Thanks for the reviews and I am changing all of my mistake you've pointed out to me, but I haven't come to uploading the latest version yet. But I will, eventually and really appreciate your comments.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or make money from this.
With a smile on his face Tom greeted Dippet and Dumbledore at the gate that gave access to the property of Hogwarts. "I'm glad to be here," he said honestly.
"The same counts for us. Let's move to my quarters," Dippet invited him inside and the future Dark Lord eagerly accepted. His eyes roamed over the sight before him and like every time the castle took his breath away. That his boy was somewhere inside those walls made it only more appealing. As they crossed the corridors a lot of students – especially the Slytherins – greeted him with respect, but his eyes kept scanning for that one person. He finally found him leaning on the balustrade of one of the stairs with his two guards behind him. Harry waved at him and immediately a smirk appeared on his face.
-THTH-
"You've got it bad!" Ignatius whispered in Harry's ear as the blue charmed eyes happily gazed at the retreating figure.
"I can't deny that," the youngster chuckled. Just one look from Tom made his whole world light up.
"You aren't the only one," Alex said from his other side, successfully pulling his attention. Crabbe nodded to his left and Harry's eyes moved to the first floor.
"Mabel," he realized who his friend had meant. 'Did she gave Tom the bracelet?' he couldn't suppress the thought any longer. Biting the inside of his cheek, he made a decision and pushed himself away from the railing. Without a word, he ascended the staircase and made his way to the girl.
"Marvolo?!" His friends called after him, but he didn't stop. He wasn't going to hesitate.
"Mabel!" he called out and the third year looked up at him with surprise. Harry stepped closer to her as he heard his friends stop behind him and raised his wrist. "Did you give this bracelet to Tom?" he asked while pointing to the jewel. Mabel narrowed her eyes and gave him an unreadable expression. "Did you?" he pushed.
"What does it matter?" Her voice sounded clear.
"Because I didn't know he got it from someone," Harry tried to explain. "I don't want you to get the wrong impression." Now Mabel's face turned to a confused expression.
"Not get the wrong impression? Our Lord gave you a bracelet. He has never given anything like that to anyone."
"Yes, but..." 'I can't tell her I would blip back to my own time if I take it off, not that I can!' he sighed.
"But what? Everyone knows you're his boyfriend." Everything that the girl had been holding in seemed to be coming out of her. "You've got a gift from him and... you've got him." The last sounded like a resentment.
'She likes him,' Harry couldn't deny it any longer. 'But still she hasn't answered my question.' "Yes, but did you give Tom this bracelet?" Again Mabel gave him that unreadable expression.
"What does it matter?" She again answered with the same question before turning around and calmly walked away.
"Mabel?"
"What did she say?" Ignatius asked as he stopped beside him.
"Nothing really," Harry sighed.
"The bracelet isn't hers?" Alex continued and the youngster had to smile a little. Crabbe had more people knowledge than his future grandson.
"She didn't want to answer. The only thing I found out is that she likes Tom," Harry sighed.
"Nothing new," Ignatius mumbled what the two others were thinking and the youngster turned around.
"Let's get back, professor Slughorn is probably waiting."
"He's probably with our Lord," Alex retorted but did follow his charge's example. Once more, blue charmed eyes glanced back in the direction Mabel had disappeared too.
'If she likes Tom that much, then maybe he could get the diary back from her.' A frown appeared on his forehead. 'But that would also mean that Tom gets the diary and not Dumbledore.' A wave of relief hit him. 'If I could just convince him to absorb the piece of his soul back.'
-THTH-
"I'm glad we came to an understanding," Dippet smiled brightly. Tom nodded at him as answer and let the Headmaster lead him out of the Castle.
"I'll set up the letter for the other parties and send it to you by the end of the week," the future Dark Lord clarified once more and Dippet agreed with a smile.
"I'll be waiting." Last words were exchanged and Tom made his way off the Hogwarts' property.
'Things are going as planned. It won't take long before I'm walking freely through those corridors again,' he smirked and turned his eyes away from the castle. 'Time to prepare the next phase.' His wand got pulled into the open and he was gone.
