The following weeks Harry noticed changes in himself. He couldn't wait until the lessons were finished so he could run off to Tom. He had finally allowed him to call him Harry, and whenever he didn't understand something in the lessons, Tom would explain it to him instead of Hermione, for she was never patient enough to explain him what he needed to know without scolding him a hundred times for not paying enough attention in class. If he made homework, Tom would watch over his shoulder, pointing at the things he'd done wrong –which were a lot-. He was getting improving in class though. And of course, all thanks to the Slytherin.

At the moment, they were laughing over stupid stories about Snape. Harry imitated the git, and Tom doubled over in laughter. They were still sniggering when they found themselves a little too close to each other, somewhere between sitting and lying on the bed. Harry's stomach twisted when meeting Tom's red gaze, and he found himself lost in them.

"Harry?" Tom asked in a husky voice which made Harry shudder.

"Yes?"

"What is love?"

They had had conversations about the topic a lot, but Harry had never really been able to explain the complicated feeling. Now, however, he wondered why that had been. The answer was so clear.

"Love is if you care about a person. Want to protect them at all costs, don't want to see them hurt and want to be close to them the whole time. When you want to make that person happy," he whispered. "Why?" he managed to add, as he felt his head getting light.

"What do you feel then?" Tom asked, his voice trembling a little, as if he was afraid of what Harry might answer.

"A warmth in your chest, everytime you see him, or a fluttering feeling in your stomach, or a strange pull, mixed with other emotions… possessiveness and… and lust…"

Harry was very aware how close they were now, and Tom's hand that rested on his thigh was burning, though it was not an unpleasant feeling. Not at all. Harry looked in Tom's eyes again, and found them about five inches from his. There was a swirling emotion to be seen in those depths that he had dreamed of seeing for a long time, only he just realised it. He had never hoped he would see it though. He unconsciously reached out and grabbed Tom's hair, pulling him even closer. Their breaths became ragged and Tom pushed Harry softly down on the bed, until Harry was lying beneath him. He took Harry's left arm in his hand and pinned it above the head of the black-haired boy. He traced the Gryffindor's jaw with the fingers of his other hand and used it to pull Harry's chin upwards. When their lips met, Harry let out a soft moan, enough to make Tom's lower regions stir. Tom's tongue slid past Harry's mouth as hands travelled down his body and slipped under his shirt to make contact with the hot, pale skin of his torso.

After a few minutes, Tom broke the kiss and Harry's head came up in worry. He let himself fall down on the pillow again when Tom just shrugged his shirt off impatiently and lay down on Harry again, twirling strands of ebony hair between his fingers. He took Harry's throat in his mouth, causing the Gryffindor to moan loudly and to tilt his head back to give Tom better access. Harry reached up and rubbed circles near Tom's nipples, making him growl in frustration. Harry giggled when Tom took his hand to rub them properly. Their mouths claimed each other again, roughly this time, and Harry lifted his hips when he felt Tom's hardness rubbing against his own.

"Tom" he groaned, slightly starting to panic.

"Yes?" Tom said with a hoarse voice that sent Harry almost over the edge.

"Do you… do you know… how…?"

The boy stopped his ministrations to look down at Harry, frowning. "Of course." His eyes widened when Harry blushed in embarrassment. "You don't?"

Harry bit his lip and shook his head. "N… No. I've never… I don't think…"

Tom smiled and reached down to put a soft kiss on his lips. "I understand. I won't do anything you're not absolutely ready for Harry."

"You're not angry?" the younger boy asked, a bit frightened.

"Of course not. How could I be angry at you?"

