Chapter 4.

He Knows

"Ah yes, your mother." A low chuckle escaped Lord Voldemort's throat as he mused aloud. "A striking woman, I have to admit, but then again, those are most often foolish. Distasteful witches are foolish too, but they're mentally incapable on top of that." Harry noticed Voldemort was excluding muggle women, as if they weren't even worth it to be taken into account.

At least an hour. That was how long the Dark Lord had been talking. First he'd just been muttering to himself, then he'd started speaking louder. Harry hadn't been able to follow half of what he'd said. He wasn't sure whether it was because Voldemort was smarter, or because he'd lost his marbles.

But lots of people said the same about Dumbledore, that he was brilliant but crazy, and that had never held him back from being ahead of everyone and making incredible things happen. Really, genius was a potent and highly dangerous mixture of intelligence and lunacy.

"I told the woman to let you go. I was generous enough, despite her having hidden you from me, to let her live if she paid for her mistake and gave you up."

Harry was fuming inside. Yes, he'd told himself over and over again to not let his emotions run away with him, to keep control, to keep calm, to stay rational and alert. But it was his mother Voldemort was talking about. His mother…

An unidentified sound that Harry had never heard in his life came from his own mouth. It made the dark wizard's eyes flicker to him momentarily, before he stared back at the wall again with an undecipherable expression.

The younger wizard tried to mimic that expression, to be impassable, to be untouchable behind a protective shield of neutrality. He stared in the opposite direction and waited.

He wasn't sure for what though. Probably several things. And what else could he do? He'd already tried to find a physical way out, like a door or secret passage, but there was none. He'd already tried a magical way out, but he had not an ounce of power in him. He'd tried to yell out at Malfoy, but the Slytherin didn't talk to him if he didn't wish to, and if Harry yelled too much, he just got yelled back at and his mind was really too roughed up to be able to take much of that. Mind yelling was much more invasive than actual yelling.

He'd also tried waking up; seeing as his body was, according to both Malfoy and Snape at least, in Hogwarts' hospital wing with Madam Pomfrey. If he was dreaming, he could've woken up. But that didn't work. So then he'd started to consider whether he might be in a coma.

It wasn't a cheering thought.

Still, that didn't explain why in the world Voldemort was still in his head! Had he been trapped there when he'd possessed Harry? Could that happen? Maybe if Harry's mind shut down from the strain?

"Harry." The teenager's head snapped back towards the Dark Lord. He had told him to stop saying his name! "Don't you think mothers, and fathers for that matter, are useless? I don't understand why the woman even bothered to save you. She knew I would kill both of you if she did. Besides, as a mudblood she should've known her place. And I tried to explain it to her, but she wouldn't listen." Voldemort spoke as if he was exasperated by a slow student he'd been trying to teach.

"Her name was Lily!" Harry spat venomously. The Dark Lord looked at him questioningly, as if unable to figure out why in the world this brat had volunteered this useless bit of information. "Don't you dare call her a mudblood." That same brat threatened.

The Dark Lord looked amused. "Or what? What do you think you can do, Harry Potter?" He sneered the name. "What can you do without Dumbledore there to pull the strings?"

"The same I did in the graveyard." He returned swiftly. "And with the philosopher's stone and in the Chamber of Secrets."

"You went in the chamber?" The Dark Lord wondered, unimpressed by Harry's comeback. "Yes…" He answered his own question. "I do recall someone telling me about it. You destroyed something of mine that day after all."

Harry wasn't sure whether Voldemort was talking about the Basilisk or the diary. He'd never really understood what kind of magic that diary had been either. It was one of those things Voldemort was simply too advanced in for him to be able to compete on the same level. And it was…frustrating…infuriating.

"I'll do it again if I can." He decided to say. It wouldn't betray his ignorance.

"A foolish thing to say. Again. You're quite like your mother, I see. Though your father and most of that ridiculous Order Dumbledore deemed necessary to put together had the same trait. Foolish blood traitors most of them. You fit nicely. I wonder why Dumbledore didn't let you join." He added cruelly.

Harry was certain he had hit that sore spot on purpose. It made him furious to think of how he'd been excluded from everything even when it was to him that things were happening. And Voldemort must have seen how he got worked up about it. It was obvious Voldemort was trying to manipulate and provoke him. And that was exactly why Harry needed to get a grip. But he didn't know how.

How do you control such…such hate? Have you ever experienced that feeling? Like you want to reach into someone's gut and rip out his insides? Just looking at them makes your head swim and you can't think of anything else but the horrible things they did to you.

"I have to congratulate you, Harry." The boy cringed at the sound of his name. Voldemort just kept saying it on purpose, he knew. "You've learned to keep quiet. Not talking is always the best option for people like you."

