The Master of Death
Chapter 20: Insider Information Summary:
The next day came pretty quickly. As much as Harry likes to be at Hogwarts, he has to admit that he is bored. The highlight of the morning was a small article in the Daily Prophet that considered him the next Prince of Darkness, which caused the disciples to whisper and stare more than usual lately. During the spell, Flitwick had them repeat the summoning spell and then McGonagall introduced them to the eraser spell.
Harry - of course - managed to eliminate his snail on the first try, which gave him ten points for Gryffindor and a strange look from Hermione. After the Transfiguration, they took their belongings and went to Herbology and in the afternoon they headed to the forbidden forest. Professor Grubbly-Plank is already waiting for them to learn Bowtruckle with the Slytherin children.
When Draco loudly announces that his father has spoken to Fudge about the school, Harry's interest is shaken. But as much as he expected for the exciting news, the Slytherin did not exploit the topic any further.
Harry was almost relieved when he finally sat down in the large hall and dinner was served. Next to her sat Hermione. He had read the book while he was eating, but now he looked at Ron with a somewhat disgusted look. The redhead seemed to be inhaling his food, while at the same time he was discussing the Quidditch with Seamus. The ghosts were still avoiding Harry and so was Nick who was barely Headless as he floated past them. He greeted them with a nod but otherwise kept his distance. Overly involved in avoiding Harry, the ghost drifts through Neville's body and causes the Gryffindor to flinch violently. Parvati screamed as her cup fell and pumpkin juice dripped all over her robe.
At lunch, streaks of light still shone on the old stones. Small particles of dust had been seen as they floated in the air, but now the ceiling of the large hall became darker every minute and the first candle miraculously started to light itself. Harry sees Malfoy at Slytherin's table, but then his attention is distracted by something else. He sighed when he saw a familiar dark-skinned girl stomping towards him. An enraged Angelina approaches him and yells at Harry for getting detention during the Quidditch trials. Harry held back his speech without complaining. When Angelina finally leaves, Harry finds that he will be happy when the day is over.
At least Death never left his side. He wrapped around his arm in the form of a snake for most of the time. Half an hour later, he followed Harry like a shadow as he was on his way to Umbridge's office. And he still had to think about what to do with the frog. Killing was not an option and directly told him to leave... Harry sighed. Trying to lie down was harder than he had imagined.
He entered the office without a plan. The color was as pink and amazing as he remembered. There were no portraits on the wall, but porcelain with kittens moving on it, pink pillows on chairs that were both pink and tea service on his desk. Harry immediately saw the black feather and the empty parchment. It was the only thing in the room, which was not round, pink, or cute that was disgusting.
"Good night, Mr. Potter" said Umbridge and looked suspiciously like a frog who had just caught a fat fly.
"Good night Professor Umbridge" Harry answered and smiled back with an equally sweet smile. It seemed that it was a bit bothering him, but he continued without pause.
"Please, sit down" he said and pointed at the chair opposite him. Harry sat down in front of an empty parchment. "Well, Mr. Potter. Before we start with your punishment, let's repeat why you're here." Umbridge looked at him expectantly, "In your opinion, why, are you here, Mr Potter?" he asked her finally when Harry only looked at her with a flat gaze.
"In honestly?" Harry began, "Because you don't like what I'm saying." Harry leaned back in his chair and glanced at Death looming over him. The creature stared at Umbridge with a grin that promised nothing and Harry could feel a thirst for blood that reverberated through the bond.
"No, Mr. Potter," Umbridge continued sweetly. "This is your punishment for spreading evil stories and seeking attention." When Harry looked at her, he smiled. "Well, it seems we're learning to hold back, right? Now you're going to write a few lines for me, Mr. Potter" He offered her a blood quill pen. Its fur was long, thin and black and pulsed fiercely with dark magic. "I want you to write; I can't lie" she said sweetly.