-THTH-
Brown eyes stared confused at the bracelet, Harry was pushing in his face. "Who gave it to you?" The youngster asked again and Tom's face drew a blank.
"Some girl," came the uninterested answer and Harry let out a heavy sigh.
"Does the name Mabel sound familiar?" Immediately the brown eyes turned serious.
"Don't go near her!"
"What?" Confusion settled on the youngster's face.
"Do what I say! Stay away from her!" Tom bellowed, surprising Harry even more.
"Fine, I'll stay away from her," he soothed the future Dark Lord while mentally adding: 'As if!' Tom didn't doubt him for a minute and relaxed his features.
"Now, the diary?"
"Yes, well..." 'Is he going to freak out again?' "Mabel has it." A sneer of disgust was released and Harry was really starting to become curious at the connection between the two.
"I'll deal with her. You... just stay away from her!" Tom pressed once more and the youngster nodded.
"What did you talk about with Dippet?" Harry changed the subject and the older teen sat himself down on one of the two chair occupying their usual inn room.
"We've discussed how we could best go about contacting the other political groups." The youngster made a humming sound as answer as his eyes trailed over the left side of the other's body, raising them again to stop on his cheek.
"You look pale," he stated as he stepped inside Tom's personal bubble and cupped his face.
"Just been busy." Green eyes worrisome stared into brown.
"But you still have to take care of yourself." A small smile appeared under the brown eyes, before lips moved upwards and pressed gently against Harry's.
"Don't worry about me."
"How could I not?" Green eyes widened a little to emphasize his honesty and the other's smile increased. "Come on," Harry quickly pulled Tom from the chair and pulled him to the bed, "lay down." The future Dark Lord crooked an eyebrow but did listen. The youngster crawled beside him and moved the sheets and the pillows around the other until he was comfortable. Once happy with his handiwork, he laid himself down and drew Tom into his arms, letting the brown hair locks rest underneath his chin. "Sleep," he mumbled while his fingers were tracing soothing circles on the other's back. Tom let out a sigh and snuggled a little closer. When Harry looked down a couple of minutes later, the future Dark Lord was fast asleep.
-THTH-
Tom sipped from his tea as his eyes moved over to the next article on the newspaper he had bought. "Tom!" A high pitched voice yelped and a wave of perfume reached him before the woman did. As a gentleman he stood up and endured the kisses that got pressed to his cheeks. "I'm so glad you invited me!"
"Please sit down, Coraline," Tom invited her to his table and she flaunted herself as she sat down. He took a moment to close his eyes and prepare himself.
"Thank you, now what can I do for you? You know I would do anything," the woman smiled brightly and the make-up around her face cracked a little.
'How much did she put on? And how long has it been on?' Tom couldn't help but wonder as a shiver ran over his spin.
"It has come to my attention that your daughter has come into the possession of something that's mine." Coraline's eyebrows rose.
"You called me because of my daughter?" The future Dark Lord nodded and the woman pulled an astonished expression. "We'll I'll admit I didn't see that one coming. What has the child done this time?" Her face turned annoyed.
"Like I said, she has something that's mine."
"And how can you be certain she has it?" Coraline asked and her tone clearly told him she wasn't defending her offspring, she was only astonished she had something of Tom. "Did your toy tell you?" His face must have told her enough, because she suddenly started giggling. "And you take his word for truth? He must be something else." Brown eyes narrowed in suspicion. He knew her good enough to know when she was up to something. "Tell me about him," she purred.
"The sex is good," Tom answered and the woman rolled her eyes.
"Please, I could also give you good sex! That isn't it..." she said the last with a thoughtful expression as the teenager suppressed a shudder. "There's something I'm missing and you know me, I can't resist a puzzle," she chuckled and Tom glared at her.
"Stay away from him!" he hissed and Coraline's eyes widened almost comically.
"You don't have to be that possessive, I'm not going to steal him away," the woman recovered herself. "But let's get back on topic," she flicked her hair over her shoulder and leaned backwards, seemly completely in control. "What does my daughter have in her possession that's yours?"
