Curfew Violations

-v-

21st Violation

-v-

After checking out of the hospital, Harry was shuffled into the backseat of his parents' car beside Luna. There he sat—rather dazed, staring out the window.

His mother and father were having words with Tom about trailing them to the house to pack his essentials, and then following Tom back to his apartment to actually see the place and help get Harry all settled in.

Tom appeared gracious as anything, and Harry felt the heat rising in his cheeks—threatening to tell on his heart beating erratically in his chest, vibrating his body as thoughts of his new living arrangements blotted out every other concern from his mind.

"You look happy." Luna said, voice feather light and pleased.

Harry gave a start and jerked his head to stare wide eyed and guilty at the serenely smiling girl, who had just called him out on his definite lack of chill.

"Err…um…y-yeah?" Harry blinked, scratching his cheek and chewing his lip restlessly as she reached out and patted his knee, before flashing him a partial grin and wink, "It's high time you had your honeymoon—and just in time for the holiday season."

"Don't e-exaggerate…Luna. Tom's just b-being helpful and n-nice…like always…"

Harry flushed darkly as Luna raised a playfully dubious brow, and gently chided him, "Tom Riddle is many things. But his true niceness comes into play only with you—Harry Potter. Make no mistake of his intentions."

Whatever Harry may have responded got cut off by his mother and father opening the driver and passenger seat doors, getting into the car near simultaneously.

"And we're off. Buckle up kids—will you be hanging around for the move in or should we drop you off along the way, Luna?"

Lily turned in her seat and glanced back at the girl, smiling warmly as James pulled the vehicle out of the hospital lot and into traffic.

Harry's eyes darted out the window one last time in search of Tom, and he only just caught the tall teen's backside disappearing round the corner of the hospital, presumably to locate his parked vehicle and follow after.

Harry breathed a wistful sigh and tuned back into Luna and his mother.

"I think I'll stick around for a while. It'd be a shame to waste Harry's first day out again at my house." Lily nodded and turned forward in her seat, addressing James now as Luna whispered to Harry.

"I've never been to Tom's place…maybe we can all have dinner and a movie there—with or without your parents. I'm sure we can talk them into you needing your rest and make an evening of it…just us three. My dad won't mind me being dropped off by Tom later instead, or he'd come pick me up."

Harry felt the corner of his mouth quirk upwards, and he muttered back, "I dunno…Tom m-might not want so many v-visitors for so long…he'd have a f-fit…"

Luna widened her eyes in a rather effective faux puppy-dog stare; Harry gulped and looked away, covering his mouth to suppress a bubbling bout of giddy (slightly hysterical) laughter.

"L-Luna!" Harry hissed loudly, "C-cut that out this instant!" Luna only tilted her head to the side and fluttered her eyelashes, bringing her hands together in prayerful fashion to both Harry's amused horror and chagrin.

It wasn't even like he didn't want her to hang out. He just knew the likelihood of Tom being truly accepting of them not being in their own little world all wrapped up in each other after he'd been dropped off by the parents…was rather miniscule, if not microscopic.

And he so didn't want Tom to be mad at him after all that Tom was already doing on his behalf…but…

"Alright—if it's j-just you and us…he may not k-kill me…we have to c-convince mom and dad not to l-linger though…" Harry spoke deliberately and rolled his eyes mock long-sufferingly to the heavens as Luna traded her theatrics for a beatific grin, and promptly seized and squeezed his hand, looking for all the world like she'd just won a competition…and not merely been afforded the possibility of invading Tom Riddle's apartment for the foreseeable future.

Behind the wheel, James glanced at Harry and Luna through the rear view with a raised eyebrow, for all the giggling and hushed conversation taking place behind his head.

He then looked sideways at his wife who merely shook her head fondly and murmured, "Luna's a sweet girl. It's good that Harry has her. And Tom…well…he's not really horrible at all. For which I'm glad."

James snorted softly and replied with a partial grin tugging at his lips, "Glad he has your vote. It'd be a shame if we'd both agreed to send Harry to live temporarily with a horrible young man we didn't trust. Initial reservations aside—he has been majorly helpful. We can't deny."

Lily sighed and smiled gently, pitching her voice low enough that nothing was heard in the backseat, "I think Harry's about over the moon right now. Did you see the look on his face at the hospital? Our son is quite…transparent…don't you think?"

James chuckled, "Don't let him hear you say that. It's better if he assumes we're completely ignorant. Then we don't have to qualify letting him stay with his apparent crush cum live-in nurse."

Lily nodded sagely and whispered, "At least we know who it is. It'd be worse if it was some feckless stranger only after our baby's chastity."

James bit his tongue against the thought that, if Tom weren't so capable and Harry weren't so fragile, this conversation would be going differently in so many ways.

He wasn't blind to the possible dangers Tom represented. Far from—he merely knew…to separate Harry from the person he so obviously liked…who was helping him so much at this sensitive juncture, would be an ill-advised, harmful action which would not be well received.