His fingers traced Harry's flushed face again and he couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't jumped the boy the moment he had first set eye on him. Harry closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of Tom's fingers tingling on his slick skin. He snapped them open when Tom moved, lifting Harry up and switching places with him, placing the younger on top and hugging him so that there was no space in between them. His tongue flicked over Harry's nape, moving higher and tracing his ear while he slowly began to take Harry's shirt off as well, wanting to see Harry, -his Harry now-, fully. He sucked in his breath when Harry sat up, his legs on both sides of Tom's body, skin hot and sweating and his chest moving up and down heavily. His glasses were off now, and Tom could finally see his eyes fully, which were now deep dark emerald, clouded with lust. His digits travelled up and down Tom's body now, and Tom closed his eyes at the heavenly feeling. He groaned as they stopped on the bulge in his pants. He watched a smirking Harry through his eyelids.

"Brat," he breathed. "Move already." His voice was thick and he felt like he was on fire as Harry finally stopped his teasing and moved his hand up and down while pushing.

"Harry… I'm going to… Ah!"

Harry began to move his own body over his, and flicked his tongue over Tom's chest, paying special attention to his collarbone, navel and nipples. Tom couldn't hold it anymore and came. Harry followed soon after, and collapsed on top of him, shuddering. Tom played with Harry's hair for a while.

"Tom?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

Tom's eyes widened a bit, and then a genuine smile complimented his face. "Thank you. I think that this is the first time someone has told me that with absolute sincerity… I'm still not sure what love is… but going by your description, I'm certainly well on my way."

Hermione watched Harry in worry as he hurried down the stairs, shooting past her, but not noticing her in his hurry. He had a huge smile on his face, but he had had been like this for the whole week; Waiting to spurt away the moment the bell rang. He hardly came down for dinner now as well, and he was never to be found in the common room. She knew it had something to do with Voldemort, she just knew it! She had tried to talk to Ron about it, but he had just angrily mumbled something. They were both hard to reach these days, as if there was a distance between the three friends, or a bubble around each of them. She sighed and walked out of the Gryffindor dorms. There was nothing she could do about it right now. Not with the gigantic pile of homework in front of her. She sat down at a table and started her rune translation. As the evening fell, more and more people went to bed, but there was still no sign of Harry. Hermione got extremely worried. Harry had been gone for hours now and he hadn't returned… What if something had happened to him? He always managed to get into trouble one way or another. She got up and stalked up the stairs to the boy's dorms, to shake Ron awake roughly when she reached him.

"Hermione? Whadda ya doing 'ere?" he asked her with a slurred voice.

"Ron, wake up! It's almost one 'o clock and Harry hasn't come back!"

"So?"

"He's gone to Voldemort Ron!" she hissed.

Ron was completely awake all of sudden, and he was staring at her with round blue eyes. "What if something happened?"

"That's exactly what I meant! But I need you to come with me, since I haven't been there before and thus, I can't open the door or step through to help!"

"Alright, We're gonna need the cloak. It's in Harry's trunk."

Hermione rummaged around a bit in it, until she felt a silky cloth. "Got it!" she whispered, and covered herself and Ron with it.

"Hey, can't I get dressed first?"

"Oh come on, you're invisible anyway! Your nightgown is good enough! And besides, we're in a hurry!"

"Oh yeah, sorry."

"Keep your voice down," she warned. "We don't want the rest to wake up."

They sneaked down the corridors until they reached the second floor. On the third, Hermione had to cast a quick Petrificus Totalus to make sure Ms Norris didn't go to get Filch, but the rest of the 'trip' went smoothly.

"Where now?"

"It's there, I thought. Just 'round that corner," Ron replied.

They walked around it and suddenly stood in front of the door. "Well, here it is," Ron said, taking a deep breath before opening the door.

He froze on the spot, accidentally blocking Hermione's view, so she had to ask in a timid voice: "Well?"

He cleared his throat. "Well. Looks like we were worrying ourselves without a reason. Or not, depending on how you see it."

"He isn't here?"

