Disclaimer- Harry Potter and all of its characters, places and other things that I don't feel like mentioning belong to JK Rowling, not me.
Chapter 4- Questions
Interacting with Tom had been far more difficult than he had first thought.
Harry thought that it would be easy to talk to someone that you have seen in such a vulnerable state, but he couldn't have been more wrong. When he saw Tom, he saw the cold, narcissistic entity he had seen in his second year. He saw Tom's cruel, dark eyes boring into his like bottomless pits. He heard his mocking, drawling voice, his high, manic laughter. He also saw Voldemort- What Tom had yet to become- sneering cruelly. Disposing Cedric's body like he was nothing but a worthless rag doll. The man (if you could call it that) who only a few months ago made Harry feel helpless; useless. Made him an unwilling sacrifice for the grand re-bodying of the monster.
The worst thing of all, though, was that he knew that the Tom he had just met wasn't the Tom he saw in the diary; neither was he the dehumanised psychopath he had assisted in returning from the dead. This Tom was more or less human. Maybe not the kindest of humans, but still, he was human. Just an ambitious teenager with endless opportunities in life. Which means that he chose to turn out the way he did. And that was what made the whole ordeal as unnerving as it was.
But to cry in front of Tom? To stutter in his presence as though he were impersonating Quirrel? He must have looked absolutely pathetic. He wasn't even game enough to explain who he was and the story of what had happened to himself and Tom's future self. He was so cowardly- not something a Gyffindor should be- that he just handed him a book. A book. A book that probably exaggerated the whole event of Halloween 1981. One that would portray Harry as a selfless hero and Voldemort the deranged, weak snake hybrid that lost against an infant.
Maybe it was for the better. Maybe Tom would see what he had become and be repulsed. And maybe, just maybe, he can be changed for the better. Harry had seen Tom's childhood in Dumbledore's pensieve not even a week earlier. Tom and himself had lived through a difficult childhood. They were both friendless, taunted and even feared. The only difference was that whilst Tom relished the respect and fear that was directed towards him, Harry discouraged it, finding comfort in being treated as a normal human being rather than a freak or a hero. The strange thing was that this person, so alike to the green eyed teen, yet so different, had somehow managed to make his way to Harry, slapping time and physics in the face while he was at it. Wait, no, scratch that. Magic in general tended to do that.
But there must be a reason. There must be a decent explanation as to why Tom -Tom Freaking Marvolo Riddle- of ALL people, was summoned before him. He had asked for someone he did not expect, didn't he? He'd have thought maybe someone in a different year such as Cho Chang or George/Fred (who could tell the difference anyway?) or maybe even a teacher to appear in front of him. But maybe that's just it. Maybe the reason why Tom had appeared was because his mind kept contradicting itself as to what it had anticipated. He would have expected someone from Hogwarts, someone from this current era to be summoned, but he had asked for a person he didn't expect. Merlin, this was confusing. Harry needed a butterbeer. And fast.
The fifth year made his way towards the kitchens, colliding with people and various objects in the process. He barely noticed. Harry's brain hurt from all this thinking and the only things on his mind were his destination and the taste of warm butterbeer against his parched mouth.
He continued to stagger through the long halls of Hogwarts like a piteous drunk, nudging passer bys out of the way. His mind only snapped out of its haze when he felt a firm grip on his shoulders. Harry struggled against the offender, managing to shake them off, only to be restricted once more by another pair of arms. He didn't even need to look up to know who it was.
"Harry James Potter. Look up at me this instant," the voice directed.
Harry looked up at Madam Pomfrey,a sheepish blush lightly colouring his cheeks.
"Where do you think you're going? I ask you the simple task of assisting Tom with any of his inquiries and to watch over him for the time being. Never did I ask you to wander around the school and abandon your duties. I thought better of you."
"Sorry, Miss. I was heading for the kitchens," Harry stated truthfully.
"And your reason? You left Tom, the one person I told you to keep an eye on, without a reasonable explanation."
"Butterbeer."
"Butterbeer? And you think that is a sufficient excuse?" the woman inquired, looking more than a little bewildered.
