Killing Me Softly

Chapter Sixteen
Clashes and Crushes

"Walking with a friend in the dark is
better than walking alone in the light."
- Helen Keller

*****

Although the appearance of Luna Lovegood had thawed the tension with Tom, Harry woke up the next morning with a fresh wave of anxiety. The news of his return had surely spread throughout the whole school by now, and Harry wasn't sure if the news of his relationship with Tom had spread as well. Any of the children of the Death Eaters could start the rumors. All the Death Eaters present after Lord Voldemort's rise back to power had witnessed Harry holding Tom's hand...

"I'm not sure if I want to go to the Great Hall," Harry mentioned when he met up with Tom in their tiny kitchen.

"Then don't go," Tom said.

"But then I'll miss Ron and Hermione," Harry said, resigned. What with Ron and Hermione's classes and needing to be at the Gryffindor common room by a set time, Harry's time with his friends was going to be limited. Harry wasn't going to attend classes any longer. The agreement was that Tom would continue doing the teaching.

"After all, you are ahead of your class," Tom had said smugly. "Why waste your time relearning everything when I can get you ahead? The more knowledge you gain, the better for the fight against my older self."

Harry sighed, remembering their earlier conversation. "Where are we going to continue the lessons?"

"Any empty classroom we can find," Tom replied as he poured himself and Harry some iced pumpkin juice.

"I'll still have to leave the third floor."

"We need a bigger room than this."

"Why?"

Tom grinned. "You may need it for what I've got planned for you."

Harry decided not to question Tom. He was relieved that they were speaking to each other without any bitterness in their voices.

They finished their breakfast and prepared themselves for the day. Harry reached the bottom of the stairs just as Ron and Hermione emerged from the large doors of the Great Hall. Ron saw them, and he and Hermione waved to Harry. Harry waved back, and with a small jolt in his stomach, he saw Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Fred and George Weasley...they all spotted him and waved. Many more students were pouring from the doors, and suddenly feeling anxious again, Harry grabbed Tom's hand and led him down the remainder of the stairs and into a deserted corridor. Behind him, Harry could hear people catching up to him.

"Hey, Harry!" Dean called out. Soon they were surrounded by Ron, Hermione, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Fred and George, and what remained of his old Quidditch team.

"Hi guys," Harry said awkwardly.

"Harry, what's up?" Ron asked as he caught up with him.

"I'm fine," Harry replied. "I just got a bit overwhelmed being in front of the entire school."

"They all want to see you," Fred said as he and George took turns shaking Harry's hand.

"Not now," Harry said, smiling sadly. The last time he'd been at Hogwarts, half the school had believed he was the heir of Slytherin. What did they think of him now?

"You can't hide from them forever," Hermione said sagely.

"I know," Harry said. "Just give me time."

"Hi Harry," Katie Bell greeted, and she and Alicia Spinnet gave him a kiss on the forehead. Tom raised his eyebrows.

"Who's the cutie?" Angelina Johnson asked, eyeing Tom. "Jealous, is he?"

"He's my friend Tom," Harry explained as he shook hands with Seamus and received a small hug from Neville. He wasn't sure if it was wise to reveal Tom's last name. Did anyone else besides Ron and Hermione know who Tom really was?

And then Angelina gave Tom a quick kiss on the cheek. Tom gawked at her, bewildered.

"You're welcome," Angelina said when Tom failed to uttered a single word. Ron and Hermione watched nervously, but when Harry started laughing, it spread throughout the little group. Only Tom didn't laugh.

"Hello Harry," said a dreamy voice. Luna Lovegood appeared, seemingly drifting between Fred and George.

"Hi Luna," Harry said while the other Gryffindors stared at Luna curiously.

"I thought I saw you and Tom running down here," Luna said. She turned to Tom. "I sent a letter to my father. There should be a remedy available for Blibbering Humdingers."

"A what?" Seamus whispered, staring at Luna. Katie and Alicia were giggling. Hermione covered her face with a single hand. Tom, however, didn't notice the looks on their faces.

"Then the problem will be solved soon, hopefully," Tom said seriously. "Have you located any Crumple-Horned Snorkacks?" The surprised looks turned to Tom. Fred and George were trying their best not to laugh.

"No, none yet," Luna said. "Maybe they come out at night, although I don't remember father saying they do. Maybe they're just shy."

"Your father does research on them?"

"Oh yes," Luna said happily. "He keeps an eye out for them. His research can be found in The Quibbler."

"He has his own periodicals? Do you have a copy, by any chance?"

"Oh yes!" Luna said, practically glowing. She rummaged through her backpack, looking sweetly innocent, Harry thought. "I always carry a couple of copies with me - here!"

"What the heck does a Crumple-Horned Snorkack look like?" Seamus said. Tom glanced at him, surprised.

"Someone's coming," Harry announced, watching Tom amusedly. Harry pulled out his Invisibility Cloak from his pocket and threw it over himself and Tom.

"I'll see you later," Harry said to his friends, and grabbing Tom's hand again, he ran deeper into the corridor.

"That's the second idiot I've met who doesn't know what a Crumple-Horned Snorkack is," Tom said when they were far away.

Harry grinned widely. He tried not to laugh. "That's because they don't exist."

Tom's eyes narrowed. "Don't exist?" he repeated, rounding on Harry. He grabbed Harry by the collar, shaking him. "You let me embarrass myself and never bothered to tell me this until now?"

"Well, you're cute when you're pretending that you understand something you don't even know about," Harry said, laughing.

"And how do we know they really don't exist?" Tom challenged. "Maybe they are a new species that Luna's father has discovered! You saw the Tchea fruit; there are strange new plants and creatures cropping up on this planet! Luna's father is studying them. It explains why not everyone has heard of them."