"Oh, he is…" Ron stepped aside, so she could peek through the door opening, though she could not pass the barrier. She gasped when she was met with the sight of two sleeping boys on the bed, hair tousled. They were both sleeping peacefully, and she could hear one snoring softly. They both wore smiles on their lips. Harry lay on Tom's chest, his head under his chin and Tom's arms were draped over Harry's back, encircling his waist. They were both dressed in nothing but jeans.

"Oh my God. That is so hot." Hermione whispered, earning a disbelieving look from Ron, who was now standing in the room.

"What? I'm sure that if it were Parvati and Cho lying there like that, you'd say the same." She snapped defensively.

Ron got a dreamy look on his face all of sudden, but then he shook himself from his daze. "Hermione, don't forget as to who exactly it is that Harry is sleeping with! I don't have any objection with him being gay or anything, but I do have an objection against Voldemort!"

"Not so loud Ron!" Hermione whispered frantically, but the damage was done already. Two pairs of eyes fluttered open, and Harry's sleepy voice said: "Oh, hey Ron." A big yawn followed. "Is't mornin a'ready?"

Tom just rubbed his eyes. Or tried, and felt his movement blocked by Harry's body. He then caught sight of Ron and Hermione, who were staring at him. He looked back to Harry, and flung his head back on his pillow. "Holy shit." Harry seemed to be finally awake as well, for he gave a similar reaction. They sat up, and Tom pulled Harry close with him, eyes never averting from Ron and Hermione, while his look clearly said: 'mine' "What are you doing here?" he asked, but his voice betrayed him when it stuttered, frightened they would take Harry from him.

"We… we were worried." Hermione squeaked from the other side of the door.

"Ron, please, don't tell Dumbledore!" Harry said while scrambling up, a pleading look on his face.

"What? Of course we'll have to tell—"

"RONALD BILLIUS WEASLEY!" a voice that dangerously sounded like Mrs Weasley's echoed through the room. "We will not tell professor Dumbledore anything until we have found out exactly what is going on, or… or…or else you will never, ever get to kiss me!"

The silence that followed was deafening. Finally, Harry cleared his throat. "Well. Not the best confession possible, but… congratulations anyways Hermione."

Ron acted impulsively. He strode out of the door and kissed Hermione fiercely on her mouth. As the kiss took longer and longer, and Hermione began to hang onto Ron as if her life depended on it, Harry and Tom got caught up in their own kiss, starting from Harry's neck until their tongues got entwined. Tom stroked Harry's side and chest, but apparently Harry's whimpering became a bit loud, for Hermione's voice sounded through the room.

"Well Harry. Guess we'll leave you and your newfound boyfriend alone hmm?"

"You're just saying that so you can sneak off and snog Ron! And besides, Tom's not…" He looked up at Tom in uncertainty, who smiled softly down on the other boy and trailed his fingers absentmindedly across Harry's stomach and inner thighs.

"No?" he asked, evilly sweet.

"You want to be?" Harry said hopefully, eyes brightening.

Tom smashed their mouths together again. During one of the 'breath gasps', Harry managed to pant: "Does that count as a yes?"

"Bet it does," Tom breathed back. Neither had noticed Hermione and Ron leaving, but when they looked up, the door was closed. "Guess they're giving us some privacy." Tom smirked.

"Probably. Sadly, we had better use it to sleep. It's half past one in the morning and I'm tired as hell."

"You're such a little spoilsport at times."

"Sorry," Harry yawned.

Tom sighed and pulled him down. "Just make sure you'll wake up before the lessons start hmm? Wouldn't want the whole castle searching for their dear Saviour.

"Yeah." Harry was surprised when suddenly Tom rose. "What are you doing?"

"Bathroom. Your fault by the way."

"Huh?"

"I seriously need to go wank off all those images I'm getting. It's becoming painful."

Harry gave him his most innocent look while fluttering his eyelashes seductively. Tom groaned and demonstratively pushed open the bathroom door, Harry's giggling following him.

