Will you help me?

Sennie's tone changed instantly. Of course, master. What do you want me to do?

I need you to come out of the sword.

I can not do that, master.

Harry looked at Voldemort.

"Tell him his debt of servitude has been fulfilled," said Voldemort. "And you free him."

Harry turned back to the sword and told Sennie.

Master, how can you free me after what I've done?

You can't serve me from the sword right now, Sennie, said Harry. I free you. Come out.

The golden hilt started to glow then crack. Like molten liquid a form emerged and solidified into the shape of a head. Slowly, the formed flowed out of the hilt and slithered free of the sword. It coiled over Harry's leg and wrapped itself around Harry's left wrist and forearm.

It wasn't large, maybe two and a half, three feet long and very thin. It lifted it's head and looked at Harry, it's tongue forking out.

Harry smiled. Hello, Sennie. The others in the room gasped and Harry turned his attention to them. "Problem?" said Harry.

Draco actually got up and stepped away as the snake coiled further up Harry's arm.

"Harry," said Draco. "That's an asp."

As the only non-Slytherin in the room, Harry felt a little out of his league. He looked at Voldemort. "Is that good or bad?"

Voldemort looked at Severus and Harry turned to him as well. Snape was already throwing things into a caldron.

Glancing quickly to Voldemort then to Harry, Severus said, "It isn't too bad, actually, although I'm surprised he isn't dead yet - which I am assuming can be contributed to his Gryffindor blood. The potion itself is easy enough and it cooks quickly." He looked at Vandewater with a glare Harry was well acquainted with. "What are the curse ingredients, Vandewater?" said Severus.

"My blood," said Vandewater. "Master Harry's blood and," he hesitated.

Voldemort reached down and took Vandewater by the hair to tilt his face up.

"Terrance," Voldemort said quite seriously. "Do go on."

"Um, well," stammered Vandewater. "The blood of a Slytherin ancestor."

"But, I don't-"

"Harry-" Voldemort interrupted, releasing Vandewater and straightening. He turned to Harry. "That would be me, my boy."

"But-"

"Everything Slytherin in you, Harry, is from me," said Voldemort with unmistakable pride.

Harry opened his mouth and Voldemort's brows shot up daring him to argue that particular point. Harry closed his mouth again and swallowed.

"How much?" said Severus, approaching Vandewater with a dagger.

"Three drops from all of us, but-" Vandewater paused and took a breath and swallowed hard. "Well, er-"

With agility that surprised Harry, Voldemort once again had Terrance Vandewater by the hair as he leaned over the cowering wizard. This time Voldemort's wand was stuck to his throat.

"Shall we do this the hard way, Terrance?" said Voldemort mildly although his expression was far from pleasant.

"N-No, master."

Harry could see the sheer terror in Vandewater's eyes as he looked up at Voldemort. When had Harry forgotten just what inspired such fear?

"Then let's have it all in one go, shall we," said Voldemort.

Vandewater responded instantly. "Faster results will occur if at least five drops of the purest Slytherin blood are used. Master, considering you are a direct heir-"

Voldemort released him and waved his hand dismissively. "Of course," said Voldemort. "I understand. Harry will have what ever is necessary." Voldemort settled into his chair. "Proceed, Severus."

Snape took some blood from Vandewater's arm then took another vial and approached Harry.

"The blood must be untainted," said Vandewater. "Take the blood from as far away from the poison as possible."

Severus nodded and knelt down before Harry. He pushed up the leg of Harry's pants and stabbed the blade into his left ankle, drawing some blood. After quickly mending the cut magically, he stood up and looked down at Harry.

"Alright?" said Severus.

Harry blinked up at him. With a glance at his swollen, discolored arm, he smirked back. "You're kidding, right," said Harry.

Severus grimaced but Harry heard Voldemort chuckle.

Severus turned to Voldemort. "My lord."

Voldemort held out his arm. "Just do it, Severus, before Harry gets any worse."

Severus did then he went to finish the potion.

"Master," said Vandewater. "You must see if Sennie knows what he must do."

Harry looked at Sennie. In response, the snake moved further up Harry's arm to look at his face.

Sennie, Voldemort called him and the snake turned his head to look at Voldemort. Do you know what must be done?

My lord, said Sennie. Are you my master's master?

I am the master, said Voldemort. Harry is my son.

Sennie looked back at Harry, his tongue darting out. I sense, can smell, his strength. It is what woke me up.

So, you know what to do? said Harry.

Yes, master, said Sennie then he looked at Voldemort. He will need assistance.

What do you mean? said Harry.

Sennie lowered his head. I'm sorry, master. It will hurt.

Harry sighed and looked at Draco, who had sat back down when it appeared that Sennie wasn't going to hurt anyone.

"Great," said Harry.

Five parsecs after he drinks, he will be cut at the bite, Sennie told Voldemort. I will do the rest.