"Fair point," Harry said, looking back. His friends were surrounded by new students. "They probably wanted to ask me a million questions. Poor them. I hope they won't be late for their classes."

"We've got a lesson as well," Tom reminded him. Harry turned around, startling Tom with a deep kiss. Wrapping his arms around Tom, Harry realized that this was the first time in the past few days that they had shared a kiss. It felt right to kiss him just then, what with them invisible to everyone in the school while standing in the deserted corridor.

Tom still looked surprised when Harry pulled away.

"Let's go," Harry said, blushing and smiling vaguely as he led Tom to an empty classroom. It didn't look like it had been used for many years. All the student desks were pushed to the side, leaving a wide space in the center ideal for training.

"This is perfect," Tom said, pulling off the Cloak. "I need your wand for one moment."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"I have to lock the door," Tom explained, "lest someone walks in on us while I'm training you."

Harry didn't ask any more questions, although he continued watching Tom.

"Why do I get the feeling that you're going to be doing something different today?" Harry said as Tom summoned two chairs and placed them side by side.

"It's time to train you to use your unique ability," Tom said.

"You mean my power of love?" Harry asked, rolling his eyes and grinning.

Tom raised his eyebrows. "Yes, your power of love," he replied, unable to resist returning the grin. He got up and browsed through the room, eventually producing a small cardboard box. From the faded colors, Harry deduced that it was an old candy box.

"What a mess," Tom said under his breath. "The house-elves never clean this room."

"Oh, there are house-elves here too?" Harry said. He was suddenly reminded of Dobby.

"You never knew that?" Tom stared at Harry. "How else do we get our meals in the Great Hall?"

"Um, magic?" Harry replied. Tom resisted the urge to throw an insult.

"Anyhow," he said after setting the box a few feet from them, "I want you to recite the four basic principals Adalbert Waffling outlines in Magical Theory."

"Intention, concentration, incantation, and energy," Harry said confidently. "You must have a purpose, an intention for your spell. Concentrate or the spell will fail. Every spell requires an incantation. You need energy, the most complicated of the four to master. And I guess we'll be working on the energy part again."

"Very good," Tom said. "We release energy all the time, in many ways, may it be a physical action, a thought, or an emotion. From what I understand, the amount of love inside you is so intense it can produce vast amounts of energy. You should learn how to use it.

"You know the Summoning Spell?"

"Of course," Harry said. "You taught that to me long ago."

"Think back on how you prepare yourself for the spell," Tom continued. "Then, when you're ready, summon the box without your wand."

Harry turned to the box. He concentrated, thinking hard that he wanted to have the box in his hand. Stretching out his hand, Harry muttered, "Accio." Nothing happened.

"Think of me," Tom instructed.

Harry obeyed. It was hard. He tried to think of Tom without breaking his concentration. How did he do it back in Pyrites's laboratory?

Don't think of Pyrites, Harry chastised himself. You're losing your concentration!

He thought only of the kiss they shared in the corridor...the feel of Tom's lips on his own...Tom's dark handsome eyes...his smile...his laughter...the tranquility on his face as he slept...Tom tortured, making the strange noises as he had convulsions...oh, Merlin, he never wanted to see Tom in pain...

The box flew out several inches and fell to the floor.

"Not bad," Tom said. He picked up the box and placed it back on the desk. "Next time try to get it to land in your hand."

"Why is it necessary for me to learn this?" Harry asked, yawning.

"So that if you face my wonderful older self without a wand, you can still fight him," Tom explained, running his fingers up and down Harry's wand.

"Are you sure it's not some nefarious plan so you can take my wand?" Harry teased.

"I'm sure," Tom said. His lips curled. "I must say, however, that the two wands you've possessed respond remarkable well to me. Not all wands will yield the same result."

"Oh," Harry said, his eyes widening. "You don't know this, but your old wand's core came from the same phoenix in this wand and my old one."

"Really?" Tom said, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes. Professor Dumbledore's phoenix Fawkes gave its feathers only to our wands. Ollivander told me."

Tom's face changed from being surprised to looking confused. "What an idiot, that Dumbledore," he said. "If that loon knows that we shared the same wand core, then your wand is useless against my older self!"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Wands that share a common core repel each other, much like facing two like-charged magnets!" Tom snorted. "What was he thinking?"

"Maybe he did it for a reason," Harry spoke after thinking about the matter. "He knows that you'll figure it out eventually, and he knows about my ability, so maybe he's pushing me to study magic without my wand!" He shifted forward in his seat. "And once I can do magic without my wand, I won't be needing it any longer! You can have it! I think he's a genius!"

"Yes, Dumbledore is ever so generous," Tom said sarcastically.

"I thought it was a good theory," Harry said, disheartened.

"Doesn't matter what his intention is," Tom said firmly. "The point is that you must learn to control your ability so you can murder my older self!"

Silence followed.

"Tom...you want me to...kill - but he's you! I would be killing a part of you!"

"Does it look like I care?" Tom said venomously. "I don't tolerate anyone who tries to harm me, not even myself."

You harmed yourself by making so many Horcruxes, Harry thought. He didn't want to think about killing Lord Voldemort. It didn't matter that he tormented his younger self and Harry; he was still Tom...the boy Harry cared for so much.

"Try it again," Tom said, indicating the box.

Harry concentrated hard on the box. He didn't want to hurt Tom...was there a way to put the pieces back together? There had to be. But what if Tom didn't want to be whole again?

Oh Tom...his soft voice in the middle of the night...the way he hands moved over Harry's as he taught him how to move his wand for a spell...vulnerable, needing to be fed...his trembling, his pain...losing his mother...crying in the dark, lonely room of the orphanage...eating heartedly while Ron and Hermione stared at him...

...their laughter, smiles, hugs...battling mountain trolls...Ron and Hermione...