Draco Malfoy was roaming the castle on his nightshift, sighing deeply. He so hated nightshifts... There was no-one crazy enough to go out at night except Potter and his little friends, but somehow, he always managed to get away with it anyways so it didn't make sense to patrol the castle. He couldn't wait till he could go back to bed and see if Luthién was still alright. Pansy kept snubbing at her ever since she and Draco had gotten together. He groaned when casting a Tempus. It was ten past four in the morning already! Being a Prefect surely was crap at times… Then, his ears perked when he heard a soft rumbling sound. Had someone fallen asleep in the corridors? It came from his right and was becoming louder. He stopped in front of a very normal looking wooden door, which he had never seen or noticed it before. It wasn't a classroom that was used nowadays for sure… It was closed, but not locked and thus he opened it, but when trying to step in he hit his nose.

"Ouch. What the hell?" he cursed, rubbing his nose.

"Malfoy, what the hell are you doing here? Get out!" a very familiar voice sounded through the room.

Draco snapped his head up and looked straight into the angry green eyes of… Harry Potter? He was rather shocked when he saw Potter was lying in a bed, sprawled over another body… of a boy. His eyebrows shot to his hairline and he said in a smug voice: "Potter. What are you doing here? Does the dear headmaster know of your… ah… nightly activities?"

Potter glared daggers at him, and he was suddenly very glad for the barrier in the door opening. -At least, he hoped Potter couldn't pass it as well…- the other boy mumbled something, and Draco's attention was pulled to him. It wasn't a face he knew…

"Potter, are you helping strangers sneak into the castle?"

"None of your business, and he has professor Dumbledore's permission to be here!"

"Surely not to shag you hmm?" he grinned evilly.

"Ah whatever, just go away!"

He had spoken too loudly apparently, since the other boy had woken up, still dizzy from sleep.

"Hey Abraxas. Is it already time to get up?"

Draco blinked, wondering how this boy knew his grandfather, and also why he called Draco that. "Abraxas?"

The boy sat up and rubbed his eyes. Then, he looked from Harry to Draco. "Harry, I didn't know you got someone else from my time?"

"What? No, no, this is Draco. Draco Malfoy. Abraxas is… family of him, I think."

"My grandfather," Draco replied, curious as to where this conversation would lead.

"You look remarkably like him." The boy said, causing Harry to slap his hand against his forehead.

"Tom!" he groaned.

Draco was just confused. "My grandfather is dead. And he had a beard. I would hope I don't look like him."

"No, I mean…"

"Tom!" Harry said through clenched teeth.

"What? Oh…" The boy, Tom, answered, realisation dawning on his face.

"Yes, oh. Draco, go away and forget everything."

"Draco crossed his arms."No. something is going on, and I want to know."

"It doesn't concern you!"

"Actually, it does. Wasn't he a Death Eater?" Tom spoke.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well, I'm sure he wondered where Voldemort ran off to."

"He… he's still alive?" Draco squeaked

Tom frowned when the boy clearly looked terrified even at the mentioning of Voldemort's name. At least in his time, his followers had still been his friends. Sort of. He began to feel better and better about his decision to not become a Dark Lord anymore. He noticed both Draco and Harry were expecting an answer from him.

"No. Voldemort is dead."

Harry's small sigh of relief didn't go unnoticed, and he felt his heart clench.

He still didn't know? How was it that Harry hadn't been sure of that?

"And who are you?" the blonde asked, his voice returning back to the cocky tone all Malfoys seemed to have inherited.

Tom glanced at Harry, afraid to make more stupid mistakes, but Harry just shrugged and whispered:

"I don't think he knows you…"

"Tom. Tom Riddle."

To both his and Harry's surprise, Draco paled and froze, his eyes flashing to meet Tom's red ones.

"Then, you are… the diary…"

"Oh fuck." Harry swore. "I totally forgot, his dad was the one Voldemort gave his… your, diary to!"

"My Lord, forgive me!" Draco stammered, falling to his knees immediately.