Understood, said Voldemort.

"What's a parsec?" said Harry.

"Do not worry, Harry," said Voldemort. "I will deal with the time. You will have enough to deal with."

Severus approached with the cup and held it out to Harry. Harry took it with his left hand and peered into it.

"Lucius," said Voldemort. "You will have to restrain him. Draco, be prepared to help if necessary."

Draco nodded and bit his lip.

"All part of the joys of fencing," said Harry and he looked up at Lucius. "Right?"

Lucius shook his head but Draco snorted at Harry's jest.

"Down in one, Harry," said Severus.

Harry sighed again and gazed back into the cup. As an afterthought, he looked at Terrance Vandewater, still on his knees beside Voldemort. The man still appeared afraid and desperate. He raised the cup to him.

"To one damn good duel," said Harry then he drank, draining the cup.

The concoction was as vile as any and Harry sputtered on it, coughing. The jolt on his arm made pain shoot up his arm and he cried out through gritted teeth. The cup fell out of his hand as he grasped at something stable.

"Honestly," said Harry as the pain receded. "Don't you know any potions that taste even remotely pleasant?"

Severus grimaced. "Sorry, Harry."

Harry looked at his left hand. Draco's wrist was clutched in Harry's death grip.

"Sorry," muttered Harry but before he could let go, Draco's other hand clamped over Harry's.

"Just keep holding on," said Draco. "I have a feeling it's going to get worse."

"One minute, Severus," said Voldemort, who had his eyes on a pocket watch.

Severus retrieved a small ceramic bowl and another dagger and stood before Harry. Sennie moved around Harry's neck and wrapped himself around Harry's right shoulder and arm pit.

Before Harry could ask what was about to happen, Voldemort said, "Now, Severus."

In one motion, Severus picked up Harry's hand and slashed open the back of it while Sennie constricted around Harry's shoulder.

Harry screamed, his body convulsing against the pain as Sennie coiled tightly down Harry's arm, squeezing the venom out of his body.

"Don't look at it."

Harry heard Draco's words but his eyes were squeezed tightly closed, his jaw clamped shut and his head thrown back. He didn't feel Lucius' hands holding him down at the shoulders nor did he feel his bone cracking grip on Draco's wrist.

What he felt was akin to the skin being pulled slowly off his arm from the shoulder down. When Sennie contracted around Harry's hand, Harry screamed again then felt nothing.

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

Harry woke and managed not to groan.

"I still feel responsible for this, Master."

"Lucius," said Voldemort.

Lucius voice came from somewhere behind him. Voldemort's from his usual chair.

"I should have noticed Vandewater's alarm over Harry's arm being sore," said Lucius.

"Lucius," said Voldemort.

"And if it weren't for me," Lucius went on, clearly distressed. "Harry wouldn't have pressed with such determination to beat him.

"Lucius," said Voldemort again and apparently the annoyance in his tone was enough to finally get Lucius' attention. "Do you think even without your influence, Harry would have been less determined to beat Terrance?"

"Probably not, my lord," said Lucius.

"Of course not. And did the soreness of his arm stop Harry from sparring with you?"

"No, master," Lucius conceded again. "But you can't attribute this to Master Harry's stubbornness."

"Oh, no, Lucius," said Voldemort. "In fact, there is such a combination of freak coincidences and chance involved here that there is little evidence of blame anywhere. Terrance should have told us immediately that there was a Vengeance Curse on his sword," Voldemort continued. "He was punished for it, but he did not put it on the sword himself - regardless I have removed the curse. The chain of events which occurred was in fact all chance; Harry using an Entrapped Sword, Harry being part Slytherin. Terrance was correct in saying he could not have known any of it." Voldemort sighed. "This has been an unfortunate accident and we must simply deal with it."

There was a brief silence and Harry tried to convince himself that he hadn't just overheard Voldemort acting - well - fair.

"But Vandewater-"

"Lucius," Voldemort's tone was a warning. "Terrance was punished and since Harry was forced to free Sennie, I have had Terrance free his own Entrapped snake."

"Fitting," said Lucius. "But it doesn't appear as if Sennie is in any hurry to leave Master Harry."

Since Harry felt Sennie coiled loosely around his left arm, he wondered about that. He shifted slightly and the snake reacted, moving up his arm.

Master? Master?

I'm alright, Sennie, Harry told the snake.

He actually felt alright. His arm was wrapped from shoulder to knuckles with a heated bandage which was soothing and it was in a loose sling against his chest. It was sore but he wasn't uncomfortable.

"How do you feel, Harry?" said Voldemort.

"Not bad," said Harry. He wiggled his fingers to test them and winced. He sat up and looked around. There were only the three of them in the office.

"My lord?" Draco's voice rose from the door.

"Come in, Draco," said Voldemort. "Harry is awake."

