Close Or Far From The Law

Chapter 19 : 18. To know how the court is...

Harry stood up slowly, still breathing a little short. Practice that evening had been intense and he felt good about having expended so much energy as he sat heavily at the edge of the stage. Voldemort had already come down and handed him a glass of water which he accepted gratefully. A smile on his lips as the black mage rubbed his hair, which was a little damp with sweat. Voldemort was sparing him less and less when it came to fighting but Harry loved it. He felt so alive when they competed and he had fun. Although a duel was not made for that, the adrenaline rush, the knowledge that he would hit the mark if he was not in front of his mentor delighted him. And then the man's encouragement did it too. With the glass of water empty, Harry looked at his eldest to find him with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He felt disillusioned.

-… Did I miss something ?

The glass of water disappeared from his hands which Voldemort took in his own. Harry didn't resist, now too used to the dark wizard touching him. He found it much more reassuring that he was just a sort of untouchable shadow in the corner of his eyes. As he had been in his mind in previous years. An imprecise but terribly present threat. Yes, he really preferred Voldemort to take care of him.

-Not exactly. Come.

Voldemort pulled him away and he soon found himself sitting on top of the dark wizard in the armchair in front of the fireplace. Well aware that it should not be so installed on man but unable to deny it. If the first time he met Sirius, he had indeed rushed at him, Harry wouldn't know how to act like that anymore. There was a certain modesty in his actions now with his godfather. Not necessarily distance, more caution. A caution that he could not have with Voldemort and that he did not want to have, for some reason that he himself did not know.

-Little lion, you don't think of me.

-Hmm… Yes, well yes and no.

Voldemort smiled, but his gaze was still so cold that Harry feared he had made him angry. It was amazing how afraid he could be of anger that often didn't happen. Perhaps because he had proof that the black mage had the power that made him deserve this title.

-There are going to be a few things happening in the next few days and I want you to be ready.

Harry felt the stress rising, so he focused on his eldest who continued.

-Your lawyer will take you to the Wizengamot for your public formalization as heir to the Potter family. And Black. Except there wouldn't be just that. You will also be questioned by these people for the theft of your ring.

-But I've already said everything I know about it.

-Indeed, but they will surely want to find flaws in what you say. You know that this matter is serious because it represents a real security defect in one of the highest organizations in the country. Finally, you will be expected to do something that deeply bothers me.

Harry looked at his left hand. Voldemort was brushing his heir rings. Sirius had given him the Black one just last week when Harry was finally allowed to go to Hogsmeade. They met in a private room at the Three Broomsticks to talk together, not without his godfather also meeting his friends. The ex-escapee was still recovering but Harry found him looking much livelier and happier as the days went by. They exchanged mail almost every day. So much to catch up on...

-Is this about the votes? Will I be asked to entrust my votes to someone?

Harry only saw this that could upset Voldemort and the glint of annoyance and pride that shone in the sanguine eyes confirmed his lead.

-You are becoming more and more lively. You have really grown up in just a few months, my little lion.

Harry tried not to blush. Missed.