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The Black Heir	By : gpsassi Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Voldemort Views: 42492 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created and owned by JK
Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books,
Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being
made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

AN: Thanks to all my reviewers and thank you Kirril for pointing out my
mistake. I will have to revise the other chapters and I�ll change it as soon as
I can.

About Orion, I understand that he didn�t dwell on his mother�s death too
much but you have to consider that he never knew her and thus can�t feel her
loss as much as Sirius does and his mind is set in fulfilling his ambitions. He
can�t be deterred by her death too much.

Orion will become darker. I�m sorry if you don�t like it but this is a
Dark Harry fic. He won�t be evil and he�ll still have some light, but expect
him to become darker as the war gets more serious, it�s unavoidable.

About the Horcruxes and Orion, we�ll I can�t tell you much, it would
spoil the fun.

About Orion�s slips, he�s extremely bright but he can�t be perfect.
He�ll make mistakes and he won�t be able to hold his emotions in some very
inconvenient moments.

Enjoy this chapter and please review to let me know if you like where
this is going!

Chapter 12 � Chamber of Secrets & Karkaroff

Orion and his friends entered the huge room where they would be having
their first lesson of the Dueling Club. It was the only extra subject they had
that year and the classes exclusive for the Hydras had remained the same since
it would be in their third year when they would have a new class in the time
allotted for Blood Rituals. The room was immense and had a raised platform in
the middle. Orion could see all sorts of weapons in one of the walls and was
surprised by this. Wizards almost never fought with anything other than their
wands. Some carried daggers and other small weapons, but they were very few
since it was considered to be beneath wizards to use muggle weapons.

Romulus Rosier was standing in the middle of the platform and addressed
them with a strong clear voice, �Welcome to your first lesson in Dueling. As
you know, here you will be practicing all the dark spells you have learned in
your other subjects. In this classroom you will duel with a partner under
controlled settings and no killing curses, curses that sever a limb, or spells
that injure the mind can be used. Since in a duel you have to be aware of your
surroundings and use it for your advantage, once a week we will be having this
class in the outside, where you can use anything around you to help you.
Dueling isn�t just about measuring power and strength between two wizards; a
wizard with a sharp and inventive mind can win a duel against a more powerful
wizard that just sticks to the usual spells. To be a great dueler you will have
to think on your feet and use your cunning, imagination and spell knowledge to
overpower your rival." He gave a small pause and continued, "As you
see to your right, there is a variety of weapons with which you will be practicing
as well,� he saw some disgusted looks and proceeded to explain further, �These
aren�t muggle weapons but wizarding weapons that were used in the old times.
Wizards nowadays don�t bother to learn how to use a weapon but I will urge you
to choose one and learn how to use it since it can save your life if you ever
lose your wand to your opponent. These weapons have magical properties. For
instance, some daggers� tips are filled with a potion that will paralyze your
opponent when wounded, there�s a whip which lashes flames, and a sword with a
blade dipped in a potion that blinds the enemy when injured, just to name a
few. You will learn how to use several of these weapons and how to protect
yourself from an attack with them. You will pair with a different classmate
during each lesson so that you learn how to improvise and become used to
different dueling styles. At the end of each year, a Dueling Tournament is held
where each year competes with itself. Your grades for this class will depend on
how well you do on the Tournament. I encourage you to observe the other years
dueling so that you can learn from them as well. Now, choose your partner for
this lesson and we will begin practicing your defensive spells��

The rest of the lesson was spent with the students sparing with their
chosen partner and with Rosier going to each pair and giving tips and advice on
how to hold your wand and position your body. Orion paired with Lezander and
had a tough time in matching his speed and reflexes, but while Lezander had
better agility than Orion, he didn�t have his spell knowledge and Orion finally
managed to beat Lezander with a well placed blinding hex and a strong
petrifying curse. After class, many had to go to the Infirmary to have their
curses lifted and injuries healed. It had been a great lesson and Orion was
satisfied with the way Rosier was teaching it. He didn�t coddle the students
and had told them that they had to get used to the pain and learn how to fight
through it. Orion had wanted to practice the parseltongue spells he had read in
Dark Spells for the Unique Parselmouth that his tutor Ragnarok had given
him. But the only ones that knew of his parselmouth ability were his friends
and their parents and he thought it wise to only use these spells and thus
reveal his ability when he truly needed it. The same applied to his wandless
magic. So he just used the spells he had learned last year and the ones he
practiced during the holidays.

The group went to dinner excitedly discussing their first Dueling lesson
and as soon as Orion was seated, Calypso turned to him with a serious
expression and whispered, �You were right. Something is about to happen.�

Orion frowned at her, �What do you mean? What have you heard?� He saw
Lezander leaning closer and casting a muffling spell to keep others from
hearing.

Calypso silently regarded them and then said, �Some heads of the dark
families have been meeting just before the start of term. My father and I spent
some weeks at Rosier Manor and he invited them over. I couldn�t hear much but I
could recognize Lucius Malfoy�s voice. He was the one that spoke the longest.
He has some plan afoot.� Then she frowned, �Hasn�t your father told you
anything about this?�

Orion shook his head, �He hasn�t. But I�m not even sure if he was
invited to the meetings. I think he would have told me if he was.�

Lezander asked in a concerned voice, �But, Calypso, do you know what
those meetings were about?�

Calypso shook her head briefly, �I don�t. But it�s easy to guess that it
involves the war and the Dark Lord. I caught a glimpse of some of them leaving
and they all seemed excited and nervous. And my father has been going to the
others� manors for meetings as well. They would never meet so regularly during
the holidays if they weren�t planning something.�

Orion frowned, �Do you think they have come up with a way of bringing
the Dark Lord back?� Had anyone discovered that Voldemort�s soul was out there?
Had Voldemort made his existence known to some of his Death Eaters? He had been
sure that Voldemort would wait to have a body before contacting them since he
wouldn�t want to appear so weak and powerless. But what were the head of the
dark families plotting if they didn�t know of Voldemort�s return yet? Had
Voldemort left them with a way of bringing him back?

Calypso replied, �I honestly don�t know. But if they had a way why did
they wait until now to use it?�

�Maybe they were waiting for the proper time, when the people least
expected it. It has been more than a decade and the dark families had first to
mend their life after the war. Maybe now they feel prepared to resume the war.
After all, most of the dark families have contacts in the ministries of magic,
they must have been laying the ground all this time for the opportune moment,�
said Orion. �But I wonder that Malfoy was the one who spoke the longest. That
seems to indicate that he�s the brains behind the plan. And when I spent some
time with him during the holidays I couldn�t perceive anything different in his
way of acting.� Orion frowned, �Though he seemed angry at the new legislation
that the English Ministry of Magic was about to pass. I heard him complain that
Arthur Weasley was pushing for a new Muggle Act that would protect muggles and
severely punish wizards that did something to them. Maybe Malfoy is plotting to
sabotage the voting for the Act and met with the others to plan it?�

�It could be. They have done it before. But the way they met, so
secretively and hushed up makes me think it�s something much more serious and
important. And besides, only the heads which have been Death Eaters or were
known supporters of the Dark Lord met at my house. If they were planning on
sabotaging the Muggle Act, they would have met with the other dark families as
well,� replied Calypso.

