Emerald and silver

Chapter 6

Harry stood in the shower, watching as the water rinsed the blood from his body and slowly disappeared down the drain. When Harry stepped out of the shower he looked at his reflection in the mirror. Voldemort was right, things in my appearance have already changed, Harry thought to himself. His hair that used to be shaggy and brownish was now almost curly, wavy, and inky black. His eyes still had green in them but were now almost entirely filled with flecks of gold covering the green. He was taller but he knew that, he had started a growth spurt at the beginning of summer and had grown about 5 inches making him 6’1’’. His shoulders were slightly broader and his entire body was more tone and defined, muscular but not like a body builder, more like an Olympian. ‘Must be from all the strenuous chores I’ve been doing since the beginning of summer at the Dursleys,’ he mused. At least it was good for something. He was tan from all the time spent working outside with nothing but a pair of cut-off jeans on. He looked back up to his face again shocked to realize that he could see perfectly, even though he did not have his glasses on.

Glancing over at the chair behind him, he spotted the clothes that had been left for him to wear. After dressing and running a hand through his damp hair, he left the bathroom. He looked over at the bed and saw that the sheets had already been changed to clean, crisp, white linen instead of the dirty, bloody ones he had left behind. He took his time and looked around the room, taking in every detail. The room was extremely large and luxurious. It contained a king-size four-poster bed with emerald green velvet hangings surrounding it, situated in the middle of the room. The only other pieces of furniture in the room were a nightstand and a large high-backed arm chair. Off to the side of the room was an oversized walk in closet, including a dressing area that was currently empty. On the opposite wall from the adjoining bathroom and closet was another door which he soon discovered led to a large sitting area. This room contained a large fire place which had 2 large armchairs and 2 oversized double seated leather sofas located in front. Off to the side was an antique mahogany chair and desk with floor to ceiling bookcases ,full of books, located on either side of the desk. An oval mahogany dining table and four chairs were situated off to the side of the room. There were three more doors into the room, not including the one he had just emerged from. Walking to the first door on his left, he opened it to discover it contained another well furnished yet smaller bedroom with adjoining bathroom. Turning around he crossed the room to the next door along the wall to his left, but found it was locked. ‘Must lead to the hall way,’ he mused. Continuing on his journey, he crossed the room to the last unopened door and discovered an empty room twice the size of the bedroom he was currently occupying. This room was also the brightest room in the suite, having an entire wall covered with windows. Closing the door behind him he turned around and walked the short distance to one of the sofas in front of the fire and sat down to wait for Voldemort’s return. Staring into the fire, soon lulled him to sleep, he did not even realize he had slipped from consciousness until he was wakened to the sound of Voldemort reentering the room.