Even the doctors agreed on this point.

One thing he knew for certain…after the prolonged hospital stay and visitations, always seeing Tom around and being given glowing reports about how his presence was aiding their son's swift recovery…as well as conversing with the young man himself on many occasions—there could be far worse people for Harry to be attracted to, given his leanings.

At the end of the day, Tom was their best bet for having Harry's best interests at heart and being someone both he and Lily could confidently state had no interests in hurting their son…physically or otherwise.

And wasn't that the most any parent of a young teenager in a fragile state of health, with a heart of gold could ever hope to hear tell of in their kid's life?

James thought so.

It'd be a cold day in hell before he allowed Harry to be in the arms of anyone less exemplary.

For now…Tom Riddle…was an honest to goodness insurance policy he'd bank on—for Harry's sake if nothing else.

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

Pulling up to his parents' house was slightly surreal, which was likely because he was looking so very much forward to leaving it again…even after what felt like being forever away.

"Here we are. You can sit downstairs and list the things you want to take with you, or just let me pack for you upstairs with my mom-skills—which I have certified since your birth."

Harry laughed and said, "I'll m-make that list and let you use your j-judgement for anything extra."

Lily smiled warmly back at him and got out the car as James came round to open her door, letting Harry out with Luna in tow directly afterwards, arm linked up with Harry in friendship and as a further steadying gesture.

The ground was flat, but both Lily and James were relieved Harry was holding onto someone (or rather had someone holding onto him) still.

Tom hadn't arrived at their house yet, so they all went inside together with Lily having Harry sit down on the couch and pressing a pen and notepad into his hand, before walking into the kitchen to Tupperware some leftovers for Harry to bring along for dinner at Tom's that day.

Luna sat beside Harry and stared over his shoulder at his list as Harry muttered, "W-what about my school st-stuff…I don't know what h-happened to my bag…"

Luna hummed thoughtfully and said, "I checked with the school a little after the accident, and it had been brought to the lost and found. I gave it to Tom…so if it's not here…then he's still got it."

Harry nodded and finished scribbling out the last of anything he figured his mother might forget on his admittedly short list.

He refrained from putting his contacts on the list—as he still wasn't ready to be dealing with them. His glasses were a little cumbersome and geeky, but at least he didn't have to worry about getting an eye infection from leaving them in too long if he forgot about them.

Harry stopped writing and made to get up from the couch to give his mother the list, but Luna's hand on his knee stilled him—and then she was taking the list from him and hopping off the couch much more sprightly than he would have been able to, in order to give it to his mother.

Harry sighed in belated thanks, but pouted a little.

Of course…he was still kind of an invalid. Up and down motions were dizzying things, and he would still lose his balance on a straight path if he tried to go too swiftly.

Stairs were kryptonite, and he had to make sure he was paying attention to his feet—lest he trip at any juncture.

He could walk from point A to Z, relatively well. And he didn't have to worry about holding onto walls any longer for his legs giving out under his own (negligible) weight.

It's just that with his apparent recovery came a treacherous bit of clumsiness.

Tom had been around to catch him in most instances, even as daily exercises strengthened his leg muscles and supplements plus hospital food layered the meat comfortably back over his bones.

He no longer looked like he'd blow away with a strong draft.

So really…he was pretty much normal. But still—stairs bad, getting up too quickly bad, and running…was ill-advised, if not legitimately impossible still.

The most he could manage on that front would be a measured power walk—and he'd have to be focused the entire time throughout that.

One wandering thought would lead to a misstep, resulting in the re-cracking of his tenderized skull. Or so went the danger scenario.

Luna returned in short order to sit beside him, saying his mother would pack everything just as soon as she finished with the food. Harry merely nodded and relaxed into the couch.

He wondered idly how long it'd be before Tom made it on site.

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

Despite what he'd told the Potters about trailing them home, Tom did not follow them back directly from the hospital.

Instead, he took a detour back to his apartment and prepared a few things ahead—the first of which being the pull out bed in the living room, which he thought it prudent for the parents to see out and made as soon as they stepped through the door.

Then he glanced through his fridge and cabinets, and wound up making an impromptu trip to the nearest grocers another five minutes out in order to restock on healthy essentials enough to feed a small group of malnourished homeless people.

He'd been in and out the house so much in recent days that he'd been eating rather spartanly at home and subsidizing with Hogwarts' sufficient dining hall fare.

Being that he'd assured Harry's parents and the doctors of his ideal qualifications to take in his boy, Tom felt it more than necessary to do a bit of damage control on his spacious bachelor's pad.

There was really no other word for it.

When he'd moved in, guests had been the last thing on his mind…so much so that he was rather minimalistic when it came to all the necessities.

He was rectifying the issues as promptly as he was able, before entertaining the ones who could very well wreck his happy prospects of having Harry all to himself for a stretch of time Tom would literally kill to maintain.

It was like prepping for the in-laws. Tom could feel the humor.

