Chapter Text
...
It had been three weeks since he found out about the elemental. Three weeks since the Dark Lord took him into his library and began training him. The Minister was a damn task master was the first thing Harrison realized.
He would wake up every day at seven and was expected to have breakfast in the dining room. Then it was lessons on fire magic. Harrison learned to use his magic and control it. The Minister would not have him burning everything down around him.
Then the Dark Lord would floo back to the Ministry and Harrison was allowed to do as he pleased. At four pm Harrison was to meet with the Minister and a dueling partner. They would duel for two hours then dinner and he would go to bed.
He would not say that it was a boring routine. No. Harrison enjoyed it. There were no interruptions and the Minister never spoke to him about politics. In fact he hadn't seen anyone other than the Dark Lord, his sparring partner, and the House Elves.
It was nice.
However, it did make him curious. Why did the Dark Lord have him here and not at his home or somewhere else? Why was he the only one who came to visit him?
"Are you done eating, Mr. Black?"
Harrison blinked and looked at the house elf, "Yes, thank you, Bipsy."
Bipsy nodded and took his plate away. He stood and left the dining room. It was only nine in the morning. Harrison made his way to the library and sat at the desk. A book was already waiting for him. It was a heavy tome written by Salazar Slytherin, himself.
He opened the book and read. He lost himself in the words of the Founder. Time flew by and he was startled by a sharp rap on the door. He hadn't realized how much time passed. He had skipped lunch.
"Mr. Black, Master is ready for your lesson."
"Coming, Bipsy."
Harrison stood and went to the courtyard. The Minister was already there. As was Theo.
"Heir Nott, Minister," greeted Harrison.
Theo grinned, "Heir Black. Are you ready for another round?"
Harrison returned the grin, "Absolutely."
He handed his wand off to Voldemort. Wandless magic and Elemental magic was key here. No weapons. Only magic.
Theo and Harrison stood a few feet from each other. The Minister was on the edge of the courtyard.
"You may begin."
Theo and Harrison started circling each other. They were testing each other. Theo was the first to lash out and a wave of water came rushing at Harrison. He brought his Elemental magic forward and created a wall of fire. The water hit the wall and evaporated.
A ball of flame shot out of his hand towards Theo. The other man blocked the attack with a water shield. Theo sent another wave of water. This time it was larger and faster.
Harrison brought up his wall again. Water hit the fire and the fire vaporized the water. A jet of steam rushed out. It was too thick for him to see Theo.
There was no sound. Then something hit his side. It was like a whip. Pain raced along his side. Theo had wrapped water around him and had used the whip.
"Damn it, Nott," snapped Harrison, "That hurt."
Theo snickered. He did not stop however. His water whip cracked again and Harrison rolled away. He didn't have enough control to pull something like a wip off when it came to fire. He was lucky that his shields had come up when he called for them.
He threw a wave of heat at Theo. Theo was caught off guard and had to dive away. A small tree caught fire. Theo put the fire out and glared at him.
"No fair, Black," pouted Theo.
"Don't pout, Nott," drawled Harrison, "You're the one who hit me with a water whip."
"Focus children," chided the Dark Lord, "Now try again."
"Yes, sir," they both said.
They began again.
...
The rest of the afternoon went like this. They would spar and then break. The Dark Lord would correct their mistakes and instruct them on what to do. It was tiring.
"I believe that is enough for today," said the Dark Lord, "I will leave the two of you alone. Do not burn my manor down. Spitfire, your supper will be waiting for you in the dining room."
They watched as the Minister left the courtyard. Harrison felt something ease from his shoulders with the man gone. He couldn't figure it out. He wasn't tense. It wasn't anything that was bad.
Theo asked, "Did I hurt you, Harry?"
Harrison shook his head and denied, "I'm fine, Theo. It was a minor injury. Besides it's not the first time you've hit me with a water whip."
"No, I guess not," replied Theo.
"Let's get something to eat," said Harrison, "I'm starving."
Theo gave a chuckle, "Of course, Harry. Come on."
...
Later that evening Harrison was in the library reading. He had a tray with tea and snacks. His right hand was rubbing the Fire Elemental band. It was a comforting gesture and something he did without realizing.
"Good evening, little Spitfire."
Harrison looked up and saw the Minister leaning against the bookshelf. He wasn't wearing his dress robes. Instead the man was wearing a pair of black pants and a black button up. The top few buttons were open.
"Good evening, Minister."
Voldemort smirked, "You do not need to be so formal, little Spitfire."
"What should I call you?" Harrison questioned with a tilt of his head.
"Call me, Marvolo," answered the Dark Lord moving across the room to stand next to him.
The Minister had never told him his given name before. Harrison didn't know what to think about that. The Dark Lord was acting strange and he couldn't figure it out.
"Okay, Marvolo," Harrison said.
"Tell me, Spitfire," purred the Minister, "Are you happy?"
Huh? Why in the name of Merlin was he asking something like that?
"Umm...I am content," answered Harrison, "Why are you asking?"
Marvolo tilted his head, "You have been here for over three weeks. I was curious if you were comfortable."
Harrison frowned. He tried to read the man's expression but it was closed off. When he tried to read the emotions from their bond, he felt a blankness. It was unsettling.
"I'm not unhappy," stated Harrison.
Marvolo chuckled, "I did not say that you were. I am asking if you are happy. Here in my Manor."
Harrison shrugged, "I guess. There isn't much to complain about. There are no interruptions and the library is amazing. Why do you care anyway?"
"As an Elemental, you are part of the Slytherin line," Marvolo answered as he reached out a hand and placed his hand on the top of Harrison's head, "You are also bonded to me. Therefore, it is my responsibility to ensure your happiness. As well as your safety and protection."
Harrison froze at the contact unsure of what to make of it. It wasn't unwelcome. Marvolo had been nothing but civil to him. But the Minister was known as a cruel, harsh man. Not a kind one.
"You have not answered my question, Little Spitfire," said the Minister as he started carding his fingers through Harrison's hair.
Harrison closed his eyes and relaxed. It was relaxing in a way he couldn't understand. Why was the Dark Lord touching him like this? Why wasn't he pushing the man away?
"You're being weird," murmured Harrison, "What are you doing?"
"You are not unhappy, Little Spitfire," stated the Dark Lord, "You are confused and you are unsure. That is fine."
Marvolo pulled his hand back and stepped back. Harrison missed the contact. He wanted more of it.
"Goodnight, Spitfire."
With those words, the Minister left him. Leaving Harrison alone with his thoughts. What was wrong with him?