Harry winced as he walked (hobbled more like it) across the street. The beating last night was the worst in a long time. It had been pure willpower that allowed him to stand. He was not looking forward to seeing Tom or Gellert. Even though they had become more friendly over the first few days, he didn't know how they would take this. Whether they would taunt him about not being able to defend himself against a overweight muggle or help him get to class and such. He wasn't even sure if he could face Ron or Hermione at this point.
He somehow managed to avoid Dudley and his gang for the rest of the day but even Dumbledore wouldn't be able to avoid Riddle and Grindelwald completely. The entire day he could feel their eyes searing holes on the back of his head. They managed to catch up to him as he was walking 'home' from school.
"Why're you hurt?" Grindelwald said bluntly.
Tom glared at Gellert and said, "What he means to say Harry, is this; why have you been avoiding us? You thought we wouldn't notice your limp? I grew up in a non- child supportive environment so I can easily spot child abuse. I know it wasn't a child, bully or not, who did this to you so don't even bother denying," He added when Harry opened his mouth to protest. "Besides what you said to us yesterday didn't go in one ear and out the other. We were suspecting it already and this just confirms it."
"I thought you would call me weak." Harry admitted meekly.
"You aren't weak, Potter. Your five-year old abused body just isn't suitable for standing up to that fat walrus. And anyway, if I know Gryffindors, the reason you didn't stand up to them using magic is because you're too noble and honorable to use a weapon you knew they couldn't defend against." Grindelwald offered. "What I don't get is why you didn't just heal your wounds magically."
"The beatings are worse if he sees that I just magicked them away." Harry replied stiffly; he didn't like opening up and showing others weakness. Especially if those 'others' are your formally worst enemies. "Besides, if we show as poor orphans beaten and starved, but magically enhanced, one the savior of the wizarding world, they'd be more susceptible to us going to Hogwarts early? It'll be easier later on if we manage to wow them earlier rather than later."
"Okay, sounds good, but I vote me and Tommy here," (Tom scowled) "keep looking like this. It'll be more of a shock to Dumbledore, especially if he 'overhears' us talking about 'The Greater Good' or the 'The Deathly Hallows'" Gellert grinned. "No-one but Albus knows what I looked like or what we exchanged ideas about over the summer. I could even make some comments about Arianna."
"He really chewed himself up about that. When we were destroying horcruxes and he drank that potion Tom made, he remembered that battle. He was begging you not to hurt her. And when he looked into the Mirror of Erised he saw her. One lifetime the last thing he said to me was: 'I'm not afraid of death because I know I'll see my loved ones again.'"
"The potion made you recall your worst experience." Tom remembered.
Grindelwald bowed his head. There was silence for a few moments before Gellert clapped his hands together and said "Now that's over we should figure out how we should 'stumble' across the wizarding world."