By the time he did exit his apartment to get to the Potters', it looked as though everything in the place had been appointed with a very special roommate in mind—and no one would think he'd only ever lived and relied on himself before in the same location.

They also wouldn't question his ability to care for Harry in all things.

When Tom pulled up at the Potter house and rang the doorbell, he was greeted by a smiling Lily holding a picnic basket which she handed off to him.

Tom took it automatically, restraining a grunt as his arm was unexpectedly weighed down. Were those rocks?

"I figured you'd want a break from having to do meal prep for a while, until you got in the full swing of things—so I packed a little of everything. I do hope you have space in the fridge…"

Tom waved off Lily's bashful concern and merely smiled down at her staring up at him so differently from the first time they'd met.

This woman…he could respect. She was the ground from which Harry had sprung after all. Without her, Harry never would have existed. And her continued dedication to her son's welfare and acceptance of what she knew was the best thing for him made her…alright…in Tom's books.

Even if they had little else in common, Harry was the glue that kept them of an accord.

All it'd taken was a true life and death situation to get her to open up to him. Tom thought he should feel slighted…but it was a relief in all truth, to not have to worry about boxing with her any longer.

He had enough on his mind with Harry's continued recovery and possession keeping his brain cells fully occupied in a high functioning state of natural euphoria.

Outwardly—he was a perfect gentleman. Smiling and helping carry Harry's suitcase and clothes bag to the trunk of his own vehicle (which thankfully bore no trace of its last serious load).

After he put the food basket on the backseat and dropped the trunk lid, Harry was exiting the front door, flanked by Luna and his mother with his father bringing up the rear and locking up the house.

"Luna and I can ride in Tom's c-car…Mom, Dad. If that's o-okay…?"

Tom's smile was chiseled in marble, and he pointedly ignored the way Harry's arm was being clutched by Luna to address Lily and James in a polite fashion.

"I have working breaks and shan't break the speed limit. Rest assured."

Lily rolled her eyes and waved him off with a playfully put-upon sigh, "Go be teenagers. We adults will follow behind in separate exile."

James eyes sparked and he affected a hopeless tone, "Should you need us ever again, just honk."

Harry bit the inside of his cheek, suppressing an unrepentant grin as he shook his head, speaking to Luna and Tom and making a show of ignoring Lily and James' antics, "Come on. Before m-my parents get w-weepy…"

Tom smirked and tipped his nonexistent hat before ushering Harry into the passenger's seat and opening the back door for Luna to slide in beside the food.

Luna's eyes sparkled mirthfully up at him as he firmly shut the door on her, feeling decidedly smug even as Luna's quicksilver eyes flashed with a knowing gleam.

So long as she kept her observations and hands (largely) to herself, they would be fine. Tom did owe her a few smallish debts—which kept her from being expendable.

He could also appreciate that like himself and the parents, Luna valued Harry the way he should be valued—although he was always on the alert for any signs of her vested interests becoming inappropriate…or unacceptable.

Honestly…there were so many fine lines.

Tom drove the car out onto the highway and glanced sidelong at Harry beside him, buckled up all snug and quiet—lacing and unlacing his fingers, fidgeting minutely every few seconds as though trying valiantly to be on his best behavior.

"Penny for your thoughts, darling…" Tom murmured and chuckled as Harry flinched, immediately jerking his head to bore twin bespectacled emerald eyes into the side of Tom's amused profile.

"I was h-hoping we…the three of us…m-might do dinner together…w-watch a movie or something at the apartment. If y-you're okay with it..."

Harry trailed off as Tom's face pinched, before taking on the predominately blank expression he often affected when not wanting to broadcast a perceived inconvenience.

Luna piped up in the backseat, "It's been such a long time since we've had time to ourselves. I'm sure Harry would enjoy having us both around to relax in a more homely setting."

Tom's left brow twitched, and he tried and failed to come up with a good reason to deny the request. As he was really looking forward to having Harry to himself…after the parents left.

He did know that Luna wasn't lying—Harry would like such an intimate, friendly gathering. It could be just the thing to make his boy feel all warm and cuddly-like…secure in his new environment with Tom…

Not that he thought he made Harry uncomfortable…but this was a pretty big step on the trust ladder.

"I suppose you have a point. Alright—dinner, and one movie…then you go home."

Luna beamed at Tom in the rearview, and he glared slightly at the girl with no actual heat behind it. "You'll drop me off?" Luna tilted her head to the side, going all doe eyed and cutesy.

Tom clenched his teeth and smiled stiffly. "Can't you walk?"

A sharp pinch on his leg drew his gaze to Harry, who was glaring at him like a kitten with a bruised tail. Tom smirked and rolled his eyes, "It was a joke, darling. Yes. I will take you home, Miss Lovegood."

Luna giggled and replied, "Much obliged. Your enthusiasm warms my heart."

Harry spoke then—tongue in cheek, "I think he really likes you."