Orion turned to Calypso and saw that she was frowning in deep thought
and he asked her, �You said they seemed excited and nervous. I guess that
plotting to turn down the Muggle Act wouldn�t cause them to feel that way. So
you might be right in your suspicions. But if they were truly planning on
bringing back the Dark Lord, why would they feel nervous?�

Calypso got out of her musings and sighed, �Well, as much as they might
want the Dark Lord to return no one knows how he will react to them. They were
his followers but haven�t tried to bring him back all this time. It might be
true that the dark families first had to get their life in order and
reestablish their names and fortunes but the Dark Lord will be furious with
them anyways. And he was a very strict leader that punished his followers easily
and ruthlessly. I think they want him back because he�s our best chance against
Dumbledore and the other light wizards, but they�re aware that they will not go
unpunished.�

Orion scowled and fiercely said, �I hope that the Dark Lord realizes
that the dark families have done as best as they could. He can�t expect them to
drop everything and exclusively dedicate their whole time in finding ways to
bring him back. And he shouldn�t punish them because of it. They have other
responsibilities as well, as taking care of their families and maintaining
their position in society. I know that Lucius Malfoy has dedicated a lot of his
time in subtlety influencing the English Ministry of Magic to relax the laws
against Dark Magic and diminish the raids to the dark wizarding homes. That
kind of work is also very important and takes time. I would think it very
unfair if the Dark Lord disregarded all his work and got mad just because they
took too long to bring him back.�

Calypso lightly laughed, �Oh, Orion, you�re too na�ve sometimes,� Orion
huffed, that�s what Tom always told him and he didn�t see that being rational
and just had anything to do with being na�ve. She continued saying, �While the
Dark Lord was a strong powerful leader that got results, he was merciless. There�s
no denying that he worked for the benefit of the dark families and that the
work done by the ones like Lucius Malfoy helps our cause and the Dark Lord will
understand and appreciate that, but he�ll punish them regardless. He always
expected much from his followers and he will have to reestablish his position
by punishing them for taking too long. There�s no doubt in my mind that he�ll
be furious at first and won�t listen to their explanations. Afterwards, he
will, perhaps, be satisfied with all that they have done, but he won�t be less
hard on them because of it.�

Orion scowled, still unconvinced that the Dark Lord�s way of treating
his followers could ever be justified, �I don�t understand how you can be so
blas� about it, Calypso. Aren�t you worried about what the Dark Lord will do to
your father?�

Calypso waved her hand dismissively, �My father knows how the Dark Lord
treated his followers and as the rest, accepts it as his way of ruling. Dark
Lords have never been compassionate beings that coddle their followers. The
dark wizards expect that treatment of him. I believe that if the Dark Lord ever
acted differently many would see it as a sign of weakness. I think it�s hard
for you to understand because you haven�t been raised in a dark household but our
ways of interacting between us are very different than those of light wizards.
Light wizards expect a leader like Dumbledore, who exudes love and caring and
they feel comfortable being treated like that. If you gave a leader like
Dumbledore to the dark families, they would shred him to pieces. They would
consider him weak and not fit to lead them. The dark wizards want and need a
leader that is ruthless and will do anything that is necessary to achieve
victory. They aren�t interested in being pampered by their leader, they�re
interested in results and to win a war against such odds we need a leader that
isn�t squeamish about causing pain to his followers when they err or about
causing bloodshed. The war will be cruel and the dark wizards expect it.�

Orion sighed. She was telling him the same that Tom had tried to explain
to him so many times before. And he realized that it was true. The dark wizards
acted cold and uncaring between them. Even with their own
family members. They truly cared about each other but never showed it since
they considered showing emotion as a sign of weakness and thus they expected
their leader to act accordingly. He supposed that they wouldn�t want a
compassionate leader but still, he couldn�t be comfortable with the idea of Voldemort
torturing his followers every time they did something that wasn�t up to his
expectations. But he guessed that he would have to learn to accept it if they
all thought like Calypso and Tom.

The next months flew by and Orion had finally succeeded in completing
his animagus transformation. He could easily and painlessly become a great
black eagle which, much to his amusement, still had his green eyes. He
sometimes escaped from the common room and transformed in the owlerly in order
to fly around with Ares. He hadn�t told anyone except Sirius about it and felt
very proud of his accomplishment. He had also started practicing the Cruciatus
Curse on rats he transformed from rocks. He guessed that telling himself that
they weren�t real rats helped him assuage his guilt in causing pain to another
living being but he knew that he would have to let go of his scruples soon
enough. Tom seemed very proud of him and told him that he had an excellent
control of the curse but that he should start practicing the Avada Kedavra
Curse as well. Orion was still reticent about it but had already cast it twice
on living rats in order to stop Tom�s pestering and what he felt when casting
the curse had scared him. With the Cruciatus Curse, at first, he had to
concentrate for a long time and make himself desire to cause pain much against
his will. But after long hours of practicing he was able to do it without a
thought and he felt his magic stir whenever he cast it. But with the killing
curse it had been very different. He had thought that he wanted the rat dead
and in the next second he felt a great surge of power running through his body
and he saw the great green magical beam come out from his wand and successfully
kill the rat on his first try. Tom had been ecstatic and had praised him on it,
and Orion had relished in Tom�s praise since he rarely gave one but he had felt
concerned afterwards. Never had a curse caused his inner magic to surge through
him like this one had. He had felt powerful and superior, and he had liked the feeling
and that had scared him. He had read that the killing curse was one of the most
powerful dark curses and that it shouldn�t be attempted by light wizards that
didn�t have the magical blood to control it since the curse caused the soul to
become fractured irreparably if you weren�t a dark wizard. In the case of dark
wizards, their dark magic would after sometime help the soul merge back
together, so he wasn�t concerned about that aspect. What concerned him was how
easily he had managed the curse on his first try and how powerful he had felt.
It made him want to feel that way again and he now understood why dark wizards
loved to cast such obscure and powerful dark spells.

It was the day after Halloween and Orion was pensively wondering if he
should keep practicing the killing curse while he enjoyed his dinner when a
black owl flew by and dropped a letter besides his cup. Orion took it and saw
that it came from Draco. He wondered what the boy had to tell him since he had
received a letter from him just a few days ago in which he only expressed his
discontent with Lockhart and his ongoing fights with the Weasley boy. He
quickly opened the letter and his eyes widened as he read the letter. He
dropped his fork and saw that Calypso and Lezander were looking at him
worriedly. He whispered urgently to them, �Something happened at Hogwarts
yesterday. Let�s go to the common room where we can discuss it before the
others finish their dinner.�

Calypso and Lezander nodded and followed him out from the Great Hall.
They reached their common room and took their seats in one of the farthest
corners. Orion turned to them, �Draco wrote to tell me that finally something
exciting is happening at Hogwarts,� he said shaking his head in amusement but
then turned serious, �Yesterday, after their Halloween Feast, they found Mrs.
Norris, the cat of the caretaker of Hogwarts, hung in a wall and seemingly
dead. When Dumbledore arrived to the scene he said she had been petrified-�

Lezander interrupted him and raised his eyebrow, �So? What�s so
fascinating about that? Your poor friend must be dying of boredom if he gets
excited by that.�

Orion glared at him, �You didn�t let me finish, Lez. It was what was
written on the wall that has him so excited. In letters written by what he
suspects is blood was the following message: The Chamber of Secrets has been
opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware.�

