Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and co. J.K. Rowling does. That is all.
I Will.
Prologue.
It was the middle of the night when Harry Potter finally quietly slipped into the small orphanage. He strode purposefully down the hallway, careful not to alert anyone of his presence.
Alohomora.
The door opened with a soft click and with one hand, he slowly edged it open. Three steps; that was all that was necessary for him to stand towering the small boy curled up in the centre of the tiny room.
A cell, Harry thought to himself a little angrily. But... this wasn't why he was here.
Slowly, he raised his wand, aiming it straight and true. Two words. That was all it will take to prevent the wave of terror that would sweep over the world all because of this little boy. The boy would know no pain, on agony, blissfully unaware as he passed on from this life.
A death far too forgiving for future Lord Voldemort but a sad end to the life of an innocent little boy.
It's a necessity, he thought to himself urgently when his will began to waver, They're counting on me. Ron, Hermione,Ginny, Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus, Mum, Dad... Everyone. They're all counting on me.
His hand began to shake.
I've got to do this. It's wrong, I know that. He's still only a child. He isn't the monster I know but he will be. One life... His life, for the sake of hundreds... thousands many more... I have to do this.
He stared down at the sleeping boy, eyes taking in the torn rags and mangy mat he slept on.
I have to do this.
The boy's malnourished face. His tiny, thin figure.
I have to do this.
The large hand-shaped bruise on the small, bony arm. The numerous other bruises scattered over the boy's body he couldn't see but Harry knew were there regardless.
I have to do this.
"Avada-"
Green eyes snapped opened, so similar to his own and yet so very different. They bore deeply into his, searching into his soul and for a moment it felt as if once again he was caught within Voldemort's web, trapped within his own mind... and then it was gone.
The boy sat up, eyeing him warily before they flickered to sliver of moonlight that slipped through the small crack in the doorway. The gaze returned to his again, this time assessing him. Calculating the probability of dashing past Harry and out into freedom. Even at the age of eight nothing escaped the mind of this little boy. A prodigy they had called him once and most likely still did, though with far less adoration as they once did. A genius.
"What do you want?!" the boy snapped eventually when the silence was too much for him to take. While genius he might be, he was a small boy first and small boy's were never known for their patience, "And who are you? I've never seen you around her before," he said a little haughtily, eyes narrowing at Harry and the stick he appeared to be 'wielding'.
"I..." Harry began but couldn't continue. After all, what could he say? I'm here to kill you so as to prevent the thousands of death you would cause both directly and indirectly?
"Well?" the boy said, crossing his arms over his chest defensively. Though, Harry realised, he seemed a lot less tense and a lot more willing to talk once he realised the dark-haired stranger wasn't here to pound him into a pulp. "Spit it out already!"
The corner of Harry's mouth quirked up slightly, though whether it was true mirth or merely dry cynicism he wasn't too sure. There was something he could be sure about though...
"Hey, are you listening to me?!"
I can't do this.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
Harry turned his head to look at the small boy and blinked, hand resting on the door knob, "We're going home," he said and then simply left, the door left wide open behind him.
"What? We?" the small boy scowled at the black-haired strangers back suspiciously, "What makes you think I'll go with you?"
Harry just smiled sadly as the boy blindly followed him regardless.
If no one else will love you Tom Marvolo Riddle, then I will.
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Another story dammit -- but yeh, it was just so disheartening to see my KH/HP crossover getting so little reviews this time that I had to write something else... don't ask how that works it just does... now I can go to bed in peace too :) R&R peeps! Reviews make me happy and giddy all over and with exam period coming up this is the perfect time to encourage me to write again! -wink wink nudge nudge-