Harry shrugged and awkwardly shifted from one foot to another, embarrassed that he was being told off by the school nurse in the middle of a crowded corridor. A few people around them stopped to watch the commotion enfold before them. Whispers were sounded throughout the area; some confused whilst others, such as a distinguishable Malfoy, were throwing around ridiculing comments.
"Not only that, but Tom had several queries he wished to ask you, but you, the one person I nominated for this task, were not present to answer them for him. I am most disappointed in you," Pomfrey continued.
Harry goggled at her. The matron had never gotten this indignant. Ever. And this is the woman who remained calm when Harry had thrown out all his medicinal potions he was assigned to drink in a temper tantrum two years ago. Well, you couldn't blame him; those potions were nasty.
"I'm leaving Tom with you now. You'd better not think about leaving him again."
With that, Madam Pomfrey flounced off, leaving behind a baffled Harry Potter with the company of a smirking Tom Riddle. Completely ignoring his nerves, the shorter boy glared at Tom for his obvious amusement towards the scene. The two stayed in an awkward silence, boring the crowed into dissipation, before Harry found the courage to break the ice.
"So, what was it that you wanted?"
Tom looked imperceptibly shocked at the other's new found confidence. "Answers. I have a few questions that I wish to be answered. By you."
"All right, then. Ask away."
"Not here," Tom said. "Would you rather go back to the infirmary or Hogsmeade? We could discuss this in The Three Broomsticks, if you like. It seems as though you really need a butter beer right now."
"Oh, okay. That would be great...," Though Harry's face stated otherwise. He really didn't want to be anywhere alone with Tom, but it looked like he didn't have a choice.
"What about the kitchens?"
"I'd prefer to speak to you in private. The house elves won't provide us with any seclusion."
Harry nodded, though he still looked quite chary.
"There's no need to be wary. I mean you no harm." Tom stopped for a moment before continuing. "We should get going, then. We cannot apparate within Hogwarts, neither can we floo in from the Headmaster's office. That means we must exit the school first to find a place in which we can apparate from."
Before Harry could stop himself, he blurted out something he really shouldn't have. "No need! There's a secret passageway from here to Honeydukes."
It took Harry a moment to process what he had just said. Damn it! Did I really just reveal a secret passageway to a future murderer? Harry mentally facepalmed. Toms face lit up a fraction and his eyes showed his increasing curiosity.
"Really? Can you show me?"
A few minutes had found them beside the one- eyed witch statue, even though Harry's conscience had been practically screaming at him not to.
Harry tapped his wand against the jagged surface and said "Dissendium." The statue opened and revealed a small tunnel, just big enough to fit one person. Tom looked at Harry, awaiting his next instruction.
"Now you just slide down." Harry stated, gesturing to the opened cavern. Tom eyed it sceptically.
"Why don't you go first? I've never used this passageway before, and it would be best if you would demonstrate how to use it."
"Okay, then. Wait- aren't you going to change your appearance? I think it would give everyone a heart attack if the saw you walking around, especially with me."
Tom raised an elegant eyebrow. "Really, Harry? I'm not stupid." He proceeded to lift his wand and alter his appearance. His hair was kept the same, but his facial features were made softer, unlike his naturally chiselled features. His eyes were recoloured from a dark brown-grey to a watery blue and his skin colour was changed from pale to a sun kissed olive. He didn't look drastically different from his original self, but nobody would recognise him as Tom Marvolo Riddle.
"Off you go," Tom said, pushing an unsuspecting Harry into the passage. He heard the boy shriek in shock and allowed himself to smirk wickedly. After a minute or so, Harry found himself in the cellar of Honeydukes. He searched the room for other people, but found it empty. The teenager stuck his head into the tunnel.
"Tom! It's safe to go down!"
He heard his parent's murderer-to-be grumble before he slid down the small passage. He emerged from the opening covered in dust and looking ,overall, greatly dishevelled. With a huff, the Head Boy dusted himself off and smoothed out various parts of his garments. Harry laughed. He couldn't help it. Seeing a supposedly 'perfect' Head Boy and Prefect in such a begrimed state was highly amusing. He stopped himself when he saw the look Tom was aiming at him.