Lezander looked nonplussed but Calypso�s eyes widened in recognition and
she asked urgently, �The Chamber of Secrets? The one that was
rumored to have been built by Salazar Slytherin?�

Orion nodded and at Lezander�s puzzled look he explained, �I don�t know
how much you have read about Hogwarts, Lez, but I guess you know about Salazar
Slytherin,� Lezander nodded his head and rolled his eyes. He was a vampire but
he wasn�t completely ignorant of wizarding history besides everyone knew who
Slytherin had been. Orion continued, �Well, it was rumored that Slytherin had
built a hidden chamber in Hogwarts, of which the other founders knew nothing
about. According to the legend there was a great monster inside that would only
obey him and those of his lineage. Before leaving the school he sealed the
Chamber of Secrets so that none would be able to open it until his own true
heir arrived at the school. As we know, Slytherin was the only founder that
recognized the peril that muggleborns put the school in since in his times the
muggles were already openly hunting wizards. The light wizards� version of the
legend is that he left the monster so that his heir could command it in order
to purge the school of all the muggleborns at Hogwarts. But the dark wizards
believe that he simply left the creature in case muggles attacked so that his
heir could order it to defend the wizards and the castle from them.� Orion
paused, �But in the end, according to the legend, the creature will do what
Slytherin�s heir commands. If he asks it to kill muggleborns, it will, and if
he asks it to defend the castle, it will. It depends on the heir�s wishes. So
in this case, both light and dark wizards might be right.�

Lezander frowned, �And you believe the legend to be true?�

Orion replied warily, �I don�t know, but according to Draco the
professors seemed very shaken. But his history teacher
told them that the castle had been searched many times before and no one had
ever found a secret chamber and that it was only an unfounded legend.�

Calypso turned to him, �It could have been a prank. Maybe one of the
Slytherins did it to have fun at the expense of the other houses.�

Orion shook his head, �I don�t think so. Draco told me he knows nothing
about it and that the Slytherins are about as clueless as everyone else, though
they�re enjoying themselves immensely. The Weasley boy and his two cronies,
Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas, were the ones who found the cat first. The
caretaker accused them of doing it but Draco is convinced that such a bigoted
idiot could have nothing to do with it and I agree with him. He wrote to his
father to ask him about it but only received the reply that he was to keep away
from whatever happened and to not ask questions, Draco was quite miffed about
it,� he said smiling but soon he turned serious, �It�s very strange. At the
begging of the term we were speculating about what some of the heads of the
dark families were plotting and now this happens? And Lucius Malfoy tells his
only son to not interfere?�

Lezander raised his eyebrows, �You think this is what they were
planning? A silly prank to scare the light wizards?�

Calypso snorted, �If they are behind it, it�s no prank. Someone is
attempting to open the Chamber of Secrets.�

�But we don�t even know if it exists! And who is there to open the
Chamber if there are no living descendants of Slytherin?� exclaimed Lezander.

Orion paled. There were two living descendants. Well, one half-alive in
his soul form but Tom was Slytherin�s descendant as well. Was the real Tom
behind this? It was absurd, he didn�t even know if the real Tom was alive, plus
what would a 64 year old wizard gain by opening the Chamber? How would he enter
Hogwarts to begin with? But maybe he had a grandson. Maybe he had a grandson
that went to Hogwarts! He would have to speak to Tom as soon as possible. Orion
looked at Lezander, �There�s the Dark Lord. We know he was the Heir of
Slytherin.�

Lezander replied in agitation, �But he isn�t alive! And if the
purebloods had resurrected him somehow, I doubt that he would waste his time
opening the Chamber of Secrets, if it even exists. He would be gathering his
Death Eaters and planning for war instead of partaking in such childish games!�

Orion nodded his head. Yes, that was true. And besides he knew it
couldn�t be Voldemort, he was still a mere soul. He turned to Calypso, �Do you
know if the Death Eaters have been having meetings? Have you seen your father
going out dressed in the Death Eater regalia?�

Calypso shook her head, �No, I haven�t. Besides, I�m sure that the Dark
Lord isn�t back. Father would have told me. This is something else. But it�s
clear to me that Lucius Malfoy knows something about this.� Orion nodded his
head while she continued, �He told Draco to not interfere and he was the one
plotting at the start of term. I just wonder what he wishes to accomplish with
this.�

They turned thoughtful and couldn�t arrive to a plausible explanation.
Orion bid them good-night and sat on his bed after casting silencing spells. He
opened the locket excitedly.

�Hello, Tom. Something has happened and I have many questions for you,�
he said in a rush.

Tom raised his eyebrow and Orion continued, �Do you have any sons or
grandsons?�

Tom looked shocked and then laughed, �No, I don�t think I do. Why do you
ask?�

Orion frowned in disappointment, so much for his theory, but he asked,
�How can you be sure? Maybe you had a son after you were made and you simply
don�t know.�

Tom calmly replied, �I would feel- I would know. I don�t have a son,� he
ended with a grunt and a scowl.

Orion frowned. Tom had let it slip that he would feel it. How could a
portrait feel if he had a son alive out there somewhere? He looked at Tom and
saw that he was still angry at himself for his slip. What is he hiding? What�s
the true nature of the locket? His curiosity was killing him and he wanted to
ask Tom about it but the young wizard was mad already and he wanted to know
about the Chamber of Secrets first. So there was no point in antagonizing him
by pursuing the matter.

Orion sighed, �Very well, you don�t have a son or grandson. So you
reckon you�re the last heir of Slytherin besides the Dark Lord?�

Tom eyes narrowed in suspicion and he snarled, �Why are you asking me
all these questions? You said something happened. What has happened?�

Orion ran his hand through his black locks and said, �The Chamber of
Secrets has been opened.�

Tom�s eyes widened and a triumphant smirk graced his features before he
quickly assumed a blank expression. �Is that so? And what do I have to do with
it?� he said calmly.

Orion�s eyes flashed and he spat, �Don�t play stupid with me, Tom. You
must know something about it. You were Slytherin�s heir and you went to
Hogwarts. Did you ever find it?�

Tom smirked widely, �Why would I tell you if I had?�

Orion�s eyes narrowed, �Just answer my question! This is important!
There�s someone opening the Chamber and according to you it can�t be your
descendant since you never had a son and I know it can�t be the Dark Lord since
he isn�t alive yet so who is it?!�

Tom raised his eyebrow and calmly replied, �You can�t expect me know who
it is. All I can tell you is that the Chamber exists. And if there�s someone
opening it you shouldn�t interfere, it�s for the best.�

Orion sighed and calmed down, �I wasn�t planning on interfering. I think
the dark families are behind it and they must have a reason for it, but I would
like to know what�s going on. What do they expect to gain from it? And how is
someone opening the Chamber if they aren�t Slytherin�s heir?�

Tom remained silent and merely observed him and Orion sighed in
frustration, �Can you at least tell me what the creature inside the Chamber
is?�

Tom regarded him and then said with determination, �I will not tell you
anything about it. You should give it a rest. It doesn�t concern you and
whatever happens will benefit the Dark.�

Orion saw that Tom wasn�t willing to talk anymore about the subject so
he bid him a good night and closed the locket. Tom obviously knew what was
going on. He had been at Hogwarts so he must have found the Chamber. He would
have to find out if it had ever been opened in the past. Orion thought matters
over but couldn�t shed more light on what was happening. Lucius Malfoy seemed to
be behind it. But how could someone that wasn�t Slytherin�s heir be able to
open the Chamber? And how would opening the Chamber benefit the Dark like Tom
had said? Just to have a monster in Hogwarts at some dark wizard�s command?
Just to kill some muggleborns? He didn�t see any point to it besides making the
light wizards cower in fear. No, it had nothing to do with the monster. What
was important was who was doing it. Tom had been triumphant when he heard that
the Chamber had been opened. Orion frowned, why would he care so much? What did
it mean to him? If it had been his grandson opening the Chamber he could
understand that Tom would be proud of it, but Tom had assured him that he
didn�t have sons or grandsons, so who did Tom believe was opening the Chamber? Damn Tom for not trusting him!