And what was that supposed to mean?

No! No no no. I'm not going to let myself get trapped. He's trying to confuse me or anger me. I have to control myself. I have to shut off my emotions and empty my head of all thought. Harry repeated to himself as he recalled Snape's instructions during their disastrous Occlumency lessons.

"And it means you're listening to me. Good boy that you are." The Dark Lord mocked him. "If your father had been here, he might not have been proud, but he should have."

Oh no. Now he was attacking his father. Harry gritted his teeth in a desperate attempt to keep from shouting.

"Fathers rarely recognize their son's accomplishments. Mine was the same, mind you. He wasn't even impressed that I was able to frame my uncle for his murder."

Harry frowned at that. Did Voldemort just say that he'd… Well, he had mentioned Tom Riddle Senior in the graveyard a year ago. But he was able to just talk about like it was the most natural thing. And he didn't even flinch when he said he framed another family member. Was this uncle still in Azkaban for something he hadn't done? If he was, something needed to be done about it. Harry couldn't just sit on this information he'd just gotten.

"You're…" Harry attempted rather breathlessly, but he didn't have the strength to find a fitting adjective to describe the…creature sitting a few metres from him. In the end he just shook his head.

Voldemort chuckled. He was the only one who could be amused by such a conversation topic.

"I guess I have to admire how relentless you are. Sometimes stubbornness can get you somewhere, but never far enough."

Harry was tired of the cryptic language, obnoxious comments and provocative advice. It was wearing him out even further.

When was Draco coming back? He'd said he was going to help, but Harry hadn't heard from him in a while. What was he doing? What was happening in the world out there in the meantime? Malfoy had mentioned that Fudge was in trouble. He kind of had that coming when he allowed Lord Voldemort and his little gang right into the ministry and the Department of Mysteries.

But other than that, Harry knew next to nothing. Waiting without knowing, without knowing what it is you're waiting for, and no one telling you anything, and with an arrogant and unstable lunatic right next to you…what kind of torture was that? Who could bear such a thing and stay sane?

Harry wanted to scream. He had been for a while now. He wanted to roll around on the floor and hit his fists on the floor the way he'd seen Dudley do every single birthday. He was losing his mind and he was tired of trying to hide it. He couldn't even let himself moan or sigh for God's sake! How was Voldemort bearing this? How could he still be talking and thinking and spitting his poison all over the place?

He's already done this. Harry remembered the fact that Voldemort had been thought dead for thirteen years, had been forced to live in animals or leeching off of other people's bodies, like Professor Quirrel. His mind had probably been trapped in bodies he couldn't control. Maybe it had been similar to this.

But at least he'd been alone. And he'd been in contact with the world, even interacting with it. Despite any possible similarities, those were big differences.

What is Voldemort thinking? He's certainly planning something. What's he trying to do with his talking? Is he wearing me out with his talking on purpose?

Potter?

What? You're talking to me again, now? Harry sneered.

I'm doing you a bloody favour, so shut it. Malfoy retorted. Someone wants to talk to you.

Tell Snape to sod off. Harry drawled. The potions master had been fucking useless. I won't help him save his master.

You're such an idiot. Harry was really getting tired of being called names. It's not Severus. It's your mudblood buddy.

Harry almost growled aloud. After the insults to his mother before, he really couldn't take much more from Draco. But he was also thrilled beyond comprehension. Hermione! Hermione was there, finally! She had to know something about this whole thing.

Ho ho, Potter! Easy on the euphoria. What did I say about emotional outbursts. Can you stay calm for five effing minutes?

Am I disturbing your peaceful little delusions, Malfoy? Harry sneered.

As a matter of fact, you are. I already said I'd help you, but I don't want to be inconvenienced more than necessary.

It was almost humorous to the Gryffindor. Draco was complaining about his peace of mind? I'm curious how he'd cope in my place right now. He thought bitterly to himself.

I'd never be stupid enough to get into such situation to begin with. The Slytherin replied. Of course he'd heard. And by the way, there's an annoying bundle of hair in my face getting impatient to talk to you.

Then talk! He almost shouted.

When you say 'please'. I don't like to be ordered around. The blonde said stiffly.

Harry moaned in exasperation and frustration. He couldn't help himself this time. Voldemort noticed of course, though he made no sign he'd heard it.

But the Gryffindor said 'please' for he had no choice. He was in a very difficult situation, and he'd decided he would try and be mature and diplomatic with his enemy. Pride and stubbornness really wouldn't be helpful.

Malfoy's voice came in that neutral tone again he used to speak someone else's words. Are you in pain?

What? N-no. Is she in pain? Is she all right? And the others? How are they doing?

Merlin! Potter! One question at a time!

