Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or make money from this.
Twirling a spoon in his teacup, Harold was reading the paper as Harry entered the kitchen. "Good morning," he greeted and his grandfather gave him a smile.
"Good morning," the smile fell, "did you get any sleep?" The youngster let out a sigh as he sat down at the kitchen table.
"A little, I kept thinking about a way to convince Tom." A slice of bread stopped midair in front of Harold's lips.
"And any idea how?" Harry grimaced as he shook his head.
"I figured I could ask Ignatius and Alex for help." His grandfather cocked his head to the side.
"Doesn't your cousin know Riddle the best?"
"Yes," Harry answered honestly, "but he's on Tom's side." Now Harold grimaced.
"All right, try to meet up with your friends and go from there." His grandson nodded.
"I also need to get some of my stuff from... Tom's place." It was hard to refer to the place that had become his home as Tom's place. 'I need to get the ring...'
"Do you need me to accompany you?" Harold asked and Harry shook his head.
"No, I'll be fine," the youngster sighed before he lightened up a little. "And maybe if it's just the two of us, I can get him to reveal something of his plan." The grandfather nodded before the slice of bread disappeared between his lips. In a comfortable silence they continued their breakfast.
-THTH-
With a beating heart, Harry entered the hall and glanced around the room. A deathly silence hung over the house and with a deep breath the youngster moved to the future Dark Lord's office. Stopping before the door, he knocked and waited until he heard a grumpy: "Come in!"
"It's me!" he called as he moved the handle and pushed the door open. Tom looked up from his desk and stared at him. Feeling uncomfortable, the youngster started to wiggle on his feet and his heart refused to calm down. "I came to pick up some of my things." His voice came out in a whisper. The other nodded as his attention went back to his work.
"Dopper will help you." A short sentence that sent pain through Harry's heart.
"Thank you," he mumbled and stepped backwards until he was out of the office. Closing the door, a sigh escaped from between his lips and he gave the wood behind him a sad glance before he started to move. His feet carried him to their joined bedroom and for a minute he just stared at the bed. His mind went back to the last time they had shared it and a pain filled his chest. 'This is harder than I thought.' Forcing himself forward he walked to the bed and pulled his trunk from underneath it. Opening it, he quickly started to pack until only the ring was left. He retrieved it from its hiding place and opened the box to stare at the symbol of eternity.
"Master," Dopper pulled him from his thoughts, "how can I be of service?"
"Oh," Harry was lost for words as his eyes kept moving from the ring to the house-elf and back. Then an idea came to him. "On Tom's birthday could you give him breakfast on bed, his favourite," Dopper started nodding, "and put this on his plate." The ring got hidden again with a pop and the box got handed over to the elf, who accepted it like it was a treasure.
"Of course, Master," the house-elf bowed its head and Harry's attention went back to his trunk.
"I have everything, I think," he took hold of his wand but stopped as he saw the almost hopeful look on the elf's face. 'Always so eager to please,' he smiled sadly. He couldn't deny that he was also going to miss the house-elf, he had become a part of his life. Home was, where Dopper was. "Could you deliver my trunk to Harold Potter's house?"
"With pleasure, Master." Dopper bowed its head again.
"Thank you," Harry smiled and took a deep breath before returning back to Tom's office.
-THTH-
Forcing his eyes to stay on the paper before him, Tom heard his boy knock once more and gave him permission to enter. An uncomfortable atmosphere entered the room together with Harry and the future Dark Lord had to suppress the urge to take the other in his arms and whisper sweet nothings. "I've packed the basics," the youngster said as he again started switching his weight from one foot to the other. "Then... I'll be going," he whispered and panic rose in Tom's chest. Abruptly, he stood up pushing his chair backwards against the rack behind him, making a lot of noise. He fisted his hands against the surface of his desk, trying to calm down again, but failed.
'Am I really going to let him return to Dumbledore's pet?!' he questioned himself and risked a glance at his boy. Harry was watching him with a frown on his face. Giving in to his urges, he moved towards the other and his hand rose to caress the youngster's cheek, but Harry evaded him.
"Don't," his boy whispered and anger rose at the rejection. "I should be going." His anger rose even more as the other turned around to walk out on him. His hand wrapped itself around Harry's wrist and turned the youngster around before pushing his back against the door.
