The Sun Sets Twice Again

Tom was hit with a sudden wave of sharp pain and just barely recovered enough in time to prevent himself from wincing or making some noise to show that anything was amiss. He took a slow, deep breath, trying to make the action subtle, and leaned back into the chair, still tense. When Tom looked up he saw the shadow of a smile on Harry's face, and the other boy's hand fell into his lap from where it had been pressed against the scar on his forehead. Tom connected the dots mentally: his anger caused Harry physical pain. Well, one prediction of his was correct, two actually, and weren't they just disturbing? Harry had discovered how to divert the pain onto Tom--or he did it instinctively; that was certainly interesting. And painful, it was also painful. Right; take care of that first, satisfy intellectual curiosity later. The pain, without a focus like Harry's scar, seemed to have diffused throughout Tom's entire body, settling into a low, dull ache-- the sort of pain he could make himself ignore.

Tom sighed. "I would repair that," he said, gesturing to the pieces of the...toy that had exploded, "but it's holiday and I'm not allowed to do magic."

It's the thought that counts. He managed to keep a straight face despite the mocking inner comment. He rather had an urge to laugh at all of this at the moment. Harry and himself and Dumbledore-- who knew more than he was implying and still looked far too pleased with himself-- all in this room in the middle of this conversation that sounded insane. Even when he was a part of it. And he had lost his temper! Tom couldn't even remember the last time that had happened in front of someone. No, he could, but he would rather not have that particular memory; devil-child indeed.

"What's wrong?"

The question came from Harry, who actually looked vaguely concerned. Wasn't that sweet?

Tom sneered. "Just..." He waved his hand in a dismissive manner. "...old memories, nothing more." He paused a moment, then continued. "It was common thought that I had to be some sort of devil-child to make things explode like I could. Stupid really, that sort of belief."

Keep your mouth shut! No comments on memories. No answering questions truthfully just because he asked. No more fucking show of emotions, Tom! He managed to straighten the look on his face once more.

"This is what I was warning about, Harry. Making toys explode is one thing, but what if we had done it in the Great Hall or while one of us was on a broom or some such thing. Little outbursts are dangerous now."

Harry laughed. It wasn't a humorous or light laugh, but low and derisive. "That's one thing the Dursleys never called me. Spawn of the devil, that is. Maybe because they knew the truth. Maybe just because they were afraid that one day the big, bad demons would swoop in and save me

Tom nodded in acknowledgement of the comment, but decided not to reply to it. He didn't want to talk about the orphanages and he seriously doubted that Harry cared to discuss the Muggles he was stuck with during summer holidays.

Harry spoke again. "What would it take to make the bond stable?"

Tom shrugged. "I'm not certain. There's never been a case like this before. Normally, the magic wants to become stable, it'll do what it can to create good will between the two wizards involved. I think that's what the bonds trying to do now, but it isn't possible. After all, you do want me dead."

The other boy ignored the last part of the statement. "So, it wants us to agree?"

"It wants us to come to a compromise, probably. I think that's why it's connecting our emotions and not just our magic."

"And as long as we argue things are going to explode?"

"Yes."

"So, we just ignore each other then. I don't talk to you or you to me and the problem's solved."

It was obvious from Harry's tone that he didn't even believe this, and so Tom refrained from actually sneering at the boy.

Damn self-delusional Gryffindor-- 'Let's ignore it, maybe it'll go away'-- and they're supposed to be brave.

"If that had the slightest possibility of working I would have suggested it already. No, we have to actually come to a point where you don't hate me."

"Professor Dumbledore?" Harry looked over at the old man for guidance.

Tom shook his head at this. He can't help that he's like this. This is just the sort of behaviour Dumbledore encourages. It's not his fault. Tom turned towards the Headmaster as well, waiting for the old man to depart some 'wisdom' on them.

Never to be one at a loss for words, Dumbledore did reply. "Magical bonds almost always attempt to make peace between the bonded, even if they were inflicted with ill-intentions."

