Thank you so much for the reviews. I want to make note that the chapters are going to be around 4000-5000 words, and the story will be split into parts. Right now, we are on Part A, and Part B will most likely occur when I make a time skip. The chapters word count will increase when I switch to the next part.
Also, I know some of you may find Harry too silly or pouty, but he is six years old. As for Tom, he'll be ten soon, and he will go through character development just like Harry. He won't be like this forever. So once again, thank you for the reviews, and enjoy! ;D
Chapitre Deux
Harry sat comfortably on a white couch and as far away from Tom. He knew Tom was going to exact his revenge for the kick to his leg, but he did not know when that would occur. Once they had entered the house, Narcissa was guided away to some other room and they were left in the living room. Rabastan was the only there to keep them company. "Say, Tom, I'm bored." Harry whined. Tom did not respond. Harry's brow furrowed and he glanced sideways at Tom. "I said I was bored." He repeated more sternly.
Tom was looking moodily at the fireplace mantle that was behind an identical couch to the one they were sitting on. Harry sighed. Tom refused to talk to him so he had no choice but to strike up a conversation with the Rabastan. And that was like trying to strike a match on a wet rock. "So…Bastan… I can call you that right? I like giving nicknames to people. What's your favorite color?" Harry asked. He had turned to the uptight male who stood stiffly next to him. Rabastan grunted and looked down at Harry. There was silence.
"Um, do you like the color red?" Harry asked.
Rabastan stiffened.
"Blue?"
"…"
"Orange?"
"…"
"Purple?"
Rabastan grunted, and if Harry squinted and used a magnifying glass, he would be able to spot the tiny smile on Rabastan's face. He really liked purple. "Oh, well that's nice. Personally, I like pink." Harry commented. Tom made a disgusted face at the mention of pink before reverting back to a blank expression. Harry noticed all of it though. He grinned. "Tom doesn't like pink though. He prefers black, though that isn't really much of a color. He also likes dark colors like maroon or royal blue." Tom's head inclined toward Harry. It was a sign he was eavesdropping on the conversation.
Harry chuckled inwardly. He was a genius. He would get Tom talking in no time. Harry knew very well that Tom loved to hear people talking about him, of course, if it only meant to inflate his ego further. "You know Rabastan, Tom is really a smart boy. I mean when I came to the orphanage, I thought everyone was stupid. Then I met Tom. He's amazing really. Did you know he could make animals hang themselves?" Harry asked abruptly.
Rabastan quirked an eyebrow and inclined his head in a 'please-continue' gesture.
"You didn't? Well he can, and he can do a lot of other cool things too. For example, when we went out to the country last year he showed me that he could talk to snakes! I was like wow. That's wicked. I wish I could talk to snakes." Harry rambled on.
As he prattled on more nonsense on how great Tom was, the older boy had closed the gap between them and was now breathing down Harry's neck. Not that Harry really minded, after all, he shared the same bed as Tom. That involved a lot of breathing down each other's neck.
"—and then there was this one time one of the little—"
Harry stopped and turned to look at Tom who was so close to him it was not even funny. "Yes, Tom?" Harry asked. Tom pulled away from Harry, allowing the boy some personal space. "Nothing, continue though." He said. Harry blinked at Tom. "Why are you eavesdropping on my private conversation, Tom?" Tom rolled his eyes. "It isn't really private if the whole world can hear you. You talk so loud." Harry stuck his tongue out at Tom and blew a raspberry.
Tom scowled at Harry.
"I don't talk loud, you're just jealous I have a beautiful voice." Harry said. He huffed and turned his head back to Rabastan. He could hear Tom snort in return which only irked him more. He really did have a more beautiful voice than Tom. Or so he believed. "Anyways, where was I Rabastan before I was rudely interrupted?"
"Excuse me? But if I recall, you interrupted yourself." Tom quipped in.
Harry pouted, "I wouldn't have interrupted myself if you hadn't been breathing down my neck like some creeper!" Tom gave Harry a dull look. "Really Harry? You're the one who was trying to strike up a conversation with me! Now you want to ignore me?" Harry huffed for a second time. "I wasn't ignoring you, genius. You were ignoring me. And I am only trying to have a civilized conversation with my friend here, until you barged in."
