Chapter Fourteen: You Refuse to Life Me

"It's cute," Self grinned crookedly. "I mean, he's trying, isn't he, Harrison?"

Harry scoffed, eyes closed. "Voldemort is trying, yes. But he's still utterly clueless to emotions. I mean, he doesn't understand why I'm against the fact of his turning Longbottom dark." Self hummed, staring intensely at Harry. Even with his eyes closed, he could feel the stare. "What?" He questioned; a slight sneer to his lips. He knew what was coming….

"Have you tried talking to him about it? I mean, you said it yourself; he has absolutely no idea what you feel. Perhaps he's confused about why you feel the way you do for Longbottom." He paused and Harry snapped his eyes open. The soothing colors around them lessened his anxiety.

"Do you think he'll care?" Harry asked; amused. "Longbottom is his Horcrux. It's a piece of his soul. Why would he care if I didn't like that notion?"

"You could at least explain it."

Silence spread between the two.

"I don't understand this ritual…" Harry started, blurting out what was on his mind. "I mean, I suppose it all makes sense. Why my father always favored Draco, why Draco was always so stuck up… it's because they'll be getting a bit of magic from the Dark Lord-,"

"And vice versa," Self interrupted.

"Yes," Harry agreed, frowning. "So they share magic between each other. I looked up the ritual in Sirius' tome and even asked my father about it…it all matches up to what Voldemort said." Self stared at Harry, two twin eyes dueling.

"Hmm," Self hummed; a grin on his face. "Voldemort told you the truth, what's so suspicious about that?"

Voldemort had looked him right in the eye. "I just find it…odd. Could you really see the Dark Lord sharing magic?" Harry sighed, glaring at nothing in particular. "I mean, there were no side affects to the ritual. There is no way Draco and the other four can drain his magic and there is no possible way he could drain their magic, or harm them in anyway. So I don't have to worry about Draco getting hurt… I just see no reason why Voldemort would want to do this ritual."

"To gain more power of course," Self drawled.

"No," Harry shook his head. "He wouldn't gain any power at all." His voice was soft. "He would have to share it. And that's not like him."

Silence again.

"What are you trying to say, Harry?" Self questioned, raising an eyebrow. "You don't believe Voldemort? Even when you asked him to tell you the truth? Even when he looked you straight in the eye? Tell me, Harry, what would happen if he had lied to you? What if this ritual wasn't really what he's proving it to be? What if he hurt Draco…or worse…killed him?"

Green eyes flashed.

"I would never trust him again."

"You say that now…" Self started; a deep frown on his lips. "But when you two get closer, more familiar with one another, you'll find it hard to-,"

"No," Harry interrupted. "I would never trust him again. No matter how much I 'love' him."

Self tisked; brilliant green eyes glowing in amusement and age old wisdom.

Harry opened his eyes, staring at the wall of the empty compartment. He had needed a good meditation. And he needed Self's input and questions. He still didn't trust Voldemort's word on the ritual…it just didn't make any sense at all. But for the time being, he would blindly jump with Voldemort and go wherever the man was leading him… for the time being….

He pursed his lips, staring out the train window. His father had dropped him off at Kings Cross with a silent Draco trailing behind. After Lucius had wished his sons' a goodbye, Draco had scurried off, looking everywhere but Harry. That didn't bother Harry too much. His brother was a bloody coward. He was used to it.

Before he could get deeper in his thoughts, the compartment door slid open rather loudly. Harry calmly turned toward the commotion, lips grinning when he caught sight of who stood on the other side.

"Harrison Regulus Malfoy," Zabini purred, his dark eyes sparkling. "It's been far too long, my friend."

"Blaise," he stood up and stuck out his hand. The black wizard grinned crookedly, ignoring the hand, going right down to the embrace. Harry stiffened slightly in the hold, but grinned a moment later. "How was your trip to France?"

The black wizard let Harry go and gave a nonchalant shrug. "Same as always; incredibly beautiful and hard to leave behind." His eyes danced across Harry's body and the Malfoy returned the favor. Blaise had always been a tall and rather thin wizard. It would seem a long summer away would do wonders for the boy- filling him out into a young man. Harry felt envious at his perfect body. Why was he cursed with such… a small and delicate frame?