'Stop!' His mind yelled at him and made him remember his plan. 'Forcing him will not work!' "I-," He didn't know what to say, 'I need him near!' "Will you accompany me for dinner tomorrow evening?" Blue charmed eyes widened in surprise.
"It would be my pleasure," Harry smiled as his wrist got released and a hand on Tom's chest pushed the older teen backwards. "You'll pick me up around six?" The hand lingered and caressed the skin underneath the fabric.
"Six," the future Dark Lord agreed feeling excitement replace the anger in his chest. Harry gave him a last smile before opening the door and disappearing though the opening. A click signalled the door was close again and a sigh escaped Tom's mouth. 'That was close,' he shook his head and a smile formed on his lips. 'I have a date to plan.'
-THTH-
"I'm back!" Harry called as he stepped out of the fireplace. After taking a moment to adjust to his surroundings, he walked to the living room to find it empty. He frowned as silence greeted him and continued his way to the kitchen to find a post note lying on the table. Picking it up, a small smile appeared on his face. 'Of course Harold is studying to become an Auror! It must be a seminary of someone who only has time during the Christmas holidays.' With a sigh he sat down on the chair he had also been occupying this morning and looked around. 'I feel like an intruder,' he frowned and got up again. 'I should contact Ignatius and Alex,' he decided remembering his former decision and walked to the porch where an owl had its home. He quickly wrote two messages and wrapped them around the bird's paw. Giving instructions to the owl, he watched the animal fly off. 'Now what?' Harry wondered as he entered the living room again with a sigh. His feet carried him to the guest room he had been occupying and a small smile pulled at his lips when his eyes fell on his trunk. 'You can always count on Dopper.' Opening the lid, he grabbed the book he had been reading for his Defence Against The Dark Arts class and settled himself on the bedcover before continuing where he had left off. Half an hour later the first reply came wrapped around the paw of an owl. Alex let him know he could meet him tomorrow around noon and Harry sent the owl back with a positive answer. Ignatius' answer came only a couple of minutes after the owl had disappeared. The Parkinson couldn't meet them as he had family obligations to fulfil. 'Only Alex's help then.' The youngster closed the window as Ignatius' owl took flight and let his eyes roam over the sight before him. 'It's too small and too plain for Tom's liking. He would want something he could show off with,' he shook his head. 'Stop thinking about him!' Settling himself back on the bed, he forced himself to continue in his book.
-THTH-
Harry entered the tavern he was to meet Alex and found his friend waving him over. Making his way towards him, he took the seat opposite of Crabbe, who was signalling to the patron. After they ordered drinks and sandwiches, Harry explained what had transpired the last two days. "Let me get this straight, you left our Lord and are staying with Dumbledore's pet – our Lord's nemesis?"
"Nemesis is such a harsh word..." the youngster mumbled with a frown. "I didn't really leave him, we haven't broken up or anything, we're just trying to... get a point across." Alex looked sceptical.
"Wouldn't it be easier to get a point across while living under the same roof?" Blue orbs slid to the right.
"Maybe..., but this short break helps me get my point across."
"So, it's only for a short time?" Harry's eyes abruptly shifted back to his friend's.
"Of course!" A small smile appeared on Alex's lips and he leaned backwards as the patron brought them their orders. Both took a bite of their sandwich before Crabbe pulled the youngster's attention again.
"I'm certain our Lord will want to keep up appearances." Harry nodded. "He's in the middle of an election and it won't look good if he can't keep his half-blood boyfriend under control." A frown settled above blue eyes.
"He doesn't control me!" Alex rolled his eyes.
"You know what I mean. I'm talking out of the perspective of purebloods." Reluctantly, Harry nodded for the other to continue. "This also means that if somehow it leaks out that the two of you aren't living together any longer, this break of yours could backfire on you." Blue eyes widened as realization settled in.
"You mean... I could lose him?!" The other nodded.
"So, we need to make sure the two of you get back together, fast." Harry nodded fiercely.
'I've been through too much to lose Tom over this!' Then Harold's words came to mind. "Wait, Tom is too possessive. He won't just let me go." Alex pulled a thoughtful look.
"That's true, but you won't be as close anymore as you are at the moment."
"There will be a wall between us" The youngster sighed and Alex got into action.
