Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine, I just have fun in the playground of J.K. Rowling!
'Freaked' Out
"Um… H-hey…" The timid voice pulled Tom from his reading and he glanced up at the new boy. Harry had walked over and was now standing only a foot away, his gaze adverted as he stood tense. He had been watching the other boy for the better of half an hour and Harry had been unexplainably uncertain and panicky throughout that entire time. It had been amusing at first to watch Harry fidget and squirm as if he knew Tom was watching him, but it got boring quickly and he had returned to his reading.
Tom raised a questioning eyebrow as he stared at Harry. "Yes?" he prompted after a moment of silence. Harry was really delicate looking, he realized, seeming to be at least a year or two younger than him. He was even more feminine up close. There just this beauty surrounding him that drew Tom in just like his power did. And that power was oh so-
"What are you reading?"
Tom snapped back into focus. He had been so occupied with the feel of power that he hadn't realized his mind had wandered. His and Harry's power was too much for such a small space, but the feel of that power was so delicious... Tom raised the book slightly as a gesture for him to look at the title as his eyes went back to the thick book within his grasp.
"You're reading about psychology?" The incredulous and sudden question had Tom looking up again. Harry's eyes were slightly wide with surprise and he was leaning over to get a look at the context. "The Principles of Psychology by William James," Harry read aloud, making a sound of surprise in his throat. "That looks like a very advanced book. You can really read it?" His eyes no longer held any nervousness, only curiosity and surprise, Tom noted, when Harry's gaze rose to meet his once more. Suddenly, a blush rose on Harry's cheeks and he backed away, seemingly embarrassed when he realized how close they were. Tom blinked. The only word to describe Harry now would be adorable.
"Yes, I can read it, or I wouldn't be reading it now, would I?" Tom drawled, arching his eyebrows, and Harry's blush deepened. "Can you read it?" Tom knew that the way he said this was insulting, but he wanted to provoke the boy. Hopefully, he was more useful than the others in this thrice-damned orphanage, and that would mean Harry had even more value than he thought.
Harry's blush turned angry and he looked offended. "Of course I can!"
"Prove it," Tom merely commanded, shoving the book in Harry's direction.
Harry scowled at him and took the book. "Er… Psychology is the Science of Mental Life, both of its phenomena and of their conditions. The phenomena are such things as we call feelings, desires, cognitions, reasonings, decisions, and the like; and, superficially considered, their variety and complexity is such as to leave a chaotic impression on the observer*,"Harry then stopped abruptly, raising his gaze to look at Tom,"See?" Harry seemed smug, but Tom could see slight panic in his eyes, "I can read it!"
Dismissing the panic he saw as Harry merely being afraid that he hadn't done well, Tom smirked back at Harry as he slowly reached over and took his book back. "Well done…" he congratulated the other boy, feeling proud. The possessiveness swelled slightly and Tom was glad this new boy was so clever.
Harry was definitely his now. He was the only one worth anything.
A moment of awkward silence occurred as Tom kept his attention solely on the book, ignoring the other boy. "Um… I'm going to the loo…" Harry muttered before turning and fleeing from the room. He walked down the corridor and quickly found the bathroom before going inside.
That had just been so… creepy. He had completely panicked and lost his cool, having no idea of how to face Tom. It had been stupid to read that psychology book because normal eight year-olds should not be able to read that kind of material so fluently.
Then again, Tom could read it. Harry realized now that Tom Riddle was not just any boy, he was a real genius. He was a very dangerous genius, but Harry could not bring himself to hurt the other boy. It would be simple if he just killed Tom, but Tom was just... a boy. He was just a child right now and Harry couldn't hurt him.
Although… that look in Tom's eyes… It wasn't a… child's look. It wasn't something you'd expect seeing in his eyes. It was dark and possessive almost and it freaked Harry out.
Sighing, Harry walked in front of the sink, splashing some water in his face before looking up at his reflection in the slightly cracked mirror…
And withholding a startled cry.