"Riiight, you might as well be talking to a wall, with a face." Tom snapped and scooted away from Harry.
The younger boy gasped and looked in between Rabastan and Tom. Harry then clasped Rabastan's hand, startling the butler, and looked apologetically at him. "He didn't mean that, Bastan. Tom's just cranky I'm not paying him any attention." Harry said. Rabastan could only look at both boys with hidden amusement. Rabastan grunted. Harry smiled and then turned to glare at Tom. "Apologies to Bastan, right now, Tom. That was mean of you to say. Rabastan is a very lively participant in my conversation." Harry demanded.
Tom looked skeptical and just rolled his eyes. "You have officially lost it, Harry." Harry gapped at Tom before lunging himself at the boy, knocking them both off the couch. Thankfully, they landed on a soft rug rather than the marble floor. And no coffee table was in their way as they began to wrestle with each other. "Get off me you, idiot." Tom growled as he grabbed Harry's shoulders and tried to slam him into the floor. Harry would have none of that. He had more physical rough housing experience than Tom and got the boy into a head lock in a matter of minutes. "Say it!" Harry hissed.
Tom sputtered and tried to get himself out of the head lock. How embarrassing for him to be overthrown by a mere six year old. "Never, you bloody imp." Tom snarled. Harry's grip tightened when Tom's quick mind found a way to get out the grip. His right hand slinked around Harry and then squeezed a good portion of Harry's butt. One thing Tom knew about Harry was that he hated to be touched, except if it were a hug, or a kiss on the cheek.
The youngest of the two's face redden and he gasped. Harry dropped Tom and scrambled away from him. "Tom!" Harry whined while he rubbed the spot he was violated in. Tom smirked; he hit two birds with one stone. He managed to escape Harry's hold and exacted his revenge, and all in front of Rabastan. Tom was the man. "What's the matter Harry; I was only giving you some attention." Harry's blush darkened and he looked down. "That wasn't attention that was molestation!" Harry cried. Tom cocked an eyebrow, "Do you even know what that word means, retard?" Harry bottom lip stuck out. Why was it that his embarrassment would not end, "No…"
There was a clapping sound at the doorway and Tom looked up only to narrow his eyes. Harry did not even want to turn around and see who witnessed his most embarrassing moment. It was almost as embarrassing as the time he peed in his pants because Mrs. Cole wouldn't let him go to the bathroom. "What a splendid performance. Cissy, you were right, these children are just adorable." A woman said. She had black hair tied in a tight bun, and black eyes. She looked nothing like Narcissa. Harry glanced at the woman and then at Narcissa who winked at him, and he immediately walked over to Tom and hid behind him.
"Ah, he's shy." Andromeda remarked. Tom knew without a doubt that she was Narcissa's sister. They were both decrepit and weird.
"My lady," Rabastan said. Narcissa smiled at him and walked further into the room. "Well, do you think the paperwork can be arranged by tomorrow, sister?" Andromeda was still sizing up the boys, winking at Harry every time he peeked over Tom's shoulder. "Of course, so boys, have you picked a name for yourselves?" Andromeda said. She walked into the room and bent down in front of them. Tom resisted the urge to sneer at her for being so close. "No, but I'm sure we'll find something. Now if you could please take few steps back, maybe even yards, I would appreciate it. Your breath is abhorred." Tom snapped.
Harry giggled quietly behind Tom while Andromeda stood up and looked at Narcissa. "You are right about this one. He's got quite a mouth." Tom's eyes narrowed. Narcissa was talking about him to her sister, he did not find that comforting. "The little one seems to be in enamored with him though." Tom's glare only darkened.
"Love," A man called from the doorway. His figure loomed awkwardly over a little girl around Tom's age who stood beside him. "Oh, Teddy, Cissy-dear brought the children she's going to adopted. Nymphadora, darling, come here so I can introduce you." Andromeda beckoned. The girl walked over and looked coyly at Tom. She was not ugly, but she was not all that either in looks. Tom looked at her with a bored expression. Harry finally came around him and stood beside him.
