244AN: Since I noticed there were at least ten people following this story, I went ahead and decided to post the next chapter of the story. I hope it's as good as the first chapter. If you notice any mistakes go ahead and let me know, but don't be rude about it. Flames are things I hate, but I do love criticism since I know my work needs work.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Uh, I'm not sure about the flown for this story. It might be a slow burn, I just haven't decided.
When Hedwig returned, Harry was expecting for his beloved owl to be sporting a broken wing, or even some seared feathers. However, none of those thoughts were true. Instead of a broken wing or some burnt feathers, she came carrying a letter addressed to him.
"He actually wrote me back?" The former golden boy took the letter and unfolded it quickly, wanting to see what the contents contained. As he skimmed through what was written, a surprised laugh bubbled out of his mouth. "Did he just make a joke?" He narrowed in on an important sentence Voldemort had written and paused.
Potter, I know this letter was not to join me but the option is still there. I can understand if you wish to stay out of the war, but just remember that by joining me, we could expose Dumbledore for who he is and what he has done.
For the first time in his life, he had a choice. Granted, Voldemort had given him this same option during his first year but this was different. There was nothing holding him back now. Nothing was clouding his judgment and no one was spewing lies at him, trying to turn him into a mindless pawn that blindly obeyed orders.
He was free. He was free to choose.
This must have been what Dobby was feeling when he was freed from the Malfoy's. For some reason, there was a lightness in his chest at the words on the paper. They caused tears to spring to his eyes in pure delight.
But now it was time for the real question, neutral or dark? Leaning into his bed (or what could be called a 'bed') Harry bit his lips in thought. It was true he did not want to be involved in the war, but it was also true that he wanted to make Dumbledore suffer. It seemed that joining the dark would be the only real thing to choose from, but there was one more thing that needed to be dealt with.
The views that the darker side shared.
He would have to discuss the blood status with him, and try to convince him that muggle's were needed, and that not all of them were bad. Sighing, he reached over to stroke at Hedwig's feathers and smiled softly.
"You must be exhausted, Hedwig. You can take the letter in the morning." He smiled when she cooed, flying over to her cage and perching down.
Harry took a piece of parchment and chuckled, thinking about what he was doing.
"Looks like I'm becoming penpals with Voldemort." Harry said, laughing softly at how ironic that sounded.
Less than six hours ago they were still 'hated' enemies, and a mere letter had changed that. If only the rest of the wizarding worlds problems could be solved with a simple letter, or how stupid the ministry of magic was. He closed his eyes, trying to think of the best way to start the letter off. Looking at the paper, he cast a quick wandless spell over the parchment, doing the same thing Voldemort had done with the one he sent.
At first he was unsure on how to start it, and he still found himself dumbstruck that he was going to be talking so civilly to the dark lord for now on. Licking his lips, he placed the ink pen on the paper and began writing.
If my eleven year old self knew what I was doing, I think he would have a heart attack. Thinking over it, I believe it's in my best interest to join you. I know that your members would eventually be able to take down Dumbledore, but I fear that before that will happen, the old coot would already be untouchable.
Now let me get one thing out, just because I am joining you does not mean I will agree with your tactics or some of the things you stand for. For instance the blood purity. I see no good coming from that. I know that muggles and us wizards are different in the aspect of magic, but in the end, we are all human and we can all be hurt at the end of the day.
Also, I can't believe that you, the dark lord, just made a joke. Funny thing, you made me actually laugh at it. I guess even the dark lord has a funny bone in his body.
On another note, I hope that we can one day meet. I would love to get away from this prison. You would think the light actually cared about the boy who was supposedly going to save them all, huh? I can't even express my gratitude in words in the choice you have given me. All my life I was told what to do and I was never given an option in the matter.
So thank you for giving me the choice in joining you or not, it really means a lot to me.
Harry stopped writing and bit his lips. This was turning a little personal, but for some reason he really didn't seem to care. It's not like Voldemort would actually blackmail him with this information to begin with, that would not only be pathetic to begin with, but they were on...better terms than they had been.
Another reason I wanted to one day meet is for you to help me with my magic. Yes, I am experienced and one of the better spell casters in my class, but I feel like the professors are holding me back. I don't want to keep learning defense spells while there is more out there I could learn. I know you have spent years studying the subject, and I think you would be a better teacher than any I've had so far.
Just because I said that does not mean you can go and fight Dumbledore on your own, I personally want to help with that.
Harry
Looking at the clock nearby, he discovered he had spent a good thirty minutes on simply writing to Voldemort. Chuckling, he folded the paper over and cast an extra spell for another hint of protection. He walked to Hedwig's cage and stroked her feathers again, snorting at the soft cooing.
"You can take this to him in the morning, rest now." He stroked over her beak and moved to his bed. Tomorrow would be a busy day. He had to go see the Weasley's tomorrow because Dumbledore thought they were the only other wizards who were good in this world. It seemed all forced now. Meeting Ron and befriending his family of redheads.
At least he had Hermione and the twins tomorrow.
Ron, no so much. His forth year in Hogwarts had made him realize the boy's true colors (which wasn't red surprisingly) Ron, who used to be his best friend, would turn on him the minute he received something or when the male had discovered how much money he had and was not donating it to his family. Hermione would try to act as a mediator during their fights, but it was just fruitless in the end. Sighing, he closed his eyes and laid down. If only he was out of here and away from the Order.
It was sometime in the morning when Alastor Moody came in, ordering him around.
You see, the order believed that keeping a close eye on Harry would protect him from Voldemort.
Ironically, the man was no threat of his now.
He begrudgingly obeyed the orders and got ready to apparate to the burrow. That's another thing that sucked. He couldn't even apparate alone. He had to have guards follow his every move, and that was hardly the tip of the issues the order had brought him.