The box zoomed through the air and hit Harry's shoulder.

"Good, if you could catch it," Tom said.

"I had a hard time," Harry panted. He was so tired...another cup of coffee would be nice right now... "Thinking of Ron and Hermione helped."

"I see," Tom said coolly. He threw the box on the desk. "Try it again! And think only of me!"

Harry laughed. "There are many people that I love," he said.

Ignoring the look on Tom's face, Harry concentrated once more.

He was taken back to when he first spoke with Ron on the train...it seemed so long ago...their whispered conversations before they went to bed...the rude words they wrote about Professor Snape in their textbooks...Harry laughed...his parents were waving from an enchanted mirror...Professor Dumbledore was speaking gently to him in the school's hospital...he was in Transfiguration class with Ron, desperately trying to figure out how to master the spell while Ron's broken wand emitted sparks...

"Harry," said Tom's voice...his voice, how Harry enjoyed the sound of his name coming from Tom's lips...how Tom firmly holds his hand...

Harry staggered. The box whizzed into the palm of his hand and clattered on the floor; Harry was too late to catch it, but he had succeeded getting the box to come to his hand.

However, he was exhausted.

"Harry?" Tom asked again, and seconds later, he grabbed Harry before he hit the ground.

***

"He's asleep," Tom sighed under his breath. He magicked two desks side by side, dragged Harry towards them, and laid Harry down. He sat next to the desks, thinking. Harry was using too much energy, and Tom couldn't afford to keep stopping just to let the boy nap. There were new lessons they had to cover.

He'll be able to control his energy in time, Tom assured himself. Waving Harry's wand, a glass of orange juice appeared in the empty space next to Harry. Tom took the glass, set it aside, and waited until Harry woke up. Until Harry could use magic without consuming all of his energy supply, Tom would have to keep feeding him.

He read through The Quibbler while he waited. Disappointment greeted him with every new page. It was no wonder the wizarding world wasn't buzzing with talk over the Snorkacks. The presentation of the magazine was pitiful! It was printed on cheap paper, the writing was unprofessional, and the illustrations were embarrassing. Who could take such a magazine seriously?

But this didn't make sense to Tom. Discoveries were always being made. The Muggle world had altered so much over the past fifty years; why wasn't the magical world advancing?

Narrow minds, of course! Tom mentally answered. Even if these documented creatures are all an infringement of imagination, there is always some fact in fiction. There is something out there the wizarding world doesn't know!

His fingers scratched a badly drawn caricature of Professor Dumbledore. There was another matter at stake. I mustn't lose my credibility! I have to prove to the world these creatures and plants exist, and then no one will ever doubt my intelligence!

Harry gently snored nearby.

We'll see who gets the last laugh!

***

Ron tossed his backpack across the Gryffindor common room. He didn't feel like studying, but Hermione had gone to the library to bring back more books to help them with their Potions homework. Ron made a face. He wished Hermione could just let him copy her homework; he wanted to go see Harry. Going to classes without Harry was just as bad as ever. He missed partnering up with Harry and struggling with their assignments together. Harry's company always made up for the bad grades. Although he enjoyed Hermione's company, it just wasn't the same as when he was with Harry.

"Are the rumors true, do you think?"

"I dunno."

"But you saw that boy he's with. They're always together."

Ron craned his neck and located where the whispers were coming from. Seamus, Dean, and Neville were sitting together on one of the tables while poring over their homework.

"Who are you talking about?" Ron asked, although he already knew the answer. He sat next to Dean.

"Harry," Seamus replied. "Why isn't he taking classes with us? Who is that kid he's always with anyway?"

"Harry has other things to do," Ron replied. "And that guy is Harry's friend. He told you, remember?"

"Yeah, but what kind of friend?"

Ron didn't like the tone in Seamus's voice. "What does it matter to you?" Ron challenged.

"I...saw them kissing the other day," Dean spoke up. He seemed to have been holding that information until now.

Seamus rounded on Dean. "And?"

Dean hesitated. "It was a little odd at first. I mean, I'm not used to seeing two guys kiss...but it's not that bad." He shrugged. "They like each other. So what?"

"One of my uncles is the same," Neville piped up. "I don't see what the big deal is."

"The big deal is that it's the famous Harry Potter," Seamus said, laughing. "What d'you reckon would be the reaction from the Daily Prophet if they learned that The Boy Who Lived is a pansy?"

"Shut up!" Ron snapped, glaring at Seamus.

"You don't like Riddle!" Seamus argued.

"That doesn't mean I hate Harry too!" Ron said hotly. "It doesn't change who he is! You don't have a go at my best friend!"

"Don't tell me what to do," Seamus retorted.

"I still don't see what the big deal is," Neville cut in. "I think you're just being narrow-minded."

Dean nodded his agreement. "They're in love. So what? I wouldn't mind having someone in my life..."

"Thank you, Neville, Dean," Ron said, grateful that they spoke up. Ignoring Seamus, he got up from his seat, collected his backpack, and left the common room without a glance back.

He saw Hermione halfway down the stairs.

"Ron, what -"

"Later, Hermione," Ron said, pulling her sleeve. He told her everything as they continued descending the stairs.

"Well, that isn't surprising," Hermione said. "You've heard Malfoy and his goons spreading rumors about Harry ever since they came back. And if more people like Dean caught them together..."

"We have to tell Harry to be careful."

"Be careful?" Hermione said incredulously. "Of what? He can't even give someone a peck on the cheek now?" They passed two older students who had held hands. "It's like telling him he cannot live like other people because he is not normal."

"You're right," Ron mumbled, feeling terrible. "That just isn't fair." He wished, not for the first time since Harry's return, that he could understand what being gay was like and know how to handle it better. Why couldn't one of his brothers have also been gay? Then he wouldn't feel so uneasy about it. He was conscious of everything that he said around Harry because he didn't want to offend him.