"A book," the woman blinked in surprise.
"A book." Tom sighed. He was going to have to elaborate.
"I'm certain you are aware of my preferences." Coraline nodded. "It's a book I've experimented on." The woman's eyes suddenly turned serious and she leaned forward again.
"You're telling me there's a dangerous enchantment in my house that could release any minute?"
"I said your daughter has it." The woman didn't seem to comprehend what he was saying. "Where is your daughter?"
"Oh, you mean she has that book at Hogwarts," Coraline instantly changed from mood.
"She will bring it home eventually..." Tom started, now was the time to strike," and of course even if the spell is released before she spends time at home, there is still your image to think about." The woman suddenly straightened.
"You're right. Of course, you're right. I'll have to cut this lunch short I'm afraid, but it seems my daughter is in need of some scolding." Tom only nodded to her and stood up first – in public he was still a gentleman. "Thank you for telling me. I'm glad you're still concerned about little me," Coraline smiled sweetly and kissed his cheeks again before turning around. She disappeared around a corner and the future Dark Lord let out a sigh of relief.
-THTH-
Harry spied around the corner once more and Ignatius sighed. "She'll come, calm down."
"All third years have to pass here to reach the Great Hall," Alex added and the youngster's eyes moved to the corner none-the-less. Suddenly giggles and chatters was heard and a couple minutes later the first third years students passed them. Ravenclaw and Slytherin moved past them in small groups according to the houses. The snakes glanced at them and some even gave them a flirty smile as the other house ignored them completely. Harry smirked as one of the girls couldn't keep her eyes of Alex, but his friend seemed oblivious to her stare. Then Mabel pulled his attention. The girl immediately met his look and sent him a glare.
"Mabel!" he called out and the third year stopped before him. She didn't say a word, only stared at him. "If this is your bracelet," he pushed his wrist practically in her face, "then take it!" he succeeded in surprising the girl, but she quickly recovered and resumed her staring. "Take it!" Mabel hesitated.
"I can return it to its rightful owner?" She asked and Harry nodded. Slowly her hands rose and touched the jewel, searching for the lock. She found it and the youngster could feel the skin of her fingertips brush over his wrist. Concentrating she went to work until a small yelp escaped her lips and she pulled back. With a heated glare she stuck her fingers in her mouth and speeded off.
"She's embarrassed," Alex mumbled and Harry felt disappointed.
'She couldn't open it.' His eyes moved to his wrist and widened when he noticed the lock wasn't entirely in its locked position any longer. 'She moved it!' A sudden fear wrapped around his heart. 'Could she have really removed it?! I would be gone!' he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. 'It doesn't matter, I could have just used the spell again to return to Tom... or he would have called for me when Ignatius and Alex told him what happened,' he breathed out and took another deep breath. 'I had to find out how much the diary has already possessed her!'
"What happened?" Ignatius asked, looking confused from the youngster's wrist to his face.
"We've got proof." His two friends frowned in confusion, but Harry already started moving to the Great Hall.
-THTH-
"Close it!" Harry demanded as he raised his wrist before stopping before Tom, who raised his eyebrow at his behaviour.
"Is that the greeting I get?" The youngster quickly pressed his lips against those of the future Dark Lord.
"Now, please close it," he asked again and Tom pulled a confused expression. Harry quickly realized he had to be a little clearer and pointed to the bracelet. Brown eyes widened and fingers wrapped tightly around the youngster wrist.
"Who opened it?!" The future Dark Lord hissed and Harry recognized the mad look in his eyes.
"Mabel did," he answered honestly and the grip tightened.
"I told you to stay away from Mabel!"
"We both go to Hogwarts, I can't go around avoiding her. Dumbledore would find it weird," he knew the last would get him back in Tom's good graces. Like expected the future Dark Lord got an understanding look, but his grip didn't loosen any of its strength. "And that she could open it partly proofs that your," he pocked the other's chest with his finger, "diary has taken control of Mabel," he stared straight into Tom's eyes. "Your magic has been slowly seeping in to her and there is already enough inside her to almost open something that only you can open!" Harry huffed. "Now please, close it. I don't want to disappear..." he confessed and the older teenager finally lessened his grip. Tom carefully closed the lock again and kissed the youngster hand to the other's surprise.
