Sorry about the delay, folks, but I lost momentum with this story. Hopefully, this shifts the plot along a bit.

J.K Rowling owns everything.

Chapter 9

Random creatures appeared around the castle frequently in the next few weeks but as far as Harry, Hermione and Neville knew nothing had happened apart from this, and although they kept an eye on all the staff as well as they could, whenever an incident happened, they were no nearer finding out what was happening or who was plotting and bringing the creatures into the castle. Lunch was interrupted several times by groups of creatures appearing suddenly in the Great Hall, including at one point a large group of Hummerhorns, giant wasp creatures that while they looked menacing with foot long horns were in fact harmless, although the majority of the school didn't think so as they fled in panic away from them. Harry, Neville and Hermione ducked under the table while they watched the teachers banish them before lunch could continue. That evening Professor Snape made a speech to the school.

'If I ever find out who is responsible for releasing these creatures into the school then they will be expelled.' A murmur swept around the students. 'I suggest that instead of panicking at the sight of these creatures, you read up on methods of stopping this annoyance.'

However, the random appearances did not stop and much of the school continued fleeing in panic causing disruptions to class and meals. The teachers could be seen going around with ever increasing frowns and the school was cleaned even more thoroughly before until it became dangerous to walk on the wooden surfaces for fear of slipping on the over polished floors.

Harry had now read the occulumency book and had started practicing the exercises having been reassured from the book to find out that it would not suppress his emotions from appearing through the bracelet and therefore would not bring Snape down on him.

He was sitting in the attic one day having snuck up there under the invisibility cloak to avoid Professor Begg after dinner, practicing his exercises by concentrating on the idea of walls around his mind when Neville suddenly appeared holding his broomstick.

'Harry, do you want to learn to fly?' He burbled excitedly. 'This space is probably large enough.'

Harry looked up, eyes shining, ' Do you really mean that?'

'Of course' Neville replied. 'Here, have the broomstick.'

Harry received it, holding it carefully, aware that the broom was quite expensive.

'Right, so put it on the floor and shout 'up'' Neville instructed.

Harry did as he was told and the broom shot up to him.

'Wow, that didn't happen on my first time.' Neville exclaimed 'So carefully put your leg over and push off gently.'

Harry did so and felt himself hovering in the air, he leant forwards slightly to get his balance and the broom moved forward. With Neville following on the floor, he carefully flew around the attic gaining more confidence. When Hermione came up to the attic, he was swooping down in the tallest part of the roof dodging between trusses chasing Neville, who was running trying to avoid being tagged.

Hermione huffed and sighed. Pulling out a book she tried to read but was distracted by the boys laughter. Within a few minutes she was involved in the game and was darting away from Harry, giggling wildly, her bushy hair flying in all directions as she ducked and dodged.

When they were all exhausted at last, they subsided on to seats and sat in comfortable silence getting their breath back. Harry brought up the subject of Occlumency to the others.

'Do you know about legilimency and occlumency.' Hermione frowned, thinking through what she had read and shook her head looking puzzled but Neville was nodding.

'Yeah, my parents mentioned it. I think the Dark Lord uses it.'

'Probably, Snape does.'

'What does it do?' Hermione asked.

'Legilimency looks into your mind and occlumency protects your mind' Harry replied.

Hermione sat up indignantly, 'You mean, Snape can read my mind?' she asked.

'Yeah, he has done it to me before.' Harry replied 'but I found this book here about occlumency and I wondered if you wanted to learn it as well.'

Neville looked worried. 'Harry, it isn't legal.'

'I know but I want some privacy. Snape already can feel my emotions when he wants to. Besides if it is done well, then it is undetectable.'

'But Harry,what if he does find out?' Hermione protested.

'Then I will just put up with the consequences. They can't be much worse to me after all. And anyway, you were the one wanting me stand up for myself a bit more.'

'Oh Harry, I just worry for you.' said Hermione. 'But give me the book and let me look. If we all work together we might find it easier. I will read this tonight and then give it to Neville.'

'Thanks'

Hermione gave him a shy smile and picked the book up burying her nose in it. Harry and Neville exchanged glances before Neville pulled a pack of cards out of his bag and the boys settled down to play.

