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In Servitude of the Dark: The Hand That Guides Me	By : xXxLuckyxXx Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Voldemort Views: 74969 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. I just play in her world.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Chapter 9 : More Classes – September 4, 1993

Harry's first lesson in Healing with Madam Pomphrey had merely been a two hour lecture on the human body and how the magical core interacted with the nervous system. Even with this small introduction to medi-magic, Harry could already tell that this area of study was as easily as complex as transfiguration or potions. In addition to that, you had the burden of knowing you held someone's life in your hands. It was a heady thought, and Harry was both glad and scared for trying to learn it.

Now heading for the infirmary for the second lesson, Harry hoped to be able to do some practical work. But as soon as he got there, Madam Pomphrey stopped him. "Professor Snape has asked to see you," she told him.

Harry gave her a questioning look, sure that it had something to do with last night's detention, but why not wait until after class to speak with him?

Reading the look of confusion and apprehension on Harry's face, Madam Pomphrey tried to sound reassuring. "It's just something about your class schedule. I'm sure it is nothing serious."

With a weak excuse like that, Harry was sure this had to do with last night. "Alright then, I guess I'll just go see what he wants then."

"Yes, better not keep him waiting." Madam Pomphrey quickly scribbled on a sheet of paper. "Here is a note, so you don't get caught out of class."

"Thanks." And with that, Harry spun around and headed for the dungeons. Guessing Snape had a free period, because he wouldn't have called a student down for a private meeting otherwise, Harry knocked on his office door instead.

"Enter."

"You wanted to see me, Professor?" Harry asked, peaking his head in.

Snape waved him in. "Yes, come in and close the door behind you. There is a matter I wish to speak with you."

Harry nodded and did as he was told, feeling several privacy charms activate as he did. "This isn't about my class schedule, is it?"

"Actually, it is," Snape admitted, which got him a surprised look from Harry.

"I thought that was just an excuse."

"I do not need to make up excuses to call students to my office, Mr. Potter," Snape replied, sounding offended. "But that is beside the point. Let me ask you, when you first arrived to Hogwarts, what did Madam Pomphrey tell you about your exam?"

Harry blinked blankly. "Exam, sir?"

Snape nodded, as if he already knew and just wanted to confirm a guess. "And what if, anything, did Madam Pomphrey say to you after you were admitted under her care for the first time?"

Harry had no idea where this was going but decided to play along. He cast his memory back to the first time he got hurt enough to go to the infirmary. "I don't think I made it into the infirmary until the end of the year, for the thing with the sorcerer's stone. And no, she didn't tell me anything, now that I think about it. Is that odd?"

"Yes that is odd, but allow me to ask one last question before I explain," Snape continued. "Were you ever taken to a muggle hospital for treatment?"

"Only for shots because they were needed for school," Harry answered and his voice grew quiet. "Anything that couldn't be dealt with at home, my magic had healed me."

"Just as I thought, though I had hoped it wasn't true," Snape said. "After your first class of healing lessons, don't you think it odd that Madam Pomphrey didn't pick up on the fact that you had broken bones? That you are small for your age? It is standard for children who were muggle raised to get a comprehensive exam, to check for things like allergies, childhood illnesses, and the like."

Harry's eyes grew large. "What are you saying, Professor?" Harry asked, even though he had his own suspicions now. But he wanted to deny it. Not the nice school nurse. "Madam Pomphrey probably just didn't think to do the right scans, and the Headmaster probably told her not to worry about the comprehensive exam or something."

Snape nodded slowly. "Perhaps, but if a comprehensive exam wasn't done then, it would have been done after you rescued the sorcerer's stone. After all, she would have needed to find out why you were unconscious. And disregarding that, as a healer she should have been suspicious about your size. Though, I admit that, that detail had escaped my notice as well, but given my prejudices…Mr. Potter?"

Harry shook his head quickly. "Call me Harry, please. At least in private," he said. "Alright, I guess it's school policy that she answers to the Headmaster, and the Headmaster has his own reasons to hide my…er abuse. I don't think her intentions are bad. Do you think it's alright if I continue with her class?"