The next week Orion and his friends speculated about the matter but
couldn�t find answers to their innumerable questions. Calypso had asked her
father but Romulus Rosier had remained tight lipped and had gently told her
daughter to mind her own business and not to discuss what was happening with
anyone. Of course, she didn�t obey and kept discussing it with her friends.
Orion had written back to Draco asking him if anyone had said something about
the Chamber of Secrets being opened in the past but Draco had replied that he
hadn�t found out anything about it. The teachers didn�t say anything besides
assuring the students that the Chamber didn�t exist and that there was no
danger. But Orion didn�t believe any of it and was growing more frustrated with
each passing day. That Sunday he received another letter from Draco. Collin
Creevey, a little Gryffindor that liked to snap pictures at every instance, had
been petrified. Orion wondered what the monster could be. He didn�t know of any
magical creatures that could petrify their prey. Most of them just killed.

The months rolled by and Orion focused in his studies and training. He
had written to Sirius explaining what was happening and his father seemed very
concerned and urged Orion to let the matter rest. Sirius had told him that he
still met with the purebloods but none had mentioned anything to him about the
occurrings at Hogwarts. He said that things at Hogwarts were looking bad for
Dumbledore and many parents were concerned for their children�s safety and
angry at Dumbledore�s incapability of stopping the attacks. Orion learned more
about it when in mid December Draco wrote excitedly telling him that another
muggleborn boy, Justin Fitch-Fletchley, and the Gryffindor ghost had been
petrified. Orion was amused by Draco�s boasting that he was now glad to be at
Hogwarts, surely nothing so exciting was happening at Durmstrang and he was
having great fun at the expense of the other houses than seemed terrified while
the Slytherins enjoyed the comfort of knowing that the monster wouldn�t attack
them since they were all purebloods.

Orion spent his Christmas holidays with Sirius and was currently sitting
in the parlor where Sirius had just informed him that he wouldn�t be going to the
Malfoy�s this year.

Orion turned angrily towards his father, �Why can�t I go? I promised
Draco I would visit him and I have many things to discuss with him. Please
father, let me go.�

Sirius sighed warily and said, �From what you have told me Lucius Malfoy
is up to something and I don�t want you to become involved. Just for this once
obey me.�

Orion scowled, �Whatever Malfoy is doing I�m sure it�s for our benefit.
Besides, it isn�t Draco�s fault, I should be allowed
to see him.�

Sirius pierced him with his gray eyes and said, �How do you feel about
Draco?�

Orion sat back in surprise, �What do you mean how I feel about him? He�s
one of my best friends, you know that!�

Sirius ran a hand through his hair at which Orion smiled since he had
the same habit, �I didn�t know if I should tell you but Narcissa Malfoy has
contacted me. I never expected her to do so. I guess I had forgotten about the
dark pureblood families� traditions and it took me quite by surprise to be
involved in such negotiations.� Sirius looked at Orion and saw him frowning. He
took a deep breath and continued, �She has started negotiations in Draco�s name
for your hand.�

Orion�s jaw dropped and his eyes widened. He gasped, �What?!�

Sirius continued to explain, �As you know the dark pureblood families
start secret negotiations to marry their children when they turn eleven and
usually the negotiations are finalized when they reach seventeen. They�re
arranged marriages which only purpose is to join one bloodline with an equally
or more pure bloodline in order to produce powerful heirs and to merge the
riches of the two families. In this case, the Malfoys have started negotiations
with me to join Draco and you in marriage in the future ��

Orion frantically interrupted him, �But I don�t want to marry anyone! I
don�t like anyone that way!� Orion paused and frowned, �Well, I don�t know if I
like someone� but how can they want Draco to join me if Narcissa was after
Pansy Parkinson�s hand? And how can they make Draco marry a boy? That isn�t...
that doesn�t�.� Orion faltered and looked uncertainly at his father.

Sirius looked at him and asked, �What concerns you, Orion? If you�re
sure that you don�t like boys already I won�t make you marry one. I dislike
arranged marriages and I would never force you into one ��

Orion interrupted him with wide eyes, �Like boys? I don�t know�� he
faltered and then said in a low voice, �But that isn�t normal, is it? I
shouldn�t like boys��

Sirius looked at him strangely and said, �What are you talking about?
There�s nothing wrong if you like boys. I�m aware you�re too young to know
which gender you prefer-�

Orion shook his head in confusion, �What do you mean there�s nothing
wrong? Don�t wizards�Do they accept same gender couples?� he asked uncertainly.

Sirius raised his eyebrows, �Yes, why shouldn�t we?�

Orion frowned, �But the muggles don�t accept them. They consider people
that like their own gender to be weird and abnormal.�

Sirius shook his head sadly, �Ah, that would explain why you were so
surprised by it. But in the wizarding world it is a common occurrence and they
have always been accepted. In the case of the dark pureblood families, they
don�t care about gender either, only about the purity and power of the chosen
partner for their children. This is why I believe the Malfoys want you for
their son. I suspect Lucius had something to do with it. No doubt, when he
learned that you were a parselmouth and considering you�re also the Black Heir,
he clearly told Narcissa that he wants you for Draco. The joining of the Malfoy
and Black fortune would be advantageous for him and the joining of your
bloodlines would produce a very powerful heir. But I�m not so sure about
allowing the negotiations to continue. I wouldn�t want you to be in Lucius�
clutches, that�s part of the reason I don�t want you to go to the Malfoys
during the holidays-�

Orion interrupted him, �A powerful heir? But how can male couples have
children?� he asked with curiosity.

Sirius looked surprised, �You don�t know? I venture to guess that
muggles haven�t found a way then?� Orion shook his head and Sirius continued,
�There�re many ways of doing it. There�s a blood ritual that joins the blood of
the couple and creates a fetus that is then placed in the womb of a witch that
offers her help to the couple. Usually she�s a close friend of the couple and
though she isn�t the biological mother, after the baby is born she remains
close to the couple and the baby. Since it would be very cruel to part her from
the baby she carried for nine months she usually assumes the role of the
godmother and participates in the baby�s upbringing. Another way is for one of
the males to take a potion that will allow him to carry a baby.� Orion
scrunched his nose and Sirius laughed, �Yes, it isn�t very comfortable for the
wizard and the transformation is extremely painful. But he isn�t exteriorly
changed. He is able to carry the baby without problems and when the time comes
the baby is extracted by mediwizards without injury to the wizard. So you see,
in the magical world it doesn�t represent a problem.�

Orion replied, �Yes, I understand. But nevertheless, how can the Malfoys
decide if Draco is to marry a girl or a boy if they don�t know about his
preferences?�

�Well, ideally one should marry someone they love and are attracted to,
but as I told you, in the case of the dark families they arrange marriages to
make the bloodlines stronger. Once the couple has produced an heir they can
have any lovers they want. It�s not something that they flaunt, they do it
discreetly, but since most marriages are arranged it�s something very common
and accepted. And the couples usually become friends so no ill will exists
between them. So even if Draco preferred women, the Malfoys could make him
marry a wizard if they consider him to be the best prospect and Draco would
comply because he would see it as his duty. Once they have an heir Draco would
be free to pursue anyone he likes,� explained Sirius.

