79There was an odd emptiness to the echoes of his footsteps as he made his way through stone corridors. There were doors to his right side made of heavy wood that he passed occasionally. To anyone who'd ever been there, it wouldn't look dissimilar to the halls of Hogwarts.
But it'd been years since Harry walked through the castle, this was merely a recreation, one made so that he could properly organize his thoughts. These were his innermost memories, and to reach them was difficult, and each door offered a challenge of its own. Snape would probably have a heart attack if he could see the state of my Occlumency now.
Since arriving in his new world, he'd diligently worked to achieve what had seemed impossible when he was introduced to the practice in his fifth year. As he turned the corner, the source of that change came into view.
The door at the end of this corridor was not simple wood, it was metal and heavy and there was magic etched into its surface even within his mind. The stones around the door had tendrils of black that ran through them, as though there was some pervading sickness that was trying to seep out but couldn't quite manage it. And I suppose that's true.
Years removed from the war and his time at Hogwarts, there was one thing that he could freely admit. He never prepared himself properly for the threat of Tom Riddle, and he only had himself to blame. Sure, there were times when Ron encouraged him to slack off, but he was the one who agreed. And he knew now that he allowed Hermione to do far too much of his thinking for him.
Some of it came from his childhood. A desperate need for acceptance and the fear that he'd lose those closest to him if he upset them. But the threat of death should've been enough to ignore those fears. It was a painful realization so far removed from his own world, especially when there was no opportunity to fix it.
His magic was enough to quell the pirates and earn their fear, the loyalty came later. But within a week there was talk of the war that could be waged anew against the dragonlord that ruled the Stepstones. It was a fight Harry thought himself wholly unequipped for, yet again, but this time there were no friends, or mentors, there to help him along the way.
But then something had occurred to him. There was a teacher there, who knew more about magic than most people could ever dream, just locked away within his head.
Placing his hand on the door, it glowed briefly before opening, and closed immediately behind him. The voice that met him was cold and whispery, but no longer struck fear in him as it did before, "So, you've come again, Harry."
The sliver of Tom's soul that still clung to him was a frail, emaciated thing. When he first found it within his own mind, it'd been naked and flayed, mutilated by years of murder and darkness. It was clad in black, and no longer bled, but was otherwise the same.
"There's something I wish to discuss." Despite being only a fraction of Tom's soul, it retained all of his experiences and his knowledge up until the point it'd been forcefully ejected by the rebounding Killing Curse before it found a new home within his scar.
"Why would I reward your treachery?" The treachery that Tom referred to happened just a few short months ago, not long after he finished his war. And it could be seen in the walls that surrounded him and more importantly, in the door firmly shut behind him.
"It wasn't treachery, it was merely ensuring that we remain two distinct personalities." They weren't even precautions on his part, but reactions, "Did you think that I didn't realize that you were trying to worm your way into my psyche, little by little?"
The fragment of Tom's soul looked at him with impassive, red eyes, "I underestimated you…"
"That isn't anything new on your part. You look down on everyone and everything." Even the pureblood ideology he espoused had everything to do with gaining power. He would just as quickly kill a pureblood that stood against him as he would a mudblood, "It's unsurprising that you didn't even consider that I would recognize your attempts. Your disregard for me led to your repeated failures."
"It's a failing I intend to correct in future." Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He wholeheartedly doubted that Tom was capable of the necessary introspection to make genuine personal change. He was very dedicated to becoming the most powerful wizard of all time, not so much to bettering himself personally. Besides, it's not as though it matters. He'll spend the rest of his existence locked away here within my head.
He decided on a more diplomatic approach, "Time will tell."
Tom regarded him for a moment before cutting to the matter at hand, "So, why have you come? Have you not picked clean every bit of magic you're willing to from me." His willingness was what truly mattered. There were some magics that Tom had delved into that Harry refused to touch, even when Tom tried to push him toward them
The knowledge he took from the soul fragment wasn't entirely freely given. It was his mind, his magic, and his soul, and he had great enough command of it that he was able to delve into Tom's experiences without his cooperation. Though, he found him surprisingly forthcoming. Though there was a simple answer to it. So long as I'm alive, so is he, and he has no interest in finding out what awaits him.
"As I said, I want to talk."
"About what?"
"The ritual." His men had been from Asshai to Yi Ti, and damn near everywhere in between save the Doom in search of esoteric magics that might help him return to his world, only to find nothing of worth. And there was another part of him that no longer cared that grew with each new day, particularly in recent days. His efforts at Bloodstone were a testament to it.
"Did you not delve deeply enough to realize that I know nothing of it?" Whenever Tom learned of the ritual, it was after he severed the piece of his soul.