The dialogue was long and difficult and suffered many interruptions. But after some time Harry was able to establish that Hermione had been released from St-Mungo's after two days (yes, two whole days had already passed!) and come back to Hogwarts, and Ron would soon follow, though he would need more care from Madam Pomfrey for the burns the brain tentacles had left on his arms.

The others had been less badly hurt and were already back in their dormitories. That was a relief! It was already bad enough that Sirius…that he…

Potter? The blonde probed when he felt the sudden twinge of distress.

What? Harry asked aggressively. What insult would he get this time? Couldn't he just leave him alone!

No words came, no thoughts. But there was a…warm…and rather sharp…sort of feeling emanating from Draco. It was…how could he call it…like…concern?

That couldn't be right. His radar must be broken, Harry concluded.

Will you stop shaking me with your filthy mudblood fingers!

Harry was startled out of his confusion, only to be dipped in more confusion. Huh?

I wasn't talking to you, Ha…Potter. Draco explained hastily. Bleeding Barmies, is she always like this?

Harry had the sense to realise he was talking about Hermione, but he had no idea what was going on. He could only follow with half a mind, he always had to keep an eye on the deadly maniac in the room.

"You're particularly silent, Harry." The said maniac suddenly began while Draco was still repeating a question from Hermione in his head. Harry was confused for a moment, his mind was unsure about which it should pay attention to first.

"I have nothing to say to someone like you." He finally decided to respond to Voldemort first, using some of the Dark Lord's previous words against him.

Again, it amused the Lord. Was he amused with everything? Did he like this place, this situation? Did he want it? Had he caused it?

No, that's what he wants me to think. Harry suspected it was a kind of intimidation. Voldemort was trying to show him he was in control, unlike Harry.

Are you even listening to me? Draco interrupted.

Malfoy! Please! Just…don't…

What?

But the Gryffindor didn't know what to say. He didn't want to tell him to 'shut up' because he still needed his help, and he wanted to keep talking to Hermione, even if it was difficult to do it through the blonde. So…what could he say?

I'm tired. It just flowed from his mind. He was too tired to hold back. His mind was too messed up.

What?

I'm tired, Draco.

But you told Severus you didn't need sleep. The Slytherin spoke more carefully though. He was…gentler…and Harry was grateful. It was like feeling cool water on a burn. It was soothing to his raw mind.

I'm not sleepy. I'm weary. I…

But he caught himself just before he started to complain or beg the Slytherin for help. He wasn't that desperate yet, was he?

Harry.

That was unusual. Harry frowned and waited for the blonde to continue.

Harry…I…well…are you all right? Draco spoke like he too had difficulty finding words, and holding back on emotions that threatened to take over him. But unlike Harry, the blonde managed to keep those emotions strictly hidden. How was it that he could do that so easily? It was so hard for the Gryffindor!

Harry was quite taken aback by the question. All the more because of the way it was asked. That combination of warmth and sharpness he'd felt before and identified as concern was back. What was Draco concerned about? Was it linked with his deep-rooted anxiety for some equally unknown cause?

But then he understood where the question had come from. Is Hermione asking?

…yes… There had been more hesitation than Harry had expected, but it was an answer all the same.

Tell her I'm all right. We all survived the ministry, so I can survive this. Except for Sirius…He didn't… But don't tell her the thing about Sirius. Uh…tell…just tell her I'll be fine, okay?

Harry half expected a complaint from Draco about his unclear instructions, but none came. Just a simple 'Okay'.

Time passed slowly as he waited for Malfoy to talk to Hermione. All the while he was stuck staring at a dreary stone wall, or at a man deformed by darkness and hate.

"Well, Harry." Voldemort spoke again when he noticed that the young wizard's attention was fully on him again. Stop saying my name! "You're so out of it sometimes. You didn't even listen to what I said."

What? He talked to me? When? Harry panicked. Had he lost track of what was happening in the room while he was busy with Draco and Hermione?

"It's almost like you're talking to someone else." Lord Voldemort said with a curious glint in his gaze. It made him look oddly…human.

He knows. Voldemort wouldn't just say anything. He was a genius. Every syllable fit into his plans. He knows I'm in contact with someone. Fuck, he knows!

Hello fanfictioners! How are you all today?

I'd like to thank you for the reviews on the previous chapter. They were very interesting to read.

I thought it was time that I post, so the chapter may not be so long, but I prefer to update more often in smaller pieces rather than let everyone wait for weeks while they forget everything about the story.

I hope the developments are to your liking :) I know I like it, but it's always more fun when others do too. I love to share with you all, so don't hesitate to share your likes and dislikes with me in return! I'm wide open to all you have to say, and if you have critique or complaints I'm always eager to engage in a discussion about it :)