Chapter 7

A/N: WOW, it has been a long time since I have updated this! I am so sorry! Thank you to everyone who is still sticking with the story after all this time, and to everyone new who just joined us. I have several chapters already written and planned out, so hopefully I can update in a more timely fashion now. Thanks again! And as usual, I own nothing, all the credit goes to JK.


After Harry makes sure Severus is sleeping peacefully in his bed, he left his new room and went to look for Tom. He eventually found him reading a book in the sitting room.

Tom looked up from his book when he heard someone enter the room. He smiled gently when he saw Harry walk in hesitantly. "Hello, Harry. What can I do for you? Where is Severus?"

"Hello, sir. I just wanted to talk to you about some things. Severus fell asleep in my room. Thank you for that, by the way, it's beautiful! Oh, no, he's fine!" Harry hastened to reassure Tom after he was how worried he got about his son. "He just fell asleep after an emotional talk, but he will be fine!"

Tom decided to trust Harry, as he knew Harry wouldn't hurt his son. He figured he would learn soon enough what the conversation had been about. "Please sit, Harry. Tea? What would you like to talk about?"

Harry sat on the couch across from Tom, and gratefully accepted the cup of tea he was handed. "It's about the war, sir. I just-"

Tom cut him off with a chuckle. "Harry, you may call me Tom. No need to be so formal. You'll be living in my home after all."

Harry smiled. "Thank you Tom. So, I guess I am just confused about the war. I am supposed to be the Savior, but my whole life has been built on lies. I don't want to fight for people who lied to and manipulated me."

Harry looked so defeated. Tom crossed over to the couch he was on and pulled Harry into his side, knowing that he needed the reassurance. "Harry," he started gently. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to. You're here now, so you can make your own choices. You don't have to fight if you don't want to. You never even have to see them again if you don't want."

Harry didn't look up from where he was staring at his lap, so he missed Tom's shock when he said softly, "What if I joined and fought for you instead?"

"Harry, I would of course love, and be honored, if you joined me. However, do not feel as though you have to."

"I know, Tom. But I agree with your policies. I want to fight for something I believe in, and that's you."

"Alright, Harry. Like I said, whatever you want to do. But if you join my side, you won't just be a follower. I would make you my equal."

At that, Harry's head shot up and he stared at Tom. "Equal?! Why would you do that?!"

Tom chuckled again. "You're very powerful, Harry. You might not be able to tell, but I can feel your magic surrounding you. It has a very strong presence. I think with a little training, you will become a very powerful wizard. Your compassion is also legendary. You'll be able to relate to both my followers and the public better than I can. I would love to have you help lead my side into victory."

Harry smiled. "Then I accept, Tom. I would love to help lead your forces. Just one problem. What are we going to do about Dumbledore?"

Tom thought for a moment. "Hmmm. You make a very good point, Harry. Dumbledore will do anything to keep you subdued and on his side. We will have to take him down first."

Harry started grinning. "I brought it up because I actually have an idea on how to do it. What if we discredit him first? We could publish everything that he has done to me, Severus, and we could probably find others that he's done it to. We publish those stories, turn the public against him. Then publish how you took me in, and publish your goals. Most people will probably agree with you, plus no one will blame me for joining you!"

Tom started laughing. "Harry, what a marvelous idea! How very Slytherin of you!"

"Well, the hat did want to put me into Slytherin after all. I guess it's time I started using that side of me more."

"Very nice, Harry. When do you propose we begin releasing these articles? And who do you want to release them?"

Well, I suggest waiting a week or two. By then, the Order guard on the house should have realized that I have never left the house, not even to garden. So when they are in a panic, we will release that I am here. As for who, I would like to spread it between The Prophet and The Quibbler, assuming that Luna is on my side. I suppose I will have to go through all my friends and see if they are loyal."

"Harry, are you sure you want to go with The Prophet? They love discrediting you, and they aren't the most trustworthy aside from that."

"Yes. I have blackmail on Rita Skeeter. She will write whatever I ask her to."

"Blackmail? What do you have on her that would ensure she tells the truth?"

Harry smiled. "Rita Skeeter is an unregistered beetle animagus. We trapped her one time, kept her in a jar for a month, then threatened to tell the Ministry until she promised to only write things approved by me."

"Wow, Harry! You really are more of a Slytherin than anyone ever realized!"

"Yeah. When I met Draco Malfoy in Diagon Alley for the first time before First Year, he reminded me of my bully of a cousin. Also, Hagrid and Ron Weasley told me all about how Voldemort killed my parents, and evil wizards always came from Slytherin. So when the Sorting Hat wanted to place me in Slytherin, I begged for it to put me into Gryffindor instead."

"Harry, if you don't mind me asking," Tom started hesitantly. "How did Hagrid get the opportunity to tell you anything before you had even started school?"

"Oh, he came to take me to Diagon Alley for my school things because the Dursley's refused to let me open my letter."

"Hmm...seems as though I will need to look into that as well. You are supposed to have a professor come and explain to you and your family what is happening. Maybe even someone from the Ministry as well."

"Probably Dumbledore's idea. Send someone super kind to the abused kid, have someone praise him so he seems like a hero, then the abused kid will take his word as law. Well, it almost worked, too!"

Tom wrapped Harry up in a hug. "It's going to be alright, Harry. You're here now, and you'll never have to go back if you don't want to. We will protect and provide for you."

Harry curled into Tom's embraced and broke down. He had never had someone care for him, or about him, before! Maybe, finally, he could be loved and wanted and have a family! After Harry pulled himself back together, Tom let him go. "It's almost dinner time. Why don't you go on up and get Severus. He can be a bear to wake up if he is not ready to awaken."

Harry nodded and left to get Severus. He used the walk to calm down from his outburst so he didn't scare Severus when he woke up.