The Son of Lord Voldemort

Chapter 43

A week later Harrison was sitting on his bed flipping through pictures he had just had developed. He smiled when he stopped on one with him and Daphne playing wizards chess in the common room, he could see the roaring fire crackling behind them. Daphne had a look on intense concentration on her face and Harrison couldn't stop himself from thinking that she looked cute. He shook the thought away and flipped to the next one, Cass and Leo had been throwing light hexes at each other when Blaise had taken the picture. Leo had a long tail and a scowl on his face while Cass laughed and jumped over Blaise's book bag. He snorted when he saw the next one, Hermione, Luna and Harrison were smiling at the camera while Draco kept turning towards Hermione and glaring.

Harrison found empty pages in one of his photo albums, the one Padma had given him, and began using a sticking charm to hold the photos in place. He had just finished sticking a photo Luna had taken at the recent Quidditch match when the door opened and Draco walked in. Harrison looked up and he could tell that the blonde was both excited and curious.

"What's going on Draco?" Harrison asked as he closed the leather photo album.

"Sev wants us all in the common room," Draco answered. "He didn't say what it was about but I think there was another attack."

Harrison immediately stood up from his bed and grabbed the green cloak that was folded on his trunk. He fastened on his cloak before following Draco into the full common room. Everyone was quiet as Snape stood intimidatingly in front of a roaring fire. He sat down in the empty seat next to Theo as the rest of the students trickled in.

"I have an announcement to make," Snape said in his usual silky voice. His eyes roamed over all of the students before he spoke again. "A student has been petrified."

Harrison stared at Snape as the edge of his lips pulled up into a smirk. Finally, his fathers plan was coming along brilliantly. As long as he didn't get blamed he was content to let it play out. However Harrison wasn't dumb enough to think that Dumbledore wouldn't increase the attention he gave to him. He was waiting for the day he was called to the headmasters office or the day he would finally feel Dumbledore attempting to look into his mind. Although he wasn't sure Dumbledore would do the latter unless he didn't have another choice or if he got desperate.

The room had broken into whispered conversations. "Silence!" Snape snapped, and everyone turned to look at him. "The student who was petrified was Justin Finch-Fletchley, a second year Hufflepuff." Harrison's smirk grew, he didn't like that mudblood. "As your head of house, I was told to inform all of you to be careful. It would also be best if you would all walk in at least groups of two or three for the time being. Before any of you ask, we don't know what is causing these petrifications, but rest assured we are trying to find out. That is all." He then walked towards Harrison. "Harrison, I need to speak with you outside." Harrison nodded, exchanged looks with his friends then followed Snape outside.

Before Harrison could speak Snape held up a silencing hand. "The headmaster wants to see you in his office."

Harrison felt his stomach twist uncomfortably. He knew that this would happen sooner or later but he had been hoping for later. He had so far avoided having to speak with Dumbledore and he wasn't looking forward to being in the same room as him alone. Harrison was extremely powerful for a seventeen year old let alone a twelve year old, but he was just that, a twelve year old. He would feel completely safe with his father there but without him he was vulnerable. He internally grimaced when he realized that he sounded like a coward, and he wasn't a coward. He put an expressionless mask on and nodded his head once.

"Remember everything your father told you not to tell him," Snape said after throwing up several charms. "Answer the questions he asks as best you can and be your usual charming self." He gave Harrison a warning look. "Don't try to out smart him Harrison." The twelve year old nodded once more. "Very well, I shall escort you."

Snape and Harrison walked in silence down the quiet halls until they reached a large and extremely ugly gargoyle.

"Ice mice," Snape said with a hint of disgust.

Harrison snorted, the Weasley twins hadn't been joking when they told him the headmaster used sweets for password.

After saying the password the gargoyle sprang to life and hopped aside as the wall behind him split in two. Behind the wall was a spiral staircase that was moving smoothly upward, like an escalator.

"I will wait down here," Snape said. He looked as though he was staying behind against his better judgement.

Harrison felt a hint of annoyance, he wished Snape could come with him but from the beginning he hadn't thought he'd be able to. As he stepped onto the staircase, Harrison heard the wall thud closed behind him. He rose upward in circles, higher and higher, until at last Harrison saw a gleaming oak door ahead, with a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin. He schooled his features into ones of innocent curiosity and slight awe. He ignored the small amount of hesitation he felt as he raised his hand and knocked on the door.