A/N: Hey everyone! It's me, Tragic-Vanity here with chapter 10. Yeah, how long has it been? Please don't kill me. . . Read!

Summary: Some things are not always as they seem. Light is not always good and dark is not always evil. Harry finds out to he has been lied to and joins Voldemort in revealing Dumbledore's lies to world. Harry and Voldemort's goal of world domination is something they're just keeping to themselves for the moment. The world is in for a shock. TMR/HP, Tom/Harry, or whatever you wanna call it.

Disclaimer: Not mine, obviously

Warnings: Mentions of abuse, self-injury, language, and violence (all non-graphic). Abuse is not acceptable in anyway, shape, or form. I'm fortunate not to have ever experienced it. Any writing about such is based purely on what I think may be possible. In this chapter, we get a look of some of Harry's abuse at the hands of Vernon. It's not graphic.

Notes: You're going to need these

"Speaking"

"Mental thoughts between bonds"

§Parseltongue§

Last Time:

One of Harry's thoughts ran through his mind, 'What would Tom think?'

Tom immediately perked up. What was Harry up to? Tom gasped as Harry's core, aura, and entire being turned black and started the fade.

Harry was dying.

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Chapter Ten:Hanasu (話す)

Tom hadn't realized it earlier, but he had been crying. Personally this disgusted him. He was really not one to show emotion. A blank face revealed nothing to the enemy. Yet, when emotions came through shields he had put around himself, the pain came ten-fold. Had Harry wanted to die? Had Harry's life truly been that miserable?

The raven-haired teenager was sleeping on Tom's bed breathing gently. His eyes were closed and all forms of tension were absent from his face. He looked angelic in repose, his jet-black air contrasting sharply with his snow-white skin. Gently, Tom took Harry's right hand into his own.

The teen's wrist was bandaged, covering the wounds. While Tom and Missy had worked on Harry, they had noticed many scars on Harry's wrists and forearms. Not all of them seemed self-inflicted. Missy had gasped as she changed Harry into sleeping clothes. The

dark lord had hurried to her side to see that Harry's back and front were covered in scars and fading bruises.

Missy and Tom had done all they could. Now all they could do was wait. True, Tom had stopped the bleeding by magically reconnecting the veins Harry had broken in his wrist. A major artery had also bursted open. Harry was lucky he hadn't died. Tom had arrived just in time to save him.

Although he was a dark lord, he didn't have to hide all his emotions away, did he? His mind hesitated on this matter. Any other time in his life, he would have said yes. Emotions were a weakness. Showing affection was the step that led to downfall and destruction. But Harry . . . Harry changed it all. Something about the emerald-eyed teen made Tom want to shield him from the world, protect him.

A thought struck Tom, sharp and painful. Had Harry forgiven him for the past? He, Tom, had tried to kill Harry on numerous occasions. He could try and sugarcoat the reason for that action, saying it was better for Harry and his parents. That was all a load of lies. The real reason?

'You're jealous. You don't want Dumbledore to have what's yours. You see yourself in Harry. You strive for his approval and affection. You see his parents in him. You don't want to share do you? Silly, Tom. You always make worse what you touch,' supplied his mind.

Inwardly, he seethed. Now was not the time to deal with voices in his mind, although he only had himself to blame for the voices. It was an unfortunate side effect of creating horcruxes.

A moan brought back to reality. He looked back at Harry. The teen was waking up. When he saw Tom he looked away, as if scared. Tom waited for Harry to speak but the teen said nothing.

"Harry," said Tom softly, "Look at me." Slowly, Harry turned back to face Tom. "How are you feeling?" asked the dark lord.

"Fine, just tired," muttered Harry. He avoided making eye contact with Tom and stared blankly ahead.

"Do you remember what happened?" asked Tom anxiously. Harry nodded. "Why did you do it, Harry? I can't help you if I don't know."

"I don't want to talk about it," murmured Harry. He wrapped his arms around Tom's waist, "Just hold me for awhile." Tom looking into Harry's pleading eyes and couldn't deny him such a simple request. Tom obliged and gathered the teen into his arms. They were now sitting face to face, Harry being held by Tom.

"Just make me forget about it, Tom."

Tom looked at Harry, confusion in his eyes, "What?"

"Never mind," whispered Harry.

Suddenly, it dawned upon Tom what Harry wanted. Deftly, he grabbed Harry's chin and brought their lips together. The kiss was gentle, reassuring but slowly turned passionate. Harry moaned and wrapped his hands through Tom's hair. A searing heat soared through both of them as their tongues became entwined with each other's. Gently, Tom trailed his hands down Harry's chest, feeling the tension leave the teen. They broke apart and looked into each other's eyes.

