A/N: Finally! Hope everyone is staying healthy and safe~ I've been soooooo busy but I finally got it out.

Hermione

"What are we going to do Essa?", for once I was at a bit of a loss of what to do, I usually would have a plan. Finding out Tom was with Albus, froze my insides with fear. Taking on Albus Dumbledore was not something I had planned, at least in a magical capacity.

"I have plan to save Master Tom." Essa looked Ernst and determined; once again, she reminded me of Dobby, especially when he was ardent in his desire to defend and protect Harry. It was somewhat comforting to have another ally determined to save Tom as much as I did. I didn't think when it came down to it how many people actually would put their lives on the line for Tom this time around.

"First, the treats!", she beamed proudly of the baked edibles she held in her hand. "Mira!" Essa shouted it was slightly disconcerting to see the formerly timid elf take charge.

Another elf popped into existence; she was wearing pale blue dungarees and a pale pink bow tired around one ear. "Yes, Essa". Essa handed over the tray; she remained holding onto the edge even after Mira had grabbed it. "Mira, time for plan of action. When it is done return so I can finish next plan", the other elf nodded and popped away.

It was frustrating because I didn't know what they were doing, and Essa was somewhat cryptic.

"Essa please -"

"In time, miss Hermione. Now we wait."

Tom

My eyes remained fixed upon his person. I would not let him have even a moment, a nanosecond, of a chance to have the advantage over me. He was dressed now in an outrageously silver and white monstrosity to fashion. While it was a wizarding robe...well there was no words to describe his fashion sense- it was even worse at times than some of the items Lucius wore. Most likely trying to emanate the great Merlin, it is ironic, however, that he was a Slytherin, something that Dumbledore displays subtle discrimination against. Tasteless prat.

I realised that this could be a foolish endeavour, normally I was a little more calculated than this. Okay, my former self wasn't all that much, but now I think Hermione has rubbed off on me. Her spontaneity and zest, has influenced this decision- ugh so Gryffindor.

"I'm surprised to see you out Tom, not acting through your little puppets", Dumbledore sat down, crossing his hands, one over the other. His voice always had a..slow, quality to it, not lacking in intelligence, but like everyone he was talking to were complete morons—patronising humanity.

" Taking a risk Albus, something unfortunate may befall you", I resisted gritting my teeth and took on a sweet tone. Albus's eyes narrowed, he probably picked up on the threat, not that I had anything particularly planned, this was purely exploratory.

"Don't play games, Tom, I know your honied words coat poisonous fangs, but you tend to lose our chess matches", he gestured nonchalantly which was so not Dumbledore, for a moment it through me off, distracted me from the fact that he disregarded me as a worthy opponent. I had failed and disappointed him as an adversary, and now I was just an annoying gnat that needed to be extinguished. I swallowed the litany of curse words that were just itching to be expelled. If I gave in to his taunts, as I had always done- damn Hermione was right- I would blow this opportunity. He would win or at least regain some of his previous advantages. I knew that Narcissa's PR campaign, was going well, we didn't need to turn everyone, just plant enough seeds of doubt. Too long wizarding Britain just followed along being mindless drones. No more.

"Who says I'm playing the same game as you Dumbledore? A little presumptuous? Things are different this time, your attempt at imprisonment...failed", I couldn't help the slight feeling of glee seeping into my expression. Dumbledore's face tightened, it was an apparent sore spot to poke at.

"Yes, that was unfortunate, Tom, but I had pride in the fact that you still had no way to get out on your own. If it wasn't for that meddler, I could have left you to rot. Face it, Tom, I outmaneuvered you." My gut twisted because I knew he knew I knew he was right. If it weren't for Harry pushing, then both Hermione and I would have been stuck in wherever we were. Not that that would have been a bad thing, it was...nice, and it was... domestic. But, eventually, we would have grown tired of being there, and admittedly I would have most likely gone off the deep end.

We descended into silence as I had a small scowl on my face, I couldn't help it. He was getting too me.

"How is Miss Granger doing?" I slowly blinked and faltered in my quick response because I wasn't sure if this was a trap. Did he know we rescued Hermione and was looking for confirmation? Or hadn't he checked yet? Confident in her demise as he was the Potter's.