"I'm aware," Harry crossed his arms as he stared at the emaciated soul, "But there's been a new development."
"That seems rather unlikely. I've seen this new world of yours and their magic is… paltry."
"Save the dragons." Before he locked the fragment away, Tom saw his battles with Caraxes, and even he admired the sheer might of him.
"Agreed." He smiled and if he were still a boy, it would've sent shivers down his spine, "Have you acquired a dragon?" That was as far as their discussions on the matter had gone in the past. Because without a dragon, it was all hypothetical.
"I have access to them now." It was a more accurate assessment of where things stood, "Does your opinion on the matter remain the same?"
"Yes, the blood used for a ritual of that magnitude must be magically potent. There are others that I might've used, virgin blood perhaps or unicorn, but given the magical strength of the dragons of this world, even if it wasn't dragon blood used originally, it should serve as a viable substitute." Despite the monster that Tom Riddle had become, he was still a magical prodigy.
Harry frowned as he ran a hand through his hair. So, there's a chance I could go back. However, the explanation wasn't finished, "But rituals can be a notoriously temperamental form of magic." Harry stopped himself from laughing considering Tom's general abuse of them since making his first horcrux, "Many require specific times and places for them to work properly."
"So… the first one was done in the Forbidden Forest, at night. Those two things shouldn't be too difficult to replicate."
"How foolishly short-sighted, but I should expect nothing less when it comes to you, Potter." Considering the state of his wretched little soul, Harry thought the pot should take a look at the kettle but kept it to himself. Regardless of his insults, he was still giving valuable information, "You've disregarded the fact Hogwarts and the areas around it were dense with magic. You'll be hard pressed to find a suitable substitute from this world."
There were stories about the God's Eye and its ties to the Children of Forest that made it a viable option. Then there was Valyria, but he wasn't certain it was worth the risk if it was truly as dangerous as the stories made it seem.
"And in all this you've forgotten one important detail."
Tom's arrogance was beginning to grate on him, and he snapped, "What?"
"The purpose of the ritual was never to send you to another world, at least not according to me. It was meant to lock you away somewhere safe, likely in the void between worlds. If you're successful in recreating the ritual, and assuming I was merely incorrect, there's no telling whether you would end up back in your own world. If this one exists, there's no reason that others don't as well."
In all fairness, Harry hadn't forgotten that very important detail. He'd already begun building a life, a name, a whole kingdom in his new world. Is it worth leaving when I don't even know whether I can go home. And even then, what would the world be like?
The horcrux in his head was still alive and well, obviously, but that didn't mean that Tom couldn't have been defeated at the battle and taken prisoner. They did catch him by surprise during the ritual. But then, Harry also knew that was a rather optimistic outlook. There's a very real possibility that everyone I cared for is dead, and all I'd be returning to is memories and a magical Britian controlled by Tom.
Even that was assuming that time would pass in the same way in both worlds. For all he knew, he would appear back in the Forbidden Forest on the night of the battle if he decided to go through with the ritual or hundreds of years later.
As Harry contemplated it all, Tom just watched him unblinking. Shaking himself, he said, "That's all for now… you've given me much to think about. I appreciate your forthcomingness." It was an odd thing to say to the soul of a man who'd repeatedly tried to kill him over the years, but he was genuinely grateful. There was no one and nothing else to turn to with regards to their magic.
"If you fail to consider the ramifications of your actions and get yourself killed in the process, it will mean the end of me as well." Tom reasoned, "As I've told you before, it's in my best interest to keep you alive as long as possible." His fear of death truly reached down to his very soul.
They didn't share any pleasantries as the door opened behind Harry and he stepped out. As it closed behind him, he felt a dull hum that reverberated through his mind. In a blink, he found himself sitting on his bed in his own quarters at Bloodstone. That's when he realized what it was, the alarm back at King's Landing meant to warn him of any visitors. He'd yet to sleep a night in the capital, preferring to be up bright and early to continue his work at Bloodstone.
Who could be calling on me at this time? It was the dead of night outside his window, the pale light of the stars and moon the only thing illuminating the room. With a quiet 'pop' he arrived in another bed a few hundred miles away only to find the place exactly as he'd left it.
Or at least that's what he thought. A voice from the corner of the room caught him by surprise, "Where were you?"
Harry hadn't bothered locking the door since he never intended to spend the night to begin with, "Princess… I wasn't expecting a visit. Does your guard know that you're here?" He might be a king, but he could imagine it would cause problems if anyone knew that she sneaked into his rooms.
"You ignored my question." Rhaenyra stepped into the light coming in from the window. She was in a simple night shift, just white cotton that hung formlessly from her shoulders. But in the light, it was almost transparent and it was obvious that she was wearing nothing underneath. It was the first time that he'd seen her without her hair in a braid. It hung loose and long over each shoulder like a cascade of silver.
