Harry looked up from his book on ac

Harry looked up from his book on acromantulas that he'd read once through already, feeling bored and restless. This usually wasn't a problem for him, since at any one time, he had several things going on at once. But, surprisingly, Harry had nothing urgent on his place this time.

His personal training in magical and physical fighting was progressing rather well. Even Severus had said so. He could probably hold his own against any 2 Outer Circle Death Eater. He didn't feel like practicing his violin again, and thanks to Hagrid's help, Harry basically had a plan on how to deal with the acromantulas, so this left his mind to wander.

Inevitably, it strayed towards Marvolo, the biggest and most influential thing in his life. Marvolo, himself, was engrossed in some book the RoR provided for him. Watching the handsome but ghostly form, Harry couldn't remember how many times he wished Marvolo was real…or at least had a real body. That late Summer night discussion floated through his mind...again. It seemed that not even burying it deep inside his occlumancy shields could keep his curiosity in check. Despite the order not to bring the subject up again, he couldn't help this deep yearning inside him to explore whatever Marvolo had to offer.

It was just so frustrating that he couldn't do anything about it!

Part of it, Harry knew was Marvolo trying to protect him, but Harry wasn't naïve. He knew it meant sex, meant giving himself to his Lord in that way, and every time he let his imagination run wild, he'd get all warm and excited and yes, he'd get hard too. But it's been so loooong, and Marvolo never brought the subject up again, even when he knew Harry was jerking off to fantasies of a human version of Marvolo towering over him…holding him down, touching him in a way that the phantom Marvolo never could…

Harry bit off an involuntary groan and shifted uncomfortably. Great, now he was hard again!

Harry shot another glance at Marvolo again to see if he heard him. But no, Marvolo was still completely absorbed in that book, and for some reason this made Harry irrationally angry. Here he was fighting a losing battle against his stupid teenage hormones and Marvolo was over there all cool, calm, and collected, oblivious to Harry's suffering.

Fed up with being ignored, Harry pushed away from his desk and strode towards Marvolo until his shadow fell over the book that managed to grab his friend/lover's attention. Harry bit his lower lip. If he wanted to do this, now was the perfect time.

"Marvolo," Harry began and waited until Marvolo looked up with mildly curious eyes. "I think it's time you help me prepare for when the Dark Lord returns," Harry said decisively. "You saw how it was like when we went to Riddle Manor. If I'm not going to make a fool of myself again, I need to be prepared."

Marvolo leaned back, an eyebrow quirking up in interest. "I thought we had discussed this, Little One."

"Yes, but that was months ago," Harry said, letting a little of his frustration slip through.

Marvolo chuckled. He hadn't missed the growing bulge in Harry's pants. "And do you think you're even capable of giving up control over to me?" He reached out to brush lightly over Harry's jean covered groin, eliciting a delicious little moan from his Little Serpent. "Because it's more than just sex."

All thought seemed to fly out of Harry's mind. Marvolo's cooler touch was such relief to his burning heat. But Harry forced himself not to lose focus. He needed a clear head if he wanted to finish what he started. "I am more than ready, Marvolo," Harry said with conviction.

Marvolo was impressed with Harry's persistence. It showed how much he really wanted this, that it wasn't just a passing fancy. Marvolo floated up from behind the table and began lazily circling the smaller form and wrapping the boy up in coils of his smoky essence, like a boa constrictor embracing its prey.

Harry sucked in a deep breath and remained completely still as if he was bound by steel cords rather than intangible mists.

"So strong and brave, My Little Serpent," Marvolo cooed softly, seeing the boy's pulse jump at his neck. Marvolo dropped a cool kiss on top of it, trailing up to Harry's reddened ears. "But, I wonder, can this proud oak bend?"

At this, Harry's eyes burned with determination, his orbs glowing with inner green fire. He had seen Severus kneel and bow to Marvolo many times, and at first it had shocked him. But afterwards, he started feeling left out; even feeling rejected. He knew it was ridiculous; Marvolo would never reject him. Marvolo didn't require Harry to bow or perform any show of obeisance because of his special position in Marvolo's heart. But Harry wanted more than just affection with Marvolo, he wanted to be useful-he wanted to be a Death Eater. And he couldn't be a proper one if Marvolo kept holding him back.

