A/n: By now, you should know that I do not intend to make Tom/Voldemort evil. So if you do not want to read about an OOC Voldemort then stop reading this now.  If you do not care then goodie! I will try to make the chappies as long as I can but I love cliffhangers so my chapters will mostly work around those.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! The first person to tell me the secret behind the chapter names gets to pick what animal Vic gets for a pet as well as name it. Good Luck!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognize from Harry Potter. Victoria is my own creation, though I am basing her on my best friend.

Chapter 4: When Shall We Three Meet Again?

Harry woke to the sight of three owls perched on his windowsill eyeing the hissing ball of grey fur trying to reach them.

"Caesar, stop."

Walking to the window, he took the offered letters and fed the owls some of Hedwig's old treats before they flew off. Two of the letters were from Ron and Hermione and were addressed to his aunt and uncle's house but the last one, from Hogwarts, was addressed to Room 324 of The Magic Castle Hotel. Opening Ron's letter, he saw the familiar scrawl and smiled.

Harry,

Where are you, mate? Dumbledore won't tell us where you are staying and Mom is terrified that you have gotten into trouble. (I told her that you could take care of yourself but she doesn't believe me.) I'm sorry about Hedwig man, but don't you think you should stay with us? Send the word and I will get the twins to go pick you up. Please let me know.

Your Mate,

R.W.

Hermione's letter didn't say much but after Harry had read it a few times, a chill went up his spine.

To Harry,

Are you okay? I understand about the Dursleys (I can hex them if you want) Keep safe and I will see you when school starts.

Best Friend,

H.G.

Ron is telling me to leave and Hermione is calling herself my best friend and telling me to stay where I am.

Harry jumped up, grabbed Caesar, and took off for Tom's room. Knocking impatiently at the older wizard's door, he waited for an answer.

"What do you want and speak quickly or I will start throwing curses."

"It's me Tom."

"Harry, what on earth are you doing up at 7:30 in the morning? Wait, I don't want to know. Just go away."

Harry forced his way into the dark room and Tom groaned in frustration.

"I got some letters that have me worried. I was hoping you could just tell me I am paranoid."

Tom watched the young wizard standing in the middle of his bedroom fidget for a few seconds and shrugged. Whatever was bothering Harry was obviously important.

"Okay, let me see the letters."

Harry handed over the parchments and Tom quickly read each one.

"I know they disagree with each other on a lot of things," Harry explained, "but there is no way Hermione would tell me to stay hidden without good reason."

Tom nodded his head as he read Hermione's letter again, "Does she always end her letters this way?"

Harry shook his head, "No, she would never be that informal unless she was trying to tell me something, right?"

"I would have to say yes. I don't know these friends of yours very well though so I don't know how well I can decipher their meanings."

Harry began pacing around the room mumbling to himself. Putting the letters on the dresser, Tom walked into Harry's circle and waited for Harry to bump into him.

"Harry, you need to tell me what you want to do."

Harry looked up at the older wizard and frowned, "I am staying here. I don't know what is going on but I feel safe here."

Tom smiled, "Okay, then I suggest you owl Ron back and tell him your plans. I would owl Hermione just to tell her you are okay. Was that all?"

"My letter from Hogwarts came. It was addressed to this address. Should I be worried?"

Tom shook his head, "The office that fills out your school letters is automated to send it to the correct address. I am guessing that Victoria will get hers today as well."

As if she had heard her name, Victoria bounced into the room holding a cream-colored letter and singing, "To Hogwarts we will go, to Hogwarts we will go, Harry's in my fathers room, to Hogwarts we will go!"

Harry and Tom groaned in unison at the hyperactive fifteen year old. Harry made to grab Vic by the arm and she yelped before running out the door yelling, "Help, he's gonna eat me!"

Harry turned to Tom and said, "Excuse me," before running out of the bedroom after the mischievous witch.

"What is all that noise?"

Tom glanced up to find Lucius standing in a silver and black sleeping robe, rubbing his eyes and glaring balefully at the two battling teenagers down the hall. Grinning manically at his old friend, Tom pointed to the Hogwarts letter lying discarded on the floor and Lucius groaned.

"She is never going to calm down now is she?"

"I doubt it. Vic is a special little girl; she can make you laugh even when you are trying hard not to hex her."

Sighing in agreement, Lucius bowed to his smiling Master and went to wake up his son. I may enjoy having Harry Potter around. My Lord seems to become calm and mellow in the boys presence.

Tom smiled at his friend's thoughts before picking up Vic's letter and reading its contents.

To Miss. Victoria Eldir,

We are pleased to announce that your transfer from Salem School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been completed. Welcome to your new school. Please see the enclosed list of school supplies needed for your fifth year of school here. We will see you on Sept. 1st. in the great hall for your sorting. Once again, welcome.

Sincerely,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Folding the letter carefully, Tom placed it on his desk before heading to the bathroom. I am not getting anymore sleep it seems. Vic will certainly not allow it after receiving her letter. As he closed the door and locked it, Vic's voice could be heard singing through the halls.

"To Hogwarts we will go, To Hogwarts we will go, May all of Draco's hair fall out, To Hogwarts we will go."

"VICTORIA!"

At the Burrow

Dear Ron,

Thanks for your letter mate. I am doing fine so I think I will stay where I am until school starts. Tell Molly not to worry about me. I am staying with a nice family who is making sure I don't get into trouble. Thanks for your sympathies about Hedwig and I will see you when school starts.

Your Mate,

H.P.

Ron stared for a while at his letter before crumpling it up and walking downstairs for breakfast. He had been so sure that Harry would want to come to the Burrow that he had volunteered to be the one to go get Harry when he said yes but now he didn't know what to think.

"Harry doesn't want to come here."

Headmaster Dumbledore looked up from his conversation with Arthur and Remus and sighed, "Did he give a reason?"

"No he just said some family is taking care of him, not to worry, and that he would see me at school."

Molly wrung her hands in her apron, "I hope he is eating enough. I am so worried Albus."

"There, there Molly. I am sure he is just fine though I would like to know who this family is." Dumbledore frowned and turned to Hermione.

"Have you gotten a reply back?"

"No, Headmaster," Hermione lied. She had her letter hidden in her room and there was no way she was giving it to Dumbledore.

I cannot believe these people are all trying to run Harry's life. If Harry weren't okay, he would come to one of us. It's as if since he is The-Boy-Who-Lived they can all tell him what to do.

After everyone had voiced their own opinion about where Harry was and where they thought he should be, Hermione excused herself and went to her room to open her letter.

Dear Hermione,

I am doing much better now that I am not with the Dursleys. I am with some people who have my best interests at heart. Please don't let anyone try to find me. I am at The Magic Castle Hotel if you want to come see me. Make sure you are not followed.

Yours Always,

Harry

Hermione smiled at the information and threw the letter into the flames. Nothing would keep her from meeting the new family that Harry has let into his life.

I am going tomorrow when everyone else is still sleeping.

With that thought, Hermione curled up and went to sleep.

Hermione's alarm went off at 6:30 am and she snuck out of her bedroom carrying her shoes. The lights were all out and she checked every room to make sure no one was up early. Tip toeing downstairs she exited out the back door. Slipping on her shoes, she pulled out her wand and Apparated to the hotel. Nodding to the door attendant, Hermione walked into the lobby of the hotel and headed over to the front desk. Sitting in an overstuffed lounge chair was Draco Malfoy.