Tom snorted, "Like a tack in my toe."

Harry grinned and punched the button for the radio. Something pop and sugary sweet came on, and he left it going—if only to enjoy the harassed expression on Tom's handsome face.

He's my best friend, best of all best friends…do you have a best friend too?

He tickles in my tummy; he's so yummy yummy…hey you should get a best friend too!

The amount of self-control Tom was exhibiting in not murdering the radio…was fantastic.

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

Tom groaned aloud and immediately killed the engine once they'd parked in front of the complex, successfully sucking the juice out of the incessant radio which had been draining the will to live right out of him with so much vocalized idiocy.

It had been like every annoying song in the world for the past fifteen minutes had decided to blare through the speakers, and being that Harry was seemingly enjoying the channel, Tom had bit the bullet and thought of England the whole mind-gassing way there.

His ears were still bleeding.

"I hope you're happy. My IQ has taken a hit I'm no longer certain it will recover from in time for you to graduate this year."

Harry grinned widely at Tom and reached out to pat his cheek, biting back an insensitive, delighted laugh as he replied, "You could've ch-changed it. I wouldn't h-have argued."

Tom glared and seized Harry's wrist, turning his face to lick the full length of his tongue out against the boy's palm.

"E-eeew!"

Luna giggled in the backseat and said breezily, "He wanted to keep you happy. So he sacrificed his ears and his brain cells."

Harry gave Tom the stink eye, snatched his hand back and shuddered in disgust as he wiped the dampness on his pants—to which Tom merely smirked wickedly and unsnapped his seatbelt.

"J-just because you're s-stupid now, doesn't mean you have to a-act like a t-toddler…" Harry grumbled and puffed his cheeks, flipping Tom off with his other unmolested hand in the process.

"I'm so sorry, darling. My sacrifice has left me with no more shits to give." Tom sounded truly regretful. Harry's hackles rose.

Luna piped up, "Your parents just pulled up. We better get inside."

Harry petulantly unbuckled himself and reached for the door handle, only to freeze mid-motion as Tom said, "I'll get that. Don't move."

He stared blankly as Tom jumped out the car and near teleported to his side. Harry only blinked and sighed heavily when his door swung open, and he was greeted by the outstretched hand of the smugly smiling, too tall teenager.

Luna stage whispered, "He's being chivalrous. Just go with it, Harry."

Harry pouted and mumbled with pink flooding his cheeks, as he took the proffered hand, "I'm n-not some damsel…geez…"

Tom tugged Harry into his chest and leaned close to his ear, voice husky and deep as his warm breath ghosted the sensitive shell, "But I want to be your dragon."

Luna was left to open her own door, and soon enough all three of them were stood by the car—watching Lily and James get out of their own vehicle and start over from across the lot.

Still blushing something fierce, Harry remained speechless—not knowing how to even respond to…that, as Tom (astonishingly) passed him over to Luna, saying succinctly, "Be a dear and hold onto him while I help gather the luggage."

Luna saluted and easily affixed herself to Harry's side, holding onto his arm as directed and nudging him gently towards the ground floor entrance into the lobby area of the sizeable complex.

They drifted alone through the doors, and Harry sucked in a breath for the familiar interior now flirting with his memory.

Although his first pass through the area had been brief, he very well recognized (as he'd noted very little else back then) the elevators on the wall dead ahead, and he breathed consciously through a shiver skating up his spine.

He was here…again. This was really…happening.

He was about to go up on that elevator. He was about to be in Tom's apartment…as a…lodger.

Wow.

"It's very nice in here. I bet the apartment looks even better. I wonder how much such a place costs…" Luna's dreamy ramblings faded into the background as his parents and Tom stepped through the entrance into the lobby at last, with his luggage bags and the food basket divvied up amongst them.

"My goodness…this looks rather expensive for a student." His mother was only half addressing Tom while talking to James and staring around at the (admittedly) nice lobby area.

"You certainly don't do shambles." James sounded impressed, if not a bit off-balanced.

Tom merely smiled and ushered them all to the elevators—glancing sideways and down at Harry and Luna as he pressed the summoning button.

Stepping onto the now opening lift, he offered to take the food basket from Lily—as he had a free hand not carrying Harry's suitcase, and he knew it to be rather hefty. But she merely brushed him off and maintained, "I'm not frail as all that. I can carry this much."

Tom nodded in acceptance and hit the button for the penthouse floor as the doors slid shut again.

The ride felt long and extremely short, all at once. Harry keenly watched the board of numbers lighting up one by one until the bell dinged at the uppermost level, and the doors parted.

Stepping off the lift with Luna in tow, Harry's gaze riveted to Tom's apartment door, a couple yards from the elevator. The only other door visible being metal and positioned beneath an exit sign on opposite end of the hallway—leading out to the roof.

Tom swiftly crossed the floor to his door, and in a practiced motion—unlocked it. The door swung inwards, and Tom crossed the threshold into darkness—leaving the door ajar in invitation for the welcomed entourage.