"Okay, first we need to clearly understand what you want and what our Lord wants."
"Well, I want for Tom to stop hurting people to get his way." Alex nodded.
"And our Lord?" Harry hesitated.
"He wants me to prove myself worthy of him, but I'm certain there is more..."
"Okay let's think, our Lord want you to prove yourself but won't risk losing you," Crabbe continued and the other nodded as he realized this was the same conclusion as Harold and he came too yesterday. "So, the question is: what does our Lord want?" Again Harry nodded.
"Then let's consider - without the whole proofing yourself worthy – what has he want since the beginning?" The youngster cocked his head and slightly pointed his chin to the sky.
"Since the beginning?" 'That's the right question!' "He wants respect for the half-blood population." Alex signalled for him to continue. "And of course, he doesn't like muggles and would rather see them gone." The other nodded.
"And he would like to do all of this with a licence to kill." Reluctantly, Harry agreed with his friend. "So, logical wise, our Lord wants for you to stand behind his point of view."
"Which I obviously never will do."
"Yes, making that this plan will somehow lead to you accepting our Lord's view anyway." The youngster frowned at that.
"Even if he would succeed, it's still illegal." Alex gave him a look.
"We are talking about our Lord here."
"How could I forget?" Harry shook his head. "All right, so he wants me to accept his point of view, but how the hell is me showing my worth going to lead to that?" At that the other shrugged.
"Don't know." Both sighed at the same time.
"I just need to prove my worth and make Tom's plan fail," the youngster decided and Alex gave him a hesitating smile. Seeing his friend's face, the youngster realized just in what kind of position he was putting his guard in. "I'm sorry, I should have realized you don't want to go against Tom." Crabbe quickly shook his head.
"No don't be, you're my friend and if you succeed than I don't have to fear anything. So please succeed!" Harry smiled at Alex and gave him a reassuring nod.
"Next, how am I going to prove myself worthy?" The youngster asked a little desperate and the other let out a short laugh.
"Just be the perfect boyfriend. I'm certain the opportunities will present themselves."
"I hope so," Harry huffed and took another bite of his sandwich.
-THTH-
Sharp at six o'clock, the doorbell rang and Harold raised his eyebrow at his grandson. "The doorbell?" he asked sarcastic and Harry shrugged.
"You prefer him just entering through the fireplace?" Harold rolled his eyes as answer.
"Just go open the door," the youngster glared playfully at his grandfather before skipping to the front door. His heart accelerated a little as he grabbed the handle and slowly opened the door. Tom was calmly waiting on the other side and Harry's heart skipped a beat.
'He looks smoking hot!' His mind yelled as he took in the future Dark Lord's attire. 'He knows I like that sweater!' he mentally groaned and his eyes moved upwards to find Tom looking at him with the same expression. 'I knew this pullover was the right choice,' he was more than glad he had bought it that one time the future Dark Lord had taking him shopping after he returned.
"You look very handsome," Tom was the first one to recover and gave the youngster a charming smile.
"You look very fetching yourself." Blushing a little, Harry couldn't keep the goofy smile of his face and accepted the hand held out to him.
"Don't make it too late!" Harold called as the youngster stepped closer to his date.
"We won't," Harry glanced backwards before letting Tom lead him away.
-THTH-
"That you got a reservation at this place!" Harry said stunned as his head twirled around to take in their entire little corner of the restaurant. They had been placed in an area isolated by decorated folding screens. Only beside the window – which had a view over the private flower garden of the restaurant – was an opening for the waitress or waiter. "Sebastian suggested it and he put in a good word for me," Tom answered indifferent as he kept going over the menus with his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm certain he just had to mention your name," the youngster said with a smirk and brown eyes glanced upwards. "It isn't a secret you were named the successor of Spave. Congratulations are in order," Harry tried to keep the smile of his face but it broke through none-the-less, instead he forced himself to inspect the food the restaurant was suggesting.
"You..." Tom pulled his attention. "It bothers you what I did to Spave, but you can say his name without a hitch." Blue eyes widened a moment before narrowing.
"It's disgusting, I'm trying to forget it!" Came the brisk answer and the youngster's eyes were glued to the menu once again.
"But still you're here with me." An annoying sigh escaped Harry's lips.
