Time and Again

Author's Note: Oh look, another chapter. And most of it was written more than three years ago. My writing style has changed, so has the plot, and who knows anything anymore? I'm trying to work on finishing this story rather than finishing it well. I have made no effort to reign in the odd, unimportant or rambling.

Who the hell knows what's going on in this story? Not me. Why am I still writing it? Why are you still reading it? I haven't read this chapter. Continuity is a joke.

I'm sorry, but I still figure you'd rather have crap chapters than none? Feel free to correct me (via pm- I've given up on reviews, people) if I'm wrong.

Chapter 19 - Culture Shock

September 1997

Harry awoke in bed next to Voldemort, sticky, and mortified that he'd fallen asleep before he could bring Voldemort off himself.

Voldemort was still asleep beside him, but came to consciousness in seconds when Harry hit him on the shoulder.

"I can't believe you let me do that," ranted Harry. "I'm supposed to be the compassionate one. You're supposed to be the selfish one."

Voldemort wasn't yet awake enough to understand what Harry's problem was. "Beg your pardon?"

"You!" raged Harry. "You didn't get off last night. Then you let me fall asleep!" That had never happened with Tom. Harry suddenly frightened that Voldemort was bored with him, had found better over the years. Perhaps he'd just lured Harry into his bed to kill him. Kill him with embarrassment. That sounded about right. That was why he was naked and why Voldemort was still fully clothed. Did the Dark Lord usually go to sleep in his robes?

Voldemort soothed Harry's fears with a gentle brush of his fingers through Harry's hair. A gentle kiss was pressed to his scarred forehead. Another followed on his scarred cheeks until finally Voldemort's lips were resting on Harry's own. Harry relaxed, letting his hands wander. They calmly explored Voldemort's chest, lingering in the laces of his shirt before loosening them and pushing the shirt over Voldemort's shoulders. His skin was slightly grey, which would have disturbed almost anyone, but Harry only found it easier to compare that pale perfection to a work of art carved from the finest marble.

"Harry," Voldemort moaned before Harry stifled further words with the tip of his tongue. Voldemort almost lost himself completely. But he didn't give in to his lover. "Harry, stop."

The words did nothing for Harry's ego. His eyes pierced Voldemort's with sadness. It was stupid to think that it would be perfect when he got back. "Of course. Your Death Eaters are waiting, right."

Knowing an out when he heard one, Voldemort agreed. "I would love to have you return the favour, but certain circumstances won't allow for it."

Harry nodded and reluctantly let Voldemort leave the bed. He watched as the older man put his shirt back on, then went into the adjoining bathroom. Harry followed him.

Voldemort was surprised to see him. "What are you doing in here?"

Harry wasn't sure, but he thought Voldemort seemed apprehensive, afraid that Harry would try to force himself on him, that he'd have to make another excuse for not wanting to consummate their relationship. The situation was insane. Voldemort wasn't supposed to be afraid of little Harry Potter.

Harry ignored the implications of that for the time being. He merely kissed Voldemort's thin lips, then went to relieve himself in the toilet. Voldemort looked purposefully away the entire time. Harry couldn't stop a sigh from escaping, one that was far from relieved. He didn't understand what had changed so much since he'd been with Tom. Voldemort had said he wasn't upset, but his actions seemed to convey the exact opposite. It worried Harry because if Tom and Voldemort weren't the same person, he'd fallen in love with a lie. He'd lost Tom to a figment of his imagination.

Voldemort went through the strangely Muggle act of brushing his teeth and washing his face. Harry hadn't smelt morning breath on him, so he probably used a permanent mouth-freshening charm. But the rest of his routing was strictly non-magical, likely aided by the fact that he had no hair growing on his head. Harry wished he knew whether that serpentine lack of hair continued over the rest of his body. He'd never imagined that Voldemort would keep that knowledge from him.

x x x

Voldemort left without another word as Harry peered through his wardrobe, trying to find his smallest robe to borrow. Harry hurriedly pulled on the next robe his fingers touched- something more black lace than substance- and followed the Dark Lord out of his bedroom, not realising that the robe he'd picked up was meant to be worn over another and therefore exposed rather a lot more of himself than he'd usually be comfortable with.

