Chapter 13:

Tom looked back at Nessa. She flashed him a small smile as he offered her a hand. After Tom had helped Nessa up, he asked Dumbledore, "Professor, who was that boy?"

"He's a student at Hogwarts; Jeremy Henson, third year in Slytherin. He's a bit moody," Dumbledore added softly. Nessa giggled. "But he's a great kid once you get to know him."

Tom folded his arms across his chest. "Well, I don't like him at all, nor will I ever! He made Nessa fall to the ground and yelled at her!" Nessa looked at Tom with big sparkling brown eyes as she listened to him stand up for her. She placed a hand on her heart; she felt it smiling.

Dumbledore didn't say anything but marveled at Tom's protectiveness. He really was determined to keep Nessa safe at all costs.

xXx

Dumbledore had excused the two children up to their room after dinner to get ready for bed. Dumbledore allowed Nessa to dress in his bedroom while he sat downstairs, chatting with Tom the Bartender.

Tom sat on his bed, which was closest to the door. Shadow sat in his cage, his golden eyes shining. He walked over to the bird and opened his cage, stroking his silky feathers gently.

"You really are a beautiful bird," he complemented as the owl hooted a thank-you. But, perhaps he had gotten the bird was because Nessa really liked it. He remembered when they were shopping in Eeylops Owl Emporium, when Nessa had pointed out the gorgeous black owl with silky feathers. Tom had been browsing through some other cages of owls, but when he heard Nessa's exclaims over Shadow, he knew that it would be the perfect one.

Nessa entered the bedroom in her purple nighty. She noticed Tom stroking Shadow's feathers. She smiled at Tom's affection. Tom glanced her way and stopped stroking Shadow.

"Hi Nessa," he muttered. Nessa giggled.

"Um, hello Tom," she said as she bounced onto her bed. She sighed. "Tomorrow's the big day, huh?"

Tom nodded, sitting on his own bed in his own pajamas—a long white t-shirt and a pair of faded green pajama bottoms that he was growing out of. He needed new pajamas, considering he's had the ones he wore since he was seven.

Nessa squealed as she picked up Tommy, placing him in her lap. "Oh I'm so excited! I can't help but think what it's going to be like! What about you? Are you excited too?" Tom looked into her eyes, her deep, brown, sparkling, loving eyes. He sighed quietly.

"Tom?" Nessa asked confused. Tom realized he had been staring at her.

"Oh, um, sorry," he muttered, looking away from her. Nessa smiled.

"Oh Tom, no need to apologize. Hogwarts is getting to you too, isn't it?" she asked, giving him a big smile. Tom smiled slightly as well and nodded.

"I suppose so," he replied.

Nessa glanced out the window and sighed. The dark night was sprinkled with tiny white stars and a big round moon was shedding off its white light.

"The moon looks beautiful tonight," she said softly. Tom looked at Nessa.

'Just like you,' he thought.