Orion sighed, �But that�s so cold and calculating. To marry someone you
don�t love and even someone of a gender you�re not attracted to. But I think I
understand why they do it. If our magic is becoming weaker our priority has to
be to have more powerful children with each passing generation and I guess that
the most efficient way of doing it is through arranged marriages.�

Sirius nodded, �Yes, it is. It�s the pureblood tradition. But I have
never liked it and I refused to comply with my mother�s plans for my marriage
and therefore I won�t subject you to the same.�

Orion said thoughtfully, �I have never considered marriage before. To be
quite truthful I don�t know if I ever want to marry, there�re so many things to
be done... I don�t even know if I like boys or girls.� Then he looked up at his
father, �But I guess that I should have an heir to preserve the Black bloodline,
right?�

Sirius warily sighed, �I don�t want you to be forced to have children,
but yes, it would be important to me. I would like to know that our family
continues and I would love to be a grandfather,� he said with a smile.

Orion smiled back and nodded, �I understand. I wouldn�t want to be the
last Black either. We�re one of the most ancient and pure dark bloodlines and
it�s important to continue it. We�re few as it is when compared to the light
families. And I think it�s best if I joined a wizard or witch of a powerful
bloodline as well. So I�ll leave the negotiations to you. At least I like Draco
as a friend and I know that we would get along if we had to live together.�

Sirius frowned, �I understand that he�s your friend but I�m wary of
Lucius� intentions. It�s true that the Malfoy bloodline is one of the strongest
and for it to join again with the Black bloodline will make it purer and more
powerful but Lucius himself is very sly. I think that what matters to him the
most is to have the parseltongue ability in his bloodline and that�s why he
chose you.�

Orion lifted an eyebrow and calmly replied, �That�s obvious, I would have done the same if I were him. I don�t see cause
for concern there. You can go ahead with the negotiations, I just ask you that
when the time comes you will let me know who are the candidates and that you
allow me to choose for myself. I will take into consideration your opinion as
well but I would like to at least choose someone that I know I could be friends
with.�

Sirius nodded in agreement and said, �Very well, I�ll continue with the
negotiations with Narcissa if you want me to. And I�ll look at the other
families to find other prospects. And be certain that I will never force you to
marry anyone you don�t like. You�ll be able to choose for yourself.�

Orion smiled warmly at him but then asked in concern, �Do you think they
have told Draco? It would be so weird for me to talk to him if he knew��

Sirius laughed, �Don�t worry, young pup. It�s just weird because you
aren�t used to it but I don�t think Draco would mind. He�s aware that his
mother is currently negotiating with several families. But don�t be concerned,
I doubt they have told him. Parents usually don�t tell their children since the
negotiations last for many years and many things change, so it�s better to keep
the children ignorant of the proceedings. They�re usually told when they turn
seventeen. Indeed, what happened with the Parkinsons is quite the breach of
etiquette and I think Lucius wasn�t too pleased about it.�

Orion grinned and said, �Just promise me to never consider someone like
Pansy, please.�

Sirius barked a laugh, �Promised.�

It was the start of May when Orion finally discovered what the creature
in the Chamber of Secrets was. He had received another letter from Draco that
triumphantly said that his father had managed to convince Hogwarts� governors
of Dumbledore�s incompetence and that Dumbledore had been sacked from his
headmaster position. Orion marveled at Lucius� cunning but it was soon out of
his mind when he kept reading and found out that the muggleborn Granger and
another girl had been petrified. What picked his interest was Draco�s jib that
the girl had been looking at herself in a mirror when she had been petrified,
no doubt to attempt to manage her bushy hair as Draco had snidely written. And
then, all had become clear to Orion. Colin Creevey and his camera, Justin
Fitch-Fletchley and the ghost, Granger and the mirror� they had never looked
directly at the creature! It had always been through something and now he
understood that there wasn�t a creature that could petrify, but there was one
that could kill with its eyes and that petrified with its eyes if looked
indirectly into them. The creature was a basilisk! His joy at having resolved
the mystery soon vanished and transformed into confusion when he read that
Rubeus Hagrid, the grounds keeper of Hogwarts had been accused of being behind
the attacks. Draco explained that Minister Fudge and some Aurors had taken him
into custody and that he was going to be sent to Azkahban since Hagrid had been
the one to open the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago. In the past, Dumbledore
had vouched for his innocence and Hagrid had been banned from ever using a wand
again. But now that they had no other suspects they didn�t want to take the
risk and had apprehended Hagrid with the hope that the attacks would stop.
Draco had scoffed at the idea that the great brute could have been able to open
the Chamber of Secrets and Orion agreed with him. He was almost sure that if someone
had opened the Chamber fifty years ago it must have been Tom and that he had
somehow pinned it on Hagrid. He didn�t know how he felt about that. He was glad
that Tom hadn�t been found out but it saddened him that now an innocent man was
suffering for something he didn�t do so many decades ago. He didn�t tell Tom
anything about his discoveries. He doubted that Tom would tell him anything
more about the matter anyways.

On May 29th Orion was sitting on his bed talking with Lezander. He had
already told Calypso and Lezander about his discoveries and they decided to
patiently wait for more news. They couldn�t do much except speculate about the
identity of the real perpetrator of the attacks.

�Orion, what spell are you planning on presenting at Dark Spell
Creation? I have seen you working endlessly on it but you haven�t told me yet,�
asked Lezander in annoyance.

Orion laughed, �I told you it was going to be a surprise. I haven�t
finished it. I already have the equations and I�m working in finding the adequate
spell incantation. Curiously enough my mind always comes up with a word in
parseltongue but I don�t wish to use it since I don�t want the teachers to know
yet. Though I guess it makes sense, considering the spell.�

Lezander replied with amusement, �You won�t be able to conceal it for
much longer. I think you should just tell them, the teachers would be
thrilled�.�

But Orion didn�t manage to hear Lezander�s last words. His scar started
to painfully throb and he felt a piercing pain ripping through his skull. He
felt as his mind started to slip away. He hurriedly clutched Lezander�s robes
and whispered, �Oh, Merlin, it�s happening
again�please don�t let go of me�� The last thing Orion saw was
Lezander�s pale blue eyes looking frantically into his.

He woke into consciousness and instantly felt an exulted feeling of
triumph. He heard a high cold laugh echoing through the walls. It was his
laughter. He saw that he was in a large chamber shrouded in shadows with high
pillars shaped as snakes along the sides. He looked down at the body at his
feet. It was a small black-robed girl with flaming-red hair. Orion mentally
gasped. It was the Weasley girl. He recognized her from the time he had seen
her in the bookshop at Diagon Alley. What was she doing here? He felt a smirk
forming in his face and he nudged the girl with his foot.