It was therefore unnecessary to say that Harry made an entrance when he walked in on the Death Eater meeting. Every single one of Voldemort's followers- including Draco Malfoy his arch-enemy, and Professor Snape- was there to see the Harry Potter trip over a lacy over-robe and display a package none of them would have been ashamed to possess (except perhaps the women). Voldemort's eyes were fierce when they landed on Harry, who couldn't help but feel ashamed. He'd assumed Voldemort was going to eat before the meeting, not waltz straight to his entire congregation of followers. Dimly he hoped that he hadn't undermined Voldemort's authority by turning up like this. Merlin, Voldemort probably still had some explaining to from yesterday.

There were jeers and catcalls before Voldemort silenced his people with a wave of his hand. The same hand he used to help Harry to his feet, before bringing him to stand to his right.

"My Death Eaters," Voldemort addressed his followers. "The time has come for me to explain our new world order." Voldemort smirked. "Having successfully eliminated the vast majority of half-bloods and mudbloods from our society-" Harry looked up sharply. Eliminated? Had Voldemort killed thousands, millions of people in the time he'd been gone? Harry hadn't had time to think about just how much the world had changed, and now he felt this was only the edge of the ruin Voldemort had made of society.

"It is time to reward those who remain," said Voldemort.

This time silence reached a new level of quiet as the Death Eaters tried to figure out what this meant for them and the rest of the world. Harry was astonished. He wondered if this plan had anything to do with himself and Voldemort's feelings for him (it he had any at all) or if this had been his plan all along.

"From the very beginning," Voldemort said, looking at his followers with something that one someone else might have been thought of as pride. Harry had the feeling Voldemort was going to do some more revisionist history. It didn't stop him from feeling a small amount of admiration for the man. "I have desired a wizarding utopia, where those of us with magical talent rule those without. I have desired that there be no secrecy within the world; all would be made aware of our superiority. I sought to weed out those undeserving of their magic. They have fled. Those who remain have proven themselves loyal to magic if nothing else. You, my most faithful, have always known that this fight was not about blood purity. It was about power and dominance. It is time to embrace the charred remains of our war, turn our efforts to the new world order, and live in the society our toil has brought us."

The Death Eaters applauded and Harry wondered if they were hearing the same thing. Voldemort dismissed the meeting, and Harry took the opportunity to express his own opinion. "I think I understand you better, now," said Harry. "I still don't agree with your methods, but the sentiment I understand."

Voldemort nodded. Harry wondered if he was being given the silent treatment for his less than dignified entrance.

"I can accept the past," said Harry. "Even though I don't like it. But it's over now, isn't it? Tell me you aren't going to kill anyone else. Tell me you haven't given everyone carte blanche for murder."

"Even I am more tactful than that," said Voldemort, sounding offended the way Tom always did. "We were in a war. It is a time of peace, now. You'll make sure of it."

The way Voldemort said it made Harry feel all gooey inside. Voldemort believed in him.

"What about democracy?" Harry asked, wondering why he was bothering to ask at all.

"If there is anything we can learn from Muggles," said Voldemort. "It is that a monarchy can work. You and I will exist outside of normal laws."

"That's not exactly fair, is it?" said Harry. "And being at the top will only make us a target. At the top, the only way to go is down."

"But that is the way it has always been, Harry. You and I are not normal." Harry liked the way Voldemort said his name. It was something of an endearment, not merely that which he was always called.

"Then there have to be other people who will never abide by your rules."

"Those with enough power will never let others shackle them."

"And then we end up with another Grindelwald... or you."

Voldemort didn't seem to mind that Harry still lumped him in the same league as Grindelwald. "That's inevitable, Harry," said Voldemort. "And there will always be someone like Dumbledore, or you, to stop them."

"I'm not like Dumbledore," said Harry, his throat closing up as he remembered that Dumbledore was gone.

"Well there are many similarities," Voldemort pointed out. "The biggest difference that I see is that you and I have actually formed a relationship. Dumbledore only hoped to have one with Grindelwald."

"Dumbledore wasn't gay," said Harry, though he wasn't sure why. He'd let the rumour pass unremarked upon back at Hogwarts

"Of course he was," said Voldemort. "The greatest wizards always are. It stops us from passing on the power. Could you imagine if everyone had this much power? The planet would be blown apart in a second, as all squabbles turned magical."

There was Voldemort's usual inflated sense of self-importance. "I don't think that would happen."

"That's is because you are an idealist," said Voldemort.