The animal attacks around the castle continued with boggarts appearing in many cupboards to the horror of staff and pupils alike. Harry managed to avoid them although he did have a close encounter with a crowd of doxies that came swooping out a suite of armour as he walked past attacking him and then as he ran trying to get away, attacking other students as he went past. He eventually managed to loose them but for several days afterwards he heard of other attacks by them. Professor Begg made him help with the ingredients of the antidote to keep up with the demands of the infirmary.

A group of gnomes took up occupancy in the basement and several people were found sporting bites as the gnomes started a habit of jumping out onto people's ankles. Several times Harry only just avoided the creatures. Finally Professor Snape sent a group of teachers and prefects in to remove the creatures. Harry spent the next evening in the Potions classroom listening to Professor Begg complain about the incompetence of Professor Thirkell and the interruption of his time. Apparently he had arranged for a trip to Hogsmeade to meet someone at the time that had had to be cancelled.

Then one day as Harry was wandering up to the attic he heard voices again. Wondering if he would hear the mysterious couple again, he opened a broom cupboard door only to recoil in fear.

Why Voldemort had suddenly appeared after he had opened a cupboard he didn't know but the menacing apparition bearing down on him had triggered an impulse to run. He wasn't going to hang around to find out.

He ran blindly not knowing where he was going and not paying any attention to his surroundings until he hit something soft.

He heard an exclamation and as he tried to regain his balance, he grabbed hold of who ever he had run into. He let go rapidly after a shock went through his body. Staggering backwards he looked up to see who he had run into and blanched.

There standing in front of him, looking angry were the two worst people he could have met, Professor Snape and Lord Voldemort. He had run into Lord Voldemort.

Too shocked to run again, he dropped to his knees, his head bowed waiting for the worst to happen but nothing happened quickly. Instead he heard a low murmur of conversation. Glancing up from under his fringe, he saw the two wizards engaged in a conversation although still looking angry.

'So this is the boy, is it?'

'Yes, My Lord. I don't know what he is doing. I will find out. He should not be running around the corridors like this.'

'Well, this wasn't quite the location I would have chosen for our first meeting but it has happened now. Bring the boy back to your office. I wish to speak with him'

'Yes My Lord.'

Harry still peering from under his fringe, watched as the Dark Lord swept away his robes billowing around him much as Professor Snape's did. He brought his mind back to the present from that random thought, when he heard Professor Snape's angry voice snap at him. 'Come, now'.

Getting up he followed the two men back to Snape's office worrying what was about to happen but amazed he hadn't been killed on the spot. What had that shock been when he grabbed hold of the Dark Lord. Had it just been his magic reacting to being grabbed? Or was it as it had felt, something deeper that had recognised something in the other person and had responded. Puzzling on what he could share with the Dark Lord and then worrying what it might mean, Harry found himself in Snape's office facing the man who had ruined his life and then controlled his existence since.

Harry stood awkwardly in front of the desk as the Dark Lord studied him. Snape had been sent away meaning the meeting was just between the two of them. Harry didn't know what to do so settled for standing silently wishing the Dark Lord would speak.

'What were you running from?' the Dark Lord asked finally.

'I don't know, My Lord but you appeared out of a cupboard.'

'Ahh, a boggart then. Yes you won't learn how to deal with them until third year unlike trolls.' Harry squirmed at the mention of the troll but at a sharp look from Voldemort, he stood still again. 'So I am your greatest fear, am I?'

'Yes, My Lord.' Harry stuttered, the overwhelming power of Voldemort getting to him.

'Well, as you are my ward officially, we will just have to change that.'

'My Lord?' Harry asked, wondering what Voldemort meant. He hadn't had anything to do with the man, until now, since that Night.

'Oh yes, you are officially my responsibility. I have been busy these last few years creating a right and fitting Government, so unfortunately I have not had time to meet with you but after this opportune meeting, I feel this will change. We will get to know each other.'

Harry didn't know what to think. Get to know the Dark Lord? The man who had killed his parents? The one who was responsible for the way he was treated? Well may be if he did he could get better treatment and it was generally considered a good idea to go along with the Dark Lord's whims, so he settled for a generic 'Yes, my Lord.'