Snape leaned back on his chair and steepled his long fingers. "As you said, I don't think Madam Pomphrey means you any harm. Greater men and women have fallen under the Headmaster's meddling ways..." including myself, he mentally added. "So you may continue studying under her, or…If you are amenable, I can teach you the healing arts and of course the medi-potions that go along with it. That is, after all, what makes the difference between a regular Healer and a medi-wizard."

"You're a medi-wizard too?" Harry asked impressed. "According to Hogwarts : A History, you're also the youngest person to be recognized as a Potion's Master."

The smirk that played on Snape's face showed that he enjoyed that recognition. "Indeed. From there it wasn't hard to get a second mastery. What do you say?"

"Yes, of course," Harry quickly answered, but then his brain filled him in on all the other issues. "But what about keeping your cover? Or what if Dumbledore suspects something?"

"My cover must be kept," Snape agreed. "But worry not. I am more than adept at deflecting suspicion. Besides, the Old Coot has been bugging me about seeing you for who you are, especially as the rumors of our last…altercation reached his ears."

Harry cringed at the memory. "Yeah, not one of my best moments."

"Nor mine," Snape said, inclining his head. "So if you are in an agreement, I will notify the school board and the Headmaster. It also wouldn't hurt if you wrote a letter, yourself, to the school board to request a change in instructors."

"I'll do it right now," Harry volunteered and put action to words. Professor Snape provided him the stationary, and Harry composed it as formally as he could. Then, he revealed his Potter Heir ring to seal the letter.

Snape looked surprised at this, and Harry smirked.

"My opinions about you were not the only things that changed over the summer," Harry said mysteriously.

"Indeed."

The Professor sent his and Harry's letter off together with his personal owl. It was too late to start anything practical, but Snape did insist on reviewing the stuff Madam Pomphrey covered the other day to make sure she didn't miss anything. And then he set Harry with an assignment to write 13" paper on the various medical scans available.

Harry rushed through dinner, so fast that he was doing a pretty good job of imitating Ron. At one point, Hermione had to slap him on the back after he chocked. But he finished far before anyone else and raced up to his dorm for privacy so he could talk to Marvolo.

Harry noticed, for some reason, Marvolo seemed stronger at night than in the day. It was probably because all the various day activities drained him too quickly if he tried following Harry around, but he had more than enough energy to talk at night until Harry fell asleep.

So Harry cracked the diary open and watched as Marvolo came out in silvery wisps and curls. Harry watched in bemusement as the silvery light spiraled around him until it came together with Marvolo at Harry's back and arms embracing him from behind. "Hello, Marvolo. How do you feel?" It was Harry's standard question, since he was always concerned. "You still feel too cold."

"It will take a little time to get back to where I was, but I am well," Marvolo replied. "Anything interesting today?"

And that set Harry off. He recounted Snape's theories about Madam Pomphrey, and his offer to take Harry on. It had occurred to Harry that he was treating Marvolo like a diary, telling him about his day and letting out his frustrations. Except this diary responded back and gave excellent advice.

"Yes Severus' mastery in the Healing Art is a little known fact when compared to his achievements as the youngest Potion's Master," Marvolo commented. "His loyalties notwithstanding, you will be in much better hands with him than the school nurse. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Harry said. "The only issue Snape has is where and how to practice. He says the…how did he put it? The maladies one sees at a school infirmary is not nearly sufficient to encompass your education…or something like that."

Marvolo chuckled at Harry's attempt to mimic Severus' tone and language. "I believe I have a solution to your problem," he said, and Harry perked up. "Do you know of a place in the castle in which the elves refer to as the Come and Go Room? It is also known as the Room of Hidden Things and the Room of Requirement."

Harry shook his head.

"Then I must show you. Come."

Even though it wasn't curfew yet, and students were allowed in the corridors, Harry pulled on his invisibility cloak on anyway. It was becoming a habit whenever he followed his friend around school. They stopped on the seventh floor, across the picture of some troll dancing in a ballerina outfit.

"Now walk back and forth three times in front of this brick wall while thinking of a room suitable for learning medi-magic."