Harry blinked. He was realising that Tom and Voldemort were different people. It was strange to think that the more Harry got to know Voldemort, the more Harry liked him. He was less angry than Tom had been, and more sure of his own place in the world. Somewhere along the line he'd healed some of the wounds he'd borne. If only he hadn't had to kill to get there.

Harry kissed Voldemort then, leaning up and wrapping his arms around the other man's neck and gently luring him in. It stunned some of the remaining Death Eaters, but the rest just nodded as if they'd always known.

"Oh Merlin," moaned Voldemort. "Why are you wearing this thing?" he asked, fiddling with the fabric clothing Harry's arse, and at the same time shielding him with his hands. A larger hole in the lace had made its way precisely over Harry's opening. "Were you trying to make it impossible for my Death Eaters to respect me?"

Harry blushed. "You left so quickly. I grabbed the first thing because I didn't want to be left behind."

"I thought you'd wait," said Voldemort. "Did you really want to see a Death Eater meeting?"

Harry's cheeks darkened further. "Well no, but I can't say I didn't enjoy it."

"Well I didn't," said Voldemort. "They were all looking you as though they had the right. You're mine, you know?"

"Then show me," said Harry through a breath, kissing Voldemort deeply. They were so intertwined that Harry felt it the second his lover stiffened (and not in the right way). Harry broke of the kiss. "Are you ever going to tell me what's wrong?"

"Severus!" said Voldemort.

Snape turned to look at him, as did the remaining occupants of the room. "Yes, my Lord?"

"Have you finished that potion?"

"Of course," said Snape. "Should I retrieve it for you?"

"Immediately. And place it in my bedchambers."

Snape bowed and left the room.

"So you aren't going to tell me," said Harry. He wished he hadn't had to say it.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I'd rather it be a surprise."

"You don't need to protect me like a child."

"When have I ever protected children?" said Voldemort.

Harry drew back, crossing his arms. "You know what I mean."

"I wouldn't keep anything important from you," said Voldemort.

"If it's not important then it doesn't need to be a secret," said Harry.

"It's important to me."

"What's important to you is important to me."

"You'll find out it due course," said Voldemort. "Can't I have this one thing?"

Harry sighed. Voldemort was right. It was pointless to argue with Voldemort over this. But Harry worried about what Voldemort was doing all the time. It didn't matter whether he was right beside him or somewhere across time and space.

"Let's get you out of this robe," Voldemort said into Harry's ear.

Harry's reaction to that statement was visible, causing Voldemort to remove his outermost robe and place it around Harry, tying the sash tightly to hold it closed.

"That wasn't what I meant," said Voldemort.

Again Harry's fears roared to the forefront of his mind. Why wouldn't Voldemort sleep with him?

x x x

Voldemort led Harry back to his room and showed Harry what he hadn't seen before. Opposite Voldemort's wardrobe was a second set of doors leading to a walk-in closet. Candles inside ignited as soon as they entered, casting a mysterious glow on the racks of clothing within. It was more than twice the size of Voldemort's wardrobe. Besides the hangers and drawers, there were cases of jewellery laid out and pair after pair of shoes. Every outfit Harry had ever worn in his life would have taken up less than one wall of the wardrobe, which must have been expanded magically, it was so large.

"Every time I saw something that reminded me of you, I bought it."

Harry's first glance had revealed the usual Muggle and wizarding clothing. A deeper look showed stranger things like shawls and feminine accessories. "I hope you don't actually expect me to wear all this of this stuff."

Voldemort didn't blush, but Harry knew he was embarrassed all the same. "I had nothing to entertain myself but my fantasies. They grew rather vivid and obscure."

That in turn made Harry blush, though didn't explain why the man hadn't tried to enact them as soon as they were reunited.

Voldemort pointed to the wall on the left. "I definitely don't expect you to wear any of those outside the bedroom."

Harry looked and had no idea what half of it was. Silk pyjamas he recognised, and cotton briefs. Some of it looked like ladies underwear and some of it was right out of the history books. Harry guessed that there was something there from every year that Voldemort had been apart from Harry.

"The right wall is casual clothing and the back is formalwear," said Voldemort.

Harry had never had casual wizarding clothes before. He'd seen some of the pure-bloods and half-bloods wearing them on weekends though, especially in the past. Ron's wardrobe had contained a mixture of muggle casual clothes and homemade wizarding wear which led Harry to believe that wizarding clothes weren't as affordable. Neville had worn casual wizarding robes every weekend, though. Harry recognised the almost nineteenth century muggle shirts and pants combined with plain outer robes.

