I am so sorry that this chapter has been taken so long! I've been having a terrible case of writer's block with this story but an anonymous review helped inspire me to push through it. I hope that this chapter cures said reviewer's twitch by the way.
Harry nibbled absently at his piece of toast well his eyes remained glued to the seat at the Slytherin table that remained absent for three days now. Besides him, Hermione sighed and gave him a sympathetic glance.
"I don't think he's going to be here today either," She said.
Tearing his eyes away from the Slytherin table, Harry turned to Hermione with a frown. "I don't get it," He said. "It's like he disappeared."
"Maybe he's in the Hospital Wing," Hermione suggested but Harry shook his head.
"That was one of the first places I checked," He said.
"Then maybe he's just skipping classes," Ron said.
"Tomas would never do that!" Hermione gasped. "His studies are far too important to him!"
"Okay then," Ron said incredulously, raising his eyebrows and turning back to his breakfast.
Hermione gave him a slight glare before turning her attention back to Harry. "Do you think Dumbledore knows something?" She asked.
"Maybe," Harry said. "I have a meeting with him tonight so I'll ask him then."
Snape strode back and forth in front of Dumbledore's desk, his pale face showing the full strain of his stress.
"Tomas is still refusing to give into the questioning," He said, his voice as tense as his face. And Voldemort has finally grown impatient enough with his resistance to ask me to brew Veritaserum. Veritaserum!"
Dumbledore released a weary sigh. "There is still a way to fix this Severus," He said.
"Fix this?!"
Snape whirled on Dumbledore, eyes ablaze. "How do you plan to 'fix' this Albus?! My son is currently with the man I struggled to hide him with for years! And now I will have to give him something that will force him to expose everything to our worst enemy!"
"I understand why your upset, Severus," Dumbledore said, "but please hear me out." He motioned to the chair in front of his desk and Snape threw himself down in it. "You know, of course," Dumbledore said, "of the unique way Tomas was born, but not of what really happened that night."
"What else is there to know?" Snape frowned. "Gabriel died from complications during his labour and a few hours later Minerva and you appeared on my doorstep with Tomas in your arms."
"There is more to the story then meets the eye, Severus," Dumbledore said, "and know I feel that it is time to reveal the truth to you."
"The truth?" Snape echoed. "And what might that be?"
"The truth is that Gabriel never died," Dumbledore said. "His death was faked with the aid of his twin sister Gabrielle and he went into hiding to avoid being found by Voldemort."
It took Snape a few moments to recover enough from his shock to be able to speak and when he did his tone was harsh.
"You mean he's been alive this whole time?! And he didn't even bother to see his son?!"
"Do not judge him so unfairly," Dumbledore said. "He went to great lengths to ensure Tomas's safety and nothing would have revealed Tomas to Voldemort fast enough then if he had tried to see him. But now he has agreed to come out of hiding to help us rescue Tomas."
"Thank Merlin for that," Snape muttered. "So, what exactly is this plan of yours Albus?"
"I will get to that in a moment," Dumbledore said. "But first I have something else to tell you. Something that will reveal why Voldemort has sought after Tomas so desperately…"
Tomas was just about to move his rook to take Draco's queen when the doors to his chambers opened to reveal a black haired woman, her heavily lidded eyes and strong jaw making her unmistakable to both boys, who knew it instantly for Bellatrix Lestrange. Her slate gray eyes widened as they came to rest on Tomas and she immediately dipped down into a deep bow.
"My Lord, your father wishes to speak with you," She said. "I am to lead him to you."
"I'm guessing I'm not allowed to refuse," Tomas said.
"Probably not," Draco said.
Tomas groaned and pushed himself up off the bed. "Don't move the pieces well I'm gone!" He called to Draco over his shoulder.
"Of course not!" Draco grinned.
Tomas grinned back at him before following Bellatrix into the dimly lit hallway. Bellatrix didn't speak a word to him as they moved on but she kept her head bowed in a sign of reverence that Tomas tried his best to ignore.
So far, Voldemort had only allowed the members of his inner circle to meet him and they had all treated him with a respect near to worship that aggravated him to no end.
After navigating through a maze of twisting hallways, they arrived at an eerie looking enormous circular door made out of thick black metal. Two large silver snakes were entwined together in the middle.
Bellatrix drew back from the door and swept out her arm. "He wants you to enter alone," She said.
No surprise there, Tomas thought. As he moved closer to the door, the snakes stirred and eyed him carefully.
"Password?" They hissed.