"You filled out," Harry said dryly, sitting down in a huff. "Tell me what your mother feeds you, will you? Apparently my mother hadn't gotten the memo." Blaise gave a laugh and sat down gracefully across from him. The young Zabini was rather handsome. He inherited his mother's natural and strong beauty…masculine beauty.

Thick lashes fluttered as he stared Harry down. "Don't get your knickers in a delicious bundle, Malfoy." Harry gave Blaise a grimace, looking at his nails. "You look positively delectable. Truly, I would do you any day."

Green eyes stared evenly at the black wizard. He remembered their conversation clearly before Blaise had left for France. Blaise had admitted that he had avoided Harry all those years at Hogwarts because he was afraid he'd fall for Harry…and the vision his mother Saw would come true. "Why are you here?" Harry questioned softly, turning serious. "You told me you didn't want to become close to me…What was the vision Pythia Saw?"

Blaise leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. Licking his lips, his eyes glanced out the window and back at Harry. "You're a Seer. You should know that not every vision turns out the way you See it. If you know what'll happen, you can try to prevent it. I can try to prevent what she Saw." Blaise leaned forward, his dark eyes intense. "To be truthfully honest with you, Harrison, not only does your beauty interest me, but you, as a person, fascinates me far more than I can let go of. I can't just miss out on a chance to get closer to you just because my mother Saw the Dark Lord find out about us…"

Harry grinned. "So we are meant to be together."

Those plump lips twitched upward, but continued to stay in a sensual curve. "Sexual…romantically, yes." The two stared at one another. "But who says we have to jump right into bed? Clearly, I wouldn't mind too much if we did, but I know you're attached to the Dark Lord too much to become bed partners." He raised an eyebrow. "Close friends will do for now."

Harry would never deny the attraction between the two of them. There was something there… perhaps it was Blaise's good looks or his mysterious personality…whatever it was, Harry was engrossed with it. And it helped that the young man didn't have Voldemort's lack of apathy. Blaise was rather well rounded in the department of feelings and emotions…after all, he had a Seer for a mother.

"I'm not attached to the Dark Lord," Harry denied. "You told me, before you left, that I needed to make him burn for me- remember Blaise?" The black wizard stayed emotionless. "I haven't let him possess me just yet."

"But you have,"

"I haven't," Harry narrowed his eyes. "How the hell would you know?"

"My mother's a Seer, Harrison. Or have you forgotten?" Blaise shrugged. "She Saw you two getting rather heavy together…" Ah, so Pythia had a vision of the present.

"Does she share every damned vision with you?" Harry pursed his lips.

Blaise sighed, grinning. "So you have allowed him to possess you, not fully, but close enough. I'm rather…disappointed in you. I'll just have to try harder to court you then. In secret of course…" he leaned forward abruptly. "Just the two of us."

Harry wasn't for infidelity. He despised disloyalty and betrayal to a lover. It was his biggest weakness…he was completely loyal to whomever his lover would be. But…if he was with Blaise, would he be committing infidelity to Lord Voldemort? He thought back to last night in his father's study; the heated moment and the open curiosity as Voldemort asked what he needed to do to earn Harry's respect.

"I…" He looked up at Blaise. "I can't be with you sexually Blaise."

The Zabini male didn't look disheartened. "I respect that, Harrison. You are a rather loyal bugger, aren't you?" The boy leaned back in his seat once more. But his eyes held something inside them…and Harry didn't need to be a Seer to know they held determination- drive.

He didn't know whether to be flattered or cautious.

-SSC-

The rustle and bundle of the Great Hall always comforted him. He enjoyed watching the students stress over such diminutive and inconsequential issues. Really, it was amusing. He sat perched at the end of the Slytherin table, observing them from beneath hooded eyes as if they were a herd of unusual animals. This was what he missed this summer. Relaxing and just observing. His Seer shield was up, so he could filter who he wanted to feel and who he wanted to block out.

The Golden Trio laughed from the top of their lungs, causing contagious laughter among the Gryffindors. Harry was the only one to really catch the longing glance Longbottom shot Ginny. The redheaded minx was further down the table with her friends, not paying the boy-who-lived any attention. Harry grinned at that.