Voldemort left Harry to do whatever it was that Dark Lords did, but he did remember to mention to Harry that his friends were in the Manor. Harry changed into a green t-shirt that matched his eyes perfectly. It brought a fond smile to Harry's face to realise that Voldemort had remembered him so vividly. He was glad to wear jeans again, even if they were grey and tighter than any Harry had ever owned before. There weren't many muggle jackets, so Harry slide a black robe with silver lining over the top. His shoe options, though varied, were not to Harry's liking. Voldemort had grossly overestimated the size of Harry's feet. Those that might have fit were strange buckled things that would take an eternity to put on or remove. Finally he found a pair of golden slipper-like shoes that were sinfully comfortable, though didn't add much to his hodgepodge of an outfit.

Once dressed, Harry was ready to go exploring the Manor. He opened the door to find Draco Malfoy standing outside, apparently waiting for him.

"Malfoy," Harry greeted, slightly unsure of himself around the other teen. Malfoy was the cause of his trip through time. Harry could only hope that him being on Voldemort's good side would mean less antagonising from Malfoy.

Malfoy bowed and addressed Harry as Lord Potter.

Harry wasn't so sure that he liked the change. He had a suspicion he'd much prefer being antagonised.

"Lord Voldemort has requested that I act as your tour guide and help you in every other way that I can."

"This is too weird, Malfoy," said Harry. "You can't call me Lord Potter."

Malfoy smirked and Harry was glad to see it. "Sorry, Lord Potter." Malfoy bowed again. "What the Dark Lord wants, the Dark Lord gets."

Harry frowned. "I can't believe you're enjoying this."

"Personal aide to the Dark Lord's right hand man is a very prestigious position," said Malfoy. Harry almost thought he believed it.

"You're my aide?" asked Harry.

"While the Dark Lord wants me to be, yes." Malfoy really didn't seem to be bothered by essentially being Harry's servant. He seemed almost thankful for it.

"What happened to you while I was gone?" asked Harry.

Malfoy's face became a mask of stoic calm and he recited more than remembered his story. "Voldemort was upset when he heard that you'd disappeared. He was certain that Snape or I knew something that we weren't telling him. I couldn't tell him anything more than what I'd thrown in your cauldron, and Snape didn't even know that much. Despite his lack of confidence in me, he allowed me the opportunity to make amends. That was when he moved into the Manor. Luckily, the only thing I had to do for Voldemort was that which he'd asked me to do before the school year began. I already had a plan."

"What was it?" asked Harry.

"To kill Dumbledore," said Malfoy.

Harry paled. Dumbledore's death was still a fresh wound. "But you didn't kill him," said Harry, remembering what Voldemort had told him.

"I tried," said Malfoy. "I couldn't, so Snape did it for me."

Anger curled in Harry's belly. Dumbledore had trusted Snape and though Harry had never felt that same level of trust, he felt just as betrayed.

"He was bound to do it," Malfoy said. "My mother made him swear an Unbreakable Vow."

Strangely, Malfoy seemed to have been trying to assuage Harry's feelings. The strangest part was that Harry did feel relieved.

"Voldemort was pleased enough by Snape that he granted his wish that I not be murdered. That I be allowed to live as though I was never a Death Eater."

"But you were at the meeting this morning," said Harry.

"I still have the mark," said Malfoy. "But I was not favoured by our Lord. But he gave me this job so I know that he's no longer upset with me."

Harry nodded as he processed that. "Show me where my friends are now."

"This way, Lord Potter," said Malfoy, leading Harry down the corridor. Their progress was tracked by the watchful eyes of generations of Malfoy portraits. It unnerved Harry as most of them obviously thought it was beneath a Malfoy to let half-bloods take up residence. Malfoy seemed well-practised in avoiding them.

One storey lower, Harry was led into some sort of study or library where Hermione was waiting. A book was open on the table in front of her. She smiled and stood to greet her friend. "Harry!"

They embraced, revelling in the feel of being physically close to one another for the first time in over a year.

Malfoy cleared his throat when he thought it had gone on long enough.

"Right," said Harry. "I want to speak to Hermione privately. Don't you have anything else to do?"

"Only what you tell me to do, Lord Potter," said Malfoy.