"Don't make me regret this!" The future Dark Lord seemed to realize he was pushing the limit and wisely switched the subject to one of the suggestions. After they ordered, Tom switched the subject again.
"How is staying with your grandfather?"
"Great," Harry bloomed open, "this is the first time I can get to know someone of my own blood, the Potter blood." The other gave him a polite smile, but clearly the future Dark Lord would like it more if he was still with him. "Well, at least the only one I remember." Tom gave him a questioning look and the youngster realized he hadn't told the other about what they would have to do in the future to his younger-self. "In the future we'll have to erase my younger self's memory and give him... well mine." The future Dark Lord stared at him for a moment.
"You mean the Voldemort memory."
"Yes, it's the only way to make sure that this reality stays." Brown eyes kept staring at him until they finally blinked.
"We need to make sure that this reality stays," Tom repeated more to himself and Harry gave him a curious look.
"You do want that future, don't you?" he couldn't help but ask. Honestly, he had never dared to ask this. What if the future Dark Lord suddenly decided he wanted to be Voldemort anyway? His question made Tom snap out of his daydream and aim his attention at him.
"Of course, I only want a future that contains you as my lover, not my enemy and me with hair." A smile formed on the youngster's lips as he heard the last.
"Yeah, you definitely look better with hair." The other also smiled and Tom's hand slid over the surface of the table to grab hold of his.
"I-," the future Dark Lord put up his serious politician's face, "I'm sorry, I'll make certain Spave's taken care of." Harry could see in his eyes that he was being honest.
"That's the least you can do," the youngster answered with a small smile. 'This is good.' A waiter suddenly popped up with two dishes in his hands and served them they food. "Thank you," Harry thanked the man politely and the waiter gave him a professional smile as someone called out to him from behind him. He turned around trying to leave giving his customers privacy, but the impatient man already showed up behind him.
"I've been trying – Tom!" The man manoeuvred himself around the waiter and stopped in front of their table. "What a surprise to see you here!"
"Tristan," the future Dark Lord gave the man a nod as Harry retreated his hand. With one glance from Tom, Harry knew this man wasn't one of his allies.
"And I'm even more surprised to see you with Mr Remus," Tristan addressed Harry, who gave him a confused look.
"Excuse me?" The youngster asked before Tom could intervene.
"Last time I saw you, you didn't look so happy with Tom here," the man tried to laugh it off, but his eyes penetrated Harry's trying to read his every reaction.
"I told you he wasn't feeling well!" Tom answered with a hint of anger and the youngster glanced at him instead of Tristan.
'He could have only seen me at the Christmas' party,' he met the man's eyes again. 'He must have seen me leave.' "Would you be happy if you had to leave before the main point of the whole evening had passed?" Harry shot back and got an approving look from the future Dark Lord.
"Actually, I wouldn't and nobody would get me to leave," Tristan smiled evilly.
"I can be persuasive," Tom answered and again the man ignored him.
"Very persuasive," the youngster added and gave the future Dark Lord what was hopefully a smouldering look.
"That you two still have time for that," now Tristan gave his colleague a short smirk before his attention went back to the youngster, "as you aren't even staying with him any longer." Blue eyes widened in astonishment while brown narrowed in anger.
'How does he know that?! Has he been watching us?' "I don't think that's any of your business." Tristan's smirk grew and Tom's expression told him that was the wrong answer.
"It is just interesting that you are staying with Tom's rival from Hogwarts." Harry rolled his eyes for good measure.
'Come on, Harry find a way out!' "It's not because Tom doesn't like him, I can't be friends with him."
"Still an odd choice of friend, Harold Potter wasn't even a Slytherin." Again the youngster rolled his eyes, but now he already had the perfect answer.
"Don't tell me you are one of those people, who discriminates against people who are a little different." A surprised look passed through Tristan's eyes.
"Of course not..."
"I hope not, I wouldn't like it if discord hurts your group because someone doesn't like half-bloods." The man glanced at Tom, who raised his eyebrows at him.
"No of course not, I was just wondering if there was trouble in paradise."
"Does it look like there is trouble?" Harry questioned and Tristan looked from him to the other and back.
"No, which keeps me wondering why you are staying at Harold Potter's place."