For people who acted as his guards, they hadn't really been that good at it besides guarding. When death eaters attacked, the aurors were able to fight, but they weren't the best at protecting. A stray killing curse could have easily hit him while the order was fighting some of the members, which was sad to say in the least.
When the rest of the of the members filled the room, Harry forced a smile and apparated to the burrow with them. As he opened his eyes, a true smile formed on his lips when he saw Hermione rush over to hug him.
"It feels like it's been forever, Harry!" She smiled, pulling back from him.
"It's only been a week, but it does feel like it's been longer." At the look Hermione gave him, he gave her his 'I'll tell you later' look.
"Welcome, Harry! You're always welcome here anytime." Molly smiled widely, coming into view as red heads followed her.
"Harry, mate-"
"-you look like shite." Fred and George grinned, causing Harry to laugh.
"Well, it's hard to look anything better when you're with the order for so long." Harry huffed, causing some of the red heads to laugh.
"We'll make sure you get some space, Harry-"
-and by that we mean you get to try our new tricks."
"Oh joy." Harry said, rolling his eyes with an amused grin. "Maybe we can even use them on Ron."
"Hey!" Ron puffed, face becoming red as he puffed his chest out, trying to impress Hermione who was already laughing. "Mione!" he whined.
"I agree with Harry on this, Ronald. I personally would like to see you with pink hair." At his unholy squeak at that, Harry and the twins shared an evil smirk.
"I think that-"
"-can be arranged."
With Hermione and the twins, Harry found it stupid that he had even worried in the first place.
Voldemort looked at the owl and sighed. "You're a good match for Harry. You both are rather stubborn." At the angry hoot, he chuckled. "You're just like Nagini."
:I should bite you for that, Tom.: The snake hissed from where she was curled up, never planning on actually doing it. :You're forgetting that you're alike with the hatchling. You're stubborn too.: She hissed, chuckling at the look her Master gave her.
:Shush. I have to read Potter's letter and see what he has written back.: Voldemort hissed, unfolding the letter and instantly grinning at the first paragraph. :Potter has made a choice, and he will be joining us.: Voldemort hissed with a small smile.
:I told you he would, Tom. You should bring him here now that he is on our side.: The dark lord sighed at the impatient tone and stroked at her scales.
:It is too early for that, Nagini. We have to plan this so Dumbledore and the order do not suspect anything. If they were to discover Harry was on my side...: He paused in his explaining, thinking of all the possibilities. :I'm not sure what they would do...: Voldemort looked back down at the rest of the letter, smirking at the thought that he made the boy laugh, but the smirk quickly turned into a frown at the next part.
I can't even express my gratitude in words in the choice you have given me. All my life I was told what to do and I was never given an option in the matter.
So thank you for giving me the choice in joining you or not, it really means a lot to me.
His eyes narrowed on the writing and hissed a few words that had Nagini surprised. She stayed quiet though, curling up around his shoulders. He needed to calm down, so he tore his red eyes from the passage and continued reading, hoping it would prove to be a distraction. It worked because he chuckled at the last part of the letter,
:I'm not sure how this will work out, Nagini. Potter seems to be bossy.:
:You need to be bossed around, Tom. You do too much of it to other people.: The snake hissed, chuckling again at the fond annoyance on Voldemort's face. :Besides, the hatchling deserves to be higher than most of the ranks.:
:I actually agree with you on that, Nagini. Harry Potter is already more powerful than even some of my upper ranks. I'm not sure where to even put him.: He paused and nodded. :Perhaps for the time being Potter could be an insider. He is already on Dumbledore's good side. He could give us valuable information.:
:Warn the hatchling.: Nagini hissed. :The insane wrinkled man is good at mind tricks.: Again Voldemort cursed.
:I might need to see Potter sooner than I thought. The boy needs to know occlumency if he wishes to keep Dumbledore out of his mind: He grabbed a pen and started writing a letter back.
A heart attack you say, Potter? If anyone were to have a heart attack I believe it would be Albus Dumbledore, his mind and heart aren't what they used to be. I suppose we both know about that. Before you go on about my tactics,I'm certain we'll have to meet in person to discuss those. I'm afraid your generous caretakers have not been informing you the entire story on why there is really a war.
Yes I do not like muggles much, but let me assure you, the blood status is purely a Malfoy thing. I have no desire to simply take out all the muggles and rule the war. Do you know how long that would take for one? It's hard enough to fight Dumbledore and the order, let alone an entire race. Why am I not surprised that Dumbledore has been keeping so much hidden? It's a pity he has control over Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, controlling them through propaganda.
He is afraid of what I stand for, Harry. Or better yet, what we stand for. The real reason he wanted me dead from the beginning is the prophecy and the thought that I would have more power than he does.
Alas, I am not sure when we can meet face to face. Believe me, I would love to train you, especially since I know Hogwarts has been lacking in the DADA program for years. I will try my best to schedule a time where we can meet. You see, I have a way of blocking detected magic. You could practice without being detected by the ministry. On another note, I have something to ask of you.
I do not know how well your occlumency skills are, but if you wish to keep Dumbledore out of your head, I would suggest practicing. He is worse than me, Harry. If he suspects you to be lying, he will inter your mind without a second thought.
Also, I wasn't planning on fighting Dumbledore alone. I might be an insane dark lord, but give me credit, I'm not that crazy.
Voldemort.
Smiling at the letter, he turned to Hedwig and stroked at her feathers like Harry did, and the snowy owl cooed, leaning into the touch.
"Potter did choose a good companion." Hedwig cooed more and happily took the letter to deliver to her friend.