"What's it to you?" I ran my hair through my hair, looking frustrated. I had hoped my acting ability was convincing enough. At school, he could generally see right through my facade, but perhaps because he just didn't trust me, he automatically assumed the worst. Either way, I wasn't going to give anything away, this could be leverage if he did think she had died...by that thing in the house in Wales.

He had conjured a teacup and saucer, trying to hide his smug smile. I had a fleeting suspicion that he was arrogant enough not to have checked on Hermione. Which for once worked in our favour.

"Don't worry Tom soon everyone will know your true nature again and everything will go back to a semblance of normalcy" the fucker's eyes twinkled, and I was pulled back into my fantasy of wanting to dig his eyeballs out with a spoon. "You are a monster, Tom, the villain of this story and I'm sure you won't disappoint me in respect to ruining everything you have built as you wont to do time and time again. You think you've changed? For love? We all know you're incapable of that emotion, so what you had going on with Miss Granger...will inevitably work in my favour". I slammed my fist down on the table, my tea sloshing over the porcelain rim. I ignored the brown liquid encroaching like the incoming tide as it got closer and closer the open boundary of the table. Until finally it found freedom on the brink and splattered on the floor.

I could be a stubborn and selfish fuck as well. No matter what I was not giving up. Hermione and I had been through too much lately, hell my entire life was twisted and gnarled like a dead fig tree because of this man.

"Keep Hermione out of this. I am the monster you wanted me to be Albus, your lies and deceit, made me split. What was the point in trying any longer, so why not embrace the darkness, transforming into a malignant devil? You think you've sunk your claws in deep? Well, mine is in just as deep. If you destroy me, you will bring yourself down as well", his eyes darkened, but the face remains stoic, the only real outward sign that my words had any effect was his grip on the handle of his teacup. Then it abruptly changed as he huffed out a disbelieving laugh.

"You think this is leading up to a final battle? One great big showdown? You think you can beat me?" like he couldn't understand that I wasn't backing down since when have I ever? And since when would he give up the chance to put on a show for everyone?

The sheer arrogance of this man!

"I'm deadly serious. You think you scare me, Albus-" He cut me off clicking his tongue, the flame of fury burned hotter, the furniture started to rattle from my anger like a small earthquake was erupting. Albus sat, sipping his tea un-phased by what was happening.

"Tom, you ever could control yourself, could you? Too quick to anger, impulsive. You think killing Bellatrix was going to absolve you of your past? The Malfoy's are fickle creatures trying to claw their way back out of the deep hole they plunged themselves into, they are using you Tom and will switch sides when it no longer suits their purposes to stay with you. You think you can win? I should just save us all the trouble now and kill you, no Horcruxes to save you, and here you are all alone. Vulnerable" He leaned in, and I resisted the urge to move away, half stubbornly clinging to the notion that things weren't as dire as perhaps this situation was becoming. The other half was wondering how the fuck everything got flipped upside down.

"If you insist on having it out now, the-

"Oh, no I want to drag this out a little more, see you hurting Tom, taking everything away from you. That will be the feather in my cap, my crowning achievement" before he could continue on his...what would Hermione say...Ah, yes his 'villainous monologue.' Crackle and pop assaulted my auditory canals, and an unfamiliar elf stood blinking wide-eyed holding a plate of assorted baked goods.

"What is the meaning of this?" Albus squinted trying hard to place the elf while I looked on dubiously. I wasn't entirely sure of what was happening, but I had a strong feeling Essa was up to something. I knew there was a reason I liked that elf.

The little elf trembled, her ears flattening out and pushed back. Her large eyes darted back and forth between, her gaze curious. The tray was also shaking slightly, and I resisted the urge to reach out and hold it in a supportive manner.

"I hhha-have these for you t-to try" she took a step forward, her foot catching on her other foot (I presume as there wasn't any other reason for her to lose her footing). She pitched forward, the tray smacking the tabletop with a loud slap; which sent the teapot and Albus's teacup hurtling into his lap. However, at the last second, she was able to grab the pot with her outstretched knobbly fingers. As Albus was distracted by the burning liquid seeping into his robes, this mysterious elf, I noticed she slipped something into the pot with a small smile and a wink. I had to school the incredulous look on my face to prevent Albus from picking up that expression. I shifted my attention from the elf, quickly to solely focus on Dumbledore blotting the liquid and mumbling under his breath about tea stains and cleaning spells. Well, I guess that is the difference when you wear white compared to black. Well, I think that is the difference when you wear white compared to black. I resisted slowly doing something so uncouth as rolling my eyes; it bloody hurt.