Harry and Luna crossed over next, barely a step behind him—and James and Lily immediately brought up the rear.

The door shut behind them all as the lights came on and numerous eyes traveled about, the sounds of pleasant gasps and approval rang muffled into the vacant hall outside.

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

Tom Riddle's apartment could be summed up in a few words: spacious, clean, masculine, and comfortably luxurious in a formulaic way.

The first thing Lily's eyes lit on with significant pause was the living room area, where a massive couch with a bed pulled out of one side—fully made up and obviously appointed for Harry, unassumingly sprawled.

It should have looked out of place, but it blended seamlessly with the rest of the décor. Being done up in black and white patterned covers and fluffy pillows, matching the walls and monochrome schemed furnishings.

The coffee table had been relocated to the remaining functional side of the couch, and there was enough space on said half of the couch for at least four grown bodies to sit and enjoy the large screen TV without encroaching upon the bed.

Away from that, gazing across the room into the counter separated kitchen area, Lily found herself further impressed.

She made a bee-line for the kitchen and deposited the heavy basket on the marble countertop as she stared around, taking in the giant double doored fridge, stove and tastefully blended light and dark tones of silver and black, comprising the cabinetry and other appliances.

James made a motion with the clothes bag he was carrying and Tom spoke up, ushering him down the hall whilst carrying Harry's suitcase in his own hand. "Follow me. You can leave that in my room. I'll hang everything up."

Harry automatically drifted after Tom and his father, leaving Luna and his mother in the front area to themselves.

"It's very kind of you to afford Harry such happiness during his recovery." Luna spoke airily as she took up residence on the couch, and Lily eyed the girl with a small smile—used to this one's perceptive nature after so much time in her presence.

"As a mother…I only want my baby to be safe and well cared for. I'll admit—a lot of this blindsided me. I was definitely thrown when Tom first showed up."

Lily laughed a bit and shook her head, recalling that startling moment with amused clarity.

Luna's eyes gleamed as she leaned back against the couch and crossed her legs. Gently allowing, "He can be intimidating at first."

Lily snorted delicately and Luna flashed a conspiratorial grin, before continuing, "Although we both know he's got a melted caramel center…for Harry."

Lily only stared back at the girl and said with no little fondness coating her words, "Don't we all? Harry has a strong support system…including Tom and yourself."

Luna shrugged and murmured, "Tom more than me. But I do what I can."

Lily crossed the room and sat down beside Luna, sighing wearily as she relaxed into the couch and stared up at the ceiling. "Those two are quite something. But don't discount yourself. I remember how happy Harry was the day he brought you home. I had even fancied he might've felt more for you than friendly…"

Luna laughed softly and uncrossed her legs, swinging them idly back and forth.

"I'm only the moon. I merely reflect the light. Harry is the center around which we all gravitate. Some more than others…"

Lily nodded faintly, considering Luna's words at face value as both an admission and a peaceful resigning. "It wouldn't do much good for me to kick up a fuss at this point. Harry needs a smooth recovery. Tom is instrumental to that. And he's really not that bad…once you see past the shell."

Luna stared at Lily for a moment in muted awe, and then she observed, "You really love him."

Lily merely smirked and quipped breezily, "I don't know about all that—I just think he's alright."

Luna's brows levitated to her hairline and she replied slowly, "I was actually referring to Harry. But okay."

Lily grinned wide enough to showcase dimples, with her eyes sparkling vividly—so reminiscent of Harry's own, "Shhh…we don't want that getting to the right ears."

Luna giggled softly and nodded, "I shan't breathe a word."

And there they sat in companionable ease, waiting for their boys to reemerge from Tom's room.

What was keeping them anyhow?

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

"I didn't have time to clear out a drawer. You'll have to bear with me."

Tom's eye twitched spasmodically for the oversight as he rifled through and began combining half his underwear, t-shirts, and socks in one drawer—leaving space for Harry's underthings in half of the top, with his own remaining underwear and a few cotton shirts.

"No problem, most of this can be left in the suitcase until Harry actually needs to rotate out. Lily must've decimated his dresser…"

Tom nodded firmly in agreement as James handed him a stack of boxers and t-shirts from Harry's suitcase, already neatly folded by Lily—which Tom carefully fitted into the space he'd made, alongside a few pairs of socks.

Harry just watched, wide-eyed and rather stunned—as Tom and his father unpacked his belongings without requiring any aid from him—which he'd been ready to give.

They worked like a well-oiled machine, emptying half the suitcase of underclothes and pajamas (which Tom pressed next to his in the third drawer down—that actually had space already since he used few actual pajamas).

Harry moseyed over to sit on the edge of Tom's bed, and made himself as unobtrusive as possible as Tom and his father kept on working.

After finishing with a satisfactory portion of clothes from the suitcase, Tom shut up the dresser and went over to the closet—sliding the door open and unceremoniously shoving all his hanging apparel to one side, until there was a good length of bar for Harry's things to go up.