Harry shot Marvolo with a skeptical look, but he had done stranger things, and in the end Marvolo always had a good reason. So Harry did, muttering under his breath. "I need a place to learn medi-magic. I need a place to learn medi-magic."

On Harry's third pass, a door magically appeared where the brick wall once was. Shooting Marvolo a grin, Harry opened it and gasped. Inside, there were a group of mannequins with various body parts exposed to show its anatomy. There were complicated charts on the walls with labeling. In the center of the room was an empty gurney, and Harry suppose the room could easily supply a fake person with a malady of Snape's choosing. Off to the side, there was a potion's bench set up, with cauldron and cutting board already in place.

"Wow! This place is amazing!" Harry said. "And it will give me anything I want?"

"I haven't found the limits of this room yet," Marvolo replied. "Though you cannot take anything out of this room that the room had provided. It will simply disappear from your hands."

Harry nodded. "Makes sense with the first law of Transfiguration. How come more people don't know about this place? For that matter, how did you know about it?"

"I assume people who've come across this room just assume it's like any other in the castle. Random rooms are always disappearing and reappearing, and they never realize that, unlike the other rooms, this room can change," Marvolo answered. "As for how I found it, I had asked the elves and they showed me. It was as simple as that."

"And yet no one else did," Harry finished. "Can we practice dark magic here?"

Marvolo shook his head. "I am uncertain if this room is tied into the castle wards. If it is, then the Headmaster will know. Better to not risk it. Any dark magic we practice will be off the grounds or in the Chamber of Secrets. Salazar Slytherin was paranoid enough to want his own space apart from the rest of the school."

Harry couldn't wait to tell Snape about this room. But until then, Harry had homework for his other classes to do. Upon that realization, the room morphed into what looked like a mix of the Gryffindor common room and the transfiguration part of the library.

"Merlin, I love magic!" Harry declared grinning before grabbing a likely book and settling himself at a large desk. Marvolo joined Harry, sharing the one seat chair, ready to give Harry any help he needed while at the same time absorbing Harry's magic to grow stronger.

O o 0 O 0 o O o 0 O 0 o O o 0 O 0 o O

September 20, 1993

By now, Harry and his classmates were getting the feel of their new classes. After listening to Ron and Hermione, he was doubly glad he'd not signed up for Care of Magical Creatures or Divination. According to Ron, Hagrid's love for monsters ran unchecked, and even the brave Gryffindors were wary of his class. Ron tried to make it sound interesting, but Harry had enough dangers in his life that he didn't need to go find it. And Divination was so bad that Hermione even dropped out of the class! For a muggle born girl who was taking Muggle Studies, saying Divination was useless had to mean something.

After Harry got out the kinks in his schedule, his own classes were definitely going better than his friends. He was flying through his wand classes (charms, transfiguration, and DADA), so much so that he was using his free time to increase his sensitivity to magic. Already, Harry could feel the difference between the types of magic. For instance, Charms was more flitting, more light, like a gust of wind. Defense spells felt more aggressive and sparky. Transfiguration reminded Harry of those nature shows of slow moving glaciers when students performed it. The change was slow but you could feel the force behind the spell when done correctly. But when McGonagall performed a transfiguration spell, it felt like an avalanche, quick and overwhelming.

The ultimate goal, was of course being able to identify the individual spells by feel. Not only will this help him in a duel, but in a surprise ambush it will give him the advantage of a few extra seconds.

After a rather unconventional week, the weekend was finally here! While the other students were planning to slack off, Harry was getting ready for his first lesson in wizarding politics. Along with Professor Tonk's recommended book, Harry also packed the list of inheritances he got from Gringotts and both account books. After breakfast was over, Harry made his way down to McGonagall's office.

"Enter, Mr. Potter," McGonagall's voice came through the door.

"Good morning, Professor," Harry said as he stepped in. "I am a little early."

"That's fine," she replied, setting up a tea and biscuit set. "Tea, Mr. Potter?"

Harry gingerly sat down on the offered seat. He hadn't quite made up his mind about his Head of House yet. But she had stood up for him when he needed her, so he was willing to give her a chance. "Um, sure. Thank you." Having already eaten breakfast, Harry simply nibbled on the cracker.

