The Nightmare Man

Chapter Seventeen

Harrison wrote letters back to Harry, responding to his questions and fears, quite enjoying it. His wounds completely healed from his last run-in with Aurors meant he could move on and about as he pleased. Not to say he was alone much when he went a foot outside the wards. Even to Voldemort's manor at least one servant trailed behind him. Often it ended up being Lucian's task as Elise was in charge of the manor and the others trusted Lucian to keep their master out of trouble.

"You know, I am the master here," Harrison said as they arrived at Voldemort's manor. "I can take care of myself."

"Yes of course," Lucian said.

"You didn't believe a word of what I said just now, did you?"

"You are absolutely right."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't."

Voldemort was in his study, papers and maps strewn around him. He glanced up as Harrison entered and immediately stopped to not step onto a map.

"Hello there," Harrison said and began to pick his way through the room and avoided all sorts of papers. "Busy much?"

"I want to attack Hogwarts and the Ministry at the same time."

"You can't be at two places at the same time."

"I wasn't planning on being that," Voldemort said. "I intend to be at Hogwarts and kill Albus while Death Eaters attack the Ministry."

"Mm, that sounds lovely."

"But figuring out how to get into Hogwarts is a bit trickier."

"Why's that?" Harrison asked.

"The wards are old but well cared for," the Dark Lord said. "It won't be easy to sneak in."

"I can try," Harrison said and leaned onto the desk to see what Voldemort was studying. "Oh, that's Godric's design for the anti-Apparition."

"Yes... it is. How did you...?"

"I was there when he designed it," Harrison explained. "Anyway, I can try."

"How... what can you try?" Voldemort asked.

"Getting in without being noticed. And allowing others in."

"You can work around the wards?"

"No, I'll tell Hogwarts to let me in."

"Like hell the castle will let a dark wizard in."

"This dark wizard mind you made some of her bloody wards so I'll be a very crossed dark wizard if the dear castle refuses me," Harrison said, "and Hogwarts knows that."

"Never thought a castle could get nervous," Lucian said, "but there it is. Master makes a castle nervous. I have seen him do that."

"I was in a bad mood back then, besides, I don't like hurting Hogwarts and she knows that too. So I can probably make her let me in without much fuss."

"Are you trying to say you made some of the castle wards?" Voldemort managed to get out.

"I'm not trying to say it, I am saying it. What, you think I just stood watching as the four founders built her? I was their elder, they constantly looked at me for advice."

"Not sound ones," Lucian added, crossing his arms.

"The castle hasn't fallen yet," Harrison interjected and looked at his servant. "She stands quite steady, thank you very much."

"You're the one who told Slytherin to make a secret chamber," Lucian pointed out.

"Secret chambers are part of the charm in having a castle," Harrison replied. "You can't have a castle without at least one secret chamber. Godric had a good laugh about it."