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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
- 8
- 9
- 10
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: The students at Durmstrang are sorted into the three Orders, which
basically group them according to their abilities and power level, not
according to personality traits like the houses at Hogwarts since people can�t
be so easily categorized. The idea is that Durmstrang values power above
everything else and since they teach the Dark Arts they have specific classes
to each Order, since some classes might be too dangerous for students without
the necessary power or control over their magic to be able to study them.
Therefore the Orders can�t be described saying one is for the courageous,
another for the intelligent, and such.

Snape will most definitely be making an appearance and he�ll be
interacting with Orion, but in later years. I can�t make it a Snape/Orion
pairing because according to DH Snape had always been in love with Lily, and if
I change that all his reasons for his actions wouldn�t make sense. The Orion/LV
pairing has a high probability of occurring, but some have reviewed saying that
they wouldn�t like that pairing, so I will also consider your opinion on the
matter. But they�ll be interacting a lot anyways.

Thanks to all my reviewers and thank you May for letting me know about
the anonymous reviews, I had no idea. I have already changed it, so I�ll see
how it goes. And thanks to Perfect Marionette for being so constant and writing
reviews periodically.

And thanks to Miranda Fairgold for your review, I like reviews like
that. One question though, what could be improved in the first two chapters? I
know the second one is purely descriptive, since I had to get that over, but
what are your thoughts about the first one?

Chapter 9 � Durmstrang & Tom

The next day they started their winter term with Transfiguration with
the rest of the first years. Orion had always loved the subject and had easily
morphed the objects into what Master Elgar had asked. The professor had been
ecstatic and praised him on his performance. At Charms, both him and Calypso
had been the first to get the spells right every time, much to Mistress Arlov�s
delight, and by now both Evander and Viktor taunted Orion endlessly about being
the teachers� pet. History of the Dark Arts had been fairly boring to Orion,
since he had read much about the subject, but he still listened carefully to
what Master Helheim said since he had mentioned briefly the exile from the
wizarding world of many dark creatures such as vampires and werewolves.

Orion, Kara, Viktor, Evander, Calypso and Lezander were walking together
for their fourth class of the day. Lezander had easily fit into the group and
while Kara seemed a little bit frightened of him and Calypso a little bit wary,
the boys had taken a liking to him. They reached the Dark Arts classroom and
took their seats in the front table. Soon Romulus Rosier swept in and the class
silenced.

�Welcome to Introduction to the Dark Arts. As you may know, the Dark
Arts can�t be studied lightly and you have to go through a slow process to get
acquainted with them and to let your magic adjust to their use. This year we�ll
start by studying some spells and learning their effects when you cast them. We
will only practice some minor spells and we will learn about more powerful
spells only in theory. You�ll be learning how to cast them during the rest of
your years at Durmstrang. The Dark Arts spells work much differently than light
spells. When you cast a light spell you only require a certain wand movement
and the incantation of a spell. Dark spells, instead, depend on the intention
of the caster and his control over his magic. To cast a dark spell you have to
desire the result and you have to see it clearly in your mind. For the more
powerful spells you have to summon your inner magical core, direct the magic
through your wand and use your will to make it happen. It is important that you
practice daily your dark spells, since you have the power to use them due to
your blood, and the more you practice and become familiar with them, the more
control you�ll have over them. Wizards that don�t have dark magical blood and
delve into the Dark Arts soon become overpowered by them and their minds and
bodies suffer the consequences. But that doesn�t mean that you can start
casting powerful spells right away, it could be just as dangerous for you. This
is why I urge you to practice daily the minor spells and slowly we�ll be using
more powerful ones,� said Rosier to an enraptured classroom.

�Now, let�s turn to page ten of your textbook and we�ll start by
reviewing the types of dark spells.� He continued while the students flipped
through their books, �Dark spells can be categorized into several groups
depending on why we�re casting them. In general terms there are offensive and
defensive spells; spells for human transformation; mind control and protection;
mind invasion; body and mind improvement; and warding. Some of these spells
will be taught to certain Orders in classes dedicated exclusively to them. In
this class we�ll be focusing on offensive and defensive spells. Spells can also
be grouped according to how you cast them: we have wandless spells, non-verbal
spells and the regular spells that require a wand. A powerful wizard can learn
how to do most of his dark spells non-verbally with the exception of powerful
offensive spells, but wandless magic requires a supreme level of control and
power even for the minor spells and some powerful spells are impossible to do
wandlessly. We�ll be practicing non-verbal casting in third year and wandless
magic will be covered in the last years. Most of you will only be able to do a
few minor wandless spells but that�s quite normal.� Rosier paused and looked at
the class, �Do any of you have any questions so far?�

Orion raised his hand, �Will we be learning about the Unforgivables,
sir?� he asked. Several eager mutterings could be heard around the classroom.

Rosier seriously regarded him and replied, �As you know the
Unforgivables are illegal to cast in most countries and they are three of the
most powerful dark spells. They were labeled as Unforgivables because they
became popular during the last war. We�ll be learning about them in theory this
year, but in third year you�ll be able to practice them on magical dummies for
educational purposes. These spells are not to be taken lightly and are merely
taught to give you tools for your protection. Many of you won�t be able to cast
them successfully but it�s nothing to be ashamed of. There are many other dark
spells that can be useful for offensive purposes.�

Evander raised his hand and asked eagerly, �When are we going to have duels,
sir? I heard that there was a Dueling Club.� The students started to talk
between themselves excited at the prospect.

�There is and I�m in charge of it, but you�ll be able to participate
starting in your second year.� Rosier replied.

Discontented mutterings could be heard. Rosier silenced them with a
look. �You need to be better prepared and learn more dark spells in order to
fully take advantage of it. There�s no point in you participating during your
first year. But don�t worry, many of the spells that you�ll learn this year
will be useful for the Dueling Club. So you should concentrate in learning them
this year so that you can practice them in a real duel setting in your second
year.�

The rest of the class was spent reading from the textbook while Master
Rosier continued to explain more about dark magic and their spells. Orion
thought that it was fascinating and it was fast becoming his favorite class.

The group happily exited the classroom and went to the Hall to have
lunch.

�Your father is an amazing teacher, Calypso. The Dueling Club next year
will be fabulous,� said Orion as he sat to eat his lunch.

Calypso smiled, �Thank you. He enjoys teaching a lot. I don�t think he
ever imagined he was going to end up as a teacher,� she said laughing.