"Relax, you are not in trouble," she said and smiled when the boy visibly relaxed. "After your…discussion with the Headmaster, I am concerned with how much work you've set yourself up for this year."

"My classes are fine, Professor. Better than fine even," Harry added. "I'm finally taking the time to really understand this stuff. Like why you need that extra little twirl of the wand whenever you transfigure a small object into a larger. It's because the size difference, you need to draw more power out of your core and the wand twist does that for you."

That got a double raised eyebrow from McGonagall. "I see. And you are correct of course. 5 points to Gryffindor for understanding a more complex concept," she complimented, and Harry grinned back proudly. "Except for that one incidence in Potions, I have heard from the other professors that you are doing equally well in their classes. Whatever method of study you are employing, it seems to work for you. Congratulations. Now, how are things going with Professor Snape?"

Harry couldn't help but smile at this. "Did you know that Professor Snape once knew my mother?" he asked, his voice becoming animated. It was obvious by the sparkle in Harry's eyes that he was happy with this fact. "In fact, they were best friends before Hogwarts. They even grew up in the same neighborhood. Can you believe that?"

"And Professor Snape told you this?" McGonagall asked surprised. This did not sound like the private, misanthropic man she knew.

Harry shrugged, a little embarrassed. "Well, he didn't exactly tell me. It just sort of happened during detention after a little…ummm. Let's just say privacy charms were used."

"Ah," McGonagall said, not knowing what else to say about that. "I am glad you two are finally getting along. Now how about your Defense teacher? How is that going for you? I believe it is your favorite subject, right?" To her surprise, instead of the same enthusiasm, she could visibly see the walls go up.

"It would be my favorite, except my history with the Defense teachers here haven't been very good," Harry said reluctantly.

"Well, I am sure if you sat and talked with him, you'll be surprised at what he can tell you," McGonagall encouraged, knowing the Headmaster wanted Harry and Remus to bond over memories of James.

Harry shook his head. "Until I know what he's up to, I can't risk it. I already have enough on my plate." Seeing the pinched look of frustration on his teacher's face, Harry continued. "I know there are things Professor Lupin is keeping from me. I'm assuming you are talking about Professor Lupin's friendship with my parents, right?"

"You know about their friendship?" McGonagall asked shocked. "How did you come by that?"

"Pictures that Hagrid gave me in my first year," Harry lied easily, not wanting to even hint about having another source of information. That would just raise too many questions that he couldn't answer. "So anyway, anything I wanted to know about my parents, I can go to Professor Snape."

McGonagall literally choked. "Severus!" she blurted out before catching herself. Harry giggled at the undignified squawk. She cleared her throat. "What I mean is, you must know you are getting a very unflattering view of your father. Professor Snape and your father were very much like you and Mr. Malfoy."

Harry nodded, his face serious. "But neither Malfoy's pranks or mine ever got deadly."

That made McGonagall's jaws snap shut with an audible click.

It was obvious he had caught McGonagall unawares. "The more I learn about my father, the more convinced I am of his…immaturity." Harry amended the word he originally planned to use. He didn't think McGonagall would approve him calling his father foolish.

"Mr. Potter!" McGonagall scolded him anyway. "Your father died saving your life!"

Harry reluctantly nodded. "And I'm glad he tried to fight Lord Voldemort off, but technically it was my mother's sacrifice that saved my life, if what the Headmaster says is true." Harry gave a slight shrug, not sure why everyone around him kept going on about his father instead of his mother. At least with his mother, he had heard her sacrificing herself for him. Harry didn't even have that kind of memory for James. In fact, for 10 out of 13 years of his life, he truly believed his father was a dead beat drunk that got his mother killed in a car accident which landed him with the Dursleys. To say he had secretly harbored a deep resentment for his father would be harsh, but unfortunately true. For him, it would take a more than just two and a half Hogwarts years of flimsy stories to get him over that deeply ingrained bitterness.

McGonagall looked down at the boy sadly, though she couldn't argue with his facts. "Your father and his friends were the shining stars of Hogwarts," she tried again, though now she was grasping at straws.