"You're not going to offend me," Harry had said, rolling his eyes and smiling.

"What if one day we're talking about something, and I say 'that's so gay!' in front of you?" Ron had asked.

"Since when have you ever said that?"

"I dunno."

"See?" Harry had laughed. "You never said anything offensive around Dean and Lee. This is the same thing. Stop worrying about it."

I can't help it, Ron thought miserably, remembering their conversation. "Let's find him," Ron said to Hermione.

They found Harry sitting outside on one of the rock benches. He was leaning against the wall, his eyes glazed over.

"Hey, mate, are you okay?" Ron asked.

"Yeah," Harry murmured. He gave a monumental yawn. "I'm...so...tired all the time!"

"Here," Hermione said as she sat next to him. She unwrapped a sandwich she had tucked into her backpack and handed it to Harry. "You need to replenish your energy."

"That's all I ever seem to do these days," Harry sighed. "Eat, sleep, talk with Professor Dumbledore, train to use my 'greatest power'..."

"At least you're not just eating and sleeping," Ron said, grinning.

"Ron's right," Hermione said. "You're progressing at an amazing rate." She wasn't bluffing. When they were not in class, Ron and Hermione had periodically come to watch Harry train. The sight of Harry withered and convulsing as he tried to tap into his powers, Tom yelling at him all the while, was terrifying at times. Once or twice Tom got so violent that Ron and Hermione had to pull Tom away from Harry.

"Well, it's not the easiest thing to do, you know!" Harry had yelled at Tom after recovering.

But then there were times when they witnessed Harry casting extraordinarily complex magic effortlessly without any aid from a wand.

Harry had also been visiting Professor Dumbledore; Tom reluctantly came along. In his office, Tom and Harry learned what Lord Voldemort had been up to after turning the diary into a Horcrux. Tom listened attentively, although he never looked at Professor Dumbledore. He was determined to destroy his older self, something that Harry found disturbing and frightening.

"Where is that git?" Ron asked as though he had read Harry's mind. He looked around. "He shouldn't be alone!"

"Oh, I'm not too worried," Harry said, grinning.

"Why not?"

"Because there's another person out there who can keep him in check," Harry explained, pointing. A good distance away they could make out the forms of Tom and Luna walking side by side.

"Ever since I told him that Crumple-Horned Snorkacks don't exist, he's been determined to prove me wrong," Harry said, laughing. He got up, suddenly looking more energetic than earlier. "But that's not the only thing. I think he's found a friend in Luna. That means a lot to me. From his behavior towards everyone since we came here, I was worried his heart was closed off to everyone except me."

He looked at Ron and Hermione. "I worked so hard to teach him love that I didn't stop to think that he might only be capable of liking one person. Maybe he can have someone else in his life besides me - a friend. No offense, but he doesn't like either of you."

"The feeling's mutual," Ron said. Harry smiled sadly.

"I don't like her," Hermione said, glaring at Luna. "I've been asking around, and she seems to be the most gullible person I've ever heard of! She believes in every conspiracy theory and hoax ever dreamed up!"

"She's not that bad," Harry said. "She has wild theories, but Tom may be right. Maybe her family is on to something."

"Well, I just hope he doesn't taint her mind," Hermione said, watching them disdainfully.

"He won't," Harry said. "He's no match for her!" He led the way towards the two. It was apparent that there was an argument, or rather, Tom was desperately trying to worm information out of Luna.

"And no one has ever sent a photograph of a Crumple-Horned Snorkack?" Tom was saying, waving his copy of The Quibbler in the air. "Only illustrations?"

"Well, they don't like being photographed," Luna said calmly. "They think it captures their soul."

Tom snorted. "Well, what do they eat? What's their normal diet like?" He caught sight of Harry and his friends. "I'll show you," he said in a soft yet dangerous voice.

"That's nice, dear," Harry said, giving him a quick peck on the lips. Luna smiled, watching them.

"Are they practicing over there?" Harry asked as he glanced out towards the Quidditch Pitch.

"I think so," Ron said, squinting. "They're not Slytherins."

"Good," Harry said happily. "I can't stand Slytherins."

Tom snorted. "You spent a good part of your summer with two of them, one being Slytherin's heir," he reminded Harry.

Luna observed Tom curiously. "You're Slytherin's descendent?" she asked. "Rowena Ravenclaw is -"

"Probably residing in your house as some freakish dodo bird," Hermione muttered irritably, but Luna heard her.

"Let's get going," Harry said before Luna could speak up.

"Last time we were near a Quidditch pitch, we spent a fortnight being tortured and treated like specimens," Tom said.

Harry frowned. "It doesn't hurt to look," he said defensively. "And there aren't any Death Eaters around." He turned to Ron and Hermione. "How's our team doing?"

"Not good," Ron said after hesitating. "Our new Seeker...well, he's just isn't up on the same level you were, Harry."

"So we lost the Quidditch cup last year?" Harry asked, disheartened.

"Slytherin would have won," Ron said, "had it not been for the Ravenclaw team." He grinned. "That new Ravenclaw Seeker...she's really something."

"I really like Cho Chang," Luna spoke up. "She's very kind, but she sometimes lets her emotions govern her actions."

"That must be her," Harry said while searching the sky. He could see a figure in blue robes whirling through the sky; a yellow blur was flying close behind. "I think they're practicing with the Hufflepuffs."

"Oh, that must be Cedric Diggory," Luna said. "His family lives close to my house. He's very nice."

"And he's a prefect," Hermione said brightly. Ron groaned. "You have a problem with that? You like Cho..."

"And you like Riddle too!" Ron snapped. Hermione's face burned, but she glared at Ron.

Harry laughed; Tom just rolled his eyes.