Which is why any intelligent person doesn't cause them intentionally.

"If they're fought against they become dangerous to those they were cast on. A good example of this is love potions. If one of the party is unwilling the love potion will cause either the caster or the victim, sometimes both, to become completely obsessed with the other to the point where it actually becomes dangerous. That's why most love potions are considered Dark Arts."

Exactly why Dark Arts practitioners don't actually use them. They understand it tends to backfire, unlike the little idiotic light wizards prancing around without a good grasp of most the magic out there.

"So, despite the original intent of this bond, it will now attempt to soothe the animosity between Mr. Riddle and yourself."

Between? Yes, because I have the slightest animosity for a boy I don't even know! No, the entirety of ill-feelings is coming from the Gryffindor in this room. Not that Dumbledore will ever see that. Bloody favouritism.

Tom interrupted, deciding to actually comment before he wanted to make something explode just to shut the old man up. "Actually, sir, I feel no sort of animosity or dislike towards Harry. Just to inform you--after all it's important you're aware of all the actuality of the feelings in this situation and all, if you have any hope of rectifying it." He even managed a polite smile.

Dumbledore gave him a look that most likely could have silenced even the most disrespectful of students. Of course, Tom had plenty of respect for Dumbledore's abilities and position, so that wasn't the problem. He just didn't like the man. Tom returned the look with an expression that could only be interpreted as 'what?'.

Dumbledore continued speaking after a moment. "If you two," pointed look directed at Tom then, "continue to argue or fight the bond will only become more unstable, until it reaches a point in which it is dangerous, as Mr. Riddle has already suggested".

Obviously, it's not as if I'd be wrong about that. I am the one that can feel it best.

"We cannot allow this to happen, of course."

Of course, and when exactly did you become part of the solution?

"I can only suggest that you both come to a point where you can work together peaceably. The bond would be content with that. The only way you are going to manage to do that is if you discuss your issues, preferably in an environment in which it will be difficult for anyone to get hurt. I would be happy to supervise such a setting."

Oh, I'm certain you would. You'd probably also be happy if I declared all dark arts evil, joined Gryffindor, and devoted my life to becoming a servant of the people like your little golden boy here, but that's not going to happen either. Still, there's merit in the idea itself.

"A safe room, sir. What a good idea. You think by being isolated together to discuss our problems we would be able to work through them? Yes, that makes sense. Then Harry and I wouldn't have to worry about anyone being caught in the middle of this little situation of ours, or causing problems for the Professors or yourself. It's really nice that you'd be willing to do that for us, to give us a sort of mental refuge so that our abilities don't become out of control. Still, don't you think it'd be better if we could do it on our own time? And alone? So long as we promise to be civil to each other outside of the room, of course," Tom said, his tone holding only a small amount of sarcasm. He figured that sounding sincere would be a little too much, but grudging agreement would be perfect.

This could work. Tom knew now, after having an actual conversation with Harry-- or what amounted to one-- that the only way he had a chance of gaining the boy as an ally or, at the very least, losing him as an enemy, was to play upon their similarities. Unfortunately, that meant discussing his own past, which he certainly did not want to do in front of others, especially when others included Dumbledore. A safe room, one only Harry and he could access, would be useful for that, for privacy. Damn it, why couldn't Harry have been someone who understood a show of force? That would make things so much easier. Then again, if Harry was like that he probably wouldn't have an interest in befriending the boy, just using him. Not that he particular favoured being able to say, if Dumbledore asked, that he honestly had no desire to use the boy.

"What do you think, Harry? It'd mean that *if* there was another show of accidental magic before we come to a point where we are honestly okay with each other we wouldn't actually be in risk of hurting someone else, like Artemis, or, if it takes awhile, our school mates when class is back in session."

"We'd just talk in the room? Until we're okay with each other? And we could ignore each other all the rest of the time?"