"Shall we go, now?" Tom grumbled, unhappy by the Gryffindor's outburst.
Harry flushed and nodded meekly, following the older male out of the cellar.
The two walked in complete silence until they arrived at their destination. The powerful torrent of wondrous smells, sounds and warmth enveloped them as they made their way inside the pub. Tom turned to face Harry.
"I'll go find a decent table for us. You get the drinks."
Harry made his way to the counter.
"Hello, Mr. Potter. What do you want to order?" The bartender asked, cheerily.
"I'd like a butterbeer and..." Great. Tom didn't even tell him what he wanted. "Just today's special."
He didn't even know the the day's special was. If Tom didn't like it, that was too bad. It was his fault for not telling Harry what he wanted.
"Coming right up!" The bartender grinned, getting started on the drinks. After a short while, two drinks were slammed on the counter in front of him. One was a mug full of warm, sweet, heavenly, golden (he could go on forever) butterbeer. The drink next to it, on the other hand, didn't look quite as appetising. The beverage was a mucky green, lumpy sludge which produced bubbles as though it was alive. He swore he saw something move inside the drink. It didn't even look drinkable. What a shame. Tom had himself to blame for not specifying what he wanted.
Harry gently lifted the mugs with both hands and looked around the pub in search for the other male. He found Tom waving him over from a dark, isolated corner of the bar. He made his way towards the table and placed the mugs in the centre of the weathered oak. Upon seeing the beverages before him, Tom projected a disgusted expression. The intensity of his expression heightened marginally when Harry lifted his mug of butterbeer to his lips and drank deeply.
"How could you drink that?" He asked, shifting his gaze towards the offending refreshment.
Harry rewarded the questions with a confounded look. "What do you mean? Butterbeer is the best drink ever created!"
"No it's not. It full of sugar and artificial additives. It's a great drink if you're willing to give yourself type 2 diabetes. I much prefer the natural stuff. Thank you, by the way, for choosing this drink for me. It is my favourite." The seventh year gulped his drink quickly and released a breath of contentment."I apologise for not telling you what I wanted, but you purchased the right thing."
Harry had to look away. He couldn't stand watching someone drink that slime. The Boy Who Lived suddenly lost his craving for the glorious beverage before him. All he could feel was the sensation of cold sludge being poured down his throat.
"And how could you drink that?!" Harry screeched when he saw the boy opposite him licking the remaining dribbles of his drink from his lips.
"You shouldn't judge something without trying it first. This is quite delicious and does wonders for your health. Would you like me to order one for you?"
Harry shook his head franticly. No way in Hell was he going to drink that!
"Very well then. I believe we arrived here for a reason. May I ask you now?"
The smaller teenager nodded apprehensively, remaining mute.
"Well, as you can tell, I have read the book that you lent me. And to me it seemed quite... biased. So, Harry, were you really some sort of infant magic prodigy or did the book over exaggerate the whole ordeal?"
"To be completely honest, I didn't really read the book," Harry admitted. "But from the way you said it, I would believe that it didn't really explain the event realistically."
"Is that so?"
"I'm pretty sure. Would you like me to inform you about what really happened on the 31st of October, 1981?" Harry inquired, ignoring the little part of his mind advising him that this is a very bad idea.
Toms lips twitched in growing excitement.
"That would be excellent."
Harry lay awake in his bed within the darkened Gryffindor dormitory, contemplating the day's event. Harry was glad that he talked to Tom and that he could think of Tom and Voldemort as two different people. He was pleased that he didn't stutter or tremble like he did when he first met the Slytherin Prefect. He seemed like a decent bloke, even if he paid uncomfortably close attention to Harry and that his eyes happened to flash red for short moments, especially when Harry talked about Voldemort. He was probably just curious about his future self, right? And the red flicker in his eyes were probably just a trick of the light.
But something in Harry, the same part that had tried to steer him away from Riddle, new that something wasn't right. It new that Harry shouldn't have revealed anything to the young Dark Lord.
A/N- Yes, I know, I didn't update for a little while. Making long chapters is a lot harder than I thought. Please review what you think of this chapter and the overall story and please give any suggestions and constructive criticism. Thanks :)