James walked over to Tom toting three of Harry's uniforms and assorted jeans, slacks, shirts, and jackets his mother had packed.

Back and forth he went until Tom had hung everything by classification and color alongside his own.

By the time James handed over his shoes (which included two sets of loafers for school, sneakers, and house shoes)—Harry was feeling distinctly extra.

"There. All finished." James grinned, satisfied as he zipped the empty garment bag, which Tom then took and stored at the back of the highest closet shelf.

Tom slid the closet door shut and turned about face to clasp James by the hand, shaking it like they'd completed some monumental task.

Harry was just beginning to pout in the peanut gallery, before Tom's eyes locked on his and a broad grin lit up the taller teen's face. "You look tired, Harry. I think we should get you fed and put well away."

Harry barely opened his mouth to protest, before Tom had crossed over to him in three long strides and leveraged him from the bed. Pressing unnecessarily close with his arm around Harry's shoulders and looking to James as he said, "Do you and Mrs. Potter have plans to visit long? I feel as though Harry is a mite bit too stimulated. Not that I'm rushing you."

James tilted his head and an odd smile played along his lips. "So long as he's all settled, we can make ourselves scarce."

Tom only nodded—faux apologetically, as he walked Harry out of the room and into the hallway. "I'm sure we'll have time enough to socialize on another day. Although…I dare say, he may be in the mood for more companionable idling?"

Harry blinked up at Tom, looking between him and his father blankly before catching on.

"A-ah…that sounds nice…L-Luna did mention wanting to s-stay for dinner…and a b-brief show…"

James nodded slowly, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as they drifted down the hall into the front room. "I see. It is your first day back out. I'm sure both your friends have missed having you to themselves."

Harry hummed in agreement and caught his breath as Tom's arm around his shoulders squeezed, pulling him flush briefly as James called out to Lily on the couch.

"Honey—Harry's all set, but we're to be kicked out!"

Lily covered her mouth and allowed her eyes to widen dramatically as she looked to Tom, who was smirking with Harry in tow. "Is that so? Not even an invitation to help sort the fridge first? You can only eat so much of that basket today."

Tom deposited Harry on a barstool and smiled handsomely at Lily—eyes glinting with mirth, "I assure you, I can take care of it. Miss Lovegood has elected to remain a while longer to help us demolish some of your fare, and then we have a show planned before Harry is to rest again."

Lily sighed heavily and looked to James, who was shrugging in a ('what can you do') fashion.

"Then I suppose we should leave you all to it. I assume you have a ride lined up?" Lily spoke to Luna, who smiled dreamily and nodded to the affirmative.

"Come along, dear. We've overspent our welcome." James sniffed imperiously and took his wife by the hand, ushering her to the apartment door with a wink and short wave over their shoulders at the three teens staring after them.

"Oh! What is the house number?" Lily paused on the threshold, fishing out a pen and paper from her pocket as she addressed Tom. Tom rattled off a number and Harry couldn't recall if it was the one he'd used before or not.

"Got it. You three be good. Call if you need anything! I assume you have his prescriptions?"

Tom nodded and strode over to the door, greeting Lily and James one last time before they were off—and locking the door behind them.

When he spun back around, his smile was catlike and he said, "Let's have that dinner now, shall we?"

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

Tom didn't waste time heating up dinner enough for them all and putting the remaining food away.

Harry sat on the barstool watching him in the kitchen as Luna flipped through channels on the couch, searching for any viable show for them all to enjoy.

"You know I c-could help…" Harry trailed off, going a bit pink in the face as Tom looked at him with a particular smirk and said, "I know, darling. And you will have your chance to assist. But right now—I'm rather in a hurry."

Harry swallowed and averted his gaze from Tom's—clearly reading the implications behind that statement.

(Gosh…it was getting warm.)

Harry rubbed at his neck and unbuttoned the collar of his shirt, fanning himself a bit as Tom remained in perpetual motion.

"What's on, L-Luna?" Harry called, swiveling the barstool to look at the girl and distract his wandering mind from Tom—who he now lived with.

" 'The Three Musketeers' …'Nutcracker'…and 'American Psycho'."

Harry blinked and cringed a little. "That it?"

Luna hummed and called out as she hit one last channel, "'Spirited Away' is coming on in five minutes."

Harry immediately perked up and spun back around, jumping as he came face to face with Tom—staring intently down at him across the counter.

"H-how do you feel about a-animation?" Harry couldn't help but ask a little timidly, deflating a bit as Tom merely tilted his head and indulgently replied. "I'm rather partial to 'American Psycho'."

Harry blinked and called out to Luna, a bit shakily, "How long h-has 'American Psycho' been on?"

She checked the menu. "About five minutes."

Harry stared up at Tom, who looked rather amused at this point. "I-it's started already…"

Tom patiently remarked, "That's okay. I've seen it before."