Parvati Patil, his old lover, happened to look up at him. Her eyebrows frowned when she saw his Seer mark on his cheek. Pity. The children here at Hogwarts had no knowledge of true Seers. Only fanatical dreams of bloody Prophets like Trelawney… She looked away from his mark and back to his eyes. The bitch. He hated her. Even when he knew Tom Riddle's soul had affected her, he still despised the Gryffindor twin. But… he moved his attention on Padma, the Ravenclaw twin. It would be fun to play with her.

But Parvati wasn't as ghastly as Cho Chang. The Asian was in her last year at Hogwarts, sitting near her friends at the Ravenclaw table. Parvati had only kissed Dean Thomas…Cho Chang, on the other hand, went a step further and found herself in Diggory's bed…a day after he lost his virginity to her. At the time, he was completely awestruck by the moment. He had just turned fifteen at the time, and he was young and foolish. He had fallen deeply in 'love' with her, or so he thought.

Seeing her betray him crushed his spirits and finally his resolve to have a significant other.

The Horcrux was to blame. But it would never ease the pain he had felt that night.

She looked up, her eyes red. Cedric Diggory had been murdered last year at the Triwizarding Tournament. That was one thing that Voldemort did right.

Cho attempted to smile at him. Harry gave her a cold look, a disinterested look, and glanced at the Head Table. Immediately, he was met with black eyes of Severus Snape. His Head of House was somewhat of a special figure in his life. They weren't close, Merlin, no. But the man, the first time he had talked with Harry had been in his first year, had been understanding. The man told him not to worry about 'friends' and focus more on his magic and studies.

Harry listened to him. He just wished he could have listened earlier. After Seeing a past vision of his potions professor's childhood, he understood why the man could distinguish Harry's problem among the other children at Hogwarts; simply because he had the same problem. The man had a dark life, one that Harry did not envy. It wasn't a mystery as to why Snape was always so moody. He was also Draco's godfather, but they rarely ever saw him. Or, Harry never saw him during the breaks.

Black eyes studied the design on his cheek. Harry found it amusing that everyone stared at his mark. Most of them had no idea what it was…which was what made it humorous. But Snape knew. The man lifted a fine eyebrow. Harry grinned and turned away.

Dumbledore was sitting proudly at the Head. He was chatting away with Sprout, the glove on his had still firmly in place. Nothing seemed off about the man. If anything, the Headmaster seemed happier.

And then his eyes landed on bright, unique blue. Harry blinked back his shock.

"Blaise, you bloody idiot." Harry growled, turning his attention to the smirking black boy. Blaise had his head down, enjoying the water provided before dinner. "Why didn't you tell me? Your mother?" He turned back to Pythia. As always she was completely stunning and regal. She sat straight backed, sipping at her goblet. The robes she picked out for the evening flattered her in every way.

She winked in his direction, sending him affectionate waves. He sent his own back to her, watching as she chuckled richly. "You two are a sight to see," Blaise commented, watching the exchange between master and student. "She's rather fond of you, you know."

"Of course she is," Harry replied flippantly. "I'm just that good of a student." He flashed Blaise an arrogant smirk.

"You're unbelievable."

Harry gave a small laugh, finally enjoying someone near him. No, he enjoyed Blaise near him. Anyone else got on his nerves. "Not that I'm not pleasantly surprised she's here, but what is her intention?"

"Divination," Blaise responded as if he were bored. "And no," he interrupted before Harry could respond. "She's not teaching the students the Seer's way. Nothing like that. Seers want to be under the veil. She'll be helping Trelawney with the Prophet's ways." There was silence and then the two locked eyes, erupting in laughter.

"Trelawney? Really?" Harry laughed. From the corner of his eye, he saw a few students look their way. Their eyes were wide at the sight the pair made. Usually they were quiet and rather stoic, but seeing them laugh, made them take a second look. "Merlin, what did Dumbledore bribe her with to get her here?"

"Not much," Blaise sobered up. "She wanted to be here for you." Silence again.

"What did she See?" Harry asked, annoyed. He glanced in Pythia's direction, watching as she engaged herself with speaking to Snape.

"This was the only vision she didn't tell me about." Blaise shrugged, glancing at his mother. "She wouldn't tell me. But she said you'll have a tough time this year…she just wants to prevent something she Saw, Harrison, don't be all moody."

Pythia seemed to get a lot of visions about him. He wondered if it was the connection they had as student and master… "She most likely won't tell me either," Harry quipped. "Even if it has something to do with me."