"I'll introduce you to them," Luna offered. Harry followed her, practically dragging Tom with him.

The two Seekers had landed and dismounted, meeting up with their fellow teammates. Harry noticed that the two Seekers briefly held hands and gave each other an affectionate look.

"Hello Cho, hello Cedric," Luna greeted dreamily as she drifted towards the couple. "Harry is interested in meeting you."

"Harry?" Cho asked, looking a confused at first. Then her eyes fell on Harry. "Oh!"

"This is Harry Potter," Luna introduced unnecessarily, lightly waving her arm towards Harry. The rest of the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff team had gathered around, watching Harry curiously and chattering amongst themselves. "Harry, this is Cho Chang."

"Hi," Harry said, wishing everyone weren't starting at him. "You fly very well."

"Thank you," Cho said, smiling. She was extremely beautiful; Harry's eyes traced down her long, smooth hair.

"And this is Cedric Diggory."

"Nice to meet you," Cedric said, averting Harry's attention. "I remember when you were a Seeker in your first and second years. You're the best Seeker I've ever seen outside of the Leagues." He smiled, and Harry felt his face turn red.

"Um...thanks," he said, and he suddenly couldn't help but notice that Cedric was very handsome when he smiled.

***

"I don't like him," Tom said flatly.

"Tom..." Harry sighed, pushing his roll of parchment farther from him before beginning a new line. "Just drop it, will you?"

"You blushed over him," Tom spat. He had been staring down Harry's shoulder, watching him intently.

"So?"

"He's obviously targeting you," Tom said scathingly, his eyes flashing red. "Be wary of walking alone in corridors. He could be waiting in the shadows, ready to -"

"TOM!"

"Admit it, you think he's handsome!" said Tom angrily.

"Fine, I think he's good looking," Harry said. "I also think Cho is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen." This rendered Tom speechless.

"Cho too?" he said, his teeth clenched.

"Yes, Cho," Harry said, amused. He turned around so that Tom wouldn't see the smirk on his face. "I think it's her hair. Apparently I am attracted to dark hair."

"Cedric's hair is much lighter than mine," Tom announced triumphantly.

Harry guffawed. "Merlin! Tom, you kill me sometimes!" Spinning around, he surprised Tom with another deep kiss. "Listen," Harry said in Tom's ear, ruffling his hair. "I rather like the old-fashioned look, so don't try changing yourself, got that?" He turned back to his work. "Besides, I like you for many more reasons than your looks, you idiot."

Fortunately, Tom calmed down that night, but in the days that followed Harry found himself fretting over Tom doing something dreadful. He seemed to show up out of nowhere whenever Cedric went to chat with Harry, and he didn't bother keeping his distaste for Cedric private.

"What's up with him?" Cho had once asked.

"He's...just a little loony," Harry said.

"He's cute though," Cho added, winking. Harry grinned. There didn't seem to be any girl who did not enjoy admiring Tom from afar. Harry had even caught Millicent Bulstrode patting her hair while watching him haughtily pass by.

While Harry enjoyed the attention he was receiving from Cedric and Cho, Tom abhorred every single girl who batted her eyelashes at him. The only girls he seemed to tolerate were Luna and Hermione, who were usually seen walking by his side.

"I hate girls," Tom hissed to Harry. "All of them. They're just shallow packets of untamable hormones."

"They're more complex than you think," Ron said defensively. "You haven't met Mum, and you haven't been around Hermione long enough."

"Does it matter?" Tom spat at Ron. "They're all the same."

"Even Luna?" Harry asked.

"She's different," Tom said automatically. "Very different, actually."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I wish more girls thought I'm attractive," he said. "They know who you are, Tom, and they still like you." Thanks to Malfoy and his goons spreading rumors, Tom's true identity was well known throughout the wizarding world. Even if the girls thought him extremely handsome, they wouldn't go near him. His name was smeared in the mud, and it worried Harry that someone could hurt Tom since he was without a wand.

I really should master my powers, Harry thought. He needs my wand.

***

"All right, Harry?" Colin Creevey greeted breathlessly one day.

"Hi," Harry said. He eyed the camera around Colin's neck.

"I wanted to give this to you," he said, pulling out a photo from his robes. "I gave one to Ron a while back, but I found another one!"

Curious, Harry took the photo, and his stomach lurched. It was a photo of Ginny, smiling and waving shyly at the camera. It seemed like Colin had taken the photo while they were on their way to class. Behind Ginny was a large spectacular stained glass window.

"I really like that window," Colin said, "and I asked Ginny if she wanted her picture taken with it. It's up on the seventh floor, nearing the Divination classroom. I thought you might like it."

Deep inside, Harry felt too miserable and guilty to have this photo with him; Ginny's smile will only ever exist in pictures, never in real life...

"Thanks, Colin," Harry said, trying to keep his voice light.

Colin beamed. He watched Harry walk away, and suddenly he grabbing his camera and took a couple of snapshots. He simply couldn't resist!

"Hey, Harry," Colin called out. "Is it true about you...having a boyfriend?" He could see Harry wince from where he stood.

"Yeah," Harry replied flatly, turning his around to face Colin.

"I support you," Colin said enthusiastically. "I never knew people like that existed -" Harry's eyebrows shot up "- but I don't think it's bad!" Harry had a sneaking suspicion Colin was only supportive because of his fame. "Oh, and Harry! My little brother started this year! He's in Gryffindor too! I'll introduce you to him some day!"

"Thanks, Colin," Harry said, smiling mechanically, eager to finally get away.

Colin checked out the image slowly forming on the Polaroid's black surface while walking, unaware of where he was going.

"What do you think you're doing?" Colin halted at the demanding voice. He spun around and saw Tom Riddle.

