A Darker Future

Disclaimer; Still don't own Harry Potter. flips through book collection. I did buy the books though. They're here somewhere. Author dies due to book avalanche.

Author Note: Now I know I promised hot and heavy man on man sex but plot has to come first! It's coming! Keep your shorts on!

Chapter 2

The gardens where beautiful. Harry could see the effort put into the flowers and trees and could appreciate the hard work. What Harry thought was cool was the mesh of magical and muggle plants into one harmonious gathering of scenery.

“Is that a butterfina or a buttercup?” Harry asked as he pointed to a bunch of yellow flowers at the base of a maple. Ventus had been the picture of a saint, answering Harry's questions and allowed himself to be carted around like a rag doll. Ventus took quick stock of the flower. A buttercup was a harmless muggle flower but a butterfina was a deadly poisonous magical one that shot darts. Harry was amazed that the garden also acted as a defensive perimeter as well as practical garden.

“It's a butterfina. The buttercups are on the other side of the path.” Harry nodded and stepped closer to Ventus whom had the wand. It wouldn't do to die from carelessness and once Voldemort learned that Harry was awake, he might never see the gardens again. Pity.

'I'll just have to make the most of it I guess.' Harry thought as he strolled alongside Ventus. There was one thing that bothered Harry about this whole situation. Gathering his courage, Harry ventured to address his worries.

“Ventus?” Harry asked cautiously. “I've been thinking. Why are you here?” Ventus froze and turned to look upon Harry with wary eyes.

“What do you mean Harry?” Harry licked his lips and plodded forth.

“If what you tell me is true; why would Voldemort leave you here with me? Alone? Why isn't there guards or protection here? It seems odd that he would leave me vulnerable here with you. One quick death and all he has worked for is gone. Don't get me wrong! I'm not eager to die but shouldn't there be more restrictions and safety precautions in place?” Ventus closed his eyes and let out a breath as if he was relieved.

“If anyone else knew where we were then maybe. However since no one does, you are perfectly safe here. This land was bought from muggles and turned into a holiday mansion by the Dark Lord himself with a few loyalist elfin help of course.” Harry looked at Ventus dubiously.

“That still doesn't answer the question of why he trusts you with me which is essentially his life. Voldemort only trusts himself.” Harry stated in a matter of fact way. Ventus nodded in agreement.

“That's true.” Ventus said casually. Harry watched as Ventus kept walking. Harry had to jog a little to keep up with the longer strides Ventus was taking.

“Does he have something over you?” Ventus smiled as he shook his head.

“Twenty questions is it? Ok then, my turn. Why would your family give you up so easily?” Harry's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.

“I thought twenty questions were supposed to be a yes or no answer.” Ventus crossed his arms and looked down at him. “Fine.” Harry sighed. “They never wanted me. Petunia viewed magic as an offense to the human race and I was guilty without being charged. Vernon was of the opinion that anything that wasn't muggle was freakish and didn't deserve to live with good honest folk like his family. Next question. Why have you taken care of me for so long? Don;t you have a family somewhere?”

“That's two questions but I'll answer anyways. I took care of you when I wasn't working at my job in the ministry. I'm an orphan, the deatheaters are my family.” Harry sighed, that took care of the loyalty question. “My turn. Where you ever happy living with those muggles?”

“Not that I can remember.” Harry said sadly. Ventus stopped walking and pulled Harry into a hug.

“Did anyone know?” Ventus asked in a soft voice. Harry hung his head in shame and stepped back uncomfortable with the very public display of emotions. Even if there was no one else near.

“Dumbledore.” Harry said as if that explained everything. It seemed to as Ventus cursed and tilted Harry's head up to look directly into his eyes.

“You don't have to be ashamed of how they treated you. They where in the wrong not you. Dumbledore too if he didn't do a thing about it!” Ventus snarled surprising Harry.

“Dumbledore and the order did interfere on occasion.” Harry said jumping to their defense. Ventus shook his head in disgust and let go of Harry's chin gently.

“But they only managed to muck up things worse than before now didn't they.” Harry was astonished by Ventus's perception and could only nod. “I figured. It also probably only made things harder on you didn't it? Insensitive, but well meaning.” Ventus nodded as if to confirm his own thoughts. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Right Harry?” Ventus ruffled Harry's hair to try to lighten the mood and Harry caught on that twenty questions was over.

“That's a muggle saying!” Harry remarked as he tried to get his hair back into some sense of order.

“What!” Ventus squawked. “I said no such thing!” The light teasing bounced back and forth all the way until dinner was served. By then, Harry and Ventus had a good mood going between them. After taking the meal in the same room as breakfast and dinner, Harry was ready to hit the sack.

“I'm bushed Ventus. I think I'll turn in early.” Harry went to leave but that desire was shot down by Ventus.

“Oh no you don't. Not until you do your exercises.' Harry gave him a blank look.

“My what?” Ventus took the last bit of his strawberry shortcake, wiped his mouth on a napkin and stood up.

“Just because you aren't asleep anymore, doesn't mean that you get to slack off on the exercise system I created just for you. Now hop to it mister!” Harry looked at him blankly still and Ventus huffed. “Right then, you might not remember but I bet your body does.” With a few flicks of his wand, Harry was dressed in a stretchy tight black workout suit and in the middle of a cleared room. Harry blushed bright red as the outfit was a little too tight and form fitting than he was used to.

“Ventus? Can you spell me something that isn't so ah, revealing?” Ventus rolled his eyes but complied. Harry was dress in a white undershirt, loose grey sweats and a comfortable pair of socks.

“Better? Now then let's begin.” Harry was lead through a workout that lasted for what seemed an eternity! Harry was amazed at the new flexibility he now had without any effort on his part. Harry's body did indeed remember the movements and Harry soon found himself flowing from one movement to the next as Ventus looked on. After about an hour Harry was exhausted.

“No more! I'm about to drop!” Harry said panting for breath after a difficult stretch. Ventus nodded and cast a diagnostic spell. Harry shivered as always as the magic passed through his body. It was always uncomfortable for some reason.

“Hm. I think I worked you a little too hard. You're going to need a massage to get to sleep tonight. Strip to your boxers and lay face down on the bed. I'll be there in a minute.” Harry nodded and walked into the bedroom to do as he was told as Ventus moved to a side door. The door opened to as study that looked comfortable and welcoming.

'Maybe I'll ask Ventus for a book tomorrow.' Harry thought as he yawned as he shut the door. Ventus moved to collect a bottle of oil he used when his neck muscles cramped from all the paperwork he filled out in the desk. A discrete glance told him Harry had behaved and moved into the bedroom. A quick flick from his wand closed the door and a silencing spell was cast. Another spell opened the floo network. A flash of green and a muttered name opened the desired channel.

“My Lord.”Lucius Malfoy asked respectfully but with obvious annoyance. “Have you come to your senses and are going to get a live in healer for the Potter boy?” The Dark Lord Voldemort chuckled and shook his head no.

“I will not have this argument with you again Lucius. Especially since I just won.” The younger looking but still cold and forbidding man's went slack in shock.

“He's awake!” Lucius nearly yelled in excitement. Voldemort smirked.

“Tell everyone to start chanting at midnight.” A groan came from Lucius and Voldemort closed the connection stepping back. Voldemort made his way back to the main room intent on his goal waiting for him in his bedroom. Something akin to butterflies played with his insides as each step took him closer to Harry.

'Tonight we finish this Harry.' Voldemort pushed open the door and walked in to see Harry face down on the bed like a good little boy. 'I am sorry about what this night will do to you but I will not see my dreams in shambles.' Voldemort stepped into the bedroom and closed the door behind him.