"Who knows? You may See it yourself one of these days." He grinned, swirling his goblet between his thumb and forefinger. "Do you get visions often? The more experienced you are, the-,"

"More I can focus on an object or a person and see their past or future. I know." Harry sent Blaise an irritated look. "I've been practicing that. I just prefer to have the visions come to me. Pythia has years of experience, of course she can lure visions in her direction…" He envied her at her ability to manipulate visions into important ones…focused ones.

He looked past Blaise's shoulder and spotted Remus Lupin sitting near Hagrid. Having the werewolf here this year would be fun. Some entertainment. The school work came easy to him and he would be anxious staying in the castle when Lord Voldemort was out there- planning a war and acting. Harry played with the idea of dropping out of school and assisting, but thought otherwise. If he would skip, he would skip in the most climatic time. For all he knew, the war may be put on hold for a good five years.

Merlin. He hoped not.

With a bored air, he watched the first years enter the hall. Their fear and excitement was so strong, Harry had trouble blocking it all. It was a wonder that he used to be one of them. He used to be standing up there, praying to be in Gryffindor- hoping to have a true friend. Merlin…six years ago, he and his mother weren't even close. The hat had been right to put him in Slytherin. Anything else, and he might have ended up like Sirius Black.

He shivered in repulsion. Could he really have been like that? Laughing and being obnoxiously annoying?

No. His Seer wouldn't allow hiding his true self.

Turning his attention back to the present, he watched as the last student stumbled to Gryffindor. "Another year at Hogwarts," Dumbledore started, the smell of spring rain filtering across the hall as he spread his magic to the students. Harry was unimpressed. His fingers drummed the table in a soothing beat, well aware of his house mates relaxing under the Seer power. Blaise sent him a scathing look.

"With the threat of Lord Voldemort this year-," here the students whispered fiercely to one another. "There will be tighter security. No, I will not be canceling Hogsmeade trips, but there will be many more chaperons across the town. Quidditch will be cancelled-," Harry rolled his eyes at the students' moans. "And the curfew has been moved back an hour. Anyone out of bed after will be severely punished."

He held that on a somber note. "On a lighter note, I would like to welcome two new professors this year. Professor Lupin will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts-," a polite clap sounded but a noisy cheer spread through the Gryffindors. Blaise and a few other Slytherins sneered, already knowing they probably wouldn't like this 'Lupin' who was so popular among the Gryffindors. "And Professor Zabini, an assistant for Trelawney's divination courses." Pythia stood up and gave a slight bow at her waist.

It was the Slytherin's time to cheer more heatedly and the Gryffindor's time to sneer. Harry was well aware of the stares directed between he and Pythia as well as Blaise. Such curiosity…pity most their questions would never be truly answered.

Dumbledore wished the student body a good year and the food appeared.

Harry sighed. The food would never be as good as the Malfoy manor…

Oh well.

-SSC-

"Did you see it?" Blaise murmured from the corner of his mouth.

Harry, having just gotten out of Transfiguration, glanced sideways at Blaise. The black boy had been eyeing him in class, a burning secret on his tongue. "If I saw it, Blaise, I would be just as disturbed as you." The students all bumped shoulders with him, not really seeing him there. Harry grinded his teeth, sending them a burst of discomfort. They shuddered and continued on a bit slower.

"Fudge," Blaise licked his lips. "The Prophet had an article about Minister Fudge. Apparently he's been infecting with a disease. He's dying." Harry paused, causing someone to crash into his back.

"Watch it Malfoy," a seventh year Gryffindor spat, his eyes narrowed. Harry sneered at him. Acidic green eyes drilled on the boy's back as he passed.

"I think ecstasy would be nice touch," Blaise whispered in his ear. Harry chuckled, doing what Blaise suggested. The Gryffindor stiffened, covering his hands over the crotch of his pants where an obvious sign of arousal tented his pants. His face turned red as a few students glanced in his direction.

"He's dying?" Harry turned back to Blaise, acting as if nothing in particular had happened. Blaise lost his grin.

"I'm sure you know something about this?" Of course. It was Voldemort's bug he injected the Minister with. Harry wouldn't reveal that to Blaise. "I'm sure you do know about it." Blaise muttered, eyes becoming hooded. "He has a flesh eating bacteria in his system. There are no Healers who can stop it."