"You must be Harry's boyfriend!" Colin said cheerfully. "I was just talking with him."

"I saw," Tom said. "I don't want you ever doing that." The malicious look in his eyes sent goosebumps up Colin's arm.

Harry's boyfriend is really...intimidating, Colin thought innocently.

"Let me have that," Tom suddenly said, and he snatched the two photographs from Colin's hand. "Pictures...how many more do you have?"

Before Colin could answer, Tom grabbed Colin's backpack, unzipping it in the process. Pools of photos littered the floor. Crouching down, he observed each of them.

"They're all of Harry," Tom said in a voice that terrified Colin. "This one must have been from his second year...my, my...you have been busy stalking Harry this year..." He stood up, and Colin tried to smile. It seemed like Tom was suddenly much bigger than he really was.

"Would you like one of them?" Colin asked timidly.

Tom didn't respond. Instead, he grabbed Colin and lifted him high in the air.

"What the hell? Put him down!" a voice demanded, knocking sense back to Tom. He was just about to fling the trembling boy from the banister. He met the student's eyes, and realizing that if Professor Dumbledore was informed, there would be no hearing. It would be straight to Azkaban with him.

Tom let go, and Colin crashed to the ground over the pile of photos.

"This is none of your business!" Tom told the boy. He had blonde hair, a Hufflepuff by the looks of him, and he held himself in a way that irritated Tom.

"I don't think Professor Dumbledore would like it if he knew that you killed one of his students," the boy said snobbishly. "You've already got a case on your head, don't you?"

Tom's eyes narrowed.

"Scram, kid," the boy said to Colin before turning back to Tom. "I think I'll tell the headmaster anyway."

"Don't you dare!" Tom hissed, but before he could strike, the boy whipped out his wand. Gold sparks flew out from the tip.

"You're without a wand," he said, smirking. "You're powerless without one. You don't scare me."

And with that, the boy left.

Who does that bastard think he is? Tom wondered, his lips quivering in anger.

***

Who does that bastard think he is? Zacharias Smith thought. The Gryffindor kid in front of him was still trembling as he ran down the stairs. He's the dark lord? Ha! What a laugh!

Zacharias yawned, and his thoughts drifted to what he will have for dinner later tonight.

***

"Tom! What the hell were you thinking?" Harry shrieked at him.

"Colin has been obsessively taking pictures of you whenever you were within his range," Tom said, his arms folded as he lay back on the sofa. "That annoyed me."

"Annoyed you?"

"Pity he's still breathing," Tom muttered to himself.

"Tom!" Harry collapsed next to Tom. "Tom..." Harry said in a gentler tone, "you have to understand this. There are a lot of people like Colin out there. They obsess over me. I've been something like an icon to them ever since I was a baby."

"You don't like it," Tom said pointedly. "You always hate it when people look at your scar!"

"Right, I don't like it," Harry agreed. "I never liked my fame, but it's something you have to get used to. I don't want you going around attempting murder just because people have pictures of me."

Harry sighed. "You really didn't like it, did you? Seeing Colin with dozens of pictures of me..."

"It was more than dozens," Tom retorted. "More like close to a hundred."

Harry looked at Tom's face accusingly.

"I didn't keep the ones where you looked like a monkey," Tom replied after a pause.

Harry sighed. "There's a war going on. People are dying every day, and here you are getting jealous because some fan has taken pictures of your boyfriend." When Tom didn't respond, Harry sighed again, shaking his head.

***

Luna skipped past students in the fifth floor hall, humming absentmindedly. The raindrops that had splattered on her dorm window this morning had made a strange little jingle, and Luna wished to memorize it.

"Luna!" someone called behind her. Luna guessed it was Harry, and sure enough, the boy had caught up with her, panting slightly.

"Hello Harry," Luna greeted. "You sound troubled."

"Yeah," Harry said distractedly. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyebrows furrowed, and his lips partially opened. Luna wondered what was making him so anxious. "Listen...Tom likes your company."

"He is an interesting individual," Luna said dreamily. "But he needs to learn to control his temper more. He's like Cho Chang, in a way."

"Right," Harry said hurriedly. "Luna, I need to ask you a favor-"

"Hey, look!" a drawling voice carried over. Harry groaned while Luna searched for the source. A pale boy with a pointy, rat-like face and a rather unsightly expression was approaching them, accompanied by two larger boys. To Luna, the two boys looked like large hairy boulders.

Harry grabbed Luna's hand.

"Let's go," he whispered in Luna ear, his breath blowing strands of blonde hair against Luna's ear. She liked the feeling, but now didn't seem the appropriate time to mull over such sensation.

"Oooo, look at Potter turning away," the boy snickered to his friends. "And he's holding a girl's hand! You're not fooling anyone, queer!"

Luna didn't like the tone of his voice, and she was about to speak when Harry cut in.

"What do you want, Malfoy?"

"Just thought I'd see what this fairy was up to," Malfoy laughed. "Shouldn't you be on your knees in front of your boyfriend right now?"

Luna's eyes widened, and she turned to Harry.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Harry spat back sarcastically. "I think I'll go get my boyfriend right now to meet you. I'm sure Lord Voldemort would love to hear you calling him a queer!" The three boys flinched at the name. "That's right," Harry said. "I know all your fathers support him. Go and tell the Dark Lord he's a little fairy if you're so brave, or tell his younger self who's right here at Hogwarts and unstable as ever. I don't think the Killing Curse alone will suffice in your case."

Malfoy struggled for a good retort.

"Scared?"

Malfoy didn't respond, but he turned to his friends and said, "Let's go." They left.

Luna kept watching Harry, who was shaking with anger; she didn't understand...

"What's so wrong about being a fairy?" she asked.

Harry stared at her. "Luna...that's not a nice thing to call someone."

"Even if they are of Fae blood?" she asked, cocking her head to one side.