"Oh… My… God…" He leaned forwards to get a closer look at himself. "Oh dear lord…" he breathed, "I look like a bloody girl!" Panic rose within him again as well as embarrassment and he gaped at his reflection.
§What are you going on about now, child? I'm trying to sleep!§ the irritated hiss had him looking at Fortuna and Harry knew that this was her doing, though he was panicking too much to be angry.
§Fortuna! I look like a bloody girl! What did you do!?§
The snake tilted her head to the side in a curious manner before hissing out a laugh. §Don't worry. You look adorable!§
§That's the problem though!§ Harry would've whined and wailed if the language of snakes had allowed him to, but he was stuck with hissing for now. §I don't want to look like a girl! I was already… petite and small before! I can't handle feminine, too!§
§The reason you look feminine, Harry, is because I had to make sure you didn't look like a Potter.§ Harry blinked, stopping his rant, and looked at Fortuna curiously. §I pulled out a few characteristics and features from your mother and your grandmothers.§
§Why not my grandfather then?§
§Because, your paternal grandfather had the Potter look and your maternal grandfather looked like your aunt.§
§Oh…§ Harry frowned, disappointed, §I see…§
§I'm going back to my nap…§ the black mamba informed him before curling around his arm once more.
Harry reached for the doorknob of his room, still slightly bothered by the fact he had become feminine. However, before he could grab the knob, the door opened suddenly to reveal Tom. Harry blinked rapidly, startled, and didn't do anything as Tom brushed past him. Then, he snapped out of his stupor and followed the other boy.
"Er… Tom?" he called out, halting the taller boy in his tracks. Tom turned his head around to peer curiously at Harry. Not seeing a negative reaction, Harry gauged that it was alright to call Tom by that name. "Where are you going?"
"Dinner," came the monotonous reply as Tom turned back around and walked away.
Harry frowned and then suddenly made a split second decision that would change his life. If he were to change Tom… to befriend Tom… then he could change the future! Plus, he was interested in what Voldemort was like as a child and Tom did seem pretty lonely, he could do with a friend or two. Even if he wasn't here to change the future, he'd probably still want to befriend the boy. Something just drew Harry to Tom and Harry really, really wanted to become a genuine friend. With that in mind, he rushed to catch up with the older boy, walking only a step behind Tom. Tom either didn't notice him or ignored him.
After descending the steps, they quickly made their way to the dining hall and Harry realized you really couldn't miss it. It was rather large and very noticeable with an archway that led directly from the hallway into the dining hall. Inside were rows of tables and a counter that was for getting food that ran across the back. Although it was every bit as grey and boring as the rest of the orphanage, it was also just as clean. There was only another three kids in the dining hall and one supervisor.
Suddenly, a warm hand grasped his own and started to drag him across the room. Startled, he looked up at Tom, panicking once more at the sudden movement. "T-Tom… what…?"
He was cut off when he was deposited in a seat at one of the tables in the corner. "Sit and stay here," the other boy ordered before leaving for the counter. Bewildered, Harry obediently stayed where he was, watching through his fringe as Tom went and got two trays of food before bringing both trays back over and pushing one in front of Harry. Harry stared at his tray of… food before looking at Tom, who was already eating with neat, little bites. Tom looked back at him after a moment. "Eat," came the command before Harry was once again ignored in favour of the psychology book.
Harry blinked again in shock and picked up his fork, prodding the food on his tray. "Thank you," he mumbled shyly as he gingerly took a bite. It wasn't very… appetizing… but it was still better than what the Dursleys had given him and it actually looked like food.
The two ate in silence as the rest of the hall started filling up. Harry noticed how no one sat at their table and how everyone seemed to be surprised to see him sitting with Tom. He also noticed the hostile, disdainful and fearful glints in some of the orphan's eyes as they looked at Tom. And he also noticed, much to his anger, how the other orphans seemed to have gotten more food than Tom. Even he did. He had an apple while Tom just had that… grub.
They ate in silence and, after a while, they finished their food and Tom took both trays and dumped them off before dragging Harry back to their room where he was deposited on his bed and Tom shoved a book into his hands. "Here. For you," was all Tom said before sitting next to the smaller boy and becoming engrossed in his book once more.