"Riddle," Tomas answered.
The snakes' heads bobbed in agreement and they stilled once more as the door swung open, sealing back again after Tomas had gone inside.
The room Tomas now stood was vast with stone walls on which paintings depicting horribly grisly scenes were hung. Expensive rugs of animal fur had been placed over the black marble floor and there was a large iron grate in which a fire was roaring.
Around the fireplace was a group of armchairs made of dragon hide were arranged in a large circle.
And at the very head of this circle, the flames behind him casting his pale face in an odd light, was Lord Voldemort. His lips curved up into a cool smile that made Tomas's skin crawl.
"Come here, child," Voldemort said, beckoning to Tomas. "I have been waiting for you."
Tomas strode over to his usual chair on Voldemort's right and plopped down on it.
"So, what's today's meeting for?" He asked. "Are you going to try questioning me again because you're still not going to get anything out of me."
"Still defiant as ever I see," Voldemort said. "But despite the brave farce you put up you have a weakness and now that I have realized what it is I feel that it is only right to use it to my advantage."
A shiver of fear ran down Tomas's spine but he refused to allow his alarm to show on his face.
"You've found my weakness huh?" He said. "Then what is it?"
Voldemort's lips twisted into an evil smirk. "Allow me to show you," He said softly.
With a snap of his fingers the largest portrait in the room, a grand portrayal of Salazar Slytherin, slid aside to reveal a corridor that two cloaked Death Eaters came marching out of.
And between the two of them was a rather battered looking Draco Malfoy.
Tomas was unable to stop his emotions from reflecting on his face and Voldemort eyed his panicked shock with wicked amusement.
"As you can see," Voldemort said, "I have found your weakness."
Tomas glared at him. "What are you talking about?!" He demanded. "Why did you bring Draco here?! He has nothing to do with this!"
"Does that mean that you don't care what happens to him?" Voldemort asked smoothly.
Tomas's mouth snapped shut. There could only be one reason for Voldemort to have brought Draco here and it was bad, really bad.
"So, my son," Voldemort said, "will this be the end of your defiance or will young Mr. Malfoy here have to suffer for your disobedience?"
"Leave him out of this!" Tomas snapped.
"I'm afraid that's the wrong answer," Voldemort said. He drew his wand from inside his robes and pointed it at Draco. "Crucio."
Tomas watched in horror as Draco's back arched up in pain and his mouth fell open in a silent scream.
He rounded on Voldemort who was watching Draco's writhing form with an amused expression on his face.
"Stop it!" Tomas shouted. "Leave him alone!"
Voldemort glanced at Tomas out of the corner of his eye. "Will you do as I say?" He asked.
Tomas pressed his lips into a thin line. He didn't want to give into the Dark Lord, especially when he would have to answer questions that would threaten the lives of more than a few people, but still…
He flinched as a shrill scream tore from Draco's lips and vibrated off the stone walls.
"Fine!" Tomas said. "I'll do as you say! Just stop hurting him!"
"As you wish," Voldemort said and with a flick of his wand he released Draco from his torture.
Draco slumped to the ground, panting, his unfocused eyes staring at Tomas for a few moments before sliding closed.
Tomas gritted his teeth together and glared at Voldemort whose eyes were glittering with satisfaction.
"So, now that that's over with," Voldemort said, "let's get down to business. Where has Dumbledore kept you hidden these past sixteen years?"
Tomas bit down hard on his lip, trying to think of what to say. He couldn't very well say that he had been with Snape the whole time because that would blow his foster father's cover and put him in the dangerous position of avoiding the Dark Lord's wrath. But what else could he say?
"Why is it taking you to come up with an answer?" Voldemort asked. "Do you need more convincing?"
He moved his wand back towards Draco and Tomas nearly shot out of his chair to answer him as a sudden idea hit him.
"I've been living in Grimmauld Place!"
Voldemort's eyes widened in surprise.
"Grimmauld Place?" He said. "Dumbledore put you in the old Black house?"
"Yes," Tomas said. "He figured it would be the last place you would ever think to check."
Voldemort was silent for a few moments and then a soft chuckle escaped from his thin lips.
"It seems that the old man has learned a thing or two," He said. "Hm…" He tilted his head to the side, his eyes moving over Tomas in a way that quite unnerved the boy. "I wonder…did Dumbledore ever tell you of what the Seer foresaw?"
"What are you talking about?" Tomas said.
"I am talking about a prophecy," Voldemort said. "Your prophecy."