The girl glanced at both of them when she stood in front of them. "Hello, my name is Nymphadora, but you can call me Dora." She said. Harry's eyes brightened up, "My name is Harry! It's nice to meet you Dora." Nymphadora looked annoyed and glared at Harry. "I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to him." She said. The last part came out dreamily. Andromeda and Narcissa looked at each other with secretive smiles while Tom remained impassive. "So, your name is?" Nymphadora inquired. "Tom, but it won't be that name for long. So don't get used to it." He said. Nymphadora's eyes twinkled and she giggled. "Okay, Tom."
Harry pouted as he looked between the giggling girl and Tom. He suddenly gripped the fabric on Tom's shirt. For some reason he felt threatened by this…girl. Could he even call her a girl? She did not look like one with her short hair. "Well, why don't we let these youngsters go off and play somewhere while we talk business?" Andromeda suggested. Narcissa smiled, "Why not?"
"…And these are my glass figurine collection. I have over 72 of them. You could have one if you like?" Nymphadora said. They were currently in her room, Tom being victimized by the girl's constant ramble, and Harry pouting on a pink stool. He was beginning to hate pink seeing as how the girl's room was entirely pink, and she was a downright bitch. "No thank you, I don't like glass statues." Tom declined politely. Nymphadora made an 'aw' sound and pouted before moving on to show him the next of her collection. Harry sighed. He was so bored and now his Tom was being assaulted by some pink loving bitch. He really wanted to go home and just cuddle up in his warm bed and have Tom read him a story.
"Tom, you think we can go home yet?" Harry asked him. Tom looked at him and shrugged. Nymphadora appeared panicked by this question. "Maybe I can ask my mother if you could spend the night?" she suggested. Harry glared at her, "We can't." Nymphadora huffed and turned to him. "I wasn't talking to you. I thought maybe Tom my like to sleepover." She fluttered her eyelashes at him and giggled. Tom looked blankly at her. "Sorry, but I can't. Harry has trouble if I'm not in bed with him." Nymphadora's mouth nearly dropped as Harry grinned evilly at her.
Harry – 1, evil little girl – 0.
"But—" Nymphadora began when Harry cut her off.
"Tom," Harry whined. "I need to use the bathroom." Suddenly Tom's dull expression brightened and an eerie smile came on his face. "Do you, now?" Tom was at Harry's side and pulling him up from the stool. Harry scowled at Tom knowing that the older boy only saw this as an opportunity to touch Harry since he did not get to earlier. Nymphadora sputtered before jumping in between Harry and Tom. "I'll show you to the bathroom." She offered and smile.
"Of course," Tom said in a matter-of-factly tone.
They followed the girl out of her room and down the hall, turned to the right, and down the hall some more. They stopped at a blue door decorated with gold designs. It was the only blue door in the hall way. Harry wiggled a bit. He did really need to go pee. "Here we are." She gestured to the door. Harry pushed her out of the way, and she nearly fell. She glared at Harry as he opened the bathroom door. But before he could close it, Tom slipped in the through and slammed it shut. Nymphadora's jaw dropped as she heard the lock turn. "T-Tom, if you need the bathroom, I could show you another one?"
"Please do!" Harry shouted from within.
Next thing Nymphadora knew was a disgruntled looking Tom being pushed out of the bathroom. "You blasted imp, why'd you push me out?" Tom complained to the closed door. Harry muttered something but didn't reply back. "Um, I could show you the bathroom now?" Nymphadora said. Tom turned and glared at her. He then walked towards the wall facing the bathroom door, and leaned on it. He was thoroughly disappointed. Why couldn't Harry just let him touch him? It was not that big of a deal.
After two minutes, Harry emerged from the bathroom with wet hands. "All done," he said joyously. Nymphadora snorted. "Well, let's go back to my room!" Harry paled while Tom pushed off the wall and began following Nymphadora.
"Wait," Harry said. The two older children stopped and looked at Harry. "How about we go outside?" He asked. Nymphadora wrinkled her nose. "Yes," Tom agreed. He looked at Nymphadora, "Show us outside, will you?" Nymphadora blushed and batted her eyelashes, it made Harry want to gag. "Okay," she said merrily. She guided them down the hall, past her room, and down the stairs. They went past the living room all the way down the hall towards large double French doors.