�But what was he referring to when he spoke about mind control and
invasion?� asked Viktor.

Orion replied, �I think its called Occlumency and Legilimency. I read
about it somewhere and it said that Occlumency allows you to organize your mind
and protect it from others attempting to see your memories. You build a sort of
mental wall that protects your memories and thoughts. And Legilimency is when
you invade another�s mind and see his memories.�

Calypso nodded, �They�re supposed to be a very Dark Art and it�s very
difficult to accomplish.�

�But it must be frightfully useful in a duel. Imagine if you could use
Legilimency to see what your opponent is going to cast! It would be fantastic!�
said Orion in excitement.

�Do you think they�ll teach us? He did say that they taught it to some
Order,� said Lezander to Orion.

�I don�t know, but I certainly hope so. And if not we can always attempt
to study it by ourselves. I�m sure they must have books on the subject in the
library,� replied Orion.

Lezander smirked in amusement, �You and your books. I have already seen
that you have a huge pile of books on one side of your bed. You�re such a
little bookworm�, he said with a grin.

Evander and Viktor laughed. �Orion and Calypso always have their nose
stuck in some book, that�s why they�re such a teacher�s pet,� said Evander with
merriment.

Orion huffed, �There�s nothing wrong in being a bookworm and I�m not a
teacher�s pet, and I�m not little!� he said indignantly.

Lezander smirked and said, �I�m almost a full head taller than you.�

�Just a few inches! And I�ll grow soon enough, you�ll see,� replied
Orion glaring at Lezander. The truth was that Lezander was much taller than
Orion and he disliked being in such a disadvantage, he only hoped he would grow
fast. He started pilling more food on his plate.

Lezander laughed when he eyed Orion�s plate, �Do you really think that
by stuffing yourself you�ll grow faster?�

Orion shot back, �I can try, can�t I?�

�You�ll get fat,� Lezander said tauntingly.

�I will not! And I plan on exercising anyways,� said Orion huffing.

Lezander raised an eyebrow, �Doing what?�

�Well, I brought my broomstick and I was thinking of flying for a while
everyday after class in the Quidditch pitch. I heard it was open for all
students when the teams finished their practices,� replied Orion.

Viktor turned excitedly towards him, �That�s an excellent idea. I�ll go
with you!�

Calypso murmured rolling her eyes, �Men and their broomsticks��

�Why, my little Calypso, what are you implying?� said Evander with a
wink.

The other boys laughed and Kara giggled. Calypso turned to look at them
without understanding, �What do you mean?�

Evander laughed, �You�re so innocent that it�s cute!�

Calypso frowned at them and Orion took pity on her and placed his arm
over her shoulders, �He�s just messing with you, don�t pay attention.�

�Ahh, and here comes her knight in shinning armor, to protect the fair
maiden�s innocence!� said Viktor grinning at them.

Calypso blushed and Orion glared at him. Lezander watched the couple and
frowned, �Do you two like each other?�

�Well, little Calypso here has a sweet spot for Orion and Orion likes to
hug her a lot,� said Evander winking.

Calypso was beet red by now and Orion snapped, �Leave her alone. We�re
friends. There�s nothing wrong in being close friends. And I�ll hug her
whenever I want to without having you tormenting us about it!�

�Relax, mate. No need to get angry, we understand, we�ll give you your
privacy,� said Evander winking at Viktor, who roared up laughing.

Orion sighed and rolled his eyes. �Let�s get going. We have Spell
Creation in ten minutes�

The group walked to their classes sharing jokes and taunts between them.
Lezander watched Calypso and Orion closely and Evander and Viktor still picked
on them occasionally. Evander and Kara split from the group to go to their
class and the rest continued until they reached their classroom.

As usual, they took the front table, due to Calypso�s insistence. They
saw that the scowling boy, Loki, was seated alone at the back. As soon as they
sat, the teacher entered. She was a beautiful woman with long blond hair and
hazel eyes. Viktor straightened in his chair and was ogling at her. Calypso
huffed in annoyance when she saw his reaction.

�Welcome to your first class of Introduction to Dark Spell Creation. I�m
Mistress Galatea Ilythyia,� she said with a melodic voice, �You may call me
Mistress Galatea,� she said with a smile. �Dark Spell Creation is a very
important subject that requires profound knowledge in Ancient Runes and
Arithmancy. Since you�ll be studying them in parallel, this first year will
mostly be theoretic. As you advance in the other subjects, you�ll be applying
your knowledge to understand the basics of spell creation. The creation of new
spells is extremely important since there remain many things to be discovered
in magic and the Dark Arts is a never ending wealth of possibilities. It is for
the benefit of the dark wizarding community that we need to invent new
offensive and defensive spells, stronger spells to ward our properties and to
heal our bodies, just to name a few. Many areas of magic haven�t been
exploited. For instance, we don�t have a spell to travel through time and we
rely on time-turners, with their limited capacities, to do so. We don�t have
counter-spells for many offensive curses or spells to neutralize many poisons.
In this class you�ll be given the tools to be able to create spells and for
your examinations at the end of each year, excluding the first, you�ll be
expected to present a new spell of your invention.�

She gave a small pause and continued, �Now, as you know spells are
usually cast with the incantation of a word and the waving of a wand, but in
the case of dark spells you also need to focus your magic and have the intent
behind it. Spells have a physical component, which is the magical beam you see
coming from your wand when casting a spell, and a psychological component,
which is the one that allows your mind to control your magic and use your
willpower to focus your magic and shape it into the physical component of the
spell. Arithmancy is used to represent the physical component of the spell and
Runes are used to represent the psychological component. Runes are magical
symbols that are imbued in magic, linking your magic to your mind and making
your magic respond when read or written and thought about. Therefore, the first
step in creating a spell is establishing its objective. You will decide what
you want your spell to do, the intent behind it. Then you will write down the
Rune combination that represents the action and that will allow your mind to
summon your magic and transform it. After, you�ll use Arithmancy to give your
magic a physical structure. When you have your Arithmancy equations you will
have to combine it with your Runes and thus create a system of equations with
numbers and Runes.�

�This system then has to be translated into a word or series of words.
Latin is the most commonly used language for this, as standardization, but you
can use any language you like. Now, how do you pass from your equations to an
incantation? Well, the Runes also help with that. The Runes mixed with the
numbers will give your mind the command of what it has to do to your magic in
order to produce the spell. So when you read your equations your mind will
process the information and you�ll have to focus inwardly in your core magic as
the magic begins to stir and obey your mind�s command. As it happens, you�ll
have to concentrate on the language selected and find the word that best
represents the whole process. Your mind will then link the word to the action
and after much practice you�ll be able to say the incantation and have your
magic respond to it producing your spell, if you have done the other steps
correctly. Wand movement can be added to the incantation to help produce the physical
component of the spell. As you see, it is a very long process of trial and
error and deep concentration and meditation until you find the correct word.
The most important part is to arrive to a well constructed system of equations.
After that your magic will respond to it and help you come up with the
incantation. A good spell will be easy for others to learn and use. That�s why
many spell creators chose Latin for the incantations, since the majority of
wizards know it and their minds and magic are already used to forming the link
between the Latin word and the desired result.� At seeing the uncomprehending
stares of the students, she smiled, �Now, I know it may sound extremely complex
but we�ll be learning it step by step and you�ll see that in a few months it
will be much clearer.�

The class continued with more theories about spell creation and its uses
and by the end of it Orion felt his brain was about to explode. He had never
seen such a complicated subject. He had understood most of it but he would have
never imagined that creating a spell was so difficult. No wonder that the
teacher had said that it was extremely important and that Durmstrang was
teaching it. There must be very few wizards that dedicated their lives to spell
creation and it was important for the dark wizards to have their share. The
group left the classroom slowly dragging their feet as if they had ran a
marathon. Everyone wore exhausted expressions.

�Merlin�s beard, what was that witch talking about? I zoned out after
she started mentioning runes and numbers,� said Viktor with a grimace.

Orion laughed, �I know! It�s extremely complex. I just hope that she�s
right and that in a few months we�ll get the gist of it.�

Calypso said, �I found it fascinating. Imagine combining numbers, runes,
languages and wand movements all in one and creating a spell that works!�

Orion nodded, �I agree. But we�ll have to study extra hard and pay a lot
of attention in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. It never occurred to me that
those two could be interrelated, it�s quite wonderful!�

Viktor turned to them disbelievingly, �Are you two mad? Did you hear
her? Numbers and runes, and minds and magical cores� It�s insane! She�s gone
off her rocker if she believes I can do such a thing. I�ll probably get stuck
in the first rune! And here you�re happily yapping about how it�s so wonderful
and fascinating. It�s madness, that�s what it is!�

Orion and Lezander laughed and Calypso looked at Viktor disapprovingly.

Lezander said arrogantly, �You might be right but we�re Hydras and they
chose us to learn it, so they must believe we have the capacity.�

Viktor huffed, �I should go talk to those little voices again, then.�

Orion laughed and passed his arms over Viktor�s shoulders, �Don�t worry,
Vicky, we�ll manage.�

�Vicky!? You kill me, mate, you kill me.� said Viktor with a grin,
placing his hand over his heart.

Lezander said with a smirk, �Well, I don�t know why he�s casting stones,
he�s our little Ori after all�

Orion gave him a mock glare, �Ori I might be, but I�m not little!�

Lezander laughed and ruffled Orion�s hair, who ducked to escape his
hands, �Hey! Watch the hair, Lez!�

�So vain, so vain,� said Lezander smiling.

�Not vain. I just like my hair how it is, with its elegant swoop and
all,� Orion replied with a grin, moving his head to the side to make his hair
sweep through the air.

Viktor and Lezander laughed and Calypso giggled. �Come on boys, we have
our last class now.�

The group met with Evander and Kara inside the Potions classroom. Orion
sighed, Potions wasn�t his forte but he�ll have to do his best to at least have
good grades even if he knew he would never be Potions Master material. The
class turned out to be very interesting and though he wasn�t very good at the
practical aspect of potion-making he understood the theory behind the mixing of
magical properties of the ingredients very well and found that it was a very
useful subject. Calypso had a natural talent for potions and Viktor wasn�t far
behind. Lezander preferred to taunt Orion in hushed whispers and Orion had to
kick Lezander�s shins several times when Kragen turned to glare at them.

They finally ended their first day and went to dinner. They talked about
their common subjects and discussed their teachers. Viktor animatedly described
Galatea�s curves to a highly interested Evander while Calypso and Kara rolled
their eyes at them. And Lezander kept trying to mess with Orion�s hair until
Orion retaliated saying that Lezander looked like a girl with his long shiny
hair.

Lezander replied with a superior smirk, �Girls wished they had my hair�

Calypso snorted while Kara looked at him admiringly. Kara was now more
relaxed around Lezander when she saw that he wasn�t about to jump at her and
drain her dry and had spent much of her time giggling with the group of Chimera
girls seated next to her who kept glancing at him. Lezander sometimes winked at
them, causing giggles to erupt on that side of the table.

After dinner, Calypso said she was going to inspect the library and
Orion and Viktor took off to have a few flights around the Quidditch pitch. The rest returned to the common
room.

The next day they went to Magical Creatures, Herbology, Ancient Runes,
and Arithmancy. Orion left the last two classes with a much better understating
of what Galatea had said in her class and was much more confident that he would
be able to manage the class without problems. He had studied Ancient Runes and
Arithmancy with his tutor Ragnarok, and while he hadn�t excelled like Draco,
now that he knew about the important applications they had, he had concentrated
much harder in the classes and had began to like them a lot. He had vouched to
be excellent at them and had already taken some books from the library to
further his studies during the night. The library had made his day. It was huge
and contained sections specialized in the Dark Arts and its obscure branches.
He was dying to get his hands on many books that had picked his curiosity. He
had left the library happily with five books and had decided to read five each
week, so that he would have time to read most of the library during his stay at
Durmstrang.

Orion, Calypso, Viktor and Lezander were now entering their last class
of the day, Blood Rituals. As usual Loki kept apart and sat quietly alone.
Orion had wondered about the boy. He seemed to be permanently in a bad mood and
had snapped at them when they tried to make him talk to them. Viktor and
Lezander had soon ignored him while Calypso and Orion speculated about him. A
short balding man came into the room and tapped his wand against his desk to
get their attention.