"Er, well, you're dismissed for now. I'll call you when I need you."

Malfoy bowed low and left the room.

"What was that all about?" Hermione asked as she retook her seat.

Harry sat in the armchair closest to her. "Voldemort assigned him to me as my 'aide'."

"He didn't seem upset by it," said Hermione. "He hasn't been so bad since you left, but this is more than that."

"Apparently it's something of a step up in the Death Eater food chain." Harry shrugged. "But that's enough about him. Where's Ron?"

Hermione was on the verge of pouting when she said, "Lucius Malfoy sent him and Neville on an errand and he wouldn't tell me what it was about. Ginny and Luna are back at school."

"I can ask Voldemort if you want," said Harry. "But I'm glad you're here, at least."

"Me too," said Hermione. "I just want to know."

"Well I'll ask Voldemort later," said Harry. He'd forgotten to be worried about Hermione's reaction to Voldemort. When he'd written to her, he'd felt like she knew. But he didn't even know if she'd gotten his letters. "Did you get my letters?" he asked.

"Yes," said Hermione with a smile. "At first I couldn't believe you and Tom Riddle, then it all seemed to make sense."

Harry blushed. "Do you think it's wrong of me?"

"I think you can't help who you fall in love with," said Hermione. "Otherwise I might have chosen better than Ron."

"You and Ron?" said Harry. "Finally."

It was Hermione's turn to blush. "We didn't want to waste any time... in case you never did come back. I'm so glad you're here."

"Me too," said Harry. "What else did I miss? How's Ginny?"

"Fine," said Hermione. "It took her the longest to get used to the idea of you and Voldemort. I don't think she ever really got over that crush she used to have on you."

That seemed like a lifetime ago, when Ginny couldn't say a word in his presence. Harry changed the subject. "How long has Voldemort been in charge?" Harry couldn't help thinking that if he'd been back in his own time, then Voldemort wouldn't have been able to take control.

"About four months," said Hermione. "But it feels like a lot longer. He banned Muggle-borns from Hogwarts so I've been using your invisibility cloak since school started."

"He banned Muggle-borns?" said Harry, preparing himself to argue with Voldemort.

"Don't get too upset," said Hermione. "I think he's going to change that now that you're back. And actually being at Hogwarts would probably be worse."

"Why do you say that?" asked Harry.

"The Carrows," said Hermione. And she launched into an explanation of the new disciplinary system in place.

Harry looked down at his hand. "And we thought Umbridge was bad."

Hermione grabbed his hand tightly. "It's not your fault," she said. "No one could have done anything to stop him. After Dumbledore..."

"I can't believe Snape killed him," said Harry. "Dumbledore trusted him."

"It's not Snape's fault," said Hermione. Harry looked up at her, surprised that she was defending him. "Dumbledore asked him to do it."

"What?" asked Harry.

"He was dying," said Hermione. "This way Snape got out of his Unbreakable Vow and Malfoy didn't have to do it. Snape's not so bad once you get to know him."

"You got to know him?"

Hermione shrugged. "We set up the DA again last year as an official club. Snape was our supervisor."

Harry shook his head. But if he could fall in love with Tom Riddle, Hermione could befriend Snape. Becoming allies with a double agent was certainly more plausible than time travelling and falling in love with a Dark Lord. "I never thought coming back home could give me culture shock."

"You've been away a long time," said Hermione. "A lot's changed."

"And not just with you," said Harry. "Voldemort's different. I mean, he's not Tom and I wasn't expecting that, but..." Harry wasn't sure he really wanted to talk about this with Hermione. But his only other option was waiting for Ron to get back. Harry suspected it would be a more worrisome conversation with Ron.

"What's wrong?" asked Hermione. "He's not forcing you to do anything, is he?"

"It's almost the opposite," said Harry. "But I don't know how much you'll want to hear." He, Hermione and Ron had never had conversations like this before. He realised he'd grown up in the time he'd been away with no one to rely upon but himself.

"You can tell me anything, Harry," said Hermione.

"Have you and Ron... had sex?"

Hermione blushed and Harry wondered if she was regretting telling him he could tell her anything. But she didn't let him down. "We have," she said. "I always thought I'd wait until marriage but when you're going to die, things change."

Harry sighed and got on with the crux of his problem. "Voldemort won't have sex with me, but that's the only thing Tom ever seemed to want to do."