'Good, tell me, what is your favourite subject?' asked Voldemort.

'Charms, My Lord' said Harry.

'Why is this?'

'It comes fairly easily and I can use my wand.'

'Ahh, yes, your wand. Tell me what your least favourite subject is?'

'Defence and the Dark Arts, and Potions, My Lord.' Harry replied. 'I don't really learn anything in either subject and in potions; I'm not allowed to make the potions.'

'So you like learning, do you?'

'Yes,' here Harry hesitated but carried on with what he was going to say anyway, 'but not like a Ravenclaw.'

Voldemort threw his head back and laughed. 'Oh, Harry, I don't think anyone would accuse you of being a Ravenclaw. Would you like to participate in Potions?'

'Yes, My Lord' Harry answered eagerly.

'I will see what I can arrange then. What do you do in your free time?'

'I don't really have much, but I do my homework with Hermione and Neville and play games with them sometimes.' Harry said.

'Oh yes, Miss Granger and Mr Longbottom. They are good friends?'

'Yes, I tried to tell them not to be friends with me but they would anyway.' Harry answered worried that what ever he said he would get the other two into trouble.

'Well, Harry, I need to go and get on with some work now but next time I am here, we will have another chat.'

'Very well, My Lord.' Harry bowed and turned to exit, avoiding Snape who was coming in to the office at the same time.

'So that is the boy. A peculiar mixture of innocence and world weariness I think. He seems loyal enough at the moment, so I think releasing another privilege would be allowable. Tell Garulf Begg that the boy is to be allowed to participate in potions classes and get the necessary ingredients and items for him.'

'Yes, My Lord.'

'Now what was a boggart doing on the fourth floor?'

'I don't know, My Lord. Recently, there have been a few outbreaks of pests around the castle. Nothing as large as the troll, but still enough to cause havoc to lessons and meals. Cornish Pixies appeared in the DADA room and Doxies have appeared in several classrooms. Jarvey's appeared in the Great Hall the other night and Hummerhorns have appeared at meal times as well. I thought they were just innocent infestations at first but they keep happening. Either someone is pulling practical jokes on us, possibly the Weasley Twins or this is somehow linked to the troll and someone is trying to purposefully disrupt Hogwarts.'

'Hmm, how are you getting on with the troll investigation?'

'I discovered it was somehow portkeyed in to the dungeons but as yet I have not found the culprit. It is unlikely to be one of the students if it was a portkey unless they were the focus and they have outside accomplices. Many of the staff have rudimentary occulumency shields and I cannot pry without them finding out.'

'Keep an eye on the situation and let me know if the incidents escalate or something else happens.'

Harry found Hermione and Neville coming to look for him. He pulled them into a nearby classroom and spilled the story out quickly. Neville looked grave. Harry knew what he was feeling and did agree, to have the Dark Lord interested in you was never a good idea and especially having the Dark Lord know what your greatest fear was.

Hermione though looked excited and interested. 'Harry,' she stuttered 'Do you think that was why he kept you alive? That connection?'

Harry's thoughts flashed back to that evening, eight years ago when his world had collapsed. He didn't remember any of the battle having been hidden by his mother, the only thing he remembered was the Dark Lord pointing his wand at him, his face grinning in triumph and then only blackness until he woke up to the new order of things in the magical world and his place in it. Since then having not seen the Dark Lord he didn't know what had happened.

He answered Hermione slowly, 'I don't know. It could be but I don't know what could have caused it.'

'Well, lets go to the library then and see if we can find anything.' She said getting up from the desk she was sitting on.

Harry grabbed her sleeve. 'No, don't. I don't want the Dark Lord finding out anything about this. I don't know if he felt it or not and if he didn't, I may have an advantage at some point in the future if he continues this interest. But he will monitor the library. Plus anything that may be relevant will probably be in the restricted section.'

Suddenly they heard a rustling noise and a few footsteps outside the door. They looked up and dashed for the door but after wrenching it open they found no one in the corridor outside. They looked at each other, suddenly worried that someone had heard their conversation.