'Shit, he's still on that.' "I told you, he's my friend and I'm just staying with him for a couple of days. You know, slumber parties and stuff and I think it's kind of obvious why Tom hasn't accompanied me." The man's eyes narrowed.
"It is odd that you two are dinning when you should be spending time with your friend. Isn't that what's done during slumber parties?" Harry rolled his eyes for a third time.
'Damn it, doesn't he ever stop?' he signalled Tristan to come closer and the man leaned towards him.
"I'm staying with a friend who my boyfriend doesn't like. I'm trying to keep my man happy." Tristan tried to straighten again but the youngster stopped him. "Now, is that enough information or do you need more details on how I keep my man happy?" Now Tristan quickly straightened.
"N-no," he stammered, "please keep your privacy." Tom gave him a blank look. "Enjoy your dinner," he nodded towards the two before briskly turning around and walked past the screens out of their view.
"Can I have those details?" Tom pulled Harry's attention back to him and the youngster had the dignity to blush.
"No," Harry gave the future Dark Lord a seductive look, "I wouldn't want to give up all of my surprises." Tom kept a straight face for a second and then started laughing aloud.
"You really are something you know!" he billowed and the youngster smiled teasingly at him.
"Don't I know it."
-THTH-
They came to stop in front of Potter's house and Tom tightened his grip on Harry's waist before releasing him. He didn't want to let him go. He wanted to sweep him off his feet and take him straight to his bed. Of course he couldn't do that, but he wanted to. Tonight seeing his boy take it up for him against Tristan had aroused him. His mind did tell him that this wasn't working in his favour as tonight his boy had surely proven himself, but somewhere in the back of his mind he didn't care. "I had a great time this evening," Harry smiled at him and he so wanted to devour those lips.
"Same here, especially your little dispute with Tristan." The sinful lips moved into a smirk.
"He's probably watching us right now." All of a sudden arms were around his neck and lips pressed against his. Tom reacted by pulling Harry flush against him and running his tongue over his boy's lower lip, asking permission to enter. Harry happily granted it and Tom took full control over those lips he had been craving. When they broke for air, the older teen laid his forehead against the youngster's.
"You also told him you were only staying a couple of days." Harry closed his eyes for a second before looking straight into the other's brown ones.
"Tomorrow evening, after dinner." Tom's eyes widened and a smile broke through.
"See you tomorrow then," he pressed their lips together for a last time before taking a step backwards, releasing his boy.
"Goodnight," Harry smiled at him and opened the door behind him. Only when the door had closed again, did he leave.
-THTH-
A sigh escaped Harry's lips after the door fell close behind him and he leaned against the door with his eyes closed. The future felt in reach again. His eyelids shot up as Harold stormed into the small hallway. "Thank Merlin, you're back!" The youngster looked surprised at his grandfather. "Now I know how parents feel while they wait for their children to get home. Especially when they're out with someone they don't like!" Harry couldn't help but laugh.
'If only he knew how close he's to the truth.'
"I guess things went well?" His grandfather raised his eyebrows in wonder.
"Yes, except that we got interrupted by one of his co-workers."
"Someone tried to get into his good graces?" Harold asked sarcastic and was surprised when his grandson shook his head.
"Tristan doesn't like Tom at all. Somehow he was aware of our situation and tried to get me to admit that things weren't okay between us." Harold frowned.
"He's spying on you two?" Harry nodded.
"Yes, I wonder if maybe he's the rival I heard of?"
"Could be..." Harold hesitated and the youngster gave him a questioning look. "Would it be that bad if Tom had a superior he had to answer to?"
"Spave." One word was enough to prove Harry's point.
"A superior who could hold him in check," Harold clarified.
"Tristan's definitely not that person and can you actually think of someone who could?"
"You," the grandfather said without blinking and Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, me, but I don't have the ambition to go into politics. Someone else." For a moment it seemed Harold was going to name someone, but quickly reconsidered.
"All right, I've got no one."
"See, best is that Tom thinks he can do whatever he wants but at the same time is limited." The older teen took a moment to think it over and in the end nodded.
"I guess you're right," he cocked his head to the living room and went ahead of his grandson to sit down on the couch. "Now this Tristan, he knows you're staying here?" he changed the subject as Harry joined him.