I made sure my occlumency walls were clamped shut, impenetrable shields- the last thing I needed was an accidental slip, and Dumbledore skimmed the top of my thoughts. The elf had topped our cups up and was apologising to Dumbledore profusely. I wouldn't ever admit this, but I was nervous about drinking the tea. It was the unknown situation I had placed myself in, and now I had to trust an elf to...fix this.

"Cake?" I held my cup up and plastered on my best smirk and took a large sip. That was my first mistake. I didn't feel the effects immediately, thank Merlin.

The elf placed a lemon bar on a luncheon plate in front of Albus and refreshed his teacup. I slowed my breathing and focused on shoving a piece of mud cake in my mouth to distract myself from noticing the fact that my legs were numb. The elf disappeared soon after- after Dumbledore reluctantly had taken a sip and a bite of the lemon bar.

The strange event had tempered the heat of our previous exchange, and we sat here eating and drinking tea like old acquaintances. The truth was I was flummoxed and torn between planning and waiting. Was Hermione coming? Or would it be Essa? How could I plan for something when I couldn't move? The more my thoughts spiralled, my anger rose. I was Tom Riddle damn it, and I didn't need saving!

Looking over at Dumbledore, I could see the wrath burning in his eyes like he would drag my mangled body over hot coals, then string me up in the middle of Diagon Alley as an example. Before I could offer a castigating tongue, the lights of the café began to flicker, and the atmosphere darkened, despite the time of day. The air chilled to the point of my breath puffing out in small whisps, the cold licked at my face, its icy tendrils creeping underneath my clothes. That's when we heard it- the unnatural growl. It made my hair stand on end.

"Tom, what did you do?", the bearded menace ground out, fear lurking in the depths of his eyes.

Harry POV

Harry awoke, blinking lazily, eyelids heavy and sticking together. God, how long was he asleep? His lips felt dry and cracked and tongue attached to the roof of his mouth. Slowly awareness crept in the stiffness of his back, the thumping in his head like a jackhammer on crack, and the uncomfortable feeling that he was being watched. He tried to lift himself off the floor into a seating position, but his muscles protested, and he ended up barely moving, just groaning instead. He dug his fingers into his eyes, attempting to clear the drowsiness. He felt a nudge to the side of his leg, a stab underneath his calf from the edge of a shoe. He jolted quickly what if he was in danger? Instead, he found Draco Malfoy looming over him with an easy lassitude paired with a shit-eating grin. He didn't think he'd ever seen Malfoy smile so much, it's weird.

"Have a good sleep there on the floor, Potter?"

"Ugh fuck off ferret", he moaned out, wishing the blonde-haired boy really would fuck off.

"You love me Potter don't deny it", Harry snorted a laugh.

"If loving you is wanting to choke you to death then yeah sure."

"It's too early in our relationship to get kinky Potter, gotta ease me into this", Draco paused waiting for Harry to respond, which he did a pathetic glare really from underneath his arm. "Do you have to be so dramatic? Fainting like a damsel in distress? Really, Potter, it is an embarrassment to your masculinity, you're not really a girl are you?" Harry remained resolutely silent. He would not give into Malfoy's prods. He noted they didn't have much heat to them? Was Malfoy trying to cheer him up or at least distract him? He moved his arm so he could look at Malfoy as it was unlikely the git would leave him in peace any time soon.

"Can you get up from the floor? Any longer and the house elves will think you're trying to polish the floors, and you don't want to get in between them and their work. They're empowered from Hermione and do you really want the great swot to be pissed off? If you piss her off, then Tom gets pissy and well...that man is fucking scary."

Harry rolled over, and he did do a cursory glance at the floor from this level, and there wasn't a speck of dust in sight. Then his eyes landed on the floor area where the table was supposed to be.

"What happened?" Harry asked as the blonde strolled over the nearest chair and flopped lazily upon it, displaying a disregard for grace and poise that Narcissa would have clipped his ears for.