"I don't see a problem with loosing Fudge," Harry said quietly, continuing on his way to potions. "It'll be a good step in the Dark Lord's direction if the man perishes." Obviously this was the course Voldemort wanted to take. After all, he had been the one to inject Fudge.

"Yes," Blaise agreed, giving a dry grin. "But I'm sure he wasn't planning on his puppet, Pius Thicknesse, on getting a running mate, Rufus Scrimgeour." Harry paled slightly. "Scrimgeour is a vicious brute, Harrison. He's an ex-Auror and he's all for Dumbledore and the light. One speck of a dark aspect, and he'll turn against the offender in an instant. Magical creatures, magic, spells, dark pureblood families…anything."

Harry knew exactly who Scrimgeour was and he was sure Voldemort wasn't very happy about having to compete against the man. Although Thicknesse was a decent politician and he had the Dark Lord pulling his strings. "I'm sure that everything will run smoothly, Blaise. He knows what he's doing."

Hopefully.

Blaise shook his head, shrugging his back over his shoulder. "Either way, once Fudge takes his last breath, it will signal the start of the war. Having two completely different entities running against each other…" Harry frowned. Blaise was right. If Scrimgeour won, things wouldn't go very smooth for the dark side. And vice versa if Thicknesse would win.

War would be starting soon. Harry supposed Voldemort thought Thicknesse would be the only one running for the next Minister. One thing was for sure, Harry was glad he wasn't around his Match at the time he heard of the news of Scrimgeour.

"Mr. Malfoy," Harry faltered and looked up to see the Headmaster make his way over. "I'd like to see you in my office, please. Professor Snape has been informed of your absence." Blaise stiffened beside him.

"Of course, Headmaster." He sent Blaise a look and then followed behind the old man. Dumbledore had his magic out, surely trying to seduce Harry's interest and loyalty. The man should know it wouldn't work that easily. Harry was a hard one to convert, especially when he already had his loyalties in place.

As they climbed the stairs to his office, Harry was ushered in with a gloved hand. "Have a seat, my boy." Holding his tongue at the title, Harry sat down gracefully and watched as the old wizard took his own seat behind the desk. "I'm sure you've heard about Minister Fudge's illness."

Harry stared at him coldly. "Yes, Headmaster, in fact, Blaise just informed me before you came to collect me." The man made a 'awing' sound and clasped his fingers through one another.

Harry was surprised as Dumbledore lost his calm look and showed Harry his true face. "I realize I am your Headmaster, Harrison. But I also know that you are wise beyond your years and that you know things past your capacity. I would like to discuss the war with you." Silence hung in the air. Harry remained silent, telling Dumbledore with his face that he was ready to stand up and meet his challenge. "You are not naïve and I know you've met with Lord Voldemort."

Harry raised an eyebrow, not defending the accusation. Dumbledore gave a nod at Harry's silence. "He has reveled to you, your status as his Match, am I correct?"

"Listen, Headmaster, I am honored that you think I'm not naïve and innocent, but I am still your student. Not your victim. I will not sit here and have you question me on personal matters." The Horcrux around his neck gave a slight twinge, but Harry refused to wince. It was just angry at Dumbledore.

"You are right, Harry. You are my student. And with that respect, I have a right to be concerned for you." Harry gave a dry grin. "You do not know Tom. He is a very manipulative wizard who will use anything to get what he wants." Harry pursed his lips at the statement. He wanted to say something in defensive for Voldemort, but he didn't want to reveal to Dumbledore that he was a hardcore dark follower. The man would never let him anywhere near Longbottom in order to court the boy to the dark.

"With the realization that you are a Seer, he has probably expressed an interest. Seers are very powerful creatures, Harrison. I know of their natural abilities…as does Tom."

"I would like to know where you're going with this, Headmaster." Harry replied blandly.

"He's using the status of you being his Match in order to court you to his side firmly." Harry blinked, grimacing. This was far too bizarre. "I'm sure he has told you that Matches are supposed to be…romantically together."

"Headmaster-," Harry started.