He heard himself saying coldly, �Thank you, little
girl. Your pathetic existence has been put to better use in death than it had
ever been in life. Don�t worry, they won�t ever find you here and will surely
mourn you without ever knowing that it was you who unwittingly helped me
petrify all those mudbloods.�

Orion�s mind froze. The girl was dead! Why? Why had this happened? He
wanted to scream in anguish but held himself. This had to be Voldemort and he
needed to restrain his emotions if he wanted to avoid detection.

He moved forwards and saw that there was a small black book laid open
besides the girl but he continued walking until he reached a huge ancient
statue whose feet stood on the smooth Chamber floor. He craned his neck to look
at the statue�s face. It had a long thin beard that fell almost to the bottom
of the wizard�s sweeping stone robes and the stone face was looking forward
with fierce eyes. Orion recognized him immediately. It was Salazar Slytherin!
He was- Voldemort was in the Chamber of Secrets!

�Greatessst of the Foundersss Four, reveal the passssage to me,�
he heard himself hissing in parseltongue. And the feet of the statue parted
with a screeching sound and a narrow pitch black passage opened before him.

He quickly jerked his hand forwards and wandlessly conjured a flame that
hovered above his palm. He advanced and started the long trek through the
passage. He didn�t know how long he walked but he finally saw a light at the end
of the passage. He stepped out and saw that he had come out of a small cave
that had a view of a small town. It must be Hogsmead, thought Orion dazedly. He
was starting to feel very drained and could feel his
scar pulsing again. He sighed in contentment as the sunlight touched his skin
and whispered �I�m finally back. Oh, I can feel you out there. I�ll find you
soon and we�ll merge and become more powerful than ever before!� he said
victoriously grinning.

Orion confusedly wondered who he was talking about. Who�s out there?
Merge? How can you merge with someone? That was his last thought as a
needle-sharp pain cursed through his scar and he felt darkness embracing him as
he fought to resist the urge to scream in pain.

�Orion! Orion! Wake up, please!� he heard a desperate voice near his
ear. Orion opened his eyes and saw Lezander hovering above him. He opened his
mouth and felt the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. He must have bitten his
tongue when he prevented himself from screaming in pain. He attempted to get up
but soon dropped back into the bed dizzy. He had a hard time focusing his eyes
and could still feel the painful throbbing in his forehead. It hadn�t quickly
gone away like it had happened in his first year. He felt so exhausted and
could barely move.

Lezander embraced him close to his body and said softly, �What happened?
What did you see?�

�He�s back, he�s alive.� whispered Orion in a hoarse voice. Suddenly he
emitted a low sob and started shaking, �He killed the girl�she was already
dead. Oh Merlin, that poor girl��

�Shhh, shhh. Don�t worry. Everything will be fine, you�ll see,�
whispered Lezander soothingly into his ear while stroking his hair and rocking
his body.

Orion turned and fiercely grabbed Lezander�s face with the last of his
strength. He looked into his eyes and shouted at him in anguish, �HE SHOULDN�T
HAVE KILLED HER! SHE WAS INNOCENT!!� He saw Lezander�s shocked face and dropped
his hands tiredly. He couldn�t fight his exhaustion any longer and willingly
plunged into unconsciousness.

He woke up the next day and barely spoke a word to anyone. Lezander eyed
him warily and his eyes always followed him everywhere. He felt guilty now for
his outburst. It wasn�t Lezander�s fault. He sighed and after breakfast quickly
pulled Lezander to a side.

�Lez, I�m sorry for screaming at you yesterday. It wasn�t your fault and
I was tired-� started saying Orion.

Lezander gently grabbed his arm, �I know. Don�t worry.� He then looked
uncertainly at him and asked in a small voice, �Do you want to talk about what
happened?�

Orion started to shake his head but stopped. He owed Lezander so much.
He deserved to know the truth, well, at least part of it. There wasn�t denying
it any longer. Voldemort was back and he had a body. Lezander would have to
inform his parents as soon as possible as well. Orion cast a silencing spell
around them and said, �The Dark Lord is back.� He saw Lezander�s eyes widening
and he parted his lips to say something but Orion quickly continued, �Please
don�t ask me how I know. I just do. He has a physical body and I believe he
will soon start gathering his followers. You have to let your father know. He
must be prepared.� Lezander absent-mindedly nodded his head. And Orion left
him.

He spent the rest of the day barely paying attention to his classes. He
could only think about what had happened. He still didn�t understand how
Voldemort could have been in the middle of the Chambers of Secrets and how the
Weasley girl entered the equation. He could still feel tears swimming in his
eyes whenever he thought of her. He hadn�t known her but she had seemed so
small and fragile laying there on the cold stone floors of the Chambers of
Secrets. And Voldemort had so ruthlessly regarded her death. But he hadn�t seen
Voldemort killing her. In fact, the girl�s body had seemed intact. How had she
died? Voldemort hadn�t had a wand, so he couldn�t have killed her with the
killing curse. What had he said? That she was more useful in death than in
life. Her death had obviously allowed Voldemort to resurrect and obtain a body,
but how? He had also said that she had helped him with the petrifications. Had
Voldemort�s soul possessed her like he had done with Quirrell? But it couldn�t
be. The girl would have presented a physical manifestation of him if he ever possessed
her for so long, like it had happened with Quirrell, and someone would have
noticed. Orion frowned. Voldemort had said that he felt someone out there. That
they would merge and become more powerful than ever�Orion�s eyes widened in
realization. But soon after he shook his head. No, it couldn�t be possible that
he was talking about himself. There was only Voldemort�s soul and he had
somehow managed to get inside the girl and used her somehow to obtain a body.
He quickly penned a letter to Sirius telling him what had happened. There was
no point in concealing his link to Voldemort any longer. His father needed to
know everything. So he explained all that he had experienced and his
suspicions. He urged Sirius to be prepared and to consider his role in the war.
Their time had come up and they needed to plan and tread carefully from now on.

He soon received a letter from Draco saying that Dumbledore had been
reinstated as the Headmaster of Hogwarts since Ginerva Weasley's disappearance
and that the teachers had frantically searched for her all over the castle but
hadn�t found anything. Most assumed her to be dead and the children in the
castle were terrified. But the attacks had stopped and the petrified children
had awoken when given Mandrake Restorative Potions. He also said that Gilderoy
Lockhart had fled from Hogwarts. It seemed that he had boasted that he could
find the girl and when the other teachers left the responsibility to him, he
packed and left. Orion just rolled his eyes. The wizard had so obviously been a
fraud.

He hadn�t spoken to Tom since his vision. He didn�t know if he could
manage to restrain himself from screaming at the portrait. He still felt so raw
and anguished from the experience that he knew he would lash out to Tom. But he
had to face him soon to demand some answers.

It had been a week since his vision and they would be having their final
exams the following week. He had finally finished his spell for Spell Creation
and was practicing his dark offensive spells for the Duel Tournament that was
going to take place after the week of examinations. He dropped tiredly on his
bed and decided to confront his demons. He opened the locket and warily looked
at Tom.

Tom gave him a small smile. He had been in a good mood ever since Orion
had informed him that there was someone was opening the Chamber of Secrets. It
only made Orion angrier.