Draco came in holding another cup. He brought it to Harry. "Alright?"

Harry eyed the cup. "Yeah, I'm ok," said Harry. "What's that?"

"It's a potion to keep your arm from getting infected," said Draco, holding it out.

Harry scowled but took it. "More of Severus' vile potions?" muttered Harry. "Great."

Sennie coiled up to Harry's hand and peered into the cup, his tongue darting out.

"Master," said Severus as he too entered the tent.

"What is it, Severus?" said Voldemort.

"The family is arriving," said Severus.

"Very well," said Voldemort as he stood up. "I will address them in a few minutes."

Severus turned to Harry. "Drink it," he said sternly.

"Alright, alright." Harry took a sip and, expecting the worst, almost choked again.

"That bad?" said Draco, pulling a face.

Harry took another sip and looked at Severus who wore a smug little grin.

"No," said Harry. "It's good." Severus nodded. "Tastes like orange soda."

Harry drained the cup, ignoring Draco's puzzled look, and moved to stand up.

A hand fell to his shoulder. "Where do you think you're going?"

Harry looked up at Lucius. "Severus said the Death Eaters were arriving." He turned to Voldemort. "What time is dinner?"

"Harry," said Voldemort.

Harry shrugged out of Lucius' grasp and stood up, setting the cup on the desk.

"You should rest," said Severus.

Harry kept his eyes on Voldemort. "I said I would come and I'm here."

"Harry," said Voldemort again, this time with a warning tone.

"Since when has some Dark curse stopped me?" Harry challenged. "I've been hit with worse ones, which everyone here knows."

Voldemort opened his mouth but Harry pressed on.

"And I've been bitten by bigger snakes," said Harry. He sent Draco a glance. "We had a party after that one too."

Draco smiled and nodded.

Harry turned resolutely back to Voldemort. "What time is dinner?"

"Harry," said Voldemort.

Harry walked straight up to him, inside the flinch zone.

"You know how stubborn I am," said Harry.

Voldemort searched his expression then reached out and touched his face. Harry endured it, their gazed locked.

"Hm, yes, I know," said Voldemort quietly. "And you have taken this unfortunate incident with your usual perseverance." His fingers trailed up towards Harry's scar.

Harry shut his eyes briefly.

"But if I say you need to rest," said Voldemort. "I can make you."

"You said you were pleased," said Harry, his voice soft. "I defeated the great Terrance Vandewater, an Acknowledged Fencing Master and a Death Eater, in an honorable duel."

"Yes, Harry," said Voldemort.

"Then allow me my own gloating rights."

Voldemort threw back his head and laughed. "Well said, Harry," said Voldemort, removing his hand from Harry's face. "I have taught you well. Dinner is at 7:00 but take all the time you need."

Harry inclined his head and took a step back out of the flinch zone.

"Call me if you require assistance and I will send someone."

"I think I can manage," said Harry.

Voldemort glanced around. "Everyone - out," said Voldemort. He turned back to Harry as the two were left alone. "Don't be stubborn about asking for help, Harry. You're not alone anymore."

Harry watched him leave, hearing the statement echo in his head.

You're not alone anymore.

Draco was right. Voldemort was getting to him. He defied asking for help.

He managed to get cleaned up and into a shirt but it was a losing battle with the buttons. The fingers on his right hand refused to cooperate.

"Harry?" he heard from the door.

"Come in Draco," said Harry, sounding as frustrated as he felt.

"Lord Voldemort sent me to-" Draco cut himself off and laughed. "Guess he was right," said Draco, noticing Harry's struggle.

"Shut up, Draco," muttered Harry.

"Oh, don't be so pathetic," said Draco. "Anyway, you can't wear that."

"What's wrong with it?" said Harry, looking down at the dark gray pants and pale blue shirt.

Draco simply moved to Harry's wardrobe and pulled out a dark green silk shirt.

"Gloating rights," said Draco. "Dress to impress."

"Don't tell me," said Harry with a smirk. "Matches my eyes."

"So you aren't color blind," said Draco with amusement as he help Harry out of and into the new shirt. When Draco stood before Harry again, he pulled out his wand. "Enclocius," said Draco and the buttons did themselves up.

Harry looked at him with surprise.

"Little spell I picked up when I was milking that hippogriff incident," said Draco.

Harry blinked then let out a small laugh as he tucked in the shirt. "Yeah, well, that still was a rotten thing to do." Harry couldn't get angry. All those incidence ended up with Sirius getting away.

"I know," said Draco, using the spell to do up Harry's cuffs. "I'm a Slytherin bastard, remember."

"You are," said Harry and Draco looked up. "And I'm a pathetic Gryffindor moron."

Draco grinned and Harry shook his head as he moved to the mirror and picked up a brush.