"This is not the case, Harrison. Matches are rare, yes, but they do not necessarily have to be in a romantic relationship. In fact, they are known to be opposites on the battlefield. Having such magic between the two of you is dangerous. Not only can it destroy the world, but it can destroy the both of you." Dumbledore was frowning, looking deeply at Harry. "I'm worried for you, Harrison. Tom Riddle has no emotion once so ever."

Harry remained silent, his mind reeling subconsciously. Lord Voldemort did have a torn soul. His Horcruxes ripped him apart. How was it, that Harry could have thought Voldemort did have emotions? Was the Dark Lord just toying with him?

No, of course not. Lord Voldemort had emotions. Harry had felt them through his Seer ability.

"Granted he can feel anger and other various ugly emotions; but he is incapable of loving, of caring. He sees you only as his prized tool, Harry." All Harry wanted to do was laugh, to deny his words. But his head became heavy and he slowly started to understand where the old man was coming from. Voldemort would never be able to love. He would never be able to care for him. "All I'm asking, Harrison, is for you to really think about what he wants you to do."

Dumbledore held out his palms, face up in a gesture of surrender. "As a leader of the light, I would like to court you to our side just as Tom has been doing."

"I'm a Seer, Headmaster. I'm neutral in this war."

The old wizard gave him a long look over the rim of his glasses. "Be that as it may, Harrison, I would still like you on our side. But for now, I want you to concentrate on your studies." Harry gave a brief nod, his mind elsewhere entirely. Dumbledore thought Harry was already on Voldemort's side, or did he? Either way, it was difficult to explain as to why Dumbledore allowed Harry to stay with Sirius and the boy-who-lived over the summer. Was it an act of kindness? A step in courting him?

Harry, for a brief second, felt smug that Dumbledore wanted him on the light side. Longbottom wasn't the only one who had two powerful wizards after him. The question was…what side wanted him more? His Match that would never give him something he secretly desired? Or an old man who could manipulate things with just a smile and twinkle of his eye?

He would have to wait patiently and see.

-SSC-

Blue eyes watched the small figure make his way out the door.

Dumbledore smiled; his attention on the silver ornament on his desk. His gnarled hand reached toward the object, feeling the raw magic coming from it. It was meant to sway wizards' minds to the one doing the bidding. And he tampered with the ornament in order to influence a Seer. If he hadn't tampered with it, Harrison Malfoy would have probably felt the rays of manipulative magic slowly seeping into his head. Ironic how it was like a Seer's ability to influence their victim's thoughts and emotions.

It was a very risky decision to use the mind altering ball. It could be detected, but it was hidden fairly well. Harry could find it if his thoughts took a sudden turn, Lord Voldemort could find the influence if he was looking there, and of course, there was the chance of Harry's Seeing his plans in a vision.

No matter.

Dumbledore caressed the cold silver.

Harrison Malfoy would be in his grasp soon enough. Having two wizards with Tom Riddle's magic was a catastrophe. But having two wizards battling each other with Riddle's magic, wouldn't be so devastating. Harrison would make a good enough addition to the light side. And if the manipulative magic didn't work, he would have at least bought himself time with Harrison's distraction.

It was just a matter of time and patience, something Riddle lacked.

I have mixed reactions with Lord Octavio. Here is my explanation…
This will be the last time I address this issue... You will be seeing him in this story. But this story is revolving around Harry and Voldemort. Not around Lord Octavio. So those of you who don't like him, he won't be a main character. For those of you who do, you will see him again. Don't fret ;) I have plans for him.

With the ritual giving Voldy more power, does that mean Harry is somehow gaining power as well? If not, will he no longer be Voldy's match?
Although I'm not going to say much on the ritual, I would like to answer this.
No, Harry wouldn't be gaining more power- and yet- they would still be Matches. They still have the same magical configures/components they were born with and their magical core is crafted the same. See, Voldemort tore his soul and his magic is more of a taint, but they still are Matches. Good question.

I loved the dream sequence in the beginning, and it does make me wonder, with the powers that his Match has, whether the dream was really just a dream, lol.
Ha, yes, the dream was just a dream; despite the fact that Harrison is a Seer. Remember, Harry gained Parseltongue from Voldemort and Voldemort gained emotion sensing from Harry because of their connection of being Matches. So I understand how you came up with that idea. There will be a few incidents when Voldemort gains a few dreams from Harry. One in particular…later on in the story.