Harry squinted a little and said with a frown, "I haven't…is it g-good?"

Tom shrugged, "Matter of taste, I suppose. We can always watch something more family friendly. Animated…if that's your preference."

Harry bristled as he detected a definite tone in Tom's voice, " 'Sp-Spirited Away' is a classic!"

Tom nodded and smiled placidly, thoroughly enjoying ruffling his boy's feathers, "Then I suppose we mustn't pass up on it, no matter what."

Harry scrunched his nose and bit his lip. He knew Tom was toying with him. If he really wanted to see that other movie…Harry guessed it couldn't be that bad. Also—he'd already hijacked the radio, so he did have something to make up for.

It'd be unkind to have Tom sit through a movie he didn't wanna see—for an evening catering to Harry's needs, far more than his own.

"We'll do 'A-American Psycho' Luna." Harry called out; feeling more than a little pleased as Tom grinned down at him and tweaked his nose, purring affectionately as Harry glared mildly for the treatment, "Thank you for being so considerate, darling."

Harry shivered as Tom's voice lowered towards the end, and his misgivings evaporated as the smell of their heated dinner wafted through the kitchen and made his stomach growl.

"Hang on. I'll have us served up momentarily. You may wash your hands and wait on the couch."

Harry nodded for the command, and moseyed over to the kitchen sink—before drifting to settle next to Luna on the couch.

It didn't take long for Tom to slide up next to him—he handed out loaded plates to Harry and Luna, before gathering his own food and sandwiching Harry comfortably between them both.

Harry enjoyed his meal—all the way up until the first on screen, bloody death.

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

"I think you broke him."

Luna spoke airily as Harry stared open mouthed at the TV whilst the credits rolled. Tom looked down at Harry and allowed a shark-like grin to manifest across his face.

"Darling…sweetheart…are you alright?"

Harry just kept staring—disbelieving what he'd just witnessed. What he'd just sat through.

Luna sighed and gave Tom a reproachful eyebrow, "You know he's delicate, Tom. You should not have shown him that."

Tom blinked innocently. "I told him we could watch his animation. But he insisted."

Luna shook her head and patted Harry consolingly on the knee. "It's alright. None of that actually happened. He was hallucinating the whole time."

Tom chuckled and gently turned Harry's head by the chin, staring down into glazed emerald eyes with unconcealed wicked delight. "Are you in need of resuscitation? Say ah…"

Luna remained silent and bit back a grin of her own as Tom leaned in and planted a (rather deep) kiss on Harry's parted lips, finally getting a response from the dazed out and traumatized boy.

"MmmPH!"

Harry pushed against Tom's chest and managed to separate their mouths on a wet gasp. Trembling all over and glaring accusatorily up at the widely grinning teen.

"Y-y-you arse! W-why would you m-make me w-watch th-that?!"

"My sincerest apologies…I thought you wanted to see. You looked so happy when I brought it up."

Harry gritted his teeth and turned to whine desperately to Luna—who was watching the two unblinkingly, with a disturbing smile, "T-Tom hurt my h-head! Can I live with y-you?"

Luna hummed sympathetically, glancing at Tom who stared back at her mock-warningly—as though she actually had the power to remove Harry from the premises, or was fool enough to exercise it.

"That would be hazardous to my lifespan, Harry. I'm sorry. You'll have to put up with him."

Harry's eyes went big and round—and he swung his head to glare heatedly up at Tom, "N-never again!"

Tom nodded sagely. Harry hissed, "I'm n-never letting you p-pick the m-m-movie again!"

"I did apologize. How was I to know you couldn't handle it? You never gave any signs."

Harry deadpanned—well remembering he had been flinching and crying legit tears halfway through the movie, not getting how both Luna and Tom (that demon) could be enjoying it…at all.

He hadn't said a word—but dammit, Tom had seen!

Harry made to get up from the couch with his empty plate (how he'd finished it whilst watching that would forever escape him—probably stress chewing), but Tom and Luna both pressed him backwards and both attempted to take his plate from him, Luna relenting as Tom arched an eyebrow and maintained, "I'll do the dishes, and you get ready to go home."

Luna smiled serenely, "I can help."

Tom snorted and brushed her off. "I'll be done shortly. Do say your goodbyes."

Luna shook her head and stage whispered to Harry, "Tom's a good housewife."

Harry bit his tongue on an unexpected laugh, grinning at the girl as Tom glared down at the both of them but walked away without another word, gathering the rest of their dirty dishes to take along.

All mental scarring aside—it had been a good evening.

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

Harry stood beside the front door, watching Tom herd Luna to the elevator with a particularly grumpy look on his face.

He'd tried to get Tom to take him with to go drop Luna off, but Tom had insisted he wait in the apartment and maybe take a nap until he return. Harry had thought Tom had just been putting on for the parents when he'd mentioned Harry needing rest.

But apparently, the older teen had been serious.

Harry reluctantly admitted…he was a little drowsy. All that good food and that horrible film had taken it out of him.