"You mean the shining stars of Gryffindor," Harry corrected. "So far, all I've learned about him was that he was a quidditch mad, mean hearted prankster, an attempted murderer, as spoiled as Snape had accused me of being, and a financial washout, who was so involved in a war that he had no interest in taking up his responsibilities as the Potter Heir." Harry took a deep breath. "So as you can see, I'd rather get to know my mother, who I've heard was an amazing woman, and a real role model for inter-house friendship."

For a moment, no sound would come out of McGonagall's mouth. She finally admitted defeat in the face of her student's stubbornness. "Well…I believe it is time for your appointment with Mrs. Tonks."

Harry nodded, knowing he had just pulled off some of that Gryffindor blindness and forced her to see some ugly truths. "Thank you for the tea and the talk," Harry said politely before going to the fireplace. He hoped he didn't leave her too scarred.

He took a handful of floo and threw it into the fire, turning it from orange to green. "Tonk's residence," Harry shouted clearly, not wanting to end up in Knockturne Alley again before stepping through.

Harry's landing was just as awful as ever, and the only thing that saved him from an embarrassing face plant was the gentle hands that caught him. Seeing they belonged to his new professor, he blushed. "Ummm, sorry about the entrance, Professor Tonks."

"My daughter, Nymphadora, has a similar problem, though I think her problem is simple clumsiness," Professor Tonks replied, clearly amused.

Harry straightened himself up and studied the tall woman before him. Like all the Blacks, they were tall and had a refined look about them that couldn't be hidden beneath the muggle clothes she wore. Unlike the Draco's father though, their dark hair and sharp eyes made their refinement seem more dangerous than the flashy blonds of the Malfoy line. "I'd like to thank you again for agreeing to teach me extracurricularly."

"Let us head to the library," Andromeda suggested. "And we can discuss the particulars of what you wish to learn."

Harry nodded and followed his teacher. It was obviously a muggle home with muggle appliances, but that didn't take away from the wealth that the Tonks family obviously had. If Harry had to judge, he felt this home easily belonged in the upper class. "You have a very nice home, Professor," Harry said, stealing a peak at the very nicely furnished formal dining room. It looked like it could seat 15 people easily.

"Thank you, young man."

After a couple turns, and a walk through the gardens, which obviously had some magical plants in it as well, they arrived at the library. Each of its five walls were filled with books, with only a small piece of space that was devoted to an ordinary fireplace.

"We will conduct most of our sessions here," she said, inviting them both to sit. On the large table, there were already a couple politics books out. "Of course this may change depending on what you actually wish to learn." She turned an expectant look towards Harry.

Harry wasn't sure what to say, but first thing first. Marvolo had impressed upon Harry the importance of keeping things secret from the Headmaster. "Would you be terribly insulted if I asked for an oath of secrecy from you? Anything that you learn about me, stays between us unless I say otherwise?" Harry cringed at his wording. He really didn't want to offend the seemingly nice woman on their first day. But there really was no polite way to ask for an oath of confidentiality.

Andromeda seemed amused by Harry's discomfort. "You seem to forget, young man, that I was once a Black. Secrets were very much our bread and butter." And with that, she held her wand up. "I, Andromeda Black Tonks, vow not to reveal any information I've learned about Harry James Potter during these lessons, by speech, writing, or any other mode of communication until he says otherwise." A glow enveloped her. "Will that be sufficient?" she asked.

"Um, thank you." Harry was still getting over the fact that she had given such an oath so easily. "I think before we begin, there are some things you need to know about me," he began anxiously. He hoped he didn't scare her away with all his problems, but something told him that his new Politics Professor could hold her own. "Officially, Headmaster Dumbledore is my Keeper, though that will eventually change. I don't know what the rest of the wizarding world was told about me after that night I got my scar, but I was taken from the wrecked home and placed on the doorstep of my mother's sister's home with no more explanation than a letter explaining how her sister died and they needed to take care of me. Admittedly I was an unexpected burden on them, but that doesn't excuse them for the 12 years of abuse and neglect after that. The whole family absolutely hates magic and me." As proof of this, Harry lifted his sleeves, revealing burn scars from a swinging frying pan.