"Fae?" Harry repeated, bemused. "No, not Fae. Fairy, as in gay."

Luna shrugged. "My father says there shouldn't be words to distinguish one's preference from another's. There isn't enough love in this world, and magic kind and Muggles alike spend more time hating what others love rather than focusing on what they love."

"I like your father," Harry said. "Did he...ever like a guy?"

"I believe my mother was a woman," Luna said in all seriousness. "I don't think a guy would be able to give birth."

"Well, that's good..." Harry paused, and then the laughter came. Luna believed in so many wild things, but underneath the zany theories and eccentric appearance was a wise young lady. "I needed that. Thanks, Luna. I almost forgot why I came to you."

"Tom Riddle," Luna reminded him.

"Oh, yeah..."

"He murdered Ginny Weasley," Luna said suddenly.

"Yeah," Harry said, checking to make sure no one was listening. "Luna, I trust you with this information. Tom personally killed Ginny in the Chamber of Secrets, but no one must know the truth. He has a court case this February, and I need him to stay out of Azkaban. He mustn't leave my side. I wasn't kidding when I said he is unstable."

"Why must he stay out of Azkaban, Harry?"

"Because only I can control him," Harry said. "No...you can control him too, if you try. He likes you" - although he thinks you're a little weird, Harry added in his mind - "and you don't know how extraordinary that is." His heart ached with the next words he spoke. "Luna, you have to know this. Tom has trouble developing connections with other people. He can't feel love for many people; I taught him love, but he only seems responsive to me. He doesn't even like Ron and Hermione! He can't live in this society like a normal person. He could hurt everyone! I need you to be by him to control his emotions because I can't be there all the time. I need you, Luna."

"Of course, Harry," she said, smiling. "We're going to be discussing my father's latest articles this afternoon."

Thank Merlin for The Quibbler, Harry thought.

***

Tom detested Hogwarts. It was once the only place he called home, but it had now become his prison. Everyone knew his true identity; the bloody Daily Prophet and the Death Eaters' children made sure of that. Everywhere he went conversations hushed, and people stared at him as though he were about to kill everyone in the room.

He sometimes wished he could kill them, but one step out of line meant he would automatically be sent to Azkaban. The blonde Hufflepuff must have kept his word about telling Professor Dumbledore because the old man followed him around, appearing at every corner, demanding to know what he was doing. It was Tom's fifth year all over again.

He was thankful for having Luna for company. Ironically, the strange girl was the sanest student in this asylum. Hermione often tagged along; despite her obvious crush on him, Hermione wasn't nearly as annoying as the other girls.

"What are you doing?" Hermione hissed at Luna. The two girls were sitting at the same table as Tom. They had no other choice but to sit together. Tom couldn't even enter the school library without two escorts to keep him away from the Restricted Section.

Damn you, Dumbledore, Tom thought as he flipped a page, a notebook and quill Luna had leant him in front of him. The time he spent not training Harry was dedicated to preparing for the upcoming hearing.

"I'm sketching what the Pegustral looks like," Luna explained calmly. Two books sat open in front of her. Items from her backpack were spilled all over the table while Hermione's side was organized and the books neatly stacked on top of each other.

"A what?" Hermione hissed. Tom was finding Hermione's irritated tone grating on his nerves.

"Pegustral," Luna repeated. "They are the offspring of Thestrals and the Abraxan winged horse."

"Pegustrals don't exist!"

"Oh yes they do."

"Then where can we find them?"

"They are invisible, like the Thestrals. They visit us in our dreams, and they give us protection from nightmares. We never die in nightmares because the Pegustrals pull us back to the real world."

Hermione snorted so loudly a few nearby students jumped. Tom sighed loudly, but neither girl took notice of him.

"That's just ridiculous!" Hermione said angrily. "That's a stupid theory! You don't have any proof of their existence!"

"But they do exist!" Luna insisted. Her voice was quickly losing its dreamy tone, and a hint of anger was creeping in. "You're just too narrow-minded to accept -"

"I'm narrow-minded? You belong in a loony bin! Do you know what other people have been saying about you?"

"ENOUGH!" Tom slammed the book he was holding hard on the table, startling the two girls. All the students in the vicinity stared at Tom, afraid to move. Madam Pince's face appeared behind a bookshelf, but upon seeing Tom, she didn't take another step.

"Listen," Tom addressed Hermione first, "you really are one of the brightest witches currently enrolled at Hogwarts, but you have to be more open to the possibility of new discoveries."

"But her theories are mad -"

"You would be called mad too if you told people in the fourteenth century that the world was round!" Tom shot back. "In the seventeenth century, the Queen would have ordered you to be put in prison if you claimed that the cause of diseases was not demons but microscopic parasites!"

Hermione blinked, stunned.

"You see my point, Granger? And you" - Tom then turned to Luna - "your faith is both incredible and admirable. You possess the same frame of mind as those who've revolutionized the world, but please don't just blindly accept every single piece of information that passes under your nose! You will not amount to anything if you do not further explore these hypotheses!"

Hermione and Luna both opened their mouths, but Tom didn't give them any chance.

"Shut up! Both of you!" Tom cried. "I don't want to hear any more from you until you both gain a little more sense!"

He grabbed the notebook and quill, threw the books at Hermione's direction, and stormed off. Tears were trailing down Hermione's pink cheeks while Luna just stared ahead, her eyebrows disappearing behind her straggly bangs. The students continued to stare at them before, thankfully, finally going back to their activities.

Clearing her throat, Madam Pince approached the two girls and said, "If damage was done to any of my books, you will pay the fine."

***

"Stupid bitches," Tom grumbled as he passed hallways with no destination in mind. He stopped when he reached the stairs and decided to go find Harry. The little brat was probably off with Ron and some of his friends.