Umbridge watched in delight as Harry placed the sharp tip of the pen onto the parchment. Bloody streaks appeared on his skin, parallel to the writing and a sharp pain accompanied it. Harry wrote, There is no muscle in his face that says what he thinks. Death frowned as he looked at Harry. Anxiety pulsates through bonding, in addition to confusion. But Death did not try to prevent Harry from doing what he did. Slowly the parchment was filled with words and it glowed red under the candlelight. Death sat right next to Harry and his eyes were fixed on the mark engraved on his hand with a dark expression. Harry knew that the creature did not like what he was doing.
Umbridge started squirming in her chair after a while. Harry had a hunch that it had something to do with the dark presence of Death growing stronger and more visible in each line. And while it might be a relief for Harry, it certainly doesn't make Umbridge feel better. Minutes passed and finally, Harry had written a full page.
He stopped and leaned back in his chair.
Umbridge looked at him with a pinched look. "I can't believe that I've given you permission to quit, Mr. Potter."
Harry's mouth was interested. "Oh, but I think that's more than enough, '" he said.
Umbridge looked at him, her expression turning into anger.
"Mr Potter! I thought another detention would get you-" but he couldn't end his sentence, because Harry had summoned the old stick and surprised him. No stick meant there was no trace they could follow. Dumbledore is the only magician Harry knows is powerful enough to sense magic and he doubts he will just walk into Umbridge's office for no reason. Harry stared at the unconscious frog. His mouth opened and his head fell on the back of his chair. The bow above his hair slowly slipped away from the designated place.
Harry's gaze did not last much longer. Pointing an old stick at him, he began to change his memory. He would believe that he fell asleep after he left. Then Harry turned his attention to the parchment stained by his own bloodline. Grimacing, he took it. It is very difficult to write these lines, but it is difficult to imagine something that seems so real. But to duplicate it... Harry traced the bloody lines with his fingers and cast a powerful spell on it and the one parchment exploded into a pile. Giving a little charm to the parchments that would hide their similarities, he unfurled quite a lot of paper that would make it seem like he had been writing for hours. The rest he put in his bag. After he put the black quill pen back on Umbridge's table, he left without looking again.
As soon as he reached the recreation room, Harry headed for their dormitory. He changed his clothes and went to sleep, closing the curtains carefully. He did not want to repeat the scene like the first morning. When he had just sat on his pillow, Death appeared right on it. The creature was sitting on Harry's belly, hands covering his head as he towered above him. "We must kill him alone" Death announced and Harry longed for a familiar grin on his face, which usually accompanies these suggestions.
"We can't kill him, I decided to stay calm" Harry replied and added a privacy ward around his bed. It is better for no one to hear their conversation.
"That's a stupid idea" Death and Harry chuckled.
"Maybe. Probably not," said Harry grinning and staring at Death. "Tomorrow I will use that time better" he promised.
Something that felt too close to relief instead of just satisfaction reverberated through the bond and Harry narrowed his eyes toward Death, trying to figure out what was so troubling him.
The face of death floated over him so close that his hair almost touched Harry's nose. Surprised he noticed, that Death's eyes were not as pure white as he had always thought. Almost invisible, there is a slight color difference. Just where the iris of the human eye is, the eyes are darker. Not much but enough to be noticed when one pays attention. Harry wondered if it had always been like this, or if it was one of those appearance changes that Death was unaware of. He must have stared longer than he thought because after a while he saw a grin on Death's face. Under the intense gaze, Harry suddenly felt like a prey. His mind was erased blankly, passion flared deep inside his stomach and buzzed through their relationship.
Harry's breath choked as the creature approached and he noticed that his throat looked somewhat vulnerable in this position. He could feel Death's breath on his lips and a hand slid over his neck. Like resisting choking just without pressure, but then the Death fingers continued. Above his jaw and cheeks, there was always a sharp grin on his face. Harry's mouth was open in anticipation. The moment seemed to stretch out endlessly. But then - finally - Death closed the gap between them and kissed him.
Harry curved into touch as a hand slid over his ribs and another wrapped around his hair. He gasped as Death deepened the kiss and he pressed closer. This time, there was no frantic chase for release, no. Harry was messy under teasing touches, slow bites and kisses.
That night Harry fell asleep curled up against the snoring Death, invisible wings all around him and thinking that maybe he was in love.
