Hello Readers. I want to say thanks for the good comments and reviews! xD Im so glad that people like my very first fanfiction. I have thought a lot about what should happened and I hope that people would enjoy this chapter as well. Anyway give ideas to me so I can keep going with the story. Even thought I know a lot of what shall happened. But I will gladly listen to the ideas you all might have.
Anyway Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter Four: Travelling
Harry grabbed his very old, a little torn backpack. He had put and stuffed all the few of his most important belongings into it which were only some of his clothes, abandoning those that were too long or too short to fit him, and his collections of books Lucius had given him before zipping his backpack shut.
Whilst Harry was preparing, Tom took the opportunity to observe the lost prince's lonely tower. Now that he was actually here and up-close, he could tell how incredible of a job Lucius had done into securing and hiding the Gryffindor prince. Most of the spells he didn't recognize, and that was saying something for Tom was far from being a rookie when it comes to magic. He was on the process of analyzing the plausible magnificent magic surrounding him when a voice distracted him.
"I'm ready, Tom." said Harry.
Tom gracefully spun around to see pair of green eyes arched towards his way, looking at him. His eyes raked from Harry's toes up towards his head. Harry wore a heavy pair of black boots, knee-length brown shorts, and a white shirt hidden by a jacket. The boy struck Tom with a truly adventurous look to which Tom smiled to and he offered his hand to Harry. "I suppose a change of attire is needed," he commented, mildly, "Take my hand." His voice grew slightly commanding.
Harry walked forward and did as he was told, placing his hand on top of Tom's proffered bigger one. Without any warning, Harry's world turned upside down and when his feet came contact with the ground once more, he was left by a nauseous feeling in the pit of his guts.
"H-How did you do that?" asked Harry, torn between amazement and slight discomfort from what transpired.
"It is called Apparition. We're able to do it here but not under heavily guarded kingdoms." explained Tom, looking at Harry apologetically and slightly squeezing his hand comfortingly.
The boy seemed to have recovered well enough and he only nodded his head in recognition before running up towards the white beautiful horse. He reached out in fascination, stroking the white silky forelocks.
"He's cute," grinned Harry, eyes transfixed on the horse that seemed to be enjoying being petted. "What's his name?"
"Doesn't have a name…" Tom said, coming up behind Harry and effortlessly placing him over the horse's back.
"Why don't you name him, then?" Harry inquired, shifting on his position to get a comfortable one.
"It's her,Harry." smiled Tom, coming up to mount the pure white horse from its left side and settling himself down behind Harry.
Tom slid his arms between Harry's waist and took hold of the reins fastened around the muzzle of the horse.
"We'll take it slowly, hold on." instructed the Slytherin prince as he started with a light trot with the horse.
Harry looked over Tom's shoulder, to the tower he had grown used to living in for more than a decade. He realized that no matter what the memories it beholds, he found the place a little comforting still. He shook the thought away and looked ahead of him again only to be presented a very nice scenery of the forest.
"Wow…" said Harry, awestruck. "Here is more beautiful,"
A deep smooth chuckle was heard from behind Harry. Tom began to slow down, smiling as he observed Harry's expression. "You're fascinatingly funny, Harry."
"I'm curious," countered Harry with a crooked smile. His eyes once again roamed around to study and examine the place further; all the flowers, the greeneries, the tall branches and even the new noises and sounds. "How long will it take us to reach the kingdom, Tom?"
"Approximately three days to the Slytherin kingdom by horse-riding. Gryffindor is of a much longer way, probably twice the Slytherin's distance."
He noticed how Harry hung his head and a fallen look stole his expression. His arms that were on either sides of Harry pressed even more to the slim waist as though Tom was squeezing his subtle half-embrace of Harry.
"Now, now, don't look so down…" coaxed Tom, "We will be there in time. You've waited years and years for this – another two weeks won't be that bad, will it?"
Harry only shook his head and leaned imperceptibly against the hard toned chest behind him. "How are we to sleep, eat and all that?"
"If you're feeling sleepy or wanting a short nap, you can sleep whilst riding my horse. You may lean against me if you need so." Tom said, kindly, "I also write whenever I feel like. I don't always have to guide my horse, you see." He gave cocky smile, "But if necessary or there's a convenient place we could camp into, we will set a tent up."
"I think that's good enough." said Harry, now leaning fully against Tom's shoulder and closing his eyes the moment Tom whispered, "If you're tired, Harry, you're free to have a nap."
Harry yawned and mumbled a sleepy, 'thanks' before sleep consumed him instantly. After all those mind-numbing, life-changing information he had had to absorb all at once from earlier, his mind was completely left exhausted. Part of him, his subconscious probably, had what might be the most absurd thought for the moment; how being in Tom's arms was heavenly lovely. Why was he feeling this? His thoughts faltered off as his mind shut down and he slumbered on.
The night fell over the forest, darkening the two princes' path. Tom continued forward for a few more hours, maintaining Harry in place, and eventually as he reached a clear empty field, he stopped. "We might be able to set up the tent here."
A little while later, a small portable shelter was set up, hidden and shaded by the tall high grasses. Inside, it was as huge as a hut and enough for two people to conveniently stay in.