Hermione reddened and tried to look at the situation objectively, without imagining her seventeen-year-old best friend having sex with a seventy-year-old man. "Well it's probably a bit overwhelming, this whole situation. He's probably just looking out for you. You did just travel in time, you know."

"I've made it clear that I want to," said Harry. "And he keeps knocking me back. I'm starting to wonder if it's revenge for before."

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't sleep with Tom. I knew that I'd end up back here and that I'd have to leave Tom behind. I was saving myself for Voldemort."

"Well it's only been a day," said Hermione. "I think you'd better give it some time before you worry too much about it."

"That's not all," said Harry. "He has some problem that he won't tell me about. Snape's made him a potion that's supposed to fix it and Voldemort doesn't want me to worry, but I am."

Hermione moved to drape an arm over her friend's shoulders. "You have a right to worry, but maybe you should just trust him. He'll tell you when he's ready."

"He doesn't want to tell me," said Harry. "If it works he's not going to tell me what the problem was."

"He'll soon see that he has to," said Hermione. "If he wants to keep you."

Harry felt his heart beat faster. "I can't lose him over this, whatever it is. Even if it does mean we can never have sex."

"What happens will happen," said Hermione. "It might not be a good idea to make promises you can't keep. Whatever he's hiding might be dangerous."

Harry bit his lip. "We'll get through this," he said. "I know I'm not going to survive if we ever break up."

The two friends sat in silence after that proclamation.

Harry's stomach rumbled, breaking the silence. "I haven't eaten anything since I got here," he said.

"Harry!" said Hermione. "I can't believe he lets you get away with that."

If it were up to Voldemort, Harry probably would have eaten breakfast instead of crashing his Death Eater meeting.

"I guess I'd better call Malfoy," said Harry with a grimace. "I think it's harder for me to accept help from him that it is for him to give it to me."

"Well," said Hermione. "There's always Kreacher."

"We're in Malfoy Manor," Harry reminded her. Some part of him did miss the crabby elf. "I bet there are wards preventing me from calling an outside house elf."

After a half-hearted attempt at calling Kreacher, Harry stepped outside to find Malfoy. The very same Malfoy who was diligently waiting for him outside the door. Harry was instantly on edge. "What did you hear?" he asked.

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Nothing my lips can repeat, Lord Potter. Don't you think Lord Voldemort made sure he could trust me with your safety?"

Harry bypassed relief and went straight to worried. "What did he make you do?"

"I swore an Unbreakable Vow, Lord Potter," said Malfoy. "Much like the one Snape swore when he was protecting me."

"I don't want you to be my slave," said Harry.

"I'm not," said Malfoy. "Do you really think I'd have this much personality if I was? Now what do you want?"

"Breakfast," said Harry. Then he listed items before Malfoy brought him back something decidedly odd. "Toast, bacon and eggs, and orange juice. Enough for me and Hermione."

Malfoy frowned. "Are you sure you don't want something healthier, Lord Potter?"

"Fine," said Harry. "And an apple apiece."

"Very well, sir." Malfoy bowed and Harry went back into the room with Hermione.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that," said Harry to Hermione. "Let's hope I can get Voldemort to make it temporary."

"Somehow," said Hermione. "I don't think he's going to agree to that."

Harry shrugged. "He will eventually. If nothing else, I'm glad the war's over." He sat back down in his chair.

"It never really felt that way until now," she said.

"Why's that?"

"Because you're back."

"When Voldemort's put the government back in place, let's go on a holiday."

"Somewhere tropical," said Hermione.

"Where we can spend lazy days on the beach," said Harry, though he was thinking about his first date with Tom in Hogsmeade.

"Sipping cocktails from coconuts," said Hermione.

"That's right," said Harry, sitting up straighter. "What's the date? Have I missed your eighteenth birthday?"

"There wasn't much to it," said Hermione. "We were kind of on lockdown."

Malfoy entered the room as silent as a house elf, but Harry and Hermione shut up as though he'd charged in on a dragon. Malfoy quickly set the coffee table with the breakfast plates, and even went so far as to lay napkins on their laps.

The three of them were silent for a moment, just contemplating the food. Malfoy obviously wanted to linger like a servant, while Harry and Hermione just wanted him to leave.

"It's not poisoned," Malfoy finally said. "I tasted it myself."