Orion turned cold green eyes to Tom and icily said, �The Dark Lord is
back.�

Tom raised his eyebrows and broadly smiled, �Already? Has he summoned
his Death Eaters yet?�

Orion shook his head and his eyes narrowed to slits, �You knew that it
was him opening the Chamber. Why didn�t you tell me?�

Tom contemplated him impassively and replied, �I didn�t want you to
interfere. Things seemed to be going smoothly and there was no reason for you
to know.�

Orion�s eyes flashed in anger and he shouted, �SMOOTHLY? HE KILLED A
LITTLE GIRL! THAT�S NOT HOW THINGS GO SMOOTHLY. DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW THAT
HE WOULD KILL A CHILD IN ORDER TO GAIN A BODY!�

Tom�s eyes hardened and he sneered at him, �This is why I didn�t tell
you. You would have gone into hysterics just as you�re doing now.� He lifted
his chin and continued in a superior tone of voice, �Yes, I suspected he might
need to do something like that. It was necessary for him to have a body back.
You shouldn�t dwell on it.�

Orion�s body shook in suppressed rage and he hissed, �I should dwell on
it. You should dwell on it as well and you can be sure that the Dark Lord
deserves to dwell on it every second for the rest of his life! He could have
found another way! There must have been another way that didn�t imply
sacrificing the life of an innocent eleven year old girl!� He saw Tom
condescendingly lifting his eyebrow and he felt hot tears of rage and anguish
starting to flow from his eyes and he spat, �Morgana damn you to hell, Tom.�
Then he dropped his shoulders and said in a defeated hushed whisper, �She was
innocent.�

Tom replied in clipped cold tones, �The Dark Lord did what was needed.
There was no other way. You and the dark families wanted him back to lead your
revolution, well then, you have him back. The girl could have died in the war
anyways. At least now her death was useful for our cause.�

Orion sadly shook his head and said in a soft tired voice, �That�s no excuse.�
He hysterically laughed, �By gods, will it always be like this? Voldemort
killing everyone he wishes and the rest of us bowing our heads in submission
and saying, it�s all for the cause, the Dark Lord knows best, we shouldn�t
question his madness?�

Tom snarled at him, �He isn�t insane! He�s just not hindered by emotions
like you are! You�re weak,� he spat, �You will never be great if you cringe at
the thought of causing pain to others, if you limit yourself because your
actions might cause the death of someone. Greatness is bought at high prices.
If you�re not prepared to do what is needed you should stop deluding yourself
and accept that you�ll never be able to contribute to the war. You�ll hinder
rather than help the dark wizards that are willing to fight with everything
they�ve got for their rights.�

Orion flinched as if slapped. And he said with a shaky voice, �I don�t
want to be a hindrance. I need to help. I know I can help. But I � I could
never kill a child, Tom!� he said in desperation.

Tom sighed warily and looked into Orion�s moisty green eyes. He could
see such depth of emotion in those emerald orbs, such need to justify
everything to himself and believe that what he did was for the good of dark
wizarding kind. The boy�s eyes were always so unguarded, like a window to his
soul. They were now so beautiful in his pain and anguish. He softly said, �You
might not require to kill children and if you don�t want to, then don�t. But
don�t judge and condemn others for having a different set of priorities. The
Dark Lord�s priority was to come back and he did what was necessary in order to
accomplish it. You might not like his method but it was the only one available
to him at the time. He doesn�t need to justify his actions to himself, to you
or to anyone else.�

Orion curtly nodded. He didn�t want to fight with Tom, as much as he
wanted to rage and snap the locket shut and never speak to Tom again, he needed
all the information and council Tom could provide him with, especially now that
the Dark Lord was back. So he swallowed his angry retort and with as much
coolness as he could muster he said, �Very well. I won�t discuss the girl�s
death with you any further. We have different opinions but I understand your
point. But there�s something that I don�t understand.� He pierced Tom with his
stare and said, �The Dark Lord said that he felt someone out there and that
they would merge to become more powerful than ever. Whom was he referring to?�

Tom�s eyes widened but then quickly narrowed in suspicion and he grunted,
�How do you know? How can you possible know what the Dark Lord said?�

Orion smirked vindictively at him, �We all have our secrets, Tom. You�re
certainly not honest with me when it�s convenient for you, therefore you can
expect the same from me. I�m not about to reveal my sources to you.�

Tom sneered at him and arrogantly said, �You know nothing. You�re just
fishing for information.�

Orion merely raised his eyebrow and tauntingly said, �Well, you�ll never
know how much I know but be certain that it�s more than you can ever suspect.
The word he used is very peculiar, is it not? Merge�I wonder what he could mean
by it. Wizards don�t merge, it seems to me he was talking about something more
in the spiritual plane�� said Orion smirking. It was an absurd theory and he
didn�t even know what it meant but it was the only thing he had come up with
and by telling Tom he could observe his reaction and elucidate how far he was
from the truth. He was surprised when he saw Tom�s quickly concealed blanch. By
Mordred, it was true! Voldemort wanted to merge his soul with someone? Can that
even be done? But with whom? Voldemort would never consider anyone worthy
enough to merge his soul with. That only left the other plausible explanation
that he had before quickly discarded. Voldemort was merging with himself! He
had spoken in plural saying that they would be more powerful than ever before.
The only one that had ever been powerful by Voldemort�s standards had been
himself. Orion frowned. But he had been so certain that the soul of Voldemort
that had possessed Quirrell had been the same possessing the Weasley girl. It
seemed now that he had been mistaken. The Voldemort of the Chamber of Secrets
had been a different one from the one that was currently still in his soul form
hiding somewhere. If he had only caught a glimpse of himself when he was in
Voldemort�s mind he could at least know more about what had happened. So there
had been two souls of Voldemort. And one of them had succeeded in obtaining a
body and was looking for the other soul to merge. Orion shook his head. He
couldn�t understand. How was that even possible? Two independent souls of the
same wizard? Did he somehow replicate his soul? Orion was completely clueless.
He knew nothing about soul magic. He was hopeful that he would learn about it
if he was ever accepted in Vulcan Vagnarov's Necromancy class. But he couldn�t
wait so long to have answers. He sighed. It seemed it would remain a mystery to
him. He would have to be patient. The important fact was that Voldemort was
going to return and become active very shortly.

Tom snorted at him, �You do always come up with the most extravagant
theories, Orion. I do wonder where you get your ideas from.�

Orion flashed him a nasty smile, �Ah, but I�m usually right, aren�t I?
And I do believe that in this instance I�m as right as I have always been.�
Orion paused and smirked widely, �The Dark Lord had two souls, or was it
perhaps the same soul split in two?� He ventured the guess.

Tom�s eyes turned to slits and he snarled at him, �Don�t presume to know
anything about him! Your theory is completely ridiculous and unfounded. You
don�t know what you�re talking about, boy!�

Orion laughed with no real feeling, �I dare say that your reaction just
confirmed my wild theory for me,� he turned serious, �What are you afraid of,
Tom? Do you fear that I�ll spill the Dark Lord�s little secret to all my
friends? That the mystery of his immortality will be uncovered by me? Fear not,
I won�t tell anyone. Now that I know the truth, now that I�m sure that he split
his soul into two and that he�s merging them back in order to return to us, I
have no wish on dwelling on the matter further. I don�t care what he did to
himself in order to accomplish such a feat.� Which was a complete lie, of
course, thought Orion to himself in amusement, �I only care about what is going
to happen. And I�ll need your assistance,� he said piercing Tom with his eyes.