"Yes, but I told him we were friends and I was staying over for a couple of days." Harold could see there was more. "Which means I have to return 'home' tomorrow. It would get to suspicious otherwise." The older teen leaned forward with a serious expression on his face.
"Tomorrow? Can't you wait for another day?"
"Tom's birthday is the day after tomorrow," Harry explained with an apologizing look and his grandfather leaned back against the back support with an understanding expression.
"Then we'll have to make the best of the time we have left!" Harold decided and got up. "What do you think of playing the new Wizard Tournament?" he got a blank look as answer. "You know, the game," the older teen moved to a cupboard and pulled out a box. Showing the box, Harry finally understood he was talking about a board game.
'Of course, I'm in 1946! Board games are probably the PlayStation of this time.' "Sure." Harold smiled as he started unpacking and Harry watched in surprise and anticipation how a small broom flew in front of his face.
-THTH-
Once more Harold asked if his grandson had everything and was certain about leaving. Again Harry nodded. "Don't worry, you know just as well as me that Tom would never hurt me."
"Tom wouldn't..."
"And he'll protect me from everyone else," the youngster interrupted the other.
"Even Tristan?" Harold was sceptical.
"After last night I'm certain Tom will keep me away from that guy," Harry gave his grandfather a look and the older teen held up his hands in surrender.
"Have a nice trip then and a happy reunion." Another look was given before Harold turned serious. "Remember you're always welcome here."
"Thanks," Harry smiled brightly and shook his grandfather's hand before stepping into the fire after calling out his destination and dropping some Floo powder in the flames.
-THTH-
As Harry stepped out of the fireplace, his eyes immediately fell on Tom, who was casually sitting on a chair, waiting. "Tom?!" he called out and a smile bloomed on his lips. The future Dark Lord got up and with a cock of his head signalled the other to follow him. To Harry's surprise they ended up at Tom's office. Frowning he followed the owner of the room to his desk and got handed a paper. Instantly his attention got pulled by the title spread on the front page. "Politician gets two-timed! What?! These are lies!" Harry raised his head and was relieved Tom agreed with him.
"Of course, the writer implies that you are having an incest affair with your grandfather."
"They know who I am?!" Brown eyes rolled in their socket.
"No."
"So, wait," the youngster shook his head in confusion, "they think I'm cheating on you with Harold?" The older teen nodded. "Who the hell came up with that?!" Harry called out and Tom's eyes seemed to penetrate his. "Tristan." The paper got rumpled in Harry's hands and the older teen stepped closer. He pried the paper from between the youngster's fingers and ironed the wrinkles out of it with his hands.
"It's only a gossip paper," the words were comforting but brown eyes held a warning gaze, "but it's still out there."
"Why is he doing this?!" The youngster asked no one in particular and let out a grumble in anger. He didn't noticed the other moving until he stood before him. Tom wrapped his arms around him and pulled him closer as the older teen supported himself by resting his bottom against his desk.
"He couldn't use you against me, so he's trashing your reputation to hurt mine." Automatically, Harry's hands ended up on the future Dark Lord's shoulders.
"That he would go so low," he shook his head to try and get rid of his frustration. "What are we going to do?"
"We'll proof him wrong," Tom pressed a close mouthed kiss to his lips.
"Would it look good if we invited Harold over for dinner?" Brown eyes widened in surprise before they narrowed in thought.
"Yes, that could work." The future Dark Lord's arms released the youngster and his legs moved him to the other side of the desk. "Having dinner with him will strengthen the belief that he's just a friend and the notion that I can look past childish rivalries," he nodded to himself with a chilling smile on his lips.
"Tom?" Harry asked but got ignored.
"On the other side it would also bring bad publications, but publications none-the-less."
"Tom?" Harry leaned over the desk, but the other didn't seem to notice him.
"He's a pureblood. The group would definitely approve of him."
"Tom!" The future Dark Lord shot out of his thoughts and focused on the youngster. "Are you with me again?" Brown eyes widened in realization of what just happened.
"Yes, sorry..." Harry waved his apologies away.
"So, I can invite Harold?"
"Yes," Tom took a seat behind his desk, "he's practically family anyway." The youngster beamed and straightened his back again.
"Some time after new year? Friday the third?" The older teen nodded his okay. "Great, I'll go owl him," Harry announced before turning around and leaving the other.
R&R