�This is Introduction to Blood Rituals and I�m Master Gudrun Helgard.
This is a very advanced magical class, but since you don�t require knowledge on
the rest of the other subjects, it is taught in the first two years of
schooling, in order to have time to teach you other subjects in the subsequent
years. But I assure you that after these two years you�ll have a complete
knowledge about the most useful blood rituals. Blood rituals can be used for
many things, like to bond another person to you, temporarily acquire the
magical attributes of a magical creature, create protection spells for an
object or person, create durable wards, transform the body and even acquire a
magical ability of another wizard. They can be separated into reversible and
irreversible rituals. The latter are usually the most powerful ones and one has
to be extreme careful and consider all the consequences before embarking in
such rituals, since the effects can�t be undone. Besides learning how to undergo
a blood ritual we will also learn how we can protect ourselves from being the
victim of one. Now, let�s turn to page�.�

When the group left the class, they were all animatedly discussing its
potential. Orion had to admit that those rituals were very useful, almost any
transformation on the body could be done and the part of acquiring the magical
abilities of magical creatures and wizards had been fascinating. He couldn�t
wait to know more about it.

Lezander approached him and whispered to his ear, �I think Calypso is
plotting on nicking your blood in order to obtain those green eyes of yours.�

Orion laughed and slapped Lezander�s head, �Git. You�re just jealous
that she doesn�t covet your hair.�

Lezander laughed, �Of course she does, just that she prefers the whole
package,� he said with a wink.

Orion roared in laughter, �I think you�re confusing her with Kara.�

�Ahhh, dear Kara. Yes, she does seem much more amiable towards me now,�
replied Lezander with a smirk.

�You have her completely bewitched.� said Orion with a sly smirk.

�True, true. It happens naturally, I can�t prevent it, it�s my natural
charisma,� replied Lezander looking into Orion�s eyes.

Orion rolled his eyes and grinned, �Yes, yes. You�re a real charmer.
Come Romeo, let�s go to dinner�

Lezander looked at him curiously, �Romeo?�

Orion laughed, �Muggle character. Never mind,� he said waving his hand
dismissively.

�I didn�t know you liked to read muggle books. That�s very peculiar. How
did you obtain them?� asked Lezander.

Orion could have slapped himself. He couldn�t afford to have slips like
that. �My Father once gave me a book. I was just curious and read it. No big
deal.�

Lezander eyed him suspiciously but didn�t comment.

The following week went by much the same and they received flying lessons
on Thursday after class. They were told that those interested in playing
Quidditch should tell their Order Master in order to have a try out. Viktor
excitedly went to Vagnarov to try out as a beater if the position was available
and Orion had been tempted to apply for seeker. But after Calypso had numbered
the amount of homework they had and the amount of reading they should do, he
finally relented and decided that he could apply some other year when the study
load was lighter. He still planned on continuing his flying practices so it
wasn�t so bad.

It was Friday night and the first week of schooling had finished. Orion
was laying on his back in his bed and had just opened the locket and placed it
on his chest, after placing a silencing spell on his curtains. He hadn�t spoken
to Tom since Monday and was feeling a little bit guilty for it.

�Hello Tom,� he said.

�Well, well. Look who decided to grace me with his presence,� said Tom
coolly.

Orion said, �I�m sorry. It has been a crazy week and I have been studying
during the nights. I promise I won�t take so long next time.�

Tom remained silent looking at him with a stony expression.

Orion sighed, �Well, I just wanted to tell you about school but we can
talk some other time, when you�re up to it,� he said and reached to close the
locket.

�Wait!� said Tom glaring at him, �Fine, tell me about school!�

Orion hid his smile, �Well, I was sorted into the Hydras, do you know
about the Orders?� he asked Tom who only shook his head, �Well, I can�t tell
you much but they�re only three and the Hydra Order, according to Karkaroff, is
the most powerful one, we have exclusive classes for us and all��

Tom interrupted, �Who�s Karkaroff?�

�Ah, he�s the Headmaster, didn�t you know him? Hmm, but maybe he was
younger than you�� replied Orion.

�Why would I know him? You mean to tell me he is a Death Eater?� said
Tom.

Orion nodded his head, �Yes he is. When were you born?� asked Orion with
curiosity. He hadn�t stopped to think about that and it was an interesting
question since it would give him an idea about Voldemort�s age and also who Tom
might know nowadays.

�In 1927,� replied Tom lifting his chin arrogantly.

Orion choked, �You�re ancient!!�

Tom scowled at him, �For a wizard it�s nothing.�

Orion said in awe, �It�s the end of 1991 so you must be 64 years old!�

�Yes, I gathered as much,� said Tom stoically.

�So that means that you were seventeen years old in 1944, so you
experienced first hand the War with Grindelwald. Did you ever meet him?� asked
Orion interestedly.

�Maybe I did,� Tom said with a smirk.

�And what was he like? What did he say? Was he as powerful as they say?
Unbeatable in a duel?� asked Orion excitedly. Tom was a well of information! To
have lived at such an exciting time!

Tom smirked widely, �Are you interested in all Dark Lords?�

Orion huffed, �Well, what if I am? I might not have liked his methods
but he was very powerful and some of his ideas were fine by me�

Tom frowned at him, �What�s wrong with his methods?�

Orion gaped at him, �Come now, the eradication of all muggles? That�s
insane!�

Tom glowered at him, �Don�t tell me you�re a muggle-lover, boy.�

Orion laughed, �Far from it, but I�m not delusional enough to consider
waging a war against them! And besides, they don�t deserve to die.�

Tom spat, �They are the filth of the world, of course they deserve to
die. Wizards shouldn�t be hiding from muggles, we should control the world!�

�I agree that we shouldn�t hide and that we should control the world,
but I don�t believe that killing muggles is the way to do it. They might not
have magic but they have weapons! You lived through the muggle war, surely you
can see that they are a force to be reckoned with, and they greatly outnumber
us. They would easily kill us all!�

�Hmm, that might be, but that doesn�t mean that we should give up
entirely. We should build up an army strong enough to defeat them and develop
the necessary curses to kill in mass,� replied Tom calmly.

Orion looked alarmed at him, �But we shouldn�t kill them! They�re people
just like us!�

Tom sneered at him, �They�re worthless beings that should cower before
us. They threaten our culture and communities, they taint our blood with their
mudbloods and they are utterly useless to us. Why should we spare them?�

Orion shook his head sadly, �Don�t tell me that Voldemort shared your
opinion on the matter.�

�Of course he did, it was one of his goals,� said Tom.

�I thought that he would be more reasonable, that he only tortured
muggles that had done something to a wizard, not just for sports!! Did he kill
mudbloods just for the sake of it as well?� asked in agitation Orion.