"I did." He offered her a wolfish smile. Her eyes bore into his, and he decided it best not to push her, "I was at Bloodstone, in my own bed… just as I have been every night since arriving here."
"Are the accommodations of the Red Keep not to your liking?" She came closer near enough that she could sit at the end of his bed if she wanted.
"Now who's ignoring the question?" Harry chuckled.
"My guards are unaware of my absence from my room." She assured him, mildly exasperated, "I'm not a fool."
"I didn't think you are, but if I were caught with the King's beloved daughter alone in my rooms at night, it would surely cause a scandal."
"You're a king." She teased him with his own words, "And just yesterday you were offered my hand. I think my father would understand."
"Your father might not care," though he didn't believe that for a second, "but it would send tongues wagging, I'm sure. Not least of which your goodmother's. And you know it, too, which is why you were careful." He patted the bed, not that she would wait for his leave to sit, "And no, the bed is perfectly comfortable, but there's work that needs to be done at Bloodstone and there's something to be said for the comfort of one's own bed."
She sat down on the bed beside him, close enough that he could touch her but not that he could say, wrap his arm around her waist, "That's understandable. After my tour of the kingdoms, I most looked forward to sleeping in my own bed."
"But I don't think you risked a scandal to talk about my bed, or even my whereabouts, Rhaenyra… so why are you here?"
Her throat bobbed, "I… missed you today." For the first time since his arrival in King's Landing, he'd spent the entire day without her, at least in private company. He'd seen her, but he'd been interested in the workings of the kingdom. He was a king with no experience, so he thought it wise to take notes. Most of the day had been spent watching Viserys hold court with Rhaenyra sitting at his side.
It was a far cry from the day before when she'd shown him more of the city, "It's wonderful to know I've left such an impression that even one day without me is too long…"
"I've made a mistake, your ego doesn't need any of my praise, your Grace." There was no heat in her words though, and her hand against his thigh removed any doubt.
"I'll keep it in check in future, princess." He scooted closer to her, so their legs touched.
Biting her bottom lip just a moment, she shook her head, "I'd rather you not. I quite enjoy your wit… it keeps me on my toes."
"We've only known each other a short while now, Rhaenyra," his hand landed on her bare knee, and her breath hitched even as she tried to hide it, "but I think we both know that I'd never manage it even if I tried."
That made her giggle, "True, you seem to revel in it."
"Only where you're concerned." He told her candidly. There had been no women for him since arriving in the Stepstones. Many had offered, and some had even been pretty enough to catch his eye, but he knew they were after the power he represented first and foremost.
Something about that simple admission was enough to give her the courage to say the true motivations behind her visit, "I… didn't just come here for the sake of conversation, much as I enjoy it."
"No? What then?" He was sure that he already knew, but he wanted to hear her say it.
Her cheeks reddened as she spoke just that little bit softer, "I've done as you commanded three nights over now…" She licked her full lips, "You promised me satisfaction in exchange for another night of my obedience. I hoped that you would hold to your word."
Harry's finger pushed at the hem of her shift, making it climb higher along her lovely leg, "How many times?"
Her blush deepened but she didn't hesitate to answer him, "Tonight, five but… eleven since the first night."
Her breath caught in her throat as his hand drifted up her thigh until his pinky just flirted with her sex. He could feel the heat of her without even touching. It was palpable. His pinky drifted that little pit higher and tickled her damp petal. Her lashes fluttered as she tried to bite back her whimper. He leaned closer, his breath against her ear making her shiver, "You've been perfectly patient, haven't you princess?"
Nodding her head desperately, Rhaenyra's words sounded like a plea, "I have… I swear it. Please just…"
He cut her off as he leaned in to kiss just beneath her earlobe, "I will… a king always keeps his promises." His hand found the swell of her full breast and she arched into his touch, "Show me."
There was no hesitation as her hands went to the hem of her shift. She pulled it off her sinfully beautiful body as she briefly lifted her bottom from the bed and discarded it on the floor to leave her in all her glory. Resting on the ground, he could see a damp patch from where she'd been sitting.
His fingers found her breast again. He could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest as he tweaked her rosy-pink nipple between his thumb and index, "You. Are. Stunning."
Every inch of her was smooth save for a small tuft of silver blonde hair above her sex. Her breasts were full and perky, her waist was slim and taut before flaring out to wide hips, her mound was plump and puffy, and her tiny slit was a vivid pink that just begged for attention.