"A pathetic Gryffindor Natural who beat Terrance Vandewater and survived a Vengeance Curse," corrected Draco. "And I'd give up on your hair, if I were you."

Harry turned. "Which you're glad you're not."

Draco either didn't hear him or chose not to reply. He was shuffling through Harry's wardrobe.

"The red one, I think," said Draco, pulling out a cloak. He turned back to Harry. "You want to sling that back up?" said Draco, indicating Harry's arm.

"No. I'll manage," said Harry.

Draco nodded and swung the cloak around him, fastening it at the shoulder.

"That's better."

"Presentable?" said Harry.

"Yes," said Draco and they moved through to Harry's office. "Do you want to wear your sword?"

Harry glanced around and saw it on his desk, the gold of the hilt still cracked open.

"No. I don't think so," said Harry. "It doesn't seem the same without Sennie in it."

"You can always re-entrap him."

"That wouldn't be right," said Harry. "He's been in that sword long enough."

Sennie slithered up the back of the chair. He had followed them out of the bedroom. Harry held out his hand and Sennie wrapped around his wrist, moving up Harry's forearm.

What does master wish of me?

I freed you, Sennie. I am not your master anymore.

Sennie chooses to serve you, Master. Sennie will stay with you and serve you inside the sword or out.

Harry smiled. Alright, Sennie. I would have missed you being part of my sword, but you don't have to stay in it all the time.

Thank you, Master.

Harry told Draco what had just happened and he looked impressed.

"Cool," said Draco. "Ready?"

"I guess." Sennie coiled to a comfortable spot on Harry's arm and they left the tent.

As they moved through the compound, Draco whispered, "Are you going to tell me what the party is for?"

"Promise not to tell anyone?"

"I swear," said Draco.

"It's his birthday," said Harry.

Draco blinked. "How did you figure it out?"

"Well, no one else seemed to know, so I figured it couldn't be some important Dark related anniversary," said Harry. "It had to be personal. He grew up in a Muggle orphanage - no big parties there. Tom Riddle went to Hogwarts. It wasn't hard to look it up in the alumni records."

Draco looked impressed again. "Logical," said Draco. "Did you actually look it up?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Curiosity," said Harry with a shrug but he could see by Draco's expression that he didn't buy it. "Alright, so I needed to know."

Draco made what sounded like a sympathetic snort. "You said you'd been there," said Draco curiously.

Harry blinked at him. "You think I got so much as a 'happy birthday, Harry' before I was eleven?"

Draco shook his head.

"I know, I know," said Harry. "I'm pathetic."

Draco laughed at that. "No wonder you're such a cynic."

"Ah, boys," said Voldemort as they reached the table.

Every Death Eater stood up at Harry's arrival and Harry sent a glance down the table. The number of them was staggering. He simply moved around the table and sat down in the second seat to Voldemort's right. The Death Eaters didn't sit down. Lucius raised his glass.

Lucius proposed a toast to Harry, enumerating his skill, perseverance and endurance of the day's events. Harry was sure he was turning red.

To his left, Draco leaned close to ear.

"Gloating rights," whispered Draco. "Enjoy it while you can."

Harry nodded and picked up his cup. He glanced at Lucius then turned to Voldemort. "And it seems I've managed to achieve all this on a very prestigious day," said Harry as he raised the cup to Voldemort.

Voldemort's expression turned to one of elation and he laughed with true delight as he picked up his cup. Harry was sure he'd never seen the wizard so happy.

"Well said, my son."

The table drank and everyone sat down. Draco fell into his seat beside Harry and leaned close to him again.

"You're bloody brilliant," said Draco.

"What are you talking about?" said Harry.

"You've got him wrapped around your finger," whispered Draco. "Look at him. He's so pleased with you right now, you could ask him for anything in the world and he'd give it to you."

Harry almost answered sarcastically until he realized what he was doing.

Voldemort wasn't getting to him. Voldemort had gotten to him.

Harry looked at Voldemort. Traces of the once handsome headboy could be seen in his features, especially as happy as he appeared now. Rejuvinated almost completely between potions to restore his health, and magical strength from Harry himself, his confidence and authority exuded from him. The only trait that remained of the wizard Harry had met in the graveyard now was the glowing red eyes, still intense, still all knowing.

Still cruel, merciless? Harry hadn't seen either in a long while. Was he still that Evil Dark Lord that everyone, including the Minister of Magic feared to even speak his name?

He still craved power that was a certainty and something Voldemort had never denied. But where was the monster who would do anything to ascertain that power? Who would kill anyone who stood in his way? Who had killed the Potters?

The Evil Dark Lord that everyone expected Harry to kill.

His gaze met and locked with those red eyes. They stared back intently, searching, reading Harry's expression.

"Relax, Harry," said Voldemort. "You're not ready yet."

He knows everything! Harry rolled his eye>

"I hate it when you do that," said Harry.

Voldemort chuckled.