Suddenly, Harry started crying. Tom stared in shock. What had he done?

"Harry . . . ?" he asked cautiously, "What's wrong. What did I do?"

"It's just . . ." Harry broke off.

"What is it, Harry?" Tom asked gently taking Harry's hands into his own.

"No one's ever cared about me this much," Harry mumbled under his breath. He laid down, bringing Tom with him, and snuggled up against the dark lord. Within seconds, his breathing had evened out and he was fast asleep.

Tom didn't dare to move for fear of waking the teen.

Harry was a continuous mystery in Tom's life. There were so many things he didn't know yet and that infuriated Tom. He was bloody Voldemort, the flight of death. People cowered at his name. How could he not help one teen?

Sighing, he allowed himself to be carried off into sleep's embrace.

XOXOXOXO

The next couple of days passed slowly. Harry refused to talk when Tom brought up the cutting incident. Harry carried on as if nothing had happened. Tom holed himself up in his office planning raids and working on paperwork. Harry curled up in a chair in this office and either read or stared off into space.

Petunia and Dudley were busy as well. They had gone to Diagon Alley and purchased wands. Together they started to learn about the basics of magic. Tom taught them when he could, Harry joined as well and taught them too.

Dudley and Harry finally went flying. Petunia had shrieked as she watched Harry perform the Wronskie Feint and other maneuvers Harry merely laughed off her concern.

Apparently Petunia noticed something was wrong and requested to speak with Tom privately. Together, they took tea in Tom's study.

"What's wrong with Harry, Tom?" she inquired, "I know something's wrong. You two are acting strangely around each other."

Tom gritted his teeth. He hadn't wanted to explain this to Petunia but he supposed he had no choice in the matter now.

"A couple days ago, Harry cut himself," he said in an emotionless voice, "It was bad and he nearly died. He refuses to talk about why he did it and carries on as if nothing has happened."

A sorrowful look appeared on Petunia's face.

"It makes sense," she whispered, "No one ever cared about it before. I don't think he'd expect anyone to care now."

Tom shot Petunia an exasperated look.

"But that's the thing! I care about him. We all do, don't we?" he said.

"Well, yes," said Petunia nodding, "But it hasn't always been that way for him. He's used to relying on himself. He might not understand why you want to understand him. From what I've heard of his friends and what I've seen, I doubt they know much about the real Harry."

"The real Harry?" asked Tom in a quiet voice.

"Yes, the real Harry. It's somewhere, but lost. He's created so many masks and facades. The real one exist somewhere. And I doubt he even knows."

Petunia and Tom lapsed into silence, thinking. Suddenly, out of nowhere, an alligator fell through the roof. Petunia screamed and jumped behind Tom. Tom, although shocked, immediately drew out his wand and casted a series of spells and charms that left the alligator suspended in mid-air.

"DUDLEY!" roared Tom, "HARRY! GET YOUR ARSES DOWN HERE!"

Two pops were heard and seconds later, Dudley and Harry appeared trying their best to appear sorrowful and innocent. Petunia walked around the suspended alligator and inspected it. She smiled and withdrew here wand.

"Petunia," called Tom not taking his eyes off the boys, "If you would."

Petunia obliged and concentrated.

"Chango!" she said while waving her wand. The alligator immediately changed into a shocked and scared Missy. "Finite," said Petunia. Missy slowly levitated towards the ground.

As soon as the house elf's feet touched ground she ran over to Dudley and started kicking his shin with a wooden spoon she pulled from her apron pocket.

"Bad Master Dudley! Don't change Missy into a alligator!" she yelled, "No cake for you tonight!"

Dudley sighed dramatically, "And I was so looking forward to gaining weight tonight!" Harry just rolled his eyes. "Anyway," said Dudley, "I'm sorry, Missy. I didn't mean to turn you into an alligator." Missy humphed and swatted him again, albeit playfully this time. She smiled and walked off.

Tom had watched the entire incident while massaging his temples. "How did you turn Missy into an alligator, Dudley?" he asked.

Dudley shrugged, "Accidental magic I guess. Harry and I weren't even training. We were playing chess and he was winning. I'm a sore loser and my emotions probably caused Missy to change."

Tom sighed, "Alright. But that does not explain how the alligator fell threw the ceiling without creating a hole."

Dudley immediately pointed to Harry.

Tom turned his sights to Harry, "And please do explain how you managed to send the alligator down to here."

"Umm . . ." Harry stared at his shoes, "Not really sure. Just sorta happened."