Andromeda's eyes grew wide as the tale continued to unfold. Unbidden, the memories of that night and the celebrations thereafter came to mind. It saddened her greatly that this little boy, who had single handedly freed them from the terror, had slipped from their notices and carelessly left in the last place any child should be placed. While Andromeda was well aware of the faults of Hogwarts Headmaster, she didn't think even he was foolish enough to leave a toddler, who could have easily toddled away, on a doorstep with only a letter to explain the tragedy that befell the boy's family.

Harry moved on to the strange occurrences that happened in his first two years, leaving the diary and Marvolo still secret. "Let's just say, I don't think the Dumbledore has my best interests at heart, not as a headmaster or my Keeper." And finally he got to his visit with Gringotts and what he learned there. His teacher actually gasped when he laid the two Heir rings on the table between them.

"Are those what I actually think they are?" she asked breathlessly.

"Yes. I am apparently the Heir of Gryffindor by blood and the Heir of Slytherin by magic. And of course the Potter Heir." Then he pulled out the inheritance scroll and unrolled it before her.

"Oh my, Mr. Potter," she said as her eyes skimmed down the page. "You don't do anything by halves, do you?"

Harry gave her a wry smile. "Apparently not," he answered. "So now, you can see that I desperately need your help."

Andromeda looked trouble. "This is far beyond the scope of our lessons in politics," she admitted.

"I know," Harry sighed. "I probably need a financial adviser, a political advisor, a lawyer…"

"Actually, I am a lawyer," Andromeda interrupted. "That is what I do for a living."

"Really? I didn't know that," Harry admitted, surprised. "A very trusted friend of mine just suggested you as a good candidate to teach me politics."

Andromeda nodded, looking like she wanted to rub her hands gleefully, but she was far too refined to. "Now this we can work with. As your lawyer, I can be of more help to you in the official capacity. Furthermore, I am one of the few lawyers who handles cross muggle-wizard cases."

"You know, if I hire you, there's a good chance that you'd be facing Dumbledore too," Harry warned.

"I'll consider it a challenge then," she said, letting out a rather Slytherin smile. A little of her Black blood was peaking through. "Besides, it would be a pleasure to take him down a few pegs."

After that they got to work. During these two days, they planned Harry's curriculum in a way that will get him his OWLs and best help his unique situation. The first step was to make Harry a more active participant in the politics of their world. Even though Harry was not yet of age, there were many things he could already start working on. He had to become more familiar with his family's investments and remind them that the Potter family was back in control. He also had to become more aware of the going ons of both the School board and the Wizengamut, where he held seats and voting rights for both.

By the time Harry flooed back to Hogwarts Sunday night, his head was spinning with all the things on his to-do list.

What did I get myself into!

A/N: Nothing too much happens in this chapter, sorry. But it does set the stage for future chapters, mainly Andromeda. She will play a larger role in my story than she did in canon. I thought she was a very underused character in canon, especially considering she was the eldest of the 3 Black sisters, when the other two played such large roles in the books.

Also, I know my portrayal of Pomphrey will raise a lot of arguments. In the real world, I personally feel that she could be charged with criminal negligence. I don't need to harp on how school nurses, doctors, and teachers are trained to spot child abuse. True, some slip through the cracks, but when one is under the direct medical supervision, as often as Harry is, HOW CAN YOU MISS THE SIGNS? Sorry, sorry, I'm a medical student, so this is one of my pet peeves. Criminal negligence aside, I don't feel like she's in a conspiracy with Dumbledore. She's just manipulated by him to ignore her hippocratic oath.

Just to warn you guys, the next chapter may be a little late in coming since I am due for a 10 hour flight across the country for the holidays. No more than a day or two I hope. But for my faithful readers, and your patience, I will post two chapters in a row next time. Goodie ;)

Next up, Harry and Sirius confront each other for the first time...Finally!

After that, the dementors wreak havoc on the first quidditch game of the year.
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In Servitude of the Dark: The Hand That Guides Me