Tom watched him with sadness. How come a Malfoy would sink so low… "Stand up" he said in a thick voice. "Stand up and go, but tell no- one about this."

"O… Of course not, my Lord!" He shuffled away backwards and closed the door quickly. His eyes never leaving the floor, and therefore he didn't see how Tom buried his head in Harry's shoulder.

"My possible future… will it continue to haunt me forever?" Harry hugged him close, not knowing how to answer, only softly kissed him on his head.

The next week went by fast, and Ron and Hermione finally became sort of friends with Tom. Or at least there was an unspoken truce between them. Tom did his best to not insult them and their morals, and they did their best to not blame Tom for everything Voldemort had done, though Ron had a hard time sometimes when Ginny was mentioned. He knew the diary-Tom had even been younger… but he also knew that Tom had changed for the better. Or well, knew… he trusted Harry's opinion on the matter.

Harry often crossed paths with Draco, but the boy didn't dare to insult him or his friends anymore, and tried to avoid or ignore him, while trying to find out what his Lord had meant with 'Voldemort is dead,' or why he looked like a seventeen- year old and lived in the castle in a secured room, with Dumbledore's permission on top of that! He couldn't find any answers, so he just pretended it had never happened.

Currently, said headmaster was having a chat with Tom.

"So, how are you doing my boy?"

"Fine. Harry and his friends are really nice. That Granger kid is smart, especially for a Mud… Muggleborn."

"You know blood doesn't have to do anything with brains or magic. Or do you really believe all that yourself?" Dumbledore sighed.

"I don't know anymore," Tom mumbled.

Dumbledore laid a hand on his shoulder, and to Tom's own astonishment, he didn't get the urge to shrug it away. On the contrary, he felt it was rather comforting. Dumbledore smiled down on him with a grandfather-like look. "Tom, I've taken a decision, and I hope you will not disappoint me. I don't know if it is right to do this so fast, but I can't lock you up here forever. You would go nuts in the end. Christmas holidays are starting tomorrow, and Mr Potter has already agreed to stay here to get you familiar with the castle in this time. Afterwards, you will continue your studies here. I feel obligated however, to place you in Gryffindor, I'm sure you understand why, and to set you back one year. You've missed a month of your seventh year, and the subject-matter isn't the same as it was fifty years ago, so you'll have more time to fit in."

Tom smirked. "You know that, whatever material it is that is handled, I would be able to pick it up fairly easy… you just want me to be in the same class as Harry, don't you?"

Dumbledore sighed and smiled. "Have I really become this transparent?"

"Haven't you always been?" he threw back. "But I want to thank you for not keeping me here until the end of my days. I'd also be glad to be part of a group where I already have made some friends."

"Friends?"

"Harry. And I've come to regard Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as friends of mine as well, though I don't think they see me as one."

"Oh, I don't know. You'll find that Gryffindors can be very forgiving. But who would have thought? You made friends, rather than servants. Gryffindors. Your supposed arch nemesis, a Muggleborn and a blood traitor."

"Harry has never been my enemy. Only Voldemort's."

"I'm glad you can distinguish the difference between yourself and him, Tom. Very, very glad."

"Well, I've altered my view on the world a bit, and found that it is much more pleasant if you don't want to destroy it."

"Very true.

The holidays had been really pleasant. Most of the castle had been empty, so there were a lot of places to snog… He had been surprised by how much of the castle had remained the same, though there were some other statues and paintings. Harry had taken him out onto the Quidditch field as well, and though Tom had never really liked the sport, he had sworn to himself to watch every match as long as Harry played. Harry on a broom was… truly amazing, as if he and the broom were one object. He'd tried as well, and though the brooms were a lot better now than they were fifty years before, he still had trouble handling them. An invitation to participate in the Quidditch elections was therefore denied quickly. Ron and Hermione had both gone to Ron's house, and though Ron's mum had wanted Harry to be there as well, Harry had declined, telling her he had 'things to do'. At the moment, the last day before the holiday was over, they were walking by the lake, Tom teaching Harry a spell to warm himself up.