Nymphadora propped the door opened and they slipped outside. It was sunny for a winter day. Dead trees scourged the land and nothing seemed very happy outside. "Wow, this place is…scary." Harry mumbled as he walked out further on the stone patio and down the steps. Tom closely followed. Nymphadora walked ahead and led them to the largest tree in the backyard. On the trees limbs, dead cats hanged.
"Uh," Harry began. Tom quirked an eyebrow at the spectacle, he was most intrigued. "Halloween has passed already…" Harry commented. Nymphadora rolled her eyes at him. "These aren't Halloween decorations, silly. They're Yuletide ones. We set these up ten days before Christmas." Harry swallowed dryly. He never seen Christmas decorations such as these. "I don't remember Christmas having that for traditions." Tom chuckled. "Of course they aren't Christmas tradition, this is a tradition assumed by the Black family. Is that right, Dora?"
She smiled at him, "Yes it is, Tom. You're so smart." She giggled when she said his name and Tom smirked, Harry could only glower in jealousy. "Well, I think it's weird." Harry muttered. Tom shrugged and then started moving. Nymphadora was walking to another area. Harry still couldn't grasp what was so important about hanging dead cats in a tree. It seemed rather demented and evil. "This is so weird." He whispered to himself. He shuddered as he watched one cat rotate around in a full circle. "Bleh," he stuck his tongue out and then hurried after Tom.
While Nymphadora trudged to another disconcerting tree, Harry tugged on Tom's sleeve. "I don't like it out here, Tom. It's really creepy." Harry whined. Tom growled under his breath. "If you're going to be a baby then just go back inside the house." Harry pouted, "But I don't want to go alone." Tom stopped in mid-step and turned to Harry. "I'm not going to babysit you, just go back." "But don't you find it the least bit strange that they have these…customs?"
"No," Tom replied dryly. "I find it fascinating; now go back to the house if you're going to be a chicken about it." Harry grunted but turned on his heel and marched back. As he walked towards the house he could feel the looming presence of the tower of York Minister. Harry paused and looked up. The tallest part of the church was facing the backyard of the house and it seemed ominous from where Harry stood. He didn't like the feeling of how it seemed to bear down on him. The wind picking up didn't help either.
"Stupid c-creepy crap," Harry stuttered under his breath. He hated scary stuff but this was just his imagination running away with him again. So what if cats hung on trees, nothing crazy was going on...or so he hoped.
"Harry," a voice hissed. Harry froze and looked wide eyed all around him. Something called him, something that sounded akin to a snake. But he couldn't speak to snakes like Tom.
"This way…Harry," the voice continued.
Harry was hesitant, he was only a few more yards from the steps that led to the house, yet the voice beckoned him to go towards the stone wall that bordered the York Minister. The wind picked up once more, blowing around the orange and brown leaves that coated the dead grass. "Harry, get a grip, it's just your imagination." Harry said to himself. He kept repeated it in his head like a mantra and continued walked back to the house.
"Harry"
Harry bit his lip. Although, he was more than scared out of his wits, curiosity was curling at his feet and latching onto his stomach. He looked back at the loaming tower. There, at the window, a faceless person looked back at Harry. Or what he could see, and that was a good enough warning for him. He broke into a mad dash for the house and slipped right through the French door before slamming it shut. He slammed himself against the door. Never in his life had he felt more horrified than he did now.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Harry gasped as he heaved in air. He was not the most physically fit child.
"Hello," a voice said.
Harry yelped and whirled to his left to see a tall man whom he recognized as 'Teddy'. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." He smiled softly. Harry blinked as he stared up at the man. He was tall, lanky, and had a very friendly face. His eyes were a warm brown and his hair could be confused for blonde. "My name is Ted, I'm Andromeda's husband." He said politely. "You must be one of Narcissa's boys, I can guess your Harry?"