Tom calmed down and replied nonchalantly, �You�re only speculating. You
have no proof for your ridiculous theory.� Orion merely waved his hand
dismissively and Tom regarded him silently before continuing, �What do you need
my help for?�

Orion lifted his eyebrow, �You know what my ambitions are, Tom. The Dark
Lord will be calling his Death Eaters soon and my father will become a
follower. I want to be able to protect my father as well as myself from the
Dark Lord while offering him my assistance. I wish to have a say in the war. I
already told you, I won�t bow to him and I won�t allow him to hurt the ones I
love. But I will offer him my allegiance. I want you to give me advice on how
to treat him in order to accomplish all I want.�

Tom snorted, �He�ll never consider you as his equal. What you ask is
impossible.�

Orion arrogantly replied, �Not even when I know his little secret?�

Tom turned his eyes fiercely towards him, �You can never tell him! He�ll
kill you on the spot if he even suspects you know that much!�

Orion frowned. Was it concern that he had detected in Tom�s voice?
Concern for his safety? Orion quickly soothed him, �I wasn�t planning on
telling him anything. I just wanted you to know that he�s not the only one that
holds some cards in the game we�re going to play. He might be more experienced
and ruthless than me, but I�m not clueless. I have a lot of information and
with your advice I�ll be able to tread carefully around him. And besides, can
you honestly tell me that I�m not powerful enough?�

Tom hesitated and then answered truthfully, �You know that you�re very
powerful for your age and if you continue training and learning as you have
been doing I think you�ll become a very powerful dark wizard. Perhaps someday,
when you�re older, you can become as powerful as him, but you lack his
cold-bloodedness. You�re too easily influenced by your emotions and I don�t
think he�ll consider you seriously when he sees you�re just a boy. He might see
the potential in you if you ever demonstrate your powers to him and he�ll be
intrigued by your parseltongue ability but don�t even think for a second that
he�ll treat you any differently from the rest. And you must learn to hold your
tongue if you ever come into his presence! He allows no show of disrespect or
antagonism from his followers!�

Orion merely nodded his head. Oh, dear Tom didn�t even know about half
of his powers. He had never shown him all the wandless dark curses that he
could do and he was getting stronger each day. He had stopped worrying about
the surge of power that came to him whenever he cast the killing curse and had
learned to embrace it and control it better. He could already control his
magical core and direct his inner magic to the spells he wanted to cast, and
they were much more powerful than he had ever seen any other wizard casting. If
Tom already regarded him as being powerful, he was then sure that he could
match Voldemort if he used all his magical abilities. He hadn�t even discovered
an end to them. But one thing was true, he wasn�t ruthless or cruel enough to
be able to stand up to him. But he had decided that while he could still be
himself with his friends and loved ones, he could learn to become ruthless with
others, particularly with Voldemort. If he and his Death Eaters only respected
a cruel and vicious dark wizard, he would be one for them without losing his
real self. And about learning to hold his tongue, well, he guessed he should do
that at first. But he wouldn�t become a mindless follower and he wouldn�t stop
antagonizing Voldemort if he ever did something that injured him or the people
that mattered to him.

Exam week was finally over. Orion had excelled in all his tests and
Mistress Galathea had been perplexed and then over joyous when he presented his
spell. He had finally decided on casting it in parseltongue. Now that the war
was starting there wasn�t any reason to keep his ability concealed and it would
start the rumor that would undoubtedly reach Voldemort�s ears and that played
in his favor. Let Voldemort now about him in advance, let him wonder about him.
He had created a spell that conjured a great magical basilisk that only obeyed
the command of the caster and had no counter-spells since the only spell that
could vanish her had to be spoken in parseltongue. His idea, of course, had
come from his discovery of the creature of the Chamber of Secrets and the spell
was mighty useful. He had cast her with her eyes closed, obviously, and had
made her strike against one of the empty student�s desk which had been snapped
into two in her powerful jaws. He had loved the expression he had seen in his
friends� and the teacher�s face. They had been alarmed at first but were soon
cheering at the creature. Dark wizards simply loved powerful creatures, even
more so the mighty basilisk, Queen of Snakes.

Orion was walking alone from the Great Hall towards the library when he
saw Headmaster Karkaroff approaching him. He gave a small frown. The Headmaster
never usually interacted personally with the students and he had been missing
from dinner on a regular basis as of lately. He waited patiently for the wizard
to reach him and Karkaroff stopped in front of him surveying him with
scrutinizing black eyes.

�Mr. Black,� Karkaroff said in a thick Slavic accent, �I wish to speak
to you of a very serious matter. Could you accompany me to my office where we
can talk more calmly?�

Orion nodded and walked in silence besides Karkaroff. What was all this
about? Was he in trouble because his basilisk had destroyed school property?
Surely not. It wasn�t as if the desk couldn�t be easily repaired with a well
placed Reparo.

They reached Karkaroff�s office in one of the tallest towers of the
school and they entered the room. Orion saw that it was a very large round room
full of dark object and a great library on a side. What made him frown was that
there were several trunks filled with things and his desk and many shelves were
empty. Karkaroff had been packing his possessions!

Suddenly, Karkaroff spun around to face him and said to him, �I have
heard many things about you, Mr. Black, and I have observed and followed your
progress these two years and that has been all the confirmation I needed.� He
paused and then said warily, �I wished I had more time. I had thought that I
would be here to see your development and to help you. But I can�t stay any
longer.� He have a small shudder and lifted his left arm�s cuff, he showed his
arm to Orion and Orion gasped when he saw the Dark Mark darkly etched in
Karkaroff skin. Karkaroff said, �I has been getting darker during this year and
I can�t ignore it any longer. I guess you know as well as I do what this
means.� Orion silently nodded his head. Karkaroff reached into his robe�s
pocket and took out a thin silver necklace with a triangle-shaped pendant. He
placed it over Orion�s head and set it around his neck. He then urgently
whispered, �Wear it at all times. When the time comes the portkey will
activate.�

Orion confusedly asked him, �Where will it take me? And when will it
happen?�

Karkaroff replied quickly, �When the time is right it will activate. It
will send you to someone that can give you more information. I can tell you nothing
else.�

Karkaroff brusquely grabbed Orion�s shoulders and clutched them
painfully. He frantically looked into Orion's eyes, �I know what you are, what
you�re destined to become. You must succeed, you�re our last hope. If you can�t
do it, nobody can and all is lost.�

Orion frowned in confusion and Karkaroff released him, he turned his
back at him and sealed the trunks that were already full. He cast a spell to
make them apparate away and grabbed a fur coat and put it on. He turned again
to face Orion and sadly said, �I wished I had more time. Decades ago I pledge
to help you but there�s nothing I can do for you now except tell you that what
Master Helheim told you about the Deathly Hallows isn�t a legend. They�re real,
they�re yours. Seek them.�

Karkaroff stepped forwards and forcefully grabbed Orion�s chin and made
him look into his pitch black eyes, �Don�t fear your powers, embrace them.
They�ll never harm you.�

With those last words Karkaroff spun around and grabbed a stone that was
the only object sitting on his desk. The headmaster disappeared with a pop when
the portkey activated and Orion stood dazzled in the middle of the deserted
office.

He grabbed the necklace that Karkaroff had given him and looked down at
the pendant. Grindelwald�s mark. The pendant was the same symbol he had seen at
the school�s wall. The
Deathly Hallows� representation.

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The Black Heir