He closed and locked the door, before moseying over to his bed.

Yawning and toeing off his shoes, he slowly divested himself of all except his undershirt and boxers, draping the articles across the couch back and placing his glasses on the coffee table—before sliding beneath the covers and curling up.

It wouldn't take long for Tom to get back. Thirty minutes or so tops.

But Harry supposed he could close his eyes for a bit…

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

When Tom stepped through the door of his apartment again, his eyes immediately gravitated to Harry's sleeping form in his living room.

As he locked and hung up his keys, Tom found himself staring at the sight with utter contentment and satisfaction.

His boy was so obedient.

He had worried Harry wouldn't have taken his directives to heart, but Harry had gone straight to sleep and been out since he'd left. The ride with Luna had been relatively peaceful, and they hadn't said much to each other.

She hadn't even commented when he didn't ask for directions, but simply pulled up to her house.

Most people would've questioned that. Luna wasn't most though, Tom knew this.

It was half the reason he'd allowed this evening at all.

She was tolerable, and a good excuse for Harry to never need any other friends. So Tom had decided to keep her close…just close enough.

Better the devil he understood and knew—after all.

Their relationship was balanced, with Harry being the crux of everything connecting them.

Nothing between Luna and he made a lick of sense without adding Harry to the equation. He was their commonality. He was their centerpiece.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, Tom drifted over to Harry on the bed, staring down for a long moment…just enjoying the unguarded sleeping expression on his boy's face…

He reached out, bending to ghost his fingers along the side of Harry's soft cheek…before pulling back and stepping away.

As much as he wanted to…he couldn't justify waking Harry up.

His boy did need his rest. Tom wanted him to get it.

For now…he'd keep his hands to himself.

They had time after all.

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

When Harry woke up again, the living room was cloaked in shadow, and there was no noise in the apartment.

Apparently…he'd slept way longer than he'd anticipated.

Rubbing at his eyes, Harry stretched and sat up in the bed. Tom had to have come back by now…why didn't he wake him?

It was quiet—too quiet.

Harry got up from the bed, padding barefooted and half blind through the living room and down the hall.

There was a low light shining beneath Tom's bedroom door.

Harry knocked softly and waited. There was no answer.

He hesitated a moment, then reached out and tried the knob. It gave. Pushing the door in slowly, Harry stepped into Tom's room, eyes adjusting to the low light and landing on Tom's bed—where the slightly blurry older teen was dozing sideways propped against his headboard and pillows, with a textbook spread open in his lap.

Harry blinked and rubbed at his eyes again. A little blurriness resolved but nothing else changed.

Tom was still knocked out.

Harry tilted his head curiously, and walked soundlessly over to the bed as the bedroom door drifted shut with a snick. A soft smile played across his lips as he stared down at Tom, transfixed…

He had never seen him unconscious before…it was a novelty.

He was unable to look away.

Carefully, he reached out and grabbed the textbook. Closing it up and setting it on the nightstand beside the bed before leaning in to get an even closer look.

Tom had long lashes, and his skin was flawless. His lips were slightly parted, and Harry licked his own as the urge to get nearer compelled him to climb onto the bed.

It dipped slightly beneath his weight, but Tom did not stir.

Harry hovered on his knees, bringing his hand up to card gently through Tom's lovely ebony locks, curling artfully over his forehead and around his ears. It wasn't often (or ever) that he recalled having such uninhibited access to Tom.

Harry leaned down, touching his lips just barely to the corner of Tom's mouth—wondering if he'd wake him, and feeling his heart pound for the prospect.

Tom did not stir.

Emboldened, Harry got closer.

Tom was wearing drawstring pants and an obvious sleep shirt. It was wide necked and soft, with short sleeves. Harry trailed his fingers down Tom's chest over the fabric, feeling the rise and fall of the sleek muscles beneath.

Tom's breathing deepened further. Harry watched his face avidly—not blinking, but Tom remained unconscious.

Feeling suddenly compelled, Harry trailed his hand down further…to the waistband of Tom's pants. He swallowed dryly and glanced again at Tom's face again…before daring himself to do something he really shouldn't.

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

Tom had left Harry well alone and gotten cleaned up as his boy slept, showering and taking care of a few chores around the apartment before checking on Harry again.

By that time—the third hour of Harry's nap had passed, and darkness cloaked the world outside—so he'd decided to get a bit of studying done to not remain idle.

He could've gone straight to his office and monitored the market or checked in with Barty, but he really hadn't wanted the headache right then.

Instead—he'd gotten comfortable in bed, and decided to review his most cumbersome textbook. It never hurt to be refreshed.

Somewhere along the line, he'd apparently fallen asleep over his text—because he'd obviously been a little beat as well. It had been an eventful day.

Tom had always been a rather light sleeper.

When the knocks came, he had heard…but elected not to respond, knowing the door was unlocked.

It had been a whim. He'd wondered how comfortable