Chapter 7
“Mr. Potter. It is amazing what a shower, some food, and a little rest can do to improve ones appearance,” Voldemort drawled as he sat into the chair across from Harry. After the summoned house elf brought liquid refreshments Voldemort poured Harry and himself a glass of wine. “Just a little toast to our new understanding,” Voldemort said as he handed Harry a glass. They both drank. Harry saw no problem with drinking from the wine, mostly because Voldemort was also drinking the same wine and the bottle had been uncorked in front of him.
“These rooms will be your rooms for the remainder of your stay. You will stay in my home while you are training and, when we are both satisfied with your abilities, we will speak about the possibilities of new living arrangements. I have also made arrangements for a tailor to see you later this evening. I think you’ll agree with me that your other clothing is unsuitable given your new status. You may order anything you like and I’m sure the tailor will be able to help you choose things that would be considered suitable. We will begin your training tomorrow. Obviously the most crucial thing for you to master first will be wandless magic. Not only do you no longer have a wand but it will to to set you apart from the others. Wandless magic is a talent that few have the ability to perform let alone control and master. However I believe this is talent inherent to your nature and you’ll find that it should come quite easy for you. But let us discuss more about your training tomorrow.” Voldemort paused to study Harry for a moment beforecontcontinued. “So tell me why did you decide to accept my offer?”
“I really didn’t have much of a choice. It was between your offer and death which is something I’ve never had a desire for. I also think I might be able to change your approach to how things are done. Achieve your ends without the needless killing of people… Why did I just say all of that? Did you give me Veritaserum?” Harry asked accusingly.
“It is a form of Veritaserum that was in the wine you drank. That will be something else I will teach you, how to counteract the effects of truth serums. I gave it to you to be sure of your motives. Can you blame me?”
“No I guess not. I really wouldn’t trust me either if I were in your position, at least not yet,” Harry said smirking somewhat. “Why do you look so much younger then you did a year ago?”
“I’ve gained my health back from the contribution of your blood. The rest is attributed to potions and magic that make me look and feel younger,” Voldemort said smugly. “Your ceremony engagements are underway. We will hold the ceremony this weekend.”
“What will I be required to do?” Harry said with some trepidation.
“I have given this some thought. Due to your lack of Dark Arts training and your severe dislike of killing I don’t think it will be necessary at this time, for you to prove yourself in that way. The ceremony it self will consist of my introduction of you to everyone, an unveiling so to speak. You will also be receiving your mark, one I have developed specifically for you as my equal, my second in command. I’ll warn you now, it will be painful. Do not allow the others to see your pain, it is considered a weakness. You cannot be weak! The rest will just be celebration and time for you to circulate, get to know those of my inner circle. Remember first impressions are important, you will eventually be working with and leading my followers.”
Harry took another glass of wine, he no no problem with it containing the truth serum as he had nothing to hide, yet. “Where is my owl?”
“I believe the ministry confiscated your owl. A snowy white owl, yes?”
Harry nodded and frowned,weenween the articles in the paper and their actions against him over the past year Harry was beginning to dislike the Ministry more and more.
“Yes the ministry is corrupt. I’m still trying to oust Fudge without them knowing of my involvement, thus causing them to go on the defensive.”
Harry looked at Voldemort surprised and said, “You read my mind!?”
“It’s quite easy to do when you’re under the effects of the serum. Something else I’ll be teaching you. Now for changing your appearance, I think the most significant change we need to make will be getting rid of your scar,” Voldemort said as he handed Harry a potion. “Drinking the potion will hide your scar permanently, along with any other scars you might have. No one will see it but it will still be there under the surface along with our connection.”
Harry tipped the potion back draining the contents of the vial in one fluid motion. Immediately he felt a shooting pain in his forehead as well as over much of his body which was covered by the scars of his abuse. His entire body glowed golden for a moment before the light receded back into his skin. Although he didn’t cry out the pain was evident on his face.
“Good. You took my words to heart about not showing your weaknesses however your face is still like an open book. You need to work on masking your emotions, a poker face so to speak.”
Harry snorted at the muggle reference.
“With your change in clothes and your change in your physical appearance as well as your lack of a scar, I believe you could pass for a new person that no one will recognize.”
“That reminds me. I wanted to ask why I no longer seem to need my glasses?”
“I believe it has much to do with the changes in your magic that you underwent right before you killed your muggle relatives. And before you ask, the change did not cause you to kill your relatives, it merely assisted you. Many wizards go through the change without killing anyone. In fact I believe there have only been three in history, you being one, to commit a crime, yours being the worst offence. Not that I blame you by the way those muggles were horrid and deserved what you did to them.” Voldemort said manipulating the truth to his advantage yet again.
“Do a lot of wizards go through this change?” Harry asked with much curiosity.
“Some never experience a change but most do. It is, however, different for every wizard. You went through yours at a much younger age than most. Another sign of how powerful you are. You have all the power at your fingertips you just need training to understand and use it to the best of your abilities. In addition with being the Heir of Gryffindor your power will be unattainable by others.”
“Heir of Gryffindor?” Harry questioned.
“Dumbledore never told you? I’m not surprised. That was one of the reasons I tried to do away with you as a child. It’s something you inherited from your father through your family line. I believe I have a copy of your family history. I’ll have it sent up to your room later.”
“What am I supposed to call you?” Harry asked hesitantly.
“Ahh… my minions refer to me as master or My Lord. Only those in the inner circle are allowed to address me as Lord Voldemort. That is how you should address me for now. Think about what your new name should be, we can discuss it tomorrow at your first lesson. Also starting tomorrow you shall be joining me downstairs for your dinner which is served at 7pm. Breakfast and lunch can be taken in your rooms at your request. For anything else you require all you need do is ask.”
“I would like to request my own house elf. Not one currently on your staff. I have a specific one in mind. He was formerly enslaved with the Malfoys but is currently employed at Hogwarts.”
“Yes, Lucius was quite livid when you freed his house elf, told me all about it. I found it extremely amusing myself, you can be very cunning. How do you propose we acquire this house elf?” Voldemort asked amusement in his eyes.
“I’m not sure. If he knew it was me he would come, but I would worry about the message being intercepted,” Harry said furrowing his brow. “I could send a cryptic message that only he would understand and know it was me. I don’t know how to tell him where I am though.” Harry looked hopefully at Voldemort.
“Showing your emotions is a sign of weakness,” Voldemort snapped. Harry immediately pulled his face into an expressionless mask.
“Better… now as far as the elf, they have their own brand of powerful magic. Just letting him know to come find you should be enough. Write your message and I’ll have an unidentifiable owl deliver it.”
Harry went over to the desk thought for a moment then penned a message on a piece of parchment. When he finished he folded it in half and wrote ~Dobby the house elf Hogwarts kitchens~ on an envelope. He walked back to Voldemort and handed him the note and envelope. Voldemort opened the note and read, Dobby I would like you to come and find me I have a proposition for you. Signed the one you almost killed by trying to save me… twice.
“I’ll see to it that it’s owled this evening. Your lessons begin tomorrow after breakfast which will be sent up at 7 am. The tailor should be arriving shortly. Why don’t you spyouryour time perusing the books in this room. If you want anything specific and you don’t find it on the shelves, we can discuss it per request. I’ll leave you to your reading.”