It was still dark in the dorm when Harry's eyes suddenly opened. He sat down and immediately knew that the others were still sleeping. Death was manifested at the foot of Harry's bed. The creature looked at Harry with a grin on his face. It took a second, for Harry to realize what caused him to wake up. He pulled back the curtain from his bed and stared at the empty spot next to his bed. The air seemed to split and the ward pulsed. Two seconds later Kreacher showed up with the plop. The fairy bowed deeply as she realized that Harry was awake.
"Mr Harry" he said, and after a while he continued, "I don't realize that you're not well."
Harry blushed and an automatic hand moved to his neck. Suddenly, he realized, what she looked like. Her hair may be even wilder than usual and her neck and collarbone are covered**** if she can trust her memory. And that doesn't even include the lack of clothes she wears.
"OK, give me a minute" said Harry and with his right hand reached out to the other side of the bed to find his pants. Death just sat there and grinned consoled, until Harry put on his shirt. Finally, Harry combed his hair with his fingers and then ignored his appearance with a thought. This has to be done. She looked at the house elf who was still staring at the floor.
"Okay, you can stop bowing now Kreacher," said Harry and greeted him with a nod of acknowledging marks after the elf raised his head. Harry hummed while thinking and turned around, so he faced Kreacher, feet dangling from the edge of his bed. Sirius did not let him hang. "What made you come here?" Harry asked.
"I have information about the ministry" Kreacher said and bowed once more, while a grin appeared on Harry's face.
"Tell me," Harry demanded and Kreacher lifted his head.
"Sturgist Podmore was caught sneaking up on the Ministry. He bled a dirty mix, sometimes he visited-," Kreacher's speech slowed down and it seemed hard for him to utter his next words, "-with another blood-traitor and talk-about-" Kreacher suddenly stopped and grabbed his throat. He choked as he tried to voice out what he wanted to say, but clearly, he couldn't do it. Apparently, the order to keep everything secret about the order was still active.
"I know, just go ahead" said Harry and freed Kreacher from further explanation.
"Thank you Kreacher," said Harry, "Is there anything else?"
"Young Master also ordered Kreacher to keep an eye on the Malfoy family." Harry nodded.
"Continue."
"Lucius Malfoy tried to claim the seat at Wizengamot, which was owned by a black man." Harry raised his eyebrows.
"Tried? He didn't make it, that's what you told me. ”
"Yes" said the house fairy. Now Harry is curious
“What is the reason for filing a claim on a chair? Do you know?”
“He argued, that his son – Mr Draco Malfoy – was the only male descendant of the Black bloodline. The minister was eager to comply, but he could not. I heard Mr. Malfoy speak... His wife Mrs Cissy Malfoy also could not claim a seat. He asked the goblins at Gringotts. But because Sir Sirius is still alive, even though he's a dirty-" Harry's eyes narrowed and Kreacher stopped before he continued once more. As long as he didn't die, his words prevailed." Harry grinned. So, Malfoy really didn't waste any time. He turned his attention back to Kreacher.
"Good, that's a good job. Thank you, Kreacher." The elf bowed deeply.
"Thank you sir."
"You can go home now if you want" said Harry.
"Of course, young master," said Kreacher and disapparated. Harry stared at the empty spot while thinking. How many Magicians and Magicians did not bother to ensure the loyalty of their servants and treat them like dirt? If he had learned anything in his life, then these creatures were far more complex than many people thought.
The next two days passed without any significant interruption. Ron could hardly hide that he wanted to play for the Quidditch team, even if he tried very hard to hide it from Harry. Every day he sneaks out to train with his new broom. Meanwhile, Hermione begins to knit hats for the house fairies to free them. He left them under the trash inside the recreation room even trying to get Harry to support SPEW by starting knitting hats. Harry spoiled her for one night, never tried knitting before, for the twins' endless entertainment.
Ron always threw out the trash that covered them, insisting that the elves should at least be able to see what they were collecting.