If Cedric is anywhere near him, there will be murder tonight! he thought, desperate for a fight with the Hufflepuff. Everyone loved Cedric Diggory. He was popular, a Prefect, handsome...he was taking up the same spot Tom was in half a century ago...and Harry...Tom hated seeing Cedric speak with Harry, hated how Harry seemed to welcome his company...

"Tom!"

Tom turned around to see Harry running up to him, accompanied by Ron, Neville, and Dean.

"Tom, Professor Dumbledore needs to see us, I just got news." He paused. "Where's Luna? Weren't you supposed to be with her?"

"I just gave Lady Luna and Miss Granger a piece of my mind," Tom said arrogantly, glancing at the three boys behind Harry; Neville and Dean cast anxious looks at Tom while Ron glared at him. He walked past them, cutting between Neville and Dean.

"Should we go with you?" Ron asked Harry.

"Nah, you guys go ahead," Harry said, patting Ron's shoulder. "Make sure Hermione and Luna are all right."

"Okay," Ron said as Harry ran after Tom. "See ya, mate!"

"What does Dumbledore want to talk to us about now?" Tom said when Harry caught up with him. "Hasn't he already informed us of everything we needed to know about the first war?"

"I don't know what it's for," Harry said honestly. "We've met people from the Order of the Phoenix. Maybe he wants to recruit us for the Order."

"Don't be ridiculous," Tom said, rolling his eyes. "You're still considered too young, and he knows I'll never agree to work with him."

"Well...we'll find out soon, won't we?" Harry said as they came face to face with the large stone gargoyle.

"Piña Colada," Harry said, and the gargoyle moved aside. Tom raised his eyebrows at Harry. Smiling, Harry shrugged and ascended the stairs.

***

"You wanted to see us, Professor?" Harry asked when he and Tom entered.

"Yes, Harry," Professor Dumbledore said. "Please, take your usual seats."

They sat, as always, on the two chairs across from where Professor Dumbledore sat. Tea and biscuits were laid out before them, and in the middle of the desk sat a large stone basin.

Professor Dumbledore's eyes rested on Tom for a few moments before continuing. "What I am about to reveal to you tonight were the exact words of our Divination professor. It concerns you both."

He motioned to a large stone basin in front of him.

"Concerns us both?" Harry repeated. He caught Tom's eye.

"This news may affect your relationship," Professor Dumbledore gently warned Harry.

Tom and Harry shared another look, seemingly to communicate silently.

"We're ready," Harry said.

***

Not a single word was exchanged between Tom and Harry as they left Professor Dumbledore's office and made their back to their little home on the third floor. When Harry closed the door, they stood in awkward silence.

Finally, Harry took tentative steps towards Tom and gently wrapped his fingers around his throat.

"How would you like me to kill you?" Harry asked in a gentle voice, trying to keep his smile from faltering. Tom turned around; they stared at each other for the longest time. A nervous chuckle followed, and soon the two boys were laughing.

"I don't think the prophecy applies to us," Tom finally said with a wave of his hand. "We're immortal. We're both going to live, both going to survive. The man who marked you as his equal is another part of me; I wasn't the one who gave you that scar. I am not included in the prophecy."

"You don't think so?" Harry asked, relieved.

"I thought over it," Tom replied. "I'm positive about it. How can you destroy me? You saw the Killing Curse hit me several times!"

"But then that still means...I have to defeat Voldemort," Harry said gloomily.

"Then do it," Tom said conversationally. "I'll help you with it."

Harry's jaw dropped. "Tom...he's your-"

"We've been through this talk before," Tom interrupted firmly. "I have no attachment to that side of me. You're free to destroy him any way you like!"

"I'm not a murderer!" Harry declared.

Tom snorted. "Murder is not that difficult. Stop a man's heart from beating; there's nothing more to it. A simple spell can achieve that."

Harry just stared at Tom; the maniacal look in his friend's eyes was all too reminiscent of when they fought in the Chamber...

No, Harry thought to himself. Tom's not like that anymore. He's gaining a conscience...

"Can people ignore prophecies?" Harry asked. "Can't I just choose not to fulfill it?"

"So you're going to let the part of me who nearly drove us both to insanity just run free?" Tom raised an eyebrow. "You are pathetic, weak!"

Harry bit his lower lip. "Fine, I am weak," he said. "I refuse to fight. I'm not like you."

Harry's last words still bothered him as he slipped under the covers. The bedroom door was partially shut, but Harry listened as Tom moved around. When Harry heard the door to Tom's bedroom close, his lower lip trembled. The reality of everything he heard in Professor Dumbledore's office hit him hard at that moment.

I don't want to kill anyone, Harry thought, his eyes wide open. I don't want to take anyone's life away! Time passed, but he couldn't sleep.

Unbeknownst to him, Tom was also wide awake.

It was past midnight when the two boys sat up in their beds. Falling asleep was out of the question. They slipped out from their beds, Harry's blanket wrapped around himself. They each made for the door and pushed the door open at the same time.

"Oh!" Harry said. Tom just stared at him. "Are you having trouble sleeping too?"

"It appears so," Tom replied. Even in the dark, Harry could make out the faint smile on Tom's face.

Harry led Tom back to the tiny living room, neither sure of what to say. Harry settled down on the couch.

"I still have my blanket with me," Harry said, "if you want to sit down here too."

Tom took the offer, and Harry wrapped the blanket snugly around them both. He slid down the couch until he could comfortable rest his head on Tom's lap. He buried his face in Tom's stomach and wrapped his arms around his waist. Tom noted that Harry held him tighter than usual. He didn't comment on this while his fingers found themselves entangled in Harry's hair.

They stayed like this, never talking, both enjoying the tranquil silence. They didn't know how long it was before they fell asleep.