.
.
It could have been pity. But more likely, he had an ulterior motive. Regardless of his reasons for it, Voldemort Thomas Riddle was thankful that dear old Tommy pulled him out of Rutledge. That Alice girl was sure to speed up his mental deterioration.
For now, though, he'd decided to take the time to change himself. He'd already gained some semblance of sanity.
Enough to hear and recognize the high baritone voice that brought him his tea every day.
Hadrian James Potter.
The boy probably didn't remember him. But that worked in his favor.
Voldemort remembered all too well what he'd done to the boy, and now that they were both older, he regretted it.
Magic? Absurd. What a fool he was to believe that…
But that was then and this is now.
Perhaps it was regret. Perhaps it was the hope for redemption. But whatever the case, he found himself always enjoying it when that person- whom he could only hear but never see- came to visit.
His voice was always a comfort to listen to- nothing like that hag Bellatrix.
Or that stupid house-elf.
There was a gentle clatter as a teacup was set beside him.
"Earl Grey, My Lord. Black, as requested."
Gentle hands took his own and guided them around the handle of the cup, and Voldemort smiled.
"You have done well, Hadrian. Perhaps the Dementors would spare your soul, and I might one day see it."
The small hands stiffened.
"ah..yes…however, My Lord, your brother…"
Black became red for a split second.
"Yesss," he hissed, just a bit harsher than he'd intended.
"What about him?"
He could sense the hesitation in the boy's voice.
"He….I've…he has given to me the role of his personal attendant. I'm afraid I may not be able to see you after Monday."
Voldemort frowned.
"…No."
"I…beg your pardon?"
"I won't allow it! I'm the elder! You should be serving me!"
Harry gasped as the teacup fell and shattered on the plush carpet. Pale, scarred hands clasped his own, and even though Harry knew his master's older brother was blind, he felt as if those clouded red eyes were staring into his very soul.
"Promise me! Take the Unbreakable Oath that you won't ever betray me for him! Take it! Swear on your grave! Do it now!"
Scared, Harry struggled against the hands that held him and somehow slipped out. Then, once free, he ran out of the room and out of the manor, almost forgetting to grab Tom's gift on the way.
.
.
XXxxXX
The next morning, Harry pretended nothing had happened. Pretended that he hadn't just been privy to one of his masters' fits, and that he wasn't scared to death.
"G'morning Harry," greeted James, being the second to rise after his son, as always.
"Didn' 'ear you come in…c'mon. Let's check on the gard'n tog'ther."
His speech was slurred and ineloquent, but Harry knew that was just because he was tired.
"Of course, dad."
They left the house and went to the vegetable patch in front of it. Nothing was ready to harvest quite yet, but Harry knew that they could last until the harvest. Tom had been generous as of late, his latest gift being three large cuts of dried meat and an assortment of nuts and beans. Protein-rich foods that the Potters had lacked- not that he had any way of knowing that, since Harry was never one to give details of his personal life unless asked.
Harry and his father went back inside to find Lily already cutting the meat- tearing would have been more accurate- into small pieces , perfectly rationed so they'd last as long as possible.
She left out three pieces- one for each of them- and put the rest in the small clay container used for meat storage. And then, once they'd eaten, Harry decided it was time to share the good news.
"So, son, how is work? It seems the Riddles are treating you nicely," said his mother.
"Oh yes," affirmed Harry. "As a matter of fact, Tom had me informed just yesterday that, as of Monday- two days from now- I shall start work as his personal attendant."
As he expected, his parents were thrilled, his mother going to hug him and kiss his cheek and his father giving him a hearty pat on the back.
"This is splendid Harry! At the rate things are going, we'll have our fortunes restored in no time!" his mother exclaimed.
James gave him another pat on the back.
"Good job, my boy! Now, let's celebrate!"
Harry smiled. This was what he wanted. As long as his family was happy, he was willing to put up with Tom's manipulation and Voldemort's fits.
As long as they were happy…
