Chapter 35: Not Such a Secret

Narcissa watched the group head out into her Ball and hoped that they could behave since it would be horrible if someone got killed during the holidays. She smiled as she saw Tom drift towards Harry instantly as if unable to keep away from him, Lucius had informed her of his plans and she approved. The young man would be an amazing influence on the Dark Lord. She turned and started towards her husband for a dance which drew others out onto the dance floor.

When a hand touched his wrist Harry turned thinking it was one of his friends but froze as he saw the masked man, yet a smile crossed his lips, "R," he whispered and got a nod before being swept out onto the dance floor. He tried to remember what Draco and Theo had showed him and was glad he had the man leading since he was able to follow his lead quite well.

Relaxing into the strong body of the other as they danced around and around Harry felt a kiss touch the side of his head, "I love you," Tom whispered in the others ear and got Harry to glance at him he wished he could take the mask off and tell Harry who he truly was.

"I love you as well," Harry whispered and felt the others heart miss a beat, "When can we meet without the masks?" he asked and got a slight smile, one that gave the man away as being who he was.

"Soon," Tom promised and kissed his forehead before saying, "Will you walk with me outside the Ball for a while?" he was trying to keep his voice softer so as to not give away who he truly was. Getting a nod he took his hand and kissed it before leading him from the room and out into the gardens, they walked in silence for a long time before he stopped near a fountain, "How could you say you love me as well, when you do not know me?"

Smiling some Harry reached up and traced the others cheek very softly, "Because I do, you've told me all about you and you have made sure I had people around me who could tell me more. You're an amazing person, doing everything you have for me, protecting me and caring for me when no one else has done so like you have," he pressed a kiss to the others cheek and curled against his chest, "Your words and your words alone made me wish to be here, in your arms."

Glancing up at the other Harry just gazed at him for a very long time as if trying to unravel all of whom he was, "Is something the matter?' Tom asked softly and got a small shake of the head, "I…" when he paused in talking Harry wondered if he was about to reveal who he truly was, "I have dreamed of moments like this, everything is so perfect…until the masks come off."

Sighing Harry dropped his head some, "Do you want to know a little secret I've been keeping for a while?" Harry asked very softly while peeking at him, getting a nod he smiled his mischievous little smile and said, "Well it all started when this guy began writing me, beautiful letters, he claimed to be courting me."

"Harry," Tom said trying to stop him from talking.

"No, no wait I'm telling you a secret," Harry seemed so serious, "This guy made me fall in love with him through his words and his promises of keeping me safe and happy, he sent me people to befriend and he sent me the most amazing pet who is more of my child than pet," moving he settled at the fountain and watched him sit down as well, "You see this guy is so very smart and caring, yet he seems to have under estimated me slightly. He sent one particular friend who also ends up writing me a letter, of course this letter was more of just the peak of my suspicions," he glanced at the sky and said recited, "A proper kiss at midnight, that's what he wrote in his last note. A proper kiss, now why would he use the word proper unless I've kissed him before?"

Tom was going cold Harry was pointing out a lot of connections and he just kept going, "Now you see he told me he was a Slytherin, older than me, in a place of power and leadership, he is well enough liked by Lucius Malfoy to get the man to do him favors," and those green eyes focused on him, "He even got Tom Riddle to respect him, which I find odd as that man normally would say no to silly requests like making sure a teenager doesn't panic and run away the other way…do you know my secret yet?" he was met with silence and he sighed again, "Damn Tom stop panicking."

Removing his mask Tom blinked at Harry who did the same, "So…how long have you known?"

"Hmm I had an idea it was you after the first few letters when the Slytherins started approaching me, I mean who else has the ability to make Slytherins do as they want," he smiled some and relaxed as he took the man's hand again, "Ever since I just decided to keep an eye on you, to make sure your words were true."

"You…don't mind?" Tom seemed truly startled at that one, getting a shake of the head his eyes went wide, "Wait so…everything you've been doing was to test me?"

"Not just test you but to test myself as well, I wanted to see if I could see the you your letters portrayed in the you that was hiding from me," Harry paused and got a puzzled look to his face, "Uh… that makes sense right?"

"I think it does," Tom said which somehow lead to them dissecting what Harry had said and trying to piece it together finally he said, "Yes it makes perfect sense. You wanted to see if you were able to see who you thought the letters described in who I truly am even though I was trying to hide the fact I wrote the letters."

"Exactly," Harry smiled some before he tinted pink and looked sideways at their hands which were still linked, "So um…do I have to wait until midnight?" he meant for their proper kiss, getting his face tilted up he closed his eyes as soon as their lips touched, it was a soft caress as if a whisper of lips. Whimpering some as the man pulled away he opened his eyes slowly and saw the man seemed just as dazed as him, moving he kissed him this time a bit more of a kiss then the first one but still soft. Somehow their kisses intensified to the point where he was on his back being kissed stupid and since they were on the side of the fountain they dropped sideways into the water making him squeak out and Tom gasp in shock, "That's one way to fall for someone."