Tom nodded. "We wouldn't even have to talk about what we discussed in the room. After all, I'm sure Professor Dumbledore has no desire to impede on us trying to work things out. Right, Professor?"

Dumbledore's expression was pleasant, agreeable, and he nodded. "If that is what you want, then I will do what is necessary to help." When he looked at Tom, Tom had the strong impression that Dumbledore was seriously contemplating all the different ways he could kill Tom from where he sat.

"I'd...be okay with that. I don't really want to think about it much, and if it'd be safe to just keep it in one room...," Harry said, looking and sounding resolute, if a little nervous.

"If you're certain, Harry."

"I am."

Good. "Okay then. I suppose I'm alright with it as well." Tom removed his wand from where it was stored in the altered pocket of his trousers. "Wizard's pact then? We all agree that this stays between Harry and me in a single room of...Harry's choosing." He paused to consider and decided to add something to lessen Dumbledore's doubts and make things easier for him. "No magical interference, from inside or out." Therefore no magical coercion of Harry would be possible, but he didn't really want to coerce the boy anyway, just convince him. "All agreed?"

Harry just nodded. Tom wondered if the boy actually had any idea of what a wizard's pact entailed.

"I agree," Dumbledore replied finally.

"I'll start." He raised his wand. "I, Tom Marvolo Riddle, bind myself to this pact willingly, with full understanding of the terms involved."

Dumbledore repeated the words, using his own name, and Harry followed suit. When he leaned forward and placed the tip of his wand to Dumbledore's, Harry mimicked the gesture-- definitely hasn't done this before-- and he started the circle again.

"Iurare ego." Tom said the words with confidence.

While Dumbledore said them solemnly. "Iurare ego."

"Iurare ego." And Harry was nervous and had a little bit of trouble with pronunciation.

Tom wasn't certain the pact had been accepted until he felt the wand grow warm in his hand after a second, sending the warmth into his palm where it burned for a moment. Harry nearly dropped his wand in surprise. It wasn't sparks or showy, but it was binding, and it was the next step in Tom securing a place at Hogwarts. As for the third step, they still needed to discuss that. He sat back in the chair once more.

"Now, as for the apprehension of Lucius Malfoy and Peter Pettigrew, I propose using Harry's Muggle family as bait. The Imperius Curse *is* still an Unforgivable, so they wouldn't actually have to be harmed. The issue with that is it would have to be outside the house. I could conceivably find out how to break the protection charms on the Dursleys themselves, but the house would be protected by blood magic, which, of course, requires a blood relative. How would I explain how I managed to acquire some of Harry's blood? Malfoy is under the impression that a man named Snape is a spy on Dumbledore for the Death Eaters, assuming that Snape is the Potions' Master named Severus, that can be used. Does he know the charms used for the Dursleys?"

It hadn't occurred to Tom until an hour after the session with the veritaserum that the Potions' Master Dumbledore called Severus was more than likely the Snape Lucius referred to being at Hogwarts. After reading that Harry lived with a Muggle family during the summers the first part of the plan had fallen into place.

"Yes. The Potions' Master is Severus Snape and he does know the protection charms used on the Dursleys, and how to break them."

The Headmaster confirmed what Tom had already known for the most part but didn't offer anymore information, though it wasn't as if Tom had expected him to. A glance at Harry showed nothing, the boy's face was blank. Tom decided now was not the time to try to figure out whether it was because Harry was in shock or was thinking or if he just already knew all this, and continued explaining his plan.

"Then it's actually rather simple. I have a system set up so that I can contact Pettigrew and Malfoy once I've decided what to do with my new circumstances-- and no, I'm not willing to share how yet. I'll contact them and tell them when and where the Dursleys will be out of the house together, using this story to placate a much too curious Malfoy. I'll say that I overheard about the Dursleys being out in a conversation between Harry and one of the Professors, and that I learned how to break the charms protecting them for Severus who, as I said, Lucius believes is a spy for the *Death Eaters*. Their orders will be to use Imperius to discreetly collect the Muggles and deliver them to a set location where they'll be bait for Harry. When Harry leaves Hogwarts, probably for a safer location, as once we're in the possession of the Dursleys the charms on Harry could be broken, he would have to be accompanied by a teacher. Logically Severus, because Lucius believes Dumbledore trusts him-- and now I see why-- would be the teacher and he can grab Harry. Voila. Harry Potter is one very dead wizard, or so Lucius will believe.