"Mm, if I really want to warm up, I can just hug you, no? Why would I need a spell?"

Tom laughed. "Are you cold right now?"

"Maybe…"

They sat down in the grass, which was crispy from the frost, and Harry snuggled up to him. "I'm really glad you came here."

"Not that I really had a choice, but I'm glad as well. I've finally found happiness…and true friends."

"And love," Harry reminded him, and Tom nodded absentmindedly.

"Yeah. And love."

"It will be strange to have all the people back in the castle. It was so empty the last weeks. All of the castle to ourselves."

"Yes. I wonder how it will be, you know, getting lessons in this time. I knew everyone in this school before, how they acted, how I had to act to them. That will all have changed now. New teachers, new students."

"Not all teachers are new to you, Slughorn is still here. And McGonagall was in the same year as you. She teaches here now."

"Ah yes, Minnie McGonagall. Always thought she should have been in Ravenclaw."

"She's head of Gryffindor now." Harry grinned.

"Never seen much bravery in her."

"Oh, I did. When she worked for the Order, or fought for the Order. Loyal and brave. And creepily violent, a real lioness," Harry told him, fake fright in his voice.

Tom had to laugh at that, but suddenly his smile turned into a frown.

"Tom? What's wrong?"

"She knows me. Slughorn does. Hagrid does. I wonder how they'll treat me… I don't know about Minnie, but I'm sure Slughorn is afraid of me now, and Hagrid still angry. After all, it was my fault he got expelled and isn't able to perform magic anymore… That must have been the most severe punishment for him. To get stripped off one's magic…" he shuddered.

"Well, let me tell you a secret. Hagrid has this giant, pink flowered umbrella, and when Ollivander asked him once whether or not he still had the halves of his wand, he said he did. But when Ollivander asked him if he still used them, Hagrid got really nervous and hid his umbrella a bit behind him. Plus, I've seen him casting magic with it a few times. Once to move a boat, and then again to grow his pumpkins and lit a fire or something." Harry suddenly smirked. "And he gave my cousin a pig's tail."

"Dudley?"

"Yeah. Claiming it wasn't such a difference anyway."

Tom roared in laughter and let himself fall to the ground. "That's amazing. After what you've told me about your family, I'm glad he did that."

"Yeah. But if you're so nervous about Hagrid, why don't we visit him? As far as I remember, he takes care of the castle grounds during holidays. And I wanted to pay him a visit sometime soon anyways. He's a good friend of mine."

"You think he would accept me?" Tom asked, hopeful, but also with doubt.

"I think he will. He's very happy with his life now, and for him, it all happened a very long time ago.

"For me it did not…"

"I know. But you can always try."

"Thank you Harry. I owe him an apology. That's the least I can do…"

They got to their feet and began to walk to the Gatekeepers hut. Harry didn't know if Dumbledore had informed Hagrid about the fact that Tom Riddle was at Hogwarts, but he thought the man would have. And indeed, when Harry knocked and Hagrid opened the door, he wasn't at all surprised.

"Well well, who've we go' here?"

"Hey Hagrid! Harry beamed, and he hugged the half-giant.

Hagrid smiled widely and kept a giant dog down, so he wouldn't drool all over Harry. "Harry! Good to see ya,"

"Hagrid, I brought someone with me… I don't know if the headmaster told you…"

"Yeah. He did," Hagrid said, eyeing Tom warily, who was avoiding his gaze.

"Can we come in?"

"Sure. Jus' lemme take that blasted dog inside, eh? Fang! Down!" Fang whined, but returned to a pile of dirty blankets, wagged his tail a bit, and started to drool again. Hagrid let them in, and took a few cups from a shelf. "Tea?" Harry nodded, clearly out of courtesy, and Tom decided to do the same. When Hagrid took a plate of cookies that were obviously homemade, Harry mouthed: 'Don't eat.' Tom had to bite his lip to stifle a chuckle. "So. Whadda yer here fo'?"