Petunia sighed, "If you'll excuse me Tom, I'm going to oversee the preparations for dinner."

Tom waved her off and turned to Dudley. "Go study or something. I need to talk to Harry. Alone." Dudley scurried off and Harry gulped.

The door shut behind Dudley leaving Harry and Tom alone.

"What do you want, Tom?" asked Harry quietly.

Tom tried to keep his temper in check, "I want you to explain."

"I haven't the faintest idea how the alligat-!"

"I don't care about the bloody alligator. I'm worried about you. I want you to explain why you cut yourself," Tom said interrupting Harry.

Silence enveloped the pair and Harry tore his eyes from Tom's face.

"Answer me, Harry!"

"I can't tell you," said Harry quietly, "And it's not because I don't want you to know. I don't even know why. There are so many things overwhelming me, I. . . I can't deal with it all!"

Tom walked over to Harry and pulled the teen into a hug.

"I don't know, Tom. I'm so confused. Everything's turned upside down. I have no idea what's going to happen or what I'm supposed to do. My history keeps haunting me. I have nightmares every night and I can't sleep. I don't know what to do or who I'm supposed to be," Harry said burrowing into Tom's shoulder.

Silently, Tom summoned a couch for them o sit down on. Gently he sat down, trying not to disturb Harry. The teen curled up next to the dark lord.

"I don't know who anyone is. . . I don't know Aunt Petunia or Dudley. They've changed so much. I don't know me, which is pathetic," Harry said softly, "But worst, I don't know you."

"What do you mean, Harry?" asked Tom curiously. The dark lord had been trying to make Harry feel comfortable. Indeed, he left his guard down around him more than anyone else. "I've tried. You know that right? Don't you trust me?" Harry shrugged.

"I don't know," he whispered, "So many factors are in play that it's hard for me to take everything in at once. And Tom . . . You make me feel weird. You make the oddest feelings arise in me."

"So you don't trust me?" asked Tom flatly.

"No, it's just . . . I don't know, ok? I mean I do trust you. I'm living at your bloody house," said Harry not liking the direction this conversation was going.

"So you'll trust me enough to follow me since apparently my crowd is better than Dumbledore's? Is that what it is?" asked Tom angrily, "How can I get it through your mind that I actually care about you, Harry? Did you know your aura's turned black? I want to help you, Harry! But I can't do it if you don't talk to me."

Harry winced. "Please, don't be angry with me," he said softly, "I just don't know how to explain. And honestly, I'm not worth it. You've better things you could be doing."

Tom grabbed Harry's hand in his own, "There's nothing else I could or should be doing. You are the most important, Harry. A black aura means impending death. I can't let that happen. I need you. The war can't be won without you."

Harry turned to Tom angrily, "Is that all that I am then? A pawn? A tool in the war?"

"No, it's ju-"

Tom was interrupted as Harry summoned a penseive.

"If you're see eager to see why I cut, be my guest. Take a look," said Harry sarcastically. He drew silvery memories out of his minds and placed them in the bowl. And without further ado and before Tom could react, the raven-haired teen had pushed the dark lord into the penseive.

Tom landed gracefully within the depths of Harry's memories. The scene seemed normal. It was the Dursley's home, afternoon. Surprisingly, the house was quiet. From what he had gathered, the Dursley household had not been a calm one due to Dudley's attitude and Vernon's temper. The infamous cupboard door was cracked open to let some sun light in.

An eight-year-old Harry lay on his stomach on a threadbare cot. He cocked his head while studying a text while nibbling on a pencil. A sheet of paper lay to the side titled, "Literary Symbolism". This young Harry was so fragile looking, not unlike the modern one. And yet, he seemed so focus and sure of himself. A look of hard concentration was on his face. Time seemed to pass slowly and he remained absorbed within the book.

The stillness was shattered as the front door was violently yanked open and shut. Tom saw a look of fear shoot the through Harry's eyes. Slowly, as not to make any noise, he shut the cupboard door and tried to watch through the vent. Tom was dragged into the cupboard as well. A large someone made their way down the hall, their large feet stomping clumsily. The smell of alcohol wafted through the air as a body moved in front of the cupboard. Harry visibly stiffened, as if struck.

"Petunia!" called a drunken voice, "W-where are you?" The question reverberated throughout the house, echoing down the hallway. No one answered.

The person stopped for a moment and put down what sounded like a briefcase before continuing to walk around.

"Dudley?" Silence again.

The movement stopped outside the cupboard and Tom saw Harry's face turn to one of pure terror as the door slowly opened. The tiny boy backed into the corners, as if the shadows could save him.

Tom forced himself to watch what happened next. A battle hardened as he was, Tom couldn't help but feel disgusted. Vernon leered at Harry as the boy whimpered. A sick smile spread itself from ear to ear and Vernon reached in a pulled the quivering mess of a boy out of the dark cupboard. Harry didn't cry. Tom suspected Harry had learned a long time ago that it only made things worse.

The ugly, fat man threw Harry on the living room ground. "Now," he drawled, "Will you be a good boy?"

Harry started to cry. Immediately his drunken uncle slapped him. Tom grimaced as he watched Vernon strip Harry and do cruel, immoral things to the little boy. It was a memory that would forever be engrained in Tom's memory.

The dark lord felt sick to his stomach as the memory of torture progressed. Harry wasn't raped, thank Merlin, but what his uncle did was no less sick and twisted. It was surprising that Harry was even able to function later in life and fool everyone into thinking he was normal. Well, as normal as the "boy-who-lived" could be.

Finally, the hideous memory ended and Tom appeared back in the living room. The now teenage Harry, who was curled up on an armchair, watched the dark lord warily. Tom said nothing but walked over to Harry and hugged him.

Harry was shocked. But he relaxed into the embrace. Before he knew what happened, he started crying. He cried for everything that had happened in his life. He didn't care about being weak in front of Tom.

The dark lord continued to stay silent and drew the raven-haired boy closer to his chest.

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Harry and Tom seemed to have an unspoken agreement. Neither one brought up what had happened during the best week. Of course both of them knew it would have to be discussed at a later date, but for now they decided to delay the inevitable.

Every night Harry would get ready for bed and try to sleep in his own room. And every night, he ended up in Tom's bed. It was purely innocent. Tom's steady breathing helped soothe Harry's nightmares. Usually they never touched each other.

But tonight was different. As usual, a pajama clad Harry had padded softly down the hallway and into Tom's room. He climbed into the massive bed and relaxed.

"Harry?" asked Tom's sleepy voice, "Is that you?"

"Yeah," said Harry softly, "Couldn't sleep."

"It's alright. Come closer."

Harry did as he was told. Tom's arm snaked around his chest pulling him directly next to the dark lord. Harry gave a content little sigh and nuzzled into Tom's chest. In the dark, Tom smiled and placed a chaste kiss on Harry's head.

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The rest of the summer past in a relative calm. The twins, Ginny and Ron came over often. Dudley became good friends with them all. He had turned out to be a fair Quidditch player and many impromptu rounds of the game had taken place during the break. Unfortunately, Hermione was absent for most of the summer as she was on vacation in Japan. Her parents were attending a dentistry convention featuring state of the art dentist tools and technology.

The Evans were rising high in society. Petunia had become fast friends with Narcissa Malfoy. To Harry's surprise, Draco's mother turned out to be delightful person once you got to know her. Tom had deemed the Malfoy matriarch trustworthy enough to know the entire truth behind Petunia, Dudley, and Harry's situation.

Narcissa showed Petunia the ropes through the wizarding pureblood society. As a result, the Evans had become somewhat of socialites. The society columns were full of editorials about the Evans family. Dudley and Harry, along with Draco, were shown as the most popular young men in wizarding Britain while Narcissa and Petunia were the perfect examples of aristocratic pureblood women. Lucius and Tom were the gentleman.

The London party scene had never seemed as alive as it did that summer. Narcissa and Petunia, appalled at Harry's lack of social knowledge, had taken it upon themselves to make him the perfect teenage pureblood. Harry had let them do as they wished, but had put his foot down as soon as Draco's hair gel appeared. He flat out refused for any part of his hair to be changed. Inwardly, Tom was relieved by this. He was rather fond of Harry's messy black hair.

Parties were hosted, alive with guests and champagne. Everyone who was anybody attended. Harry found himself enjoying the upper crust of society. There was never a dull moment. The only down fall, he noted, was the morning after when the hangovers made themselves known. Taking pity on him, Tom slipped Harry a hangover cure potion.

And speaking of Tom . . .

Harry and Tom's relationship was confusing. Sure they slept together every night now. They cuddled next to each other because it seemed to calm both of them. But there was no communication. There were no kisses. Often times, Tom would leave for a great deal of time and refused to tell anyone where he was. Harry assumed he was meeting with the death eaters, something that slightly disturbed him. Usually, Harry would find out what had happened during the meetings the next day in the Daily Prophet. Just because Tom was kind to him, it didn't mean that Tom was not Voldemort, the dark lord.

A/N: Another chapter done! Please review it really helps me. Do ya'll have any suggestions or ideas? Please submit them! I hope that the story will pick up after this. Thanks guys!