Tom said coolly, �You shouldn�t concern yourself about it, he did what
was best.�

Orion sat on his bed and gripped the locket closer to his face, �But he
didn�t! Don�t you see that many neutral wizards opposed him because of his
cruel methods and the killing of muggleborn. He only gave dark wizards a bad
name! The muggleborn don�t deserve to be killed,� when he saw that Tom was
about to object he continued, �I agree that they taint our culture and that
their blood shouldn�t mix with the dark families because we would loose our
powers in the long run, and that they represent a security problem for us, but
other solutions can be found! They were born with magic and as such were chosen
to carry it and should be allowed to practice it. They can mix with the light
wizards and help the magical community grow. We will never be able to control
the muggles being so few. If we allow the muggleborn in, our population will
grow and in time we might be enough to take over. I thought that Voldemort was
trying to find a moderate solution for that and that he only killed out of
necessity.�

Tom regarded him calmly, �He did plan on addressing the muggleborn issue
once he took over. But he wasn�t going to give them the same rights as the
pureblooded. And he definitely wasn�t about to spare the muggles.�

Orion sighed, �But if he didn�t give them the same rights he would
always have opposition against him, always with the threat of a counter-attack
by the light wizards. The best would be to completely integrate the muggleborns
and segregate our communities from the muggles until such a time that we are
strong enough to defend ourselves from them. And besides, you can�t truly
believe that all wizards with less than pureblood should have fewer rights!
You�re a halfblood yourself!�

Tom scowled at him, �I might be a halfblood but in such case only power
matters. If a halfblood is powerful enough to be worthy he should have the same
rights as the pureblooded. Besides I�m from the Gaunt bloodline, my blood is
very powerful and ancient, in cases like that an exception could be made to
allow the bloodline to mix with others and purify it to make it magically
stronger.�

�I agree with you on purifying the dark bloodlines but not on the
muggleborn issue. If you want to control the world you have to concede and give
the light wizards something to be comfortable with. If you start by denying
muggleborn rights, the light wizards won�t sit idly. You will never have peace
if you start discriminating and what we need is a stabilized society where
everyone is content and have no reason to rise up in arms. The same problem
arises with the muggles. You can�t possibly kill them all and the light and
neutral wizards would join against you to prevent it. We should segregate our
community from the muggles until the time is right and then attempt to share
the world with them,� said Orion resolutely.

Tom snorted, �You�re talking like a child. You might have a point on the
muggleborn issue but the muggles should be removed. Wizards will never live
peacefully with them. The muggles don�t accept people different from them and
they would try to kill us when they found out about us. They�re too great a
risk.�

�That�s why I believe it should be done carefully and just when we�re
strong and large enough to defend ourselves from them. But they should be left
alone in the mean while. You can�t go killing muggles now and when the time
comes the transition should be attempted as bloodlessly as possible. They should
be gradually informed of our existence and make them understand that we can
benefit from each other. In the early times of Merlin we lived peacefully with
them and were respected by them. We should attempt to have that again,� said
Orion.

Tom viciously laughed, �Yes and then they almost caused our extinction.
Muggles can�t be trusted. They�re fickle, traitorous and vicious when they feel
someone is more powerful than them. They would feel threatened by us even if we
use your diplomatic methods and they would try to either use us for their
benefit exploiting our magic or they would kill us without a second thought.�

Orion sighed warily, �I guess you�re right about that, but there must be
a way. There must be some way we can go back to as it once was, with wizards
and muggles living freely together and safely.�

Tom waved his hand dismissively, �Your dream isn�t feasible. You should
care more about our safety instead of trying to attempt integration with them,
besides their blood and culture mustn�t mix with ours.�

�I know that and the dark families would never do so. I just want a
peaceful world that admits both but maintains our dark bloodlines pure. Let the
light wizards mingle with the muggles and lose their powers,� said Orion with a
grin.

Tom smirked back, �That would certainly serve those self-righteous
bastards right.�

Orion sighed. He would have to think on the matter further. He
understood Tom�s concerns about the muggles but there had to be a way. He
didn�t want to kill the muggles, he didn�t particularly like them but they
didn�t deserve death, and it would cause more problems than solutions.
�Anyways, tell me about the Death Eaters that you knew, perhaps some are alive
yet,� he said changing the subject.

�Of course they�re alive, I�m not so old!� said Tom indignantly, �I knew
Walburga Black, for instance, and Cygnus Black and Druella Rosier.�

�My grandmother and my aunts� parents! They were Death Eaters?� asked
Orion with interest.

�Not Walburga or Druella, they were supporters, but Cygnus was a Death Eater.
There was also Abraxas Malfoy, that just had a baby, and Elgus Rosier, Leopold
Lestrange, Perseus Prince, and many others. Are they alive?� asked Tom.

Orion shook his head, �I don�t know about Prince, but Abraxas Malfoy
died, as well as the elder Blacks, Rosier and Lestrange. Most of their children
are alive and became Death Eaters, did you know them as well?�

�Just some as babies, I have remained closed since 1956. Tell me about
them, are they still loyal to the Dark Lord?� asked Tom.

�Yes, they are. Well, let�s see. Abraxas Malfoy had Lucius Malfoy who
became an inner circle Death Eater during the first war. Elgus Rosier had Evan
and Romulus Rosier. I think Evan Rosier was Voldemort�s right-hand, but he was
killed by Aurors. His brother is alive but he wasn�t a Death Eater during the
war, just a supporter. Leopold Lestrange had Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange,
both Death Eaters but they were captured and remain in Azkahban still. Cygnus
Black had Bellatrix, Narcissa and Andromeda. Bellatrix became an inner circle
Death Eater and she was a favorite of the Dark Lord as well, she married
Rodolphus Lestrange but she�s currently in Azkahban too. Narcissa married
Lucius Malfoy and is a supporter. And Andromeda married a muggleborn and
supports the Light,� said Orion, Tom clicked his tongue in disgust, �I don�t
know much about the Prince line and I don�t know any Prince my age. And
Walburga Black had Sirius - my father - and Regulus. Regulus became a Death
Eater at a very young age but was killed young as well.�

�And was your father a Death Eater?� asked Tom.

Orion paused, �Hmm, no. But he�s a supporter now,� he tried to say
convincingly.

Tom cast him a suspicious glance, �You don�t sound too sure.�

�I am! It�s just that he sided with the Light for a while before he
discovered their manipulations and then turned to the dark side,� replied
Orion.