Any response died in her throat as he leaned in to kiss along her collarbone and then down to the swell of her breast and over to one of her stiff nipples. She shuddered and scrunched her eyes up tight as she fought off the orgasm she'd been so desperate for, "Please… Harry… I…"
He gently bit down on her aroused nub once before pulling away with a roguish smile on his lips, "I know… and I'm going to take care of you, just like I promised."
Slipping off the bed, he dropped to his knees as he pushed her thighs open. Rhaenyra would surely deny it he ever dared mention it to anyone, but she squeaked as he took hold of her hips and repositioned her so her delicious little cunny was in perfect position for him to absolutely ravage.
Kissing against the inside of her thigh, he looked up at her with darkened eyes, "Be as loud as you wish, princess… No one will hear you tonight but me." A voice, possessive and unwavering in his own mind rang out. And no man but me will ever get to hear the sounds of your pleasure again.
He kissed his way up the inside of her left thigh from near her knee until just a hairsbreadth away from her heat. She growled in frustration as he pulled away and did the same to the right, lingering on each kiss, licking each spot as he went.
Rhaenyra watched him intently, propped up on her elbows to take in every second. When he reached the top of her right thigh, he feigned as though he were going to pull away again, and the princess pleaded with him, "No… I've waited… stop teasing… me!"
Her last word came out in a scream as he took one long, languid lick of her entire slit before plunging his tongue into her searing tunnel. Her taste was sweet like vanilla with a hint of something more, and he was certain that he'd found his new favorite treat.
And he ate it with the fervor that such a revelation deserved. Nails scraped against the back of his neck up into his scalp as Rhaenyra screamed out. Her hips bucked as he wiggled his tongue against her slick walls, but he just took hold of them to keep her in place.
"Oh gods…" he looked up from the task at hand to meet her amethyst gaze, "Right there… please, I'm… I'm so close!" She palmed one of her bouncing breasts as she wiggled her hips as best she could in his grip to get every ounce of pleasure possible. Days of denial had left her pulled tighter than a bows string and she could take no more.
His fingers stretched her tightness as he let his lips drift up to the very top of her pussy where her oversensitive clit was just peaking out. It was small, about as big as the tip of his pinky, and pulsing with every beat of her heart. As he sucked it between his lips, Rhaenyra's thighs pressed against his ears muffling her screams of ecstasy. He kept pumping his fingers as her walls clenched around him. Her juices covered his chin as he tried to keep her on that high. Seconds turned to minutes as he kept her on the crest.
When her legs finally relaxed around his head, he pulled away with one last kiss to her clit that made her jump. She giggled giddily, her eyes blissed out, as she recovered and managed to find her voice, "That… that wasn't what I was expecting, but it… was certainly worth the wait." He could imagine what some were forced to endure when it came to selfish lovers. That's a constant across all worlds, I'd wager.
It took effort for her to push up and place her hand in his hair, gently playing with it, "Thank you…"
He licked his lips, savoring the taste of her, "Thank you?" He asked confused, "Who said that I was done. Your patience earned you more than one, princess."
The moan that left her throat was pure lust as his tongue entered her sex again. There was no gentle teasing this time. Instead, he sucked and swiped at her delicious cunny like a man possessed. Her moans were sweet music that he savored with every minute that passed.
As her voice broke from her own pleasure, he pushed her over the edge. His dexterous tongue started vibrating inhumanly while buried in her pussy. It wasn't a trick he'd ever tried before, but in delving into Tom's memories, he'd come across it. When he was still handsome and charming, he'd manipulated more than one woman with sex. Harry was rather surprised that it was benefitting him.
Rhaenyra's back arched violently before she bucked her hips forward, but his iron grip on her thighs was enough to keep her in place as he drove her to the heights of ecstasy on the tip of his tongue. She squirmed as her fingers dug into his scalp, until finally she could take no more. She forced his head away from her dripping pussy and curled up on her side as she continued to shudder through the aftershocks of her titanic climax.
He could see tears threatening at the corner of her eyes from the sheer pleasure. Joining her on the bed, he kissed the back of her shoulder as she came down from her high. When she turned around, there was genuine awe on her face. She grabbed his jaw and pulled him into a kiss.
When she pulled away, she just smiled at him before she managed to find the words, "You certainly live up to your promises."
"I did tell you."
She chuckled at that before looking down at his trousers, where there was the straining evidence of the affect she had on him, "I don't think…" He could see the weariness in her eyes, the glistening sweat from her climax, and knew that she was done for the night.
Harry silenced her with a kiss, "Another time. For now, sleep."
"But…"
"I'll have you back in your quarters by daybreak," he pulled her with him until they were on his pillows, "but for now, rest." Spooning her from behind, Rhaenyra gave no further protest before sleep found her. Harry wasn't far behind.
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