Grudgingly, Harry began eating, savouring the simple taste of buttered toast. "Thanks Malfoy," he said. "You can go now."

Malfoy left and the tension in the room went with him.

"I don't think I'll get used to it either," said Hermione with a smile. "But I can't say I don't find it amusing."

"Oh Merlin." Harry groaned. "Remind me not to let Ron near him."

Hermione laughed with a fond look in her eyes.

Harry wondered at it. He would have expected Hermione to be scathing of the thought of Ron's actions. He guessed it was just one of the things that were different now that the pair were dating. Harry wondered if Hermione thought he was as different. It was one of the things that had worried him when he was in the past, whether he and his friends would be too different to still be compatible. If Tom had somehow corrupted him. So far, there weren't many differences, but it would take more than one conversation for them to really notice. He only hoped that if they had changed too much, that they could part amicably. He didn't want to live through another war. Not even a personal one.

There was a single knock on the door and it opened. Malfoy ushered in an incredibly confused Ron and Neville. "Mr Weasley and Mr Longbottom, sir," said Malfoy before bowing an leaving, shutting the door behind him.

"What the bloody hell was that?" asked Ron, staring at the door.

"What? No 'Hi Harry, how was your trip?'" Harry smirked.

As though suddenly coming to himself, the red drained from Ron's face and an enormous grin overtook it. "Harry!" He threw his arms around his friend's neck, almost strangling him in the process. "Thank Merlin you're alive!"

Harry laughed with what little air he had before prying Ron's arms away. "That's more like it," he said, standing and returning Ron's embrace properly. He locked eyes with Neville and gave him a hug, too. "It's good to see you."

"We've missed you, Harry," said Neville.

"I hear you got into enough trouble without me around," said Harry.

"I have to say," said Neville. "I do like Voldemort a lot more now that you're back."

Harry laughed.

Ron made a face. "Can we please make a pact to never talk about Harry and Voldemort?" Ron turned to Harry. "No offence, mate, but it's gross."

"Can we talk about me and Tom Riddle?" asked Harry.

Ron's unpleasant face returned. "No!"

"I have to say," said Harry. "I don't feel nearly as worried about someone stealing him away than when he was Tom Riddle."

"Too much information," said Ron, covering his ears and shutting his eyes.

Sensing that the boys would continue talking in circles unless someone stopped them, Hermione said, "So Ron, what did Lucius want you to do?"

"Tell our parents that it's okay to come out of hiding," said Ron.

"They thought it might be better if we told them," Said Neville. "So they'd believe us."

"And did they?" asked Harry.

"Yes and no," said Neville. "Obviously my parents weren't in any state to know better."

"And my parent are still a little disbelieving."

Neville scoffed. Harry didn't think he'd ever seen him do that before. "His parents are beyond furious with us for going to Hogwarts at the beginning of term. We have to give them some kind of proof before they launch some kind of full-frontal assault in the name of saving us."

It occurred to Harry that part of what Ron and Neville must have told the Weasleys to convince them must have been his relationship with Voldemort. He couldn't imagine how that could have gone over well. "I'm surprised they even let the two of you come back," said Harry.

"Only because Hermione's here," said Ron. "And you, too, if they believe us."

"And they didn't send anyone else with you?"

"They tried," said Neville.

"Fred and George were dead keen, but of course mum couldn't bear to lose any more kids. Dad was out, too."

"And we ran out before anyone else could volunteer," said Neville.

"How are we going to give them proof?" asked Harry. "I don't think Voldemort would like it much if I left him here and your parents held me hostage."

"Which is what we tried to explain to mum," said Ron.

"But that just made it worse since she thought that meant we were lying and that you were really locked in his dungeon or dead."

"I think Mrs Weasley thought we were Inferi ourselves," said Neville. "As though we looked like ourselves but weren't behaving at all correctly."

"I thought she would have gotten used to that after last time," said Hermione.

"What happened?" asked Harry.

"We spent all summer looking for horcruxes," said Ron. "Mum would have preferred it if we'd stayed with them."

"So it's the same story, really," said Harry.

"Let's take a photo together," said Hermione.

"Or maybe a hundred," said Ron. "Otherwise mum will think we forged them somehow. She's so suspicious. And I thought she was suspicious when I was actually lying."

"We don't have a camera," said Neville.

"I'm sure Malfoy can find us one," said Harry. "I'd better ask him now. The sooner we get this done the less your mum will worry."