"Actually…"Tom spoke, "I wanted to apologise. I know it probably doesn't mean anything to you anymore, I know it's not like I can turn it back, but I'd like you to know that… well, I feel bad about what I did. I had no right at all to let you pay for my crimes. Especially murder."

A silence fell, and Tom waited for Hagrid to blow up and kick him out of the house, but when he looked up, Hagrid was just staring at him with open mouth. "I never would've thought I saw you apologisin ter anyone. Specially not me. Harry, wha've ya done to 'im?"

Harry smiled when Tom looked at Hagrid with a baffled expression. "Told you he wouldn't be angry."

"Nah. Tha' time was long ago. Me life turned out for the better, thanks ter Dumbledore. But ter hear you apologisin ter me, means a great deal. Yeh've changed. An' not a little bit either. I accept yer apology."

Tom swallowed. "Thank you."

"So… to lighter topics, Hagrid, how's the forest?"

"Good, good, though the centaurs are becomin a bit nuts, if yeh'd ask me. Ever since Firenze left the bunch, it jus' isn't the same. They're not lettin me in certain parts o' the forest. Dunno why. Oh, and there've been a few new unicorn foals, I'm gonna show 'em to the third years if I can ge' their mother so far, an'…"

He ranted on and on about all the news about the forest, and then moved onto the pub gossip until it became dark. When it was time for them to go, Hagrid escorted them to the castle. Harry yawned and took Tom's hand while laying his head on Tom's shoulder. He smiled and released Harry's hand, to wrap it around his waist. Suddenly, they became aware of the fact that there were no more heavy footsteps to be heard. When Tom turned his head, he saw that Hagrid had stopped still on the path, staring.

"You two… are yeh… y'know… together?"

They both smiled, Tom a bit uncertain, and Harry nodded. Hagrid got a huge smile on his face. "Have me blessin than. I'll leave you two alone now."

When he was gone, Tom blinked. "Guess Dumbledore was right."

"He usually is. About what this time?"

"Gryffindors sure are forgiving."

Harry laughed. "If they weren't, you'd probably not be here, walking outside now…"

"What do you mean?"

"Who do you think suggested releasing you to follow lessons on Hogwarts again? And no, I have to disappoint you, but it wasn't me. I didn't think Dumbledore would agree, and though I can be very persistent, it usually doesn't work with Dumbledore."

Tom frowned. "It wasn't Dumbledore's idea?"

"Nope. Hermione's."

"What?" he asked, greatly surprised.

"Yeah, she set up an hour-length speech for you about why you should continue your studies. Apparently she thought it would be a waste of talent if you would spend years only sitting in that room. She thought it better to have you doing something. For the society you know, like everyone else."

"Wow. Guess I'll have to thank her."

"You'll have the opportunity tomorrow evening, when everyone returns with the Hogwarts Express. I was planning to wait for them at the train station."

"Good idea."

"So… starting tomorrow, you won't be a Slytherin anymore…"

"No… I hope I'll do well at Gryffindor. I'm not really that brave. I mostly like to talk my way out of difficult situations rather than challenge them head-on."

"Yes, but it is a good way to get friends instead of groveling followers."

"Speaking of which, I hope Draco Malfoy won't do anything stupid."

"Nah, he's too much of a coward."

"Good. Shall we get inside?"

"Okay. Let's have our last night of sleeping together, hm?"

"Last?" Tom said, shocked.

"I was only joking. We can sneak out at night. You know I've got that invisibility cloak. But we'll have to share the Gryffindor sleeping dorms with four other boys."

"Ah, annoying."

"Kinda."

"Well then," Tom smirked. "Let's enjoy our night together then."

Harry sniggered and pecked Tom on his lips. "Let's."