�A Black on the light side! Why did he do that?� asked Tom horrified.

Orion fidgeted, �Well, he was sorted into Gryffindor,� at which Tom
clicked his tongue, �and he had friends there so he supported them in the war.
But he was thrown into Azkahban and during his stay he realized his mistakes.
When he came out he went to fetch me and now supports the dark.�

Tom scrutinized him closely, �Why was he thrown into Azkahban, and what
do you mean fetch you. Where were you living?�

�He was friends with the Potters and everyone believed he had betrayed
them and killed one of their friends and some muggles,� said Orion.

�And he didn�t?� asked Tom suspiciously.

Orion faltered. Should he say the truth, after all not many knew that
Sirius was innocent. But if the real Tom knew Voldemort he would know that
Sirius had been innocent, and anyways, the locket wasn�t about to tell anyone,
�He didn�t. He was wrongly accused and Dumbledore didn�t even fight for a
trial. That�s part of the reason he now supports the dark.�

Tom nodded and grunted, �Dumbledore always used people to get what he
wanted and then disposed of them when they became too much trouble.�

Orion looked sharply at him, �What did he do to you?�

Tom snapped, �Nothing. Now tell me where you lived before your father
got out of Azkahban.�

�Well he didn�t exactly get out. He was condemned for life. He escaped,�
said Orion with a grin.

Tom raised his eyebrows, �Impressive.�

�Indeed it is. Anyhow, my mother died when I was very young and I had no
other known relatives, considering that my father was imprisoned before my
birth and didn�t know about me. So I was taken to a muggle orphanage,� said
Orion calmly.

Tom looked surprised and said softly, �You lived in a muggle orphanage?�

Orion stared at him in surprise. He had expected a great outburst of
indignation and disgust from Tom, not this soft reply. �Yes,� he answered.

Tom looked sad for an instant but then his face turned fierce, �And you
still protect muggles? What happened, were you pampered by some old muggle? Did
they make you believe that they cared about you?� he said mockingly.

Orion snapped at him in anger, �I wasn�t pampered! I was beaten and he��
Orion faltered and gave a small shudder.

Tom looked intensely at him and said softly, �What did they do?�

Orion looked at him. Tom could so easily make Orion tell his secrets
when he spoke in that soft caring voice. But he wasn�t about to fall into the
trap. Tom seemed to do that when it was convenient for him, when he wanted to
know more. It made him angry that Tom could so easily pretend to care, when he
knew that he didn�t. Orion knew that he had a weakness when people pretended to
care for him, because he needed that, he needed to feel loved and cherished and
it could prove disastrous for him to believe it to be true. He replied in
anger, �Nothing! Nothing happened! I hated them, alright! I hated them and I�m
glad that I escaped!�

Tom was regarding him silently, �But you still think they don�t deserve
to die, even after the way they treated you, you would protect them? You
wouldn�t seek revenge?.�

Orion hesitated, �I� I don�t know. I have thought about it. Merlin,
sometimes I wished I could have done something to them in return, to strike
back and let them see that I�m not a freak. That I�m powerful in ways they�ll
never be and to make them feel as small and insignificant as they made me feel.
But not all muggles are like that, there must be some muggles that accept us,
that would treat us fairly. And those don�t deserve to be killed.�

Tom scoffed, �There aren�t. The moment they know about our powers they
discriminate us and try to beat the unnaturalness out of us.�

Orion whispered, �Is that what happened to you? Is that why you hate them
and want to kill them?�

Tom tensed and his eyes turned cold, �Maybe, there�s no use in looking
back.�

Orion turned angrily at him, �But I told you! I told you about my
childhood and you don�t want to share yours with me. If you expect me to be
honest you have to be able to reciprocate. I won�t be the only one spilling the
beans!�

Tom smirked at him, �Oh, but you didn�t tell me, did you? You left out
the most painful part. When you tell the truth, the complete unabridged truth,
I�ll tell you about my childhood. I�ll tell you why I learned to hate them from
an early age and why I�m convinced the only solution is to kill them until they
are subjugated to wizards.�

Orion sighed. Tom was right. He had been unfair; he had wanted Tom to
give without giving him anything in return. �OK, perhaps I�ll tell you some
day. I don�t like to talk about my past either.�

Tom nodded in understanding and changed subjects, �So, you were going to
tell me about Durmstrang and the classes? Who is the headmaster?�

Orion smiled, thankful of leaving the other subject behind them, �Oh,
he�s Igor Karkaroff. He was a Death Eater but�hmmm� he wasn�t sure if it was
convenient for Tom to know about Karkaroff's involuntary betrayal, Tom had been
close to Voldemort after all and he didn�t think he would easily forgive
Karkaroff.

�Yes? Go on,� said Tom with an encouraging smile.

Orion inwardly huffed. There goes Tom again, being all amiable and nice.
The young man was clearly a master manipulator, �Alright, I�ll tell you the
truth. We are trying to be truthful between us, after all, are we not?� Tom
nodded and Orion continued, �Karkaroff was apprehended by Aurors a year before
Voldemort was defeated and he betrayed most of the Death Eaters that are
currently in Azkahban in order to avoid going there himself.�

�What?!� roared Tom in rage, �That traitorous bastard, I�ll make him
wish he was never born!�

Orion was a little bit shocked. Was it his imagination or had the
locket�s power just spiked when Tom got angry? What kind of locket is this? It�s
too peculiar. A locket whose powers are connected to the feelings of the
portrait inside? And how can it be if a portrait doesn�t have feelings? It was
very puzzling.

�Calm down, there�s an explanation for everything.� said Orion
soothingly, �I don�t believe for a moment that he did it voluntarily. You must
know that when he got released and became the Headmaster of Durmstrang he
helped many Death Eaters in hiding by giving them and their families protection
inside Durmstrang. Is that the action of a man that betrayed them?� Tom had
calmed down but didn�t seem inclined to forgive so easily, Orion continued,
�Many of those who he helped support him and say that he was tortured and
beaten before his trial. My friend Calypso, Romulus Rosier�s daughter, said that
she heard her father say to some wizard that Karkaroff insisted that they had
slowly drugged him with veritaserum in his food. Rosier believes him and I�m
inclined to do the same. He has been an excellent Headmaster as far as I know
and has helped many.�

Tom nodded, not quite convinced and said, �We�ll see.�

Orion replied, �He doesn�t deserve to be punished and I hope that when
Voldemort returns he�ll give him a chance and won�t kill him before listening
to him. Karkaroff must fear for his safety if the Dark Lord returns and he has
endured enough,� he said sharply.