"I'll ask him," said Hermione, standing up.

Ron and Neville's jaws dropped and Harry was surprised by their silence. "What's going on?" he asked, looking at Hermione, who was just grinning at Ron.

"Hermione, you can walk!" said Ron.

Harry frowned. Why should that have been a surprise?

"It started last night," Hermione said, as Ron walked over to her and swept her into a hug. "I think Voldemort did it when he shocked me. When I woke up this morning I was pretty sure I could walk, but I didn't want to get your hopes up so I didn't test it until after you'd left."

"Hold on," said Harry. "Why shouldn't Hermione have been able to walk?"

"It happened the night Dumbledore died," said Hermione. "A lot of curses were flying around Hogwarts and I got hit by one. No one could figure out how to reverse it."

"So, last night what happened?" asked Harry.

"I said something Voldemort didn't agree with and he shocked me," said Hermione. She saw the look on Harry's face and hurriedly added, "It didn't really hurt. It was just to get my attention. More of a threat than anything. But I felt it in my legs and I hadn't been able to feel anything in months."

"How did you get around?" asked Harry.

"I had a very good levitating spell handy," said Hermione.

"She got really good at it," said Ron, smiling fondly at Hermione whom he hadn't yet managed to let go.

Harry smiled. "Well I'm glad you're up and about. Voldemort would have had no idea what hit him if you weren't alright."

Hermione returned the smile. "Let's take those photos now that we've all got something to smile about."

Malfoy fetched them a camera and showed them to an informal dining room where their lunch was set up. After lunch, Malfoy became their photographer and the Gryffindors made a game of trying to find the positions and expressions that would most irritate Malfoy, without being too scandalous for Molly Weasley's eyes. They posed with Malfoy portraits and with the albino peacocks in the garden and nearly everywhere in between. Malfoy never batted an eyelash except to call out a countdown to each photograph. Harry found it unnerving. It was as though Malfoy had been lobotomised.

The house elves printed the photos for them and Ron was quick to take them back to his parents, leaving Neville to keep Hermione company. She still wasn't officially enrolled back at Hogwarts, so for now she would be staying in the Manor.

Ginny and Luna showed up after classes were over that day.

"Since when do the professors just let you walk out of Hogwarts?" asked Harry.

Ginny shrugged. "It's easy if you just walk into the headmaster's office and tell him Voldemort sent for you."

"Did Professor Snape actually believe that?" asked Hermione.

"Probably not," said Ginny. "He just told us to be back in time for classes tomorrow." Ginny rolled her eyes. "It's not as if we can learn anything with the Carrows in charge."

"If Snape's the headmaster," said Harry. "Can't he just get rid of them?"

"I think we all know who the real headmaster of Hogwarts is," said Ginny.

The others all turned to look at Harry.

"I'll ask," said Harry. "But I can't just go around telling him what to do all the time. We've got to at least have a suggestion for another teacher."

"The Carrows wouldn't be so bad if they weren't literally torturing us," said Neville. He, Ginny and Luna were all quiet for a moment.

"Aside from their hatred of Muggles and Muggle-borns," said Hermione.

"You weren't there," said Ginny to Harry. "You don't know."

"I get it," said Harry. "It's number one on the list."

There was a distinct devilish spark in Ginny's eyes. "Even if he doesn't," she said. "We're going to make sure they're gone."

Harry just being back inspired them to do more than they'd ever done before. It was a little worrying for Harry to realise he had that much power. He'd never felt powerful before. The biggest rush he'd gotten was the night he'd cast a Patronus for the first time.

The friends spent the rest of the evening playing exploding snap and catching up on everything else they could think of.

Eventually Voldemort came to seek out Harry, looking almost shy as he was introduced. Harry hadn't really been expecting Voldemort to like them, but he managed to compliment Neville for giving the Carrows hell, and Hermione for taking control the previous day. He also told Ginny and Luna that he admired the way they'd stood up to the torture they'd gone through while looking for Hermione. Harry bid his friends goodbye and the two of them headed back to their rooms. It was difficult to deny that Voldemort was a different person around Harry, when he was carefully tucked under Voldemort's arm. It was strange, but comforting, the way Harry had already adjusted to life here with Voldemort.

x X X x

A/N: Don't leave reviews. I haven't read them in years. Wow, I think that's literally true. WHY AM I STILL WRITING THIS?