Harry nodded and moved off the door. He stood straighter and eyed the man warily. He did not like men because of past experiences, so he was precautious. "She's right you know, you do have beautiful eyes." He said. Harry swallowed and nodded. "Thank you," he barely whispered. Ted smiled. "Ah, don't be shy with me, I won't hurt you." Ted reached out to grab Harry's arm but the boy backed up. It was then the French door opened and a laughing Tom and Nymphadora walked in. Tom immediately stopped laughing and took in the scene.
Teddy's outstretched hand, and Harry's ghastly expression. Tom snarled, "What did you do to him?" He pushed Nymphadora out of his way and grabbed Harry's arm. Harry took the chance to hide behind Tom and buries his head in Tom's back. It was nice to grip someone familiar. He was scared. Not because of Ted, because of that face that faceless face.
"I didn't do anything. I apologize though. I didn't mean to scare you Harry." Ted said. Nymphadora glared at her father. "Goodness, father, can you not mess with my friends for once? Go upstairs to your room; mother will have a talk with you!" Ted paled drastically and bent down his head in submission. "Of course, dear," he walked down that hall and disappeared out of sight. Harry felt somewhat guilty; Ted did seem like a nice man. But Harry's instincts that developed over the years he lived in his aunt and uncle's house primed him to stay away from men.
"Are you alright?" Tom asked. His voice was soft and lightly traced with concern. He turned around and faced Harry.
Harry shook his head. Tom's teeth gritted as he glared down the hall Ted disappeared. "I think we should go home. Thank you for showing me around. Maybe will do more another time, eh?" Tom suggested to Nymphadora. She still had an annoyed look attached to her boyish features. She was glaring daggers at the spot her father was in. "Oh, sure, that'd be nice, Tom." She said. No giggle at his name this time. She smiled at him and looked at Harry. This time she didn't glare at him, she winked. Harry blinked at her before burying his face in Tom's shirt.
"Alright, we will be back here tomorrow evening before the banquet starts." Narcissa said as she stood outside the front door. Tom held Harry's hand and Harry remained unusually quiet. Every now and then, Harry chanced a glance at York Minister to see its tallest tower empty. He was sure he saw someone up there. "That would be splendid, then we can have the adoption confirmed, and you can introduce them as your sons." Andromeda added with vigor.
Both women let out a dark laugh before hugging and saying goodbye. The walk back home was long and quiet. When Harry and Tom made it back to their room, Harry stripped down to his skivvies and dived for the bed. He buried himself under the covers and snuggled the large pillow. "You really need to pick up after yourself you know." Tom grumbled. He was picking up Harry's discarded clothing and then folding them and placing them on their dresser. He too stripped down to his skivvies though and then after putting their clothes up got into bed.
"I find it quite early to go to bed." Tom remarked. Harry shrugged as he poked his head out of his cocoon and giggled at Tom. Tom rolled his eyes at Harry's antics before making his own cocoon himself. "I thought I was the childish one." Harry said. Tom grumbled something colorful. "Give me some covers, you're hogging them all." Harry giggled again, "How about you come share my cocoon?" Tom was about to protest when he was then dragged under the covers and snug against Harry. "Better?" Harry chuckled and pulled the cover s over their head.
Tom sighed and nodded before turning over and facing Harry. The smaller boy smiled and then snuggled to Tom. He tucked his head under Tom's chin before letting out a deep relaxed sigh and then promptly falling asleep. Tom snorted before closing his own eyes. Tomorrow would be a hectic day. Picking new names for them and meeting their new family. He knew that the Christmas Eve banquet was going to be over flowing with Black family members and associate friends.
Tom dearly hoped that Harry would act with some semblance of a well mannered child. Though seeing as how Harry could be shy, he may just prefer to trail Tom wherever they went. Yet that still didn't excuse their most relenting problem, and that would be finding a new name. Tom did not want any schmucks name and he wanted to mean something great. So it would take time, especially with Harry resisting the idea of it.
This chapter was more of a filler. Next chapter will be where it gets exciting and everyone meets the Black family; as in the whole entire family, distant, relatives, and whatnot! Yay, if I didn't number my chapters, I'd title chapter 3, "Meet the Blacks" ha ha... :)