Tom raised his eyebrow, �You�re too compassionate. A leader can�t afford
to be that way with his followers. He must rule with an iron fist or they won�t
respect and obey him.�

�That may be, but a leader will be loved and willingly followed if he
shows good judgment and only punish those who truly deserve it. A good leader
shouldn�t rule by fear alone,� replied Orion convinced.

Tom sneered, �A leader doesn�t need to be loved,� he spat the word, �He
needs to be obeyed without questions. During a war you can�t allow your
followers to second guess you, that would make you lose precious time, and the
battle plans would fall apart.�

�I agree with that, but mindless followers cowering in fear are no good
either. There should be a balance. They should obey implicitly but they should
also feel protected, feel that the leader cares for them and wouldn�t risk them
unnecessarily and that their punishments are deserved,� replied Orion.

Tom scoffed, �You�re too young to understand such things.�

�I�m not. I have read extensively about wars, strategies and how to
motivate your soldiers. Just think what kind of leader you would like to
follow. To what kind of person would you pledge your undying loyalty freely and
truly? I would hate to discover that the person that I follow and thus admire
just uses me without caring about my well-being. That he is cruel without
reason and tortures without thought. A leader must think about his actions and
their consequences on his army�s morale before acting. He must understand that
his followers need to be motivated. A content soldier that truly believes in
his cause and his leader, will move mountains. A motivated army that has a just
leader that is admired, is unstoppable,� said Orion, �I�m not saying that he
should be all lovey-dovey, he should be strict and demanding but he should show
good judgment and make the followers believe that they are taken into account,
that they are cared for.�

Tom seemed to be thinking, �Perhaps you have a point, but much depends
on the type of war. Strict measures must be taken in dangerous times.�

Orion waved his hand, �There�s no excuse to abuse your own followers,
whatever you might say.�

Tom didn�t reply.

Orion decided to ask something that had been on his mind for a while. He
cocked his head to a side and said, �You never told me what your profession
was. What did you become after leaving school?�

�What I became?� he said with a smirk, �I became powerful.�

Orion frowned, �But I haven�t read about you. Were you famous?�

Tom�s smirk widened, �Not in the general circles.� At Orion�s curious
expression he continued, �I was dissatisfied with what I learned at school. I
was very good at the Dark Arts and had been studying them on my own for a
while. So when I left school I spent many years traveling abroad and learning
about magic. I went to Egypt, Rumania, Albania, Russia� all the countries with
ancient wizarding roots that still practiced the true Dark Arts. I learned it
all and I strived to become powerful, and I succeeded.�

Orion was mesmerized thinking about all the places he had gone to, all
the knowledge he must have acquired, �That�s amazing. I would love to do that.
To travel and learn by myself all the lost arts, all the prohibited knowledge. You
must have been extremely powerful!�

Tom nodded with a superior smirk.

�When did you join Voldemort? Did you already know him from before?�

�I barely knew him; he was a distant cousin and nothing else. But when I
returned from my travels I heard about him and joined his cause,� replied Tom
tersely.

Orion asked excitedly, �Yes, well, what else? What happened?�

�Remember that my portrait was made in the early fifties. I only have
memories until such a time. Voldemort had his followers but he didn�t act until
much later. I believe he also used those years to study the Dark Arts himself.
He was around my age. I remember that his plans were to slowly build up an army
to take over the wizarding world and liberate the dark families from their
oppression. But I don�t know much else. You know more than me about what
happened later,� said Tom patiently.

Orion said in disappointment, �Yes, I forgot about that. Well, there
isn�t much that I know. Just that he appeared around 1970 and rallied the Death
Eaters. Before that they weren�t known. People started disappearing and the
wizarding world started to fear and believe the rumors about a new Dark Lord.
Around the mid 70s he allied with the Giants and the war truly began. He had a
great army but was still outnumbered by the light wizards. Dumbledore formed
the Order of the Phoenix to fight against him. It is said that Dumbledore is
the only wizard Voldermort truly feared.�

Tom interrupted him angrily, �He never feared Dumbledore! He was just an
old coot that was too weak to understand true power!�

Orion raised his eyebrows, �Well, yes, perhaps. But they did duel on
several occasions and they were evenly matched.� Tom scoffed, but Orion
continued, �Anyhow, the war became vicious and many were killed. Voldemort was
in his height when he decided to attack the Potters on October 31st of 1981.
They were members of the Order of the Phoenix and had been his targets for some
time. As I told you before, something happened and Harry Potter survived and
Voldemort�s body turned to ashes after receiving his own killing curse�.Which
is quite peculiar as well, the curse usually leaves the body behind intact.
Voldemort must have undergone a ritual of some sort�� Orion said pensively.

Tom could see the wheels in the boy�s mind turning, and decided to get
him out of his musings. Really, this boy was too much. �Yes, well, he was
powerful. Now, tell me about the Potter brat. Where is he now? Where does he
study? Is he powerful? Is he Dumbledore�s little hero?�

Orion replied after making a mental note to research about what
Voldemort could have done to himself. Orion smirked, �He disappeared.�

Tom raised his eyebrow and silently urged him to continue.

�No one knows where or with whom he was living, but he was definitely
not living with a wizarding family,� said Orion.

Tom interrupted him with a scowl, �Typical Dumbledore, I�m sure he had
something to do with it.�

Orion nodded at Tom�s perception, �Yes, you�re right. Dumbledore was the
one that took him after his parents died and he decided where the boy should
live. Early this year it was made public that the boy had ran away from his
caretaker�s home and search parties were sent to find him. He is presumably
living in muggle London without knowledge of who he is. He didn�t attend
Hogwarts.�

�Do they believe him dead?� asked Tom frowning.

�Maybe some do, but I�m sure Dumbledore won�t give up so easily,�
replied Orion hiding his smile. It was so fun coming up with these things.

Tom snorted, �Of course not, Dumbledore will go to any lengths to get
his hero back. You told me before that the light wizards consider him their
Savior and Dumbledore won�t let pass the opportunity of having him under his
thumb.�

Orion nodded in agreement, �Yes, I think so myself. I pity the boy,
really.�

Tom raised an eyebrow, �Yes, perhaps he should be pitied. He will become
their tool soon enough.�

�But maybe he can escape their clutches?� asked Orion with a smirk.