Chapter 8
When Voldemort left the room Harry walked the length of the book shelves scanning all the titles, looking to see which caught his interest. He spotted a large volume entitled, THE HISTORY AND TECNIQUE OF THE ANIMUNGUS. He reached out to take the book when it leapt into his hand startling him. Not having a firm grasp on it and being totally shocked by the occurrence it fell to the floor. “Well that’s new, Voldemort told me I’d be doing wandless magic,” he said to himself. Instead of bending down to retrieve the book, he reached out his hand, concentrated on what he wanted and the book jumped instantly into his waiting hand. “Wonder what else I can do. I hope everything comes this easy.”
Harry sat down on one of the sofas and started leafing through the large book. What interested him the most was the information on polymunguses. He read ~ Most believe the ability to become a polymungus is a myth. The ability to become an animungus is difficult enough that very few wizards achieve the task, but to be multiple animals has only ever been rumored to have been accomplished by the 4 Founders of Hogwarts and Merlin himself.~ Harry continued scanning the pages of the book and spotted something else of interest. ~ Most animungus become animals thnhabnhabit the muggle world. It takes an extremely powerful wizard to become a magical creature instead. ~
Flipping through more pages he came to the section on techniques when there was a knock at the door. Harry looked up ‘why not’ he thought, he held his hand up towards the door, concentrated all his thoughts on his intent, then with a wave of his hand the door flew open so fast it banged up against the wall. “Hmmm… need to work on control,” Harry muttered to himself.
Standing in the doorway was a nervous short balding elderly man with a measuring tape draped around his neck. ‘No time like the present for me to jump into my new role’ Harry thought. “Come in,” Harry drawled trying to maintain a mask of indifference, “What items were you instructed to make for me?”
After referring to his list the tailor replied, “7 everyday robes in black, 2 ceremonial robes, 4 dress robes color of your choosing, 5 pair of black dress trousers, 5 white tailored shirts, I lightweight black cloak with hood, 1 velvet cloak with hood, and 3 suits, 1 navy 2 black. Also anything else of your choosing.”
“Yes, colors for the dress robes, 2 black, 1 midnight blue, and 1 emerald green. I’ll trust you to choose suitable trim. I’ll need a dozen or so pairs of boxers in silk assorted colors, 2 dozen pairs of socks, 1 dozen white and the other dozen black appropriate for the dress clothes. Also 1 dozen fitted dress shirts, 6 of them silk various colors again I’ll trust your judgment. 3 pairs of black dress shoes different styles, 2 pairs of trainers, several sets of athletic clothing, shorts, pants, t-shirts, and jackets. That I think will do for now, but if I’ve missed something I’ll contact you.”
“Once I’ve taken your measurements you can order anything at anytime, without the need of being remeasured. All your items should arrive tomorrow.” The tailor took Harry’s measurements and left shortly after.
Harry went back to his book where he had left off, animungus techniques. He spent all night reading the theory, transformation, and technique of becoming an animungus. Completely exhausted he left the book on the table and dragged himself off to bed. That night he dreamed repeatedly of three things, a green viper snake, a black raven, and an emerald dragon.