So in answer to Marvolo's question, Harry slowly dropped to his knees, heart pounding in his chest. Marvolo hissed wordlessly above him, making Harry jerk his head up. The enflamed look of lust and possession in Marvolo's expression almost made Harry fall back. The normally cold phantom was even starting to radiate heat!

The maelstrom of tension seemed to last forever before Marvolo recollected his expanded aura and relaxed. "You try my self-control, Little One." His fingers gently combed Harry's hair. "This fiery stubbornness in you, like Godric Gryffindor, reborn," Marvolo finally said. "It will be amazing when you are finally all trained up."

Harry tore himself from the delicious feel of Marvolo's hand in his hair and sat up in interest. "So, does this mean you'll teach me? Everything?"

Marvolo 'hmmmed' thoughtfully. The boy was definitely a natural submissive, but Marvolo was certain that Harry was running on just hormones and instincts. Despite his impressive determination, Harry didn't know why he felt safest, most loved when he was on his knees. Giving instead of taking. He wouldn't know why he only felt true freedom when bound in rope or chains. And until Harry realized the value of his own submission, Marvolo refused to take it.

"Do you remember the alias you used back in the summer after second year?" Marvolo suddenly asked, as if from no where.

Harry furrowed his brow. "Xavier Rayne," he answered, wondering how that was related.

"Then as Xavier Rayne, you will mail order a book," Marvolo continued. "It is titled, 'The Art of Submission'. After you have thoroughly read that book, I will discuss it with so you can understand every concept."

Harry jaw dropped, incredulously. Here, he was kneeling before his pseudo-lover, so desperate and willing, but said pseudo-lover was telling him to go read a book! If Harry didn't know how badly Marvolo wanted this too, he might have felt insulted.

Marvolo grinned, enjoying the fury in Harry's flashing eyes. "Your submission is no small matter, my Little Serpent," Marvolo said, more seriously. "And it would not be true consent until you realize exactly what you are gifting to me. We will not move forward until this task is completed."

Harry's head dropped back and groaned. "Okay, fine," he grumbled unhappily.

Marvolo chuckled softly. His Little Serpent still had so much to learn if he wanted to walk this path, but it would be such a joy to refine this raw, fiery spirit into a proud and strong submissive.

O

December 1, 1994 – The First Task

Harry thought it was rather amusing. He was perhaps the only one in the tent who did not look like he was waiting for his own doom. Fleur was pacing in the corner, her lips moving silently, probably reciting some spells. Krum, normally like a stooping rock, was actually fidgeting with his wand. And then there was Ron. Ron looked like he was seconds away from hyperventilating and was darting wide-eyed glances at Harry-to which Harry merely smiled calmly back.

Hell, he was more excited over receiving the book Marvolo told him to order than this Task, which he owl-ordered 2 days ago. Because it was a 'specialty' order, it took a little longer than just filling an order from Flourish and Blotts.

All day long, Harry had been pestered by his fellow classmates on whether he was ready. Even Severus, who very well knew Harry could handle himself against the acromantulas, felt the need to express his concern. It was growing quite irritating by the penultimate hour, and Hermione had taken upon herself to constantly ask if he needed help or not.

And now, they were all waiting patiently for…

"So sorry, I'm late," Ludo Bagman burst through the tent like an overblown cartoon figure. "Just getting the audience all seated now…I have in this bag, here, the task that you will be facing." All eyes were glued to the nondescript sack in the man's hands. "You will draw the number that will tell us which order you are going in, where you will retrieve a box that looks somewhat like this." In Bagman's other hand was a slender and narrow box, made of some kind of wood. "Points will be deducted if you are injured or if you happen to damage the item you are retrieving."

With that, Ludo opened the small sack, allowing them each in turn to reach inside. Harry had been first, just because he was closer, and drew out a small, squirmy spider with a large number '3' written on its back. Fleur followed after and drew a similar spider with a number '1.' Krum drew a number 2. By virtue of the punishment, Ron was to go last.

Harry noted that no one had been particularly surprised by the fact that they were going to face acromatuntulas-slightly queasy yes, but surprised, no.

After a moment, some kind of magically enhanced bell chimed, and Ludo escorted Fleur, out with him. For a few awkward moments, Harry, Krum, and Ron glanced at each other, trying not to react to all the screaming outside.

This little torture went on until suddenly, the crowd roared, and they figured Fleur had made it. Each one of them sagged in relief, and there was a moment of silence as t