�Well, I rather doubt it. When they get their hands on him they�ll
brainwash him and he�ll do everything that he�s told. If he�s been living with
muggles he�ll be so grateful to Dumbledore for showing him the magical world
that he�ll become his little pet. He won�t learn about the Dark Arts or the
repression of the dark families and he would only see what the light wizards
allow him to,� said Tom.

�Yes, maybe. But don�t you agree that it would benefit us to have him on
our side?� asked Orion. This was an important matter. Tom seemed to think like
Voldemort and if he was willing to give Harry Potter a chance that would
indicate that someday, perhaps, he could tell Voldemort the truth without being
killed before proving he was on their side.

Tom frowned in thought, �If he could be persuaded, then yes. It would be
a great blow to the Light to have their dear Savior turn on them,� he said
ending with a malicious smile.

Orion frowned at him. He didn�t like the sound of that. �I�m not saying
to turn him to our side just to use him! He should be respected and allowed to
participate in the war as an equal, not just any follower!� said Orion in
anger.

Tom looked at him impassively, �And what has he done to deserve it? He
caused the death of the Dark Lord and set us back for decades.�

�That wasn�t his fault! He was just a baby that survived. Voldemort
shouldn�t go around attempting to kill babies!� said Orion in agitation.

Tom sneered, �He must have had a good reason for it. You should show
some respect.�

Orion was seeing red, �I don�t care what his reasons were! The boy
shouldn�t suffer for it! Voldemort killed his parents! He killed his mother!
The least he deserves is to be given the chance to decide his side on the war
and to be treated as an equal by others! Not to be manipulated! Not to be used!
�

Tom spat, �The boy was a Potter. The Potters have always been light
wizards that despise the Dark Arts and would gladly see us dead. His parents
got what was coming to them. It was a war, boy, people get killed. The Potters
were in the Order of the Phoenix according to you, and as such knew what they
were getting into.�

Orion had to hold his tears, �His father was a Potter, but not his
mother! She didn�t do anything wrong! She was a healer! And it�s not the boy�s
fault that he�s a Potter. Are you condemning him just because of his surname?
You wouldn�t give him a chance?!� He had never been so emotional about his
mother�s death before now. He had thought sadly about her and that he would
have liked to know her but he had never cried over her death. He felt detached
from it. That was until now. No one before had said such cruel cynical things
about her death. Tom didn�t seem fazed at all by his mother�s unnecessary
death, he neatly said that it was war and things like that happened. And Orion
knew that it was true, he knew that his mother had been in the Order of the
Phoenix and thus she had taken risks knowingly. But it still pained him;
knowing that her death wasn�t necessary, that Voldemort could have spared her
if he wanted, since he had been his real target.

Tom regarded him for a while and asked suspiciously, �Why are you
getting so worked up about it? Why do you even care what happens to the brat?�

Orion froze. He had been an idiot. In his emotional turmoil he had given
himself away. He had to spin this around, �I don�t care about him! But I feel
certain sympathy for him. My mother also died and I never knew her. I didn�t
even know my father until recently. I understand what he must be going through.
And I was simply thinking what was best for the dark side! I believe he can be
an asset, if he is given the chance. If he�s not blamed for something that was
out of his hands and if he�s not used and then cast away. Some think he�s going
to be powerful; it�s in our interest to have him on our side willingly.
Voldemort should consider making him his equal,� he said resolutely.

Tom raised his eyebrow, �Consider a mere boy his equal?� he laughed
viciously, �Are you mad?�

Orion snapped at him, �Age has nothing to do with it. If the boy has the
power, why not? He did kill him after all, didn�t he?� Orion smirked cruelly,
�The great Dark Lord felled by a mere baby. Do you still think he�s unworthy?�

Tom�s eyes turned to slits and he snarled, �It must have been a magical
accident. The Dark Lord would have never been so easily beaten!�

Orion smirked wider, �I agree. He wouldn�t. But he wouldn�t allow an
accident to happen either, would he? He wouldn�t be so careless. Wasn�t he
brilliant? Wasn�t he unbeatable? And you think that such a wizard would so
sloppily err? No, no. I don�t think so. And I doubt you believe it yourself.
Have you not been asking me questions about the boy and his powers? It seems to
me you suspect that the boy is special, if not, why the interest?�

Tom sneered, �Perhaps, but that doesn�t mean he should be treated any
different from the others. If the boy ever considered coming to the dark side,
which is preposterous given who he is, why would he have to be given a special
place?�

Orion calmed down and quietly asked, �What would be necessary for him to
be considered an equal? For him to be no mere follower but someone listened to
and respected?�

Tom eyed him suspiciously, �You seem to have an eager interest in the
boy�s future.�

Orion waved his hand dismissively and calmly replied, �As I told you
before, I think he could be useful. And besides I would like to know the answer
to those questions myself, since I plan on becoming the Dark Lord�s follower
and I have no intention of groveling at his feet.�

Tom sneered at him, �All his followers must show him proper respect,� he
then laughed maliciously, �And besides, you want to be his follower? You�re
just a little boy!�

Orion sneered back and said with a superior smirk, �Oh, not just his
follower. I bow to no one. I�ll be his equal.�

Tom roared up laughing, �His equal! He has no equal,� and then he added
viciously, �and least of all a little boy like you!�

Orion wasn�t fazed, we�ll see about that. He merely replied, �Just
answer my question. What is needed to become his right-hand? If indeed one
can�t be his equal.�

Tom turned serious. Was this boy truly this ambitious? At such a young age
already plotting how to become the Dark Lord�s right-hand? It was ridiculous.
But he admitted that the boy was powerful, extremely intelligent, and
determined. And he was learning the Dark Arts from an early age. He would be a
good acquisition for the Dark Lord. He replied truthfully, �Power. Power is
valued above everything else. Even your age might be overlooked if you prove to
be powerful enough, resourceful enough and cunning enough. If you control the
darkest of arts, if you posses the darkest of bloods, if you are cold-blooded
enough to do what is needed and intelligent enough to be knowledgeable in the
darkest of magics, you�ll be valued.�

Orion nodded and tersely said, �Very well. I�ll be prepared.� And with
that he bid Tom a good-night and spent the rest of the night planning all that
had to be done.
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The Black Heir