"Of course, what will actually happen is, I will order them to collect the Dursleys discreetly and deliver them to a set location. I will then return here and tell you the location and you can alert the Aurors. The Aurors can then capture Malfoy and Pettigrew in the process of performing the Imperius Curse, and not even God or Merlin could save them then. Do you see any problems with that, Professor? Harry?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "It seems feasible to me, Mr. Riddle. Well planned."

Tom had the overwhelming desire to reply 'Of course it's well planned, you self-righteous old man, it has to work or I'm putting myself out for a Death Eater assassination'. What he actually replied with was: "Thank you."

"Seems alright to me," Harry said. He frowned then before asking, "They wouldn't be hurt, right?"

"They shouldn't be," Tom assured him. "I'll make certain the order is very exact about that, if you want."

If my plan is halted because of a misplaced sense of duty, I will not be responsible for my actions.

Harry nodded finally. "Okay. Good. They'll be impossible to live with if they get hurt during this."

Alright, it'd be more acceptable in the name of self-preservation...or at least respectable.

Then Harry spoke again, quietly, "Professor, I don't suppose it might be possible to put, er, a memory charm on the Dursleys after this? You know, so they won't be upset?"

Well, at least he's not a complete Gryffindor.

"I don't see why not," Dumbledore said cheerily.

Then again, Dumbledore's a Gryffindor and look at him. Third rule of Slytherin: smart Gryffindors are not exclusively oxymoronic but *are* always dangerous. Intelligence, bravery, and self-righteousness is a dangerous combination on a sane person, and everyone knows Dumbledore isn't all there-- even his precious Gryffindors. That was part of the reason Tom had been wary of Dumbledore from the time he met him, though it hadn't helped that the man had been overly friendly to an eleven-year-old Tom, who learned early that the nicer a person acted the worse it would end up for you. Dumbledore had reminded him of the creepy old men who acted really nice, like they wanted to help you and everything and then did things when they got you alone. So, no, he hadn't liked Dumbledore from the time he met him and, even though he had realized shortly afterwards the man wouldn't ever do something like that and was just genuinely friendly and such, he had never really had cause to like him, either. After all, he was a Slytherin and Dumbledore favoured Gryffindors blatantly, and it didn't help that Dumbledore hadn't believed Tom's nice and harmless act at all, even though it worked on all the other teachers like a charm--not a literal charm, of course; he wasn't daft enough to try that.

"Today's Sunday?" Harry asked suddenly.

"Sunday, 9 am," Dumbledore agreed.

"They'll be leaving church at 11. Can you set it up by then?"

Tom thought for a moment, trying to figure out the times. "Yes. If I start soon. Harry," the other boy looked up and Tom smiled. "Do you still care if the Dursleys get a little hurt? It'll be easier not to warn Lucius not to hurt them at all...he might ask questions."

Harry didn't so much as look at Dumbledore for this now. "The church is St. Jude's Cathedral in Little Whinging, Surrey. The Dursleys, well, just look for the largest blond boy with a skinny blond woman and a large man-- they're pretty impossible to miss. Don't let them get too hurt, but if you can't stop a little then...just make sure the plan works."

"I will. I have as much invested in this as you do. I'll go now. Professor, please be ready with Aurors you trust within around an hour, that's when I should be back. Bye Harry."

"'Bye."

Oh, yes, the plan would work, it had to work. He left the office, hurrying past the gargoyle and towards the dungeons. Now, to set up that damned portkey.