The Dark Apprentice

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Initially, Harry felt compressed within a test tube, the rapid process causing brief but intense discomfort. Regaining his balance after his feet touched the ground, he experienced a momentary swaying sensation accompanied by a faint nauseous feeling.

"I've just apparated, haven't I?" Harry asked woozily.

"Oh yes." Tom answered, "Lucky for you, I am a very extraordinary wizard or it would've been much more unpleasant."

"Lucky me." Harry heaved a sigh as he pulled himself off his knees and surveyed his new surroundings. The property around him was a far cry from the sleek and modern wizarding world he was accustomed to. The grass was certainly overgrown, reaching his knees in some places, and the shrubbery near the trees appeared wild and untamed. The house itself was not much better off, with peeling paint, broken windows, and a general air of neglect. However, the area was saturated with magic, indicating that some work had already been done to prepare it for his arrival.

Harry suspected that the inside of the house had been freshened up a little more than the outside. He could feel the faint traces of cleaning spells and glamour charms as he approached the front door. Glancing around, he noticed a clearing in the vegetation and observed a small village in the distance. It didn't seem like much from here, just a cluster of thatched-roof cottages nestled at the foot of a hill. However, there was a large house on the top of the hill, and what appeared to be a cemetery as well. Harry wondered what secrets and mysteries this place held.

He took a deep breath and pushed open the front door of his new home. The inside was dark and dusty, but Harry could sense the potential beneath the layers of grime and neglect. He could already imagine the sitting room, and the well-stocked library, that would one day fill these empty spaces.

"Welcome to the home of my ancestors. Charming place, is it not?" Tom asked, but his voice indicated his disgust.

"I am guessing no one has lived here for a while?" Harry asked.

"Since the late 40's." Tom agreed, "Since I arrived, I have just rebuilt the wards. Something I will teach you eventually. We never did get to discuss it before little Ginny stole my diary back, but did you sign up for the classes I suggested?"

"I did." Harry agreed, but twitched internally at the name of the deceased girl, "Ancient Runes, Arthithmancy, and Care of Magical Creatures."

"Good. Next year we can build on the basics you are taught. I am afraid I don't have the patience to teach it from scratch." Tom said thoughtfully before adding, "Not like I will have to with Occlumency. That is too important to wait on."

"Am I really going to stay here all summer with you?" Harry asked, but tried to keep the hope out of his voice.

"Oh yes." Tom confirmed, "We will spend much of our time training, some of it will also be spent repairing Gaunt Manor. If we are going to spend any amount of time here, we will want a respectable place to rest."

"I have quite a bit of gold in my trust vault." Harry offered, "The least I can do is help repair this place I will be staying as well."

"It's a fine idea, Harry." Tom offered, "But with no magical relatives left in this world, Dumbledore will be your magical guardian, and will have access to your Gringotts account. If large amounts of money began disappearing, I believe he would begin inquiring about things we are not quite ready to answer for."

Harry immediately felt stupid at the idea. Of course Dumbledore would be watching his financial moves. Trying to redeem himself, Harry countered, "This year we will be able to go to Hogsmeade. Before I go back to school, I will pull out a ton of galleons. I can give them to you before I get on the express, but I will keep enough to make a show of blowing galleons on robes, or other things in the village."