Harry surpassed all his classes other than Defense Against the Dark Arts, thanks to Umbridge's dislike of him and Harry's sarcastic comments. During the day, she continues to be the same annoying frog as usual. But sometimes he strangely seemed restless around Harry, who grinned whenever it happened. In the afternoon, she greeted Harry with her disgusting sweet smile and asked him to write a line. But Harry didn't plan on doing that.
He hit Umbridge in shock as soon as he entered the disgusting pink office. The impact of his head hitting the wooden table was certainly satisfying. Harry modifies his memory and uses a duplicate parchment that he filled with bloody lines during his first incarceration. He always put it on his desk before he left. Harry mostly used his free time to do his homework, which was still a lot of burden. Although, he had to admit, that he would rather come to enjoy this night away from everyone. After a long time, the stares and whispers slowly turned out to be more annoying than he thought and the unconscious Umbridge was not a bad friend. Although the pink color slowly began to gnaw on his nerves.
Death accompanied him even during Binns' most boring monologue session about the giant war and Harry was glad he was around.
It was Wednesday when Harry had to listen once again Hermione scolded the twins for testing their product on volunteers. Harry casually saw them arguing, while he sat in an armchair beside the fireplace. Death was sitting on the back of his chair and stroking Harry's neck and hair, his long fingers tracing the pattern on his skin. Occasionally the creature possessively bit the side of Harry's neck which made his back feel amused. Harry's potion book was placed on his lap. He had long since stopped pretending to read it. Harry had been staring at the page about the antidote to poison and poison for at least half an hour, while he tried very hard to resist the urge to turn around and kiss Death. That was when his attention was caught by the twins and Hermione.
Harry wasn't really sure what to do when Podmore was about to undergo his trial. Should he stay at Hogwarts, or just skip the first few classes on Thursday without a care and go to the Ministry? But new thoughts invaded his mind. Reluctantly, Harry leaves Death and his seat near the crackling fire and walks towards them, after Hermione succeeds and Fred and George pack their belongings under her watchful gaze.
"Hey" said Harry.
"Oh no," Fred replied in a fake frightened voice after he turned around. "That's the next Dark Lord."
"Have you ever seen the snake? It was just 'you-know-who-junior'," added George dramatically and then he grinned. Even Harry grinned when he remembered the latest article in the Daily Prophet. Their interpretation is actually an excellent representation of the current situation, with students whispering and pointing at Harry every time he walks through the hallway.
"Have some of your products worked?" Harry asked.
"Yes, the fainting crush seems to work pretty well," George replied as he picked up a bag with purple and orange candy pieces.
"We're also working on Nougat's nosebleed, too" Fred added and pointed to his bag, "But we still haven't found a good way to stop the bleeding afterwards."
"As your sponsor, you definitely don't mind me borrowing one of those fainting fancies, do you?" Harry asked with a mischievous grin. The twins shared their views.
"George," said Fred and his eyes widened comically, "The day has come."
"The new Lord of Darkness asks us to join him," replied George and bowed deeply.
"Of course, all the wishes of our mighty savior will be his," Fred added and joined his brother by bowing deeper, while Ron entered through the portrait hole.
"Do I even want to know what's going on?" Ron asked and stopped next to his brothers.
"Finally done with your duties as prefect?" George said and turned around.
"Or did you miss it to do something else?" Fred added by looking at Ron's disheveled appearance, his hair was still wild and sweaty from his secret Quidditch practice. Ron's face flushed to the end of his ear.
"I. n-I just wanted to do-I forgot something.my suitcase, just," Ron stuttered and rushed up the stairs to their dormitory with the gaze of his twin brother's eyes following him. It was clear that they did not buy his lie.
"Tell us, what are you planning?" George asked curiously after he turned to Harry.
"No, I just need to miss a few classes tomorrow morning" Harry replied.
"Mmhh," said Fred and nodded.
"It can be arranged," George added as he looked at Hermione. The girl now focused on knitting one of her fairy house hats. As if he was paying attention to his appearance, he raised his head and looked at them suspiciously. "But maybe we better go somewhere else" said George and lowered his voice. "Merlin knows what Hermione will do to us when she knows what we're talking about." Harry grinned. Tonight he went to sleep, his pocket filled with fainting fantasies and plans in his mind.
