A Snake Named Voldemort

Chapter 5

Harry wondered how often Dumbledore fished for information in his head, and felt a stab of irritation. He had known Dumbledore was a Legilimens, but this was the first time he'd noticed something peculiar happing with those twinkling blue eyes of the man's. He wondered if Voldemort would be able teach him Occlumency...anybody had to be better than Snape teaching him. The bastard was in his mind already anyway, Harry thought with a mental roll of his eyes.

Dumbledore sighed, and Harry discreetly flicked his green eyes back up.

"I am sorry, Harry, to have caused you and your snake distress. I was only looking after the students' safety."

"Tommy hasn't done anything, as promised," Harry returned.

Dumbledore nodded slowly. "And so he hasn't. Alright, Harry, I will instead put a binding charm that acts more like a tether. You will feel a tug, as if a string is attached to you both, and it will prevent Tommy from getting away, much like a leash on a dog. Will this suit you?"

Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yes, that sounds much better. Thank you, Sir. I don't mean to be much trouble."

"Think nothing of it, Harry."

Pulling out his wand, Dumbledore finite'd the original spell and placed the new one on Harry and the disguised Voldemort. As a test to make sure Harry was satisfied, he had him place "Tommy" on the chair and walk away. Once Harry reached the other end of the relatively large room, he felt a distinct tug on his left wrist, as if he had something tied there that was now pulled taunt. Stepping further away, he noticed Voldemort's body sliding across the cushion of the chair. The spell worked exactly as Dumbledore said; it was like both Harry and Voldemort had opposite ends of the same rope tied to their persons.

"Brilliant," Harry said, pleased with this new charm.

Dumbledore smiled. "Well then, if that is all...?"

"Oh yes," Harry nodded. "Thank you for your time."

"Anytime, my dear boy, anytime."

Leaving the Great Hall, Harry wandered the castle for a while, not ready to go back to Gryffindor Tower. Dumbledore's intrusion into his mind pressed heavily on his thoughts.

:Potter?:

As if to assure the man he was alright, Harry reached up and smoothed Voldemort's scales, a habit he seemed to be picking up rather quickly.

:I felt Dumbledore in my mind. I didn't really like it.:

Voldemort hissed in displeasure, flicking his tongue and raising his hood slightly. :Old coot. Potter, why haven't you been taught Occlumency? Aren't they worried the evil Dark Lord in your head will find out all their secrets?:

Harry snorted at the rare joke Voldemort offered. :They did try to teach me, but as you've seen for yourself now, the person whom Dumbledore chose to do it doesn't really like me much.:

The small hint was all Voldemort needed. :He had Snape teach you, didn't he?:

:Yes,: Harry said glumly. :As you can tell, he didn't get very far before we quit the lessons. Can't say I feel sorry. He stopped when I looked into his Pensieve and saw some memories that were quite personal.:

Harry turned his head to look at Voldemort, who in turn also twisted his head around so they were more or less face to face. They were so close that when Voldemort flicked out his tongue, a snake's habit, the tips of it brushed the corner of Harry's mouth. Harry's lips twitched at the sensation, and he suddenly thought the very odd question of whether that counted as a kiss or not. Mildly shocked and appalled at where his mind went, Harry dismissed the whole thing as what it was: an accident.