"Like I would let you disappear," the future Dark Lord smirked and caressed Harry's chin before sweetly kissing his lips. "But how did she get close enough to open it?" The sweetness melted away and blue charmed eyes glanced sideways. He couldn't lie – Ignatius and Alex would tell him the truth in their report, if they hadn't already.
"I confronted her," he confessed and got a disapproving sound as reaction. "I'm sorry, but I can't sit by and do nothing!" His voice had taken a defensive tone, but Tom just kept his burning eyes on him. "It's not like she's going to hurt me!" he tried as he forced his eyes to meet the brown ones.
"She can control the basilisk..." the future Dark Lord grumbled.
"But it's you who controls it. You won't hurt me! Would you?" he asked and Tom shook his head in disappointment.
"You're missing the obvious. I made the diary before I knew you."
"What are you saying?" Harry asked dreading where this was going. "The diary version of you doesn't know me?"
"No," the older teen shook his head and the youngster started to panic.
"And you can't update it or something?"
"Update?" Tom pulled an odd expression.
"It means you..." Harry searched for the right words, "turn your former self into the one you are now," he tried and the older teen shook his head as response.
"Not possible." But there was a spark in the future Dark Lord's eyes that made the youngster doubt.
"Really?" Harry asked while given Tom a look.
"The only way to – what was the word again? Op-dat? – would be by absorbing my soul again before putting it back in the diary." Blue charmed eyes widened as the other continued. "Which would mean I'd have to kill someone again and I don't do that anymore, do I?" Harry couldn't help but feel a coil of heat inside his chest and a smile appeared on his face.
'He really listened to me!' "I guess you're right, it's impossible."
"I'm glad we agree, so stay away from Mabel." Harry's smile fell.
"But how are you going to get it back? It's not like you can corner her in the middle of Hogwarts and demand her to hand over the diary." Instead of answering Tom moved away from the youngster and sat down on the bed.
"I'm acquainted with her mother," he answered in the end as his eyes roamed over the other's body.
"You are going to ask her mother to get the diary?" The future Dark Lord nodded. "Who is her mother?" Harry got surprised by the irritated expression that appeared in Tom's brown eyes.
"She's one of the secretaries of the Minister."
"One of the secretaries? How many does he have?"
"Two, one for the professional work and another for more personal favours." The youngster's eyebrows rose.
"Let me guess, Mabel's mother is the personal one," Tom nodded.
"Mabel doesn't have a father?" A shake of the head.
"He died before she was born."
"Oh, her mother didn't remarry or found a new boyfriend?" Harry kept fishing for information.
"She has had a lot of boyfriends but not one who's good enough for her to start a relationship with," the older teen sighed as he got up again. Slowly he made his way to the youngster and wrapped his arms around the other's waist.
"Let's not talk about the Mabels any longer." Harry couldn't help but smile a little at the other's behaviour. "Instead let's visit our future home," Tom decided with a teasing smirk and the youngster couldn't hide his interest.
-THTH-
Surprised Harry stared around and took in the empty house they had entered. "Where... This isn't our house yet, is it?" he twirled around to Tom, who was smirking at him. As answer he walked to the closest wall and stuck his hand in the middle of it. Blue eyes widened and the youngster quickly moved his body next to the other. Frowning a little, he observed Tom's arm inside the wall and slowly raised his own to slip beside him. "It's not real?" he asked surprised as his hand moved around in circles.
"No, it's a projection of our final plan." Harry turned surprised to the older teen.
"Then... this is how it is going to look?" A nod was his reaction. A smile bloomed on the youngster face and he grabbed Tom's hand. "Let's explore!" he – almost – squealed and the future Dark Lord let himself be pulled around with a smile on his face.
R&R