"Really Potter, how hard did you hit your head?"

Harry growled in frustration, that wasn't what he meant! Not exactly anyway.

"No you slippery git, I meant.." Harry waves his hand around in the general vicinity of where the table with the bones on it once sat. "You know the table and the...the...you know". Harry wasn't able to say bones; it was remarkably raw despite having known his parents have been dead for his entire life. But his chest still squeezed, time not having numbed the cuts to his heart as much as he thought. He thought he saw a flash of pity briefly on Malfoys face. Malfoy of all people would not pity him!

Malfoy sighed; it sounded very put upon, an exaggerated action. "We moved...them out of here so when you decided to get your lazy arse up you wouldn't have to see it again so soon." Malfoy had his head back; half slung over the arm of the chair with his eyes closed. Harry thought it was again strange to see the Malfoy heir so relaxed and comfortable in his own skin. He remembers what Draco looked like in the sixth year and even when they ended up here after snatchers captured them- the juxtaposition now was quite jarring when he thought about it.

Harry sat up, and he instantly wanted to go find the bones, he just needed to check to make sure this was real and not some fucked up joke. Everything was being twisted and flipped inside of him; he wondered if this how Hermione felt. Everything they thought was right wasn't anymore, just an elaborate illusion.

"Can you take me to them?" He asked quietly, Malfoy rolled his head to the side on the arm of the couch and looked at Harry, with hard penetrating eyes. Before, when he was filled with mirth and mischievousness, his eyes were a bright blue, just now they have had a cold steeliness to them.

"Don't get attached Potthead- " he held up his hand to stop Harry from butting in, "We don't know if they are your parents or not" Malfoy swung his legs back around and shifted forward on the chair with his elbows resting on his knees giving Harry his full undivided attention. "I'm sure you're aware of the familial magic that works with Gringotts, the family tapestry and the wards of this house, for example." Malfoy paused, waiting for Harry to give any indication he knew what he was talking about and knew where the discussion was headed. His brows knitted together and tentatively nodded, while he did know that, primarily because of the Black family tapestry and Gringotts, he didn't really understand how that related to the bones of his parents. Malfoy rolled his eyes upwards and held them looking at the ceiling like he was praying to some deity for guidance through this torturous conversation.

"Anyway... Potter, like most wizards of a certain age, if they have any heirlooms to pass on or if they get a portrait made up they will imbue it with their magical signature- the same happens at Gringotts although a little more complicated in that case, but the premise still stands. But with witches and wizards...remains...the magic slowly over time seeps out and reverts back to its natural state. What Hermione suggested was to alter the familial magic to test, the bones against samples, that is you, to see if they are in fact your parents or just some poor saps Snape picked up". Harry's head swam with the information, while he didn't want to get his hopes up, he couldn't help a small part clung to the idea that they were his parents and he could bury them himself to have some sense of closure.

"Okay, okay. When can we do that?" he could feel his pulse picking up, he wasn't sure if he wanted to get this out of the way quickly or put it off for a few days to wrap his head around everything.

"We wait for Hermione to finish dragging Tom back, for a good tongue lashing", Malfoy waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Do you have to be a dick constantly?" Harry sighed, again Malfoy has gone off track.

"Potter, just trying to lighten the mood, soon all that angst coming off you in waves, is going to drown us." Harry huffed and picked himself up off the floor, choosing not to engage Malfoy further, except he had no idea what he was supposed to do in the meantime. He was unlikely to be able to sit still and concentrate on anything, damn he wished he had his broom right now, he would do anything to feel the adrenaline rush and feel of the air whipping his face and hair.

Malfoy stopped at the door and turned around, seemingly offering another way out of the hole that Harry kept digging himself into.

"Coming Potter? I bet I could still kick your arse at Quidditch" Malfoy left either knowing or expecting Harry to follow. He smiled to himself, not letting Malfoy see how relieved he was by that prospect, he hadn't been on a broom in months- except the room of requirement fire. Harry begrudgingly admitted that maybe Malfoy wasn't so evil and certainly not what he expected. He pushed his worries to the side, about Volde-Tom, Dumbledore and his parents, a couple of hours wouldn't hurt.

Harry found his feet propelling him forward after the sneaky Slytherin, "Malfoy, wait up!".