Harry, still very bemused and slightly angry, took a look at his book and sighed internally. He gave Tom another glance and cracked open the book.
Harry was starting to get really uncomfortable. They had read for about fifteen minutes before Harry began getting bored, but he continued to pretend reading. He was still trying to get his mind around everything that has happened so far, so he had no idea how exactly to act around a mini-Voldemort. Around fifteen minutes later, Tom had set down his book and began… staring at him. Like, staring staring. Harry didn't even think he was blinking. It was really, really creepy and Tom was still doing it.
Harry shifted uncomfortably and glanced up at Tom. He really couldn't take this any longer so he took a deep breath, looked up and asked, "What? Is there something wrong?" His insides were squirming and he vaguely wondered why he was always so nervous and panicky around this child-Voldemort when he never felt like this with the more dangerous, dark-lord version. He could feel Fortuna shifting under his clothes as if to calm him.
Tom only looked down at his book again. Feeling annoyed at being ignored, Harry huffed, shifting over towards Tom and poking him in the shoulder. Tom looked at him, arching his eyebrows in silent question.
"Let's play a game," Harry suggested.
"A game," Tom echoed, sounding somewhat disdainful and incredulous. "What game?"
"The… uh… ABC game."
"The ABC… game?"
"Yeah, like, we choose a subject and then say a word, or phrase, that has to do with that subject and begins with 'a' first and then the other letters."
Tom was silent for a moment and Harry made puppy eyes at Tom to try and get him to agree. Finally, Tom sighed and set his book down. "Fine."
"Yay!" Harry's expression became jubilant at once. "Let's do animals! I'll start! A for Ant."
"Bear."
"Cat."
"Dog."
"Elephant."
"Frog."
"Giant Squid!"
"Excuse me?" Tom looked at Harry incredulously. "Giant squid?"
"Yeah! A giant squid! And not just any giant squid, it's the Giant Squid," Harry nodded enthusiastically, smiling like a loon and using his arms to gesture how large the Giant Squid was. It wouldn't hurt to 'know' about the Giant Squid.
"There is no such thing as the giant squid. Squids are rather small in size," Tom said, sniffing disdainfully at the childish, made-up animal. Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yes, there is. You'll see."
"Whatever. Let's just continue with the game… Hyena."
"Er… What comes after 'H'…? Oh yeah! I for… Incubus!"
Tom gave Harry a startled look. "What…? Nevermind. Jaguar."
"H… I… J… K! K? What begins with 'K'? Oh yeah! Kneazle!"
"What on the Earth is a Kneazle?" Tom asked, a completely baffled look on his face. The look was so out of place on Tom's face that Harry started giggling. Tom narrowed his eyes "Stop giggling and answer my question!"
That one command from Tom had Harry shutting up and scowling. "I do not giggle!"
"Yes, you do. You just did," Tom stated, "Just answer my question."
"A kneazle, for your information, is an incredibly intelligent magical breed of cat. They're really cute, too," Harry said smugly, ignoring the first part of Tom's sentence.
Tom just sighed and shook his head. "This is just another of those childish made-up animals. Stop being so naive, there's no such thing as magic… nor is there such things as kneazles." Tom picked up his book and began reading again.
"Yes, there is!" Harry argued, but Tom was already absorbed in his book, ignoring the smaller boy. Harry huffed, glaring at the wall and pouting childishly. He heard Fortuna trying to stifle her hissed giggles.
§Nice try in convincing him§"
They gave you less than everyone else."
Tom looked up at Harry when the other boy spoke up after a long moment of silence. The smaller boy was frowning, seemingly angry, and fiddling with the hem of his baggy shirt. Tom was confused. He didn't really understand why the other boy seemed angry. He was used to getting less food than everyone else. The other children had told him that monsters didn't deserve food. It was rather annoying, but it was bearable. He knew he was different. Everyone else did, too. The others may treat him like garbage, but he knew he was special, that he was above them and that was enough for him.
Harry looked at him, emerald eyes glittering with anger. "Why did they get more than you?"
Tom sighed. He might as well tell Harry about what the others thought of him before they did. It wouldn't matter anyways. Harry was his now, whether the younger boy liked it or not. "They said that monsters deserve to be starved." His tone was casual and dismissive.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "You're not a monster!" he denied vehemently before sniffing disdainfully and folding his arms, "They must be blind. I don't see any big teeth or sharp claws." Then, he blushed slightly.
Tom blinked incredulously before his mouth twitched up into a smile. He left out a small chuckle at the other's attempt at humour which only made the smaller boy blush harder, obviously thinking that he had said something stupid.
"What? It's true! You're perfectly human! You don't deserve to be treated the way you have been!"
Tom abruptly stopped laughing and turned his head sharply to stare at Harry who fidgeted under the intense scrutiny. Tom had never been told he was normal, that he belonged, or that he deserved what everyone else did. He had never even been told he was human. He then smiled at the other boy genuinely, and Harry grinned back, his emerald eyes seeming to light up.
It had been two weeks since Harry had come to the orphanage and he was feeling incredibly accomplished and cheerful. After seeing Tom truly smile for the first time, he swore that he'd make the other boy smile like that again. To make him smile a truly happy smile. So, he spent the following few days trying to bring some joy into Tom's life.
He had persuaded Tom into playing a make-shift version of Jenga with him. Apparently, Jenga didn't exist yet, so they took some of the building blocks to play it instead. Tom had laughed at him when he lost the fifth time in a row, began pouting and vowed about never playing that game with Tom again. Although, he did suspect that Tom had used magic to stop the blocks from falling when it was his turn, but Harry couldn't prove it. However, it was worth it to hear Tom's laughter. He never thought that Tom would be able to laugh like that.
The night before last, they had even gotten into a food fight in the dining hall. Harry had accidently gotten some food on Tom and, in retaliation, Tom had flung some back at him before he could apologize. It had gotten into a full-scale food fight, the other children joining in at some point. Ms. Cole had been incredibly flustered when she tried to calm the children down and had gotten into a worse state than most of the children had. There had been food all over her. That had left Tom smirking for the following day, despite him not getting anything to eat as punishment. To the both of them, it served her right for picking on Tom just because he was different. Harry had saved him an apple and an orange so he wouldn't go hungry.
Harry had realized something though, Tom didn't like going outside. Tom almost never went out, which was why he was so pale, unless it was to sit under a tree and read when the weather was nice. He was a bit of a bookworm (Harry was suddenly reminded of Hermione and his heart clenched, missing her) and he was somehow able to be incredibly physically strong without working out. He had learned that the hard way.
Harry was wondering what to do since he was on his own and Tom had left for… well, for something. Then, he recalled Fortuna telling him about the removed obstacle that had been limiting his magic and decided that he'd like to see what was different about it. So, after checking where Fortuna was – she was taking a nap under the bed – he left the room and headed outside.
Once outside, he headed for the back of the building, a secluded corner of the wall that would give him privacy.
However, before he got there, he was stopped by someone calling his name. It was one of the girls in the orphanage, Amy something. She was calling him over. Giving a glance to the secluded corner, Harry hesitantly turned away from it and made his way over.
Amy was waiting for him along with two others, Dennis and… Billy, or something. They were looking at him with concern and worry as well as a slight bit of fear. Harry frowned, wondering what they wanted.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Amy asked, looking up at him with wide eyes.
Harry's eyebrows bunched up in confusion. "Why wouldn't I be?"
The three exchanged looks. Then, Dennis coughed and asked, "Has… Riddle hasn't done anything to you, has he?"
Harry raised an eyebrow. "No…" he said slowly, "Why would Tom do anything to me?" He could feel an anger boiling beneath his skin at their assumptions.
"Well…" Dennis shifted uncomfortably.
Suddenly, Billy coughed and smiled at Harry. "Actually, we just wanted to ask if you wanted to play tag with us." Amy and Dennis nodded, also beginning to smile.
Harry sighed. He guessed that he couldn't completely blame them for being afraid of Tom and this was a chance to gain new friends. They might not be able to fill up the hole that was there after having left his friends, but he might as well try to be as happy as possible. Fortuna did say that this was also a new chance at happiness. Why waste it? So, he smiled back and nodded.
Harry had quite a lot of fun running around and generally making fool of himself in tag, until Tom came over, that is.
When Harry spotted Tom, he immediately stopped and waved, causing him to be tagged by Dennis. The other three kids, after seeing Harry waving, stopped and blanched at the sight of Tom strolling over, their smiles slipping from their faces. They subtly edged back, though Harry was too occupied with noticing the rage in Tom's eyes to realize. Though Tom's face was expressionless, Harry could feel Tom's magic crackling angrily around him. He lowered his raised hand and frowned in slight confusion, jogging up to Tom to meet him halfway.
"Tom, what's wrong? You seem angry…"
"What's wrong?" Tom hissed back, a flash of red entering his eyes. Harry flinched at his tone and eyes and took a few steps backwards, a sudden fear rising within him. "What do you think you were doing? Playing with them?" He sent a sneer at the three other children and they scattered, running from him. Confusion made Harry frown once more. He opened his mouth to speak but Tom grabbed his arm in a vice-like grip and pulled him forwards, towering over him. "Who said that you could go and play with them? You're my friend, mine." There was a dark, possessive look in Tom's eyes, a look that Harry didn't like at all.
He could feel anger coming to the forefront of his mind and glared defiantly at Tom. He ignored the voice inside his head telling him that it wasn't a good idea to provoke the larger boy. "I'm not yours, Tom. I don't need your permission to make friends or play with others! Don't treat me like an object!" He tried to throw Tom off, but the other was much stronger than he looked. He was barely able to move his arm, never mind throw Tom off.
Tom hissed, the near-parsel sound sending a jolt of fear through Harry. Harry was used to hearing that from Voldemort, but he wasn't used to hearing it come from Tom, his friend's, mouth. Then, the stronger boy proceeded to drag Harry back to the building, Harry trying to struggle out of his grip the entire time.
Tom was somehow strong enough to drag Harry all the way up the stairs and into their room where he was released roughly, falling back onto his bed. His arm hurt like hell and he was sure it was bruised. Cradling his injured arm to his chest, Harry glared up at Tom as the taller boy towered over him threateningly. Tom's eyes were almost spitting fire and Harry could see jealousy within them.
"You. Are. Mine," Tom growled out, emphasizing each and every word, his magic pulsing around him. "You are my friend. You belong to me… I won't allow you to go around frolicking with the likes of them." The last word was spat out with so much venom that Harry temporarily faltered, flinching away from the enraged boy. "You're special, just I am… You're my friend. Not theirs!"
"I do not belong to anyone, Tom!" Harry shouted in exasperation, worrying if he had been too loud or harsh with the other boy when he saw pain flash through Tom's eyes. Harry sighed at the hurt look that Tom didn't even bother to cover and sat up straight, looking Tom in the eyes, his gaze softening. All of a sudden, the other boy had just looked so lost and vulnerable that the sight made Harry's heart clench. "Tom… I really do like you and care for you. It's just that… I'm not an object, I'm a person. You can't treat me like that. I want to make my own choices. You'll still be my friend. You'll be my friend forever; I'll never replace you, but you can't try to control me like that. I'm still my own person, okay, Tom?"
Tom's hurt look cleared up, seeing the honesty in Harry's gaze, and he slowly nodded in understanding, though the possessive look didn't diminish. He put a hand on Harry's arm and said, "I'm… sorry, Harry…"
Harry smiled back brightly even as he winced minutely from the pain in his bruised arm. Tom caught that wince and narrowed his eyes. "Are you alright?"
Harry nodded back. "I'm fine."
"Just be careful, Harry. They might hurt you…"
The following day, Harry sort of understood why Tom didn't want him playing with Billy and the others.
Tom and he had made up and everything was fine between them again, making Harry unreasonably happy. He really couldn't explain his irrational happiness, but the other boy really had wormed his way into Harry's heart. On the other hand, Fortuna was acting rather suspiciously. She was taking naps all the time as if she was exhausted, but she already had been resting for two weeks. He waved it off as immortal-snake behavior.
Back in the present day, Harry was just going outside. Now that Tom understood that he could not own Harry, Harry was free to do as he pleased without feeling as if he was doing something wrong. He had decided to play with his new friends again today. Having seen them outside from his window, he decided to join them. Fortuna wrapped herself around his arm, looking pensive as she slithered into place around his neck. Harry wanted to ask why she was so tired all the time, but decided against it since the immortal seemed to be in deep thought.
His three new friends had a bunch of older children with them, but Harry thought nothing of it as he walked over. Billy saw him and noted the others of his presence. He seemed angry for some reason and he was holding a bunny in his arms. Amy and Dennis were behind him, looking unsure.
Frowning, Harry approached, only to stop when Billy abruptly shouted, "Don't come closer!"
"Yeah," another, larger boy spoke up, sneering, "You aren't welcome here, freak!"
"You're just like that Riddle kid. Both freaks. Devil's spawn!"
Insults and jeers rained upon Harry's ears. Amy and Dennis didn't say anything to harm, but did nothing to help either. Harry was hurt that they could be so mean. He bit his lip and swallowed as a few of the older kids advanced on him. And he felt fear. It was uncannily similar to his own childhood from before. He could sympathize with Riddle, having to live in a place like this…
§Stupid, moronic, dunderheaded children,§ Fortuna's hiss was barely registered in his mind. When his mind did register the words, he almost laughed because Fortuna's tone was so similar to Snape's. §Harry, don't let the meaningless and insensitive words of these children affect you. They mean nothing. They are nothing compared to you.§
Fortuna's words comforted him. He took that comfort and built a wall around his mind and feelings, glaring back at the advancing children. When they reached for him, he stepped back, and suddenly, Fortuna darted out, hissing and snapping at the large boy's hands. The children panicked and backed away slightly, hurling insults from afar.
Suddenly, they stilled and fell silent. The boy in the lead sneered at Harry, who glared back. "We'll deal with you later." Then the other children scattered and Harry turned and saw Tom, glaring at the children, eyes burning with hate. Then his gaze softened as it fell on Harry, becoming confused as he took in the immortal in disguise.
§Bad, stupid little humans! Trying to hurt my master!§ Fortuna hissed at Tom, rearing as if to attack. Harry bit his lip to stop himself from laughing, not sure if he should reveal his Parsel skill now or not. Being in a child's person, he wouldn't be able to keep the skill hidden from his friend, but if he was going to be like Tom, he'd most likely treasure the skill and keep it secret.
To his surprise, Tom responded to the snake, a faint smile curling his lips. §I will not harm your master.§
Fortuna stilled and narrowed her eyes, seeming to be looking for something. She then bobbed her head as if satisfied. §Speaker. You are a speaker, too,§ she stated, settling down around Harry's neck. Harry mentally commended her on her acting abilities.
Tom turned to him and stared for a while. Harry lowered his gaze, fidgeting slightly and waiting for a reprimand. Instead, Tom just said, "You can speak to snakes, too, can't you?"
Harry looked up at Tom and nodded. An awkward silence fell between the two. "Parsel!" Harry suddenly blurted out. When Tom gazed at him questioningly, Harry blushed, ducking his head, and elaborated. "The language of snakes is called Parsel"
Tom was still looking at him oddly, but slowly nodded. "Okay."
* From The Principles of Psychology by William James
NA: Hi there! Forgive me the delay, here is the second chapter. I didn't made any important changes but ... I changed Parseltongue for only parsel. Soon I'll upload the others, I already have uploaded many chapters in Doc Manager :) and I am working in Chapter nine, remember that the first eight chapters were written by Magna.
Also, I'm very happy for the reviews, favorites and followers because they show the support that has this story and ... also make me feel a little nervous, I will do my best for you!
See you soon!
Love, Carly.