Tom carried Harry up a flight of stairs and went into the bedroom. There, he placed Harry in the bed and tucked him in place, pulling a blanket up to his neck. Harry moved a little bit and nuzzled his face into the pillow. Tom stopped at the sight, standing by the foot of the bed. A fond smile stole his expression. Was it absurd he thought of the boy to be cute?
Securing the place, Tom left the tent to hunt down for something to eat. He reached the deeper part of the forest. Half hour of searching without luck, at last a tiny little furry white creature stumbled upon him. With a surprising agility, Tom immediately lunged forward and struck the rabbit with his majestic sword. The rabbit died right away. Tom put the dead flesh in his bag and along with a few edible berries he had come across.
It was darker than dark then when Tom returned to the tent. Tom worked his way in the kitchens with such a precision, like a trained cook. The simple meat from the rabbit was made to be a delicious satisfying meal and the berries served as an appetizer and dessert.
"Did you hunt that?" asked Harry, leaning against the banister of the stair.
Tom glanced at Harry with a start, surprised he was awake. "Yes, freshly hunted."
"Never eaten a…" He squinted his eyes to get a better look, and slowly coming down the stairs. "rabbit before." Harry sat at the dining table, very much at home.
"Well, have your first taste tonight." Tom urged, smiling as he placed the plates and bowls of the foods he served.
Harry's eyes fell close as the mouthwatering smell from the roasted flesh. He inhaled deeply and smiled, loving the scent. "Smells delicious…"
"I hope it does," Tom murmured a little distractedly, pulling out some parchment from his bag. He laid the map spread on the table, studying it. "If I'm correct, then we will be going to the Slytherin Kingdom first. It's the nearest kingdom from our current location. Also, I need to have them know I'm still alive as the prince of their kingdom," Tom began scratching with a marker, making a few circles, crosses and lines in the map.
Harry peered down at the map curiously, standing behind Tom. "I've never seen a map before." He said thoughtfully, "Where's the Gryffindor Kingdom, Tom?"
Tom shifted in his seat so Harry could take a better look. He smiled at the boy's enthusiasm, "This is the Gryffindor Kingdom symbolized by the colors scarlet and gold," said Tom, pointing at a figure of a castle on the map, "The Hufflepuff Kingdom," His finger trailed towards the direction of a castle with a yellow and black flag, "The Ravenclaw Kingdom and finally," Tom directed his fingertip to a flag with silver and blue colors, "… last but never the least, the Slytherin Kingdom, my homeland." He tapped the green and silver colored castle.
Harry slowly nodded, studying the map over Tom's shoulder. "Where are now, then?" he asked.
"As of now… we're here," Tom once again pointed at the forest where the words 'Mindfroze Forest' flashed. "We're in the end of the forest. See this," He traced the path from the forest towards the castle with the green and silver flag. "It will take a week to reach my homeland whereas three weeks to the Gryffindor Kingdom. We will also come across some small towns during our journey."
"For now, Harry," Tom said, standing up and picking the map to roll it securely. "Let's get something to eat and then have some rest."
Harry nodded and also straightened up, resuming a seat at the table. Tom stored his things back to his knapsack along with the map and seated himself across from Harry at the table. "Here, have a taste, Harry." He said genially, serving Harry a plate of the roasted rabbit, adding a piece of bread on the plate.
Harry nodded and smiled gratefully but as he looked down at the meat served for him, she seemed hesitant.
"Go on," urged Tom, sipping from a tea and watching Harry through the brim of his mug.
With another nod, Harry took the bread, the meat and then sandwiched it into the bread. "Here it goes…" He opened his mouth and took a generous bite of his own sandwich, rabbit flavored. His expression as he chewed on the food in his mouth was quite fascinating for Tom. "Merlin, this is good! I can't believe how good this tastes."
"Told you…" said Tom, looking at Harry all the while as he continued munching.
When they finished eating, Tom told Harry to get back in bed for they will be waking up early tomorrow. Harry did so and with the last thought of how incredible the rabbit tasted, he fell asleep. Meanwhile, Tom eventually slept in a bunk that was next to Harry's.
At midnight, Harry jolted awake with a start. He heard a few rustles from the bushes nearby which he could only associate to someone unwelcome being near.
"Tom…?" called Harry, softly, now wide-awake. He glanced to his side to see Tom's bed empty. "Tom!"
Harry jumped off the bed, throwing the covers to the side and ran to the tent's entrance to look out it. Panicked, he began to call out again, "To–!"
He was cut off by an imposing hand covering his mouth and holding him back. "Shh," came Tom's whisper from behind, near Harry's ear. "Be quiet, Harry. There's someone out there."
Harry nodded and swallowed hard. He stayed quiet as Tom told him so. Tom released his hold around Harry and moved swiftly to his front, wearing on an alarmed stance.
The noises grew louder through the dark. Tom kept his sword at ready. Two dark figures appeared and as the Slytherin prince was ready to swing his sword to the intruders' direction, he heard a female voice call, "NO, DON'T!"
A/N: Well that was it guys. Chapter four finish. Five will be here soon as well. I hope it was enjoynning! Remember! Comment! Like! Review! And be free to share the fanfiction! The more readers the better!