-peeks out head- Hey guys… I know I haven't updated this fic in A REALLY long time… I'm not abandoning it though… So I can't promise consistent weekly updates, but I promise you all it will be updated and I WILL finish this story! Thanks go out to all who reviewed, faved and alerted, you guys are the REASON I refuse to give up this story! On with the story!

When Tom reappeared in the west wing of his hideout and immediately was assaulted by the stench of sulfur. He looked around, seeing his Death Eater's fighting; all were in some form of distress. Some had cuts, others were bleeding profusely and in the case of six, they lay dead upon the floor. Tom surveyed the area, trying to get a good look at the monster that had the gall to invade his home. When he did, his eyes went wide.

Dumbledore stood taller than he had before, his silver hair pitch black. He stood at least at seven or eight feet, his skin no longer a pale expanse of wrinkled skin, instead taut and well defined and the skin tinged blood red. His eyes were a feral golden that seemed to radiate evil. A cruel smirk graced his face as he battled with twelve Death Eaters by waving his wand almost lazily. Tom steeled himself, drawing upon his inner power.

Tom felt himself rise and let his power take him over completely. Tom had only used his power so fully twice before, both with lethal results. He felt himself grow taller, and though he couldn't see it, his eyes turned completely black. Tom groaned as he felt the intoxicating power fill his very essence. Granted he wasn't nearly as powerful as Harry was, but to combat Dumbledore, he was powerful enough.

"Dumbledore, why do you invade my abode so rudely? Had you but asked me, I would have invited you in personally."

Tom grinned maliciously upon seeing the older wizard lose his rhythm. Spells hit Dumbledore from every which way, most seeming to have no effect. Dumbledore turned to him, a surprised expression on his ugly cowl. Tom's grin widened even more. The other man probably had no plan except to barge in and take his hideout by storm, and had probably expected him to be waiting with Harry.

Dumbledore smirked then made a waving motion with his hand, sending his Death Eater's flying. Despite himself, Tom's smirk fell a little. If Dumbledore could sweep his Death Eater's away with a mere gesture, what else was the man capable of? Tom discreetly pulled out his wand from his robe's sleeve. He had to be careful how he dealt with this monster, or else he would be out of commission for a while, which wouldn't help his and Harry's predicament any. Sure, Dumbledore couldn't kill him, but he could knock him out long enough to kidnap Harry.

Dumbledore stalked forward, arrogance apparent in his stride and accented by the expression on his face.

"Well Tom, it's quite simple. It would be ruder to ask permission to enter, be denied access, and then enter anyway. I was sparing you embarrassment really- besides we are enemies so why bother with such plebian formalities? You know as well as I what I have come for, so I will ask you once: Where is Harry?"

Dumbledore stared at him for a few moments, the smell of sulfur becoming stronger with each passing moment. Tom sneered at him.

"Speaking of things we both know, you know very well that I will never give you Harry."

With that, Tom waved his wand, willing his power to shoot out at the older man. Dark red power shot from the tip of his wand, and curved around Dumbledore, making him grow paler with each moment the other man stayed in contact with it. Tom let out a laugh of derision at the expression of panic on Dumbledore's face. Then the unthinkable happened.

Dumbledore stared him straight in the eye, his panic turning into a sneer and mumbled a single word.

"Release."

His bonds exploded in a flash of light, sending debris in every direction. Tom somehow managed to hold his ground, his eyes wide in resentful awe. How…?

"It's very simple Tom. I've arisen from a very powerful place and apparently, all that I've suffered down there has made me stronger. Your power is passed through death's hands and with each breath you take grows frailer as you near your ultimate fate; it is with that in mind that I will offer you a deal. Give me Potter and I will let you live."

Tom narrowed his eyes, and called upon more of his power. Frail, huh?

"Eternaldarknessdescend, curbthefrailtyoflifeandsendthiscreaturefromwhenceitcam-"

"Free us from our binds and lead us from our destination!"

Suddenly the scene before him disappeared and he was being dragged through time space. Tom tried to open his eyes, but whatever was happening was going too fast- so fast he couldn't open his eyes. Then as quickly as it all began, it was over. Tom fell to the ground with a thump.

"What in the wor- Harry!"

Next to him lay Harry, bent over in half, sweaty and panting harshly. For the most part, he didn't look hurt, but he looked exhausted. What had he been thinking, jumping in the middle of the battle like that? He could have died!

"Why did you do that? You could have been killed!"

Harry looked up at him, his emerald eyes gleaming with tears of pain. When he spoke, it tore at Tom's heart; the boy looked like he was expending most of his energy by speaking.

"I… had a vision… a prophecy… whatever… but i-it sai-id that if we fight D…umbledore al..one that we will… per-rish."

Harry grimaced and let out a whimper. Tom scooped him up into his arms, noting with worry that his lover's skin was paler than usual. Tom inspected his surroundings and noticed for the first time that they were in a forest.

"Love, where are we?"

Harry looked up at him, eyes half lidded from exhaustion.

"We're in the far north… just short of Russia… Dumbledore can't come here… This forest… it called to me… it has protection from some ancient force that he can't cross.."

Tom looked around, and saw an outcropping a small ways off. They could camp there, and in the morning when Harry was more himself, they would figure out what they were going to do. He hefted Harry higher up, and brought his lips to the younger boy's ear.

"It's going to be alright. I'll make it alright, if it's the last thing I do."

Lame cutoff, I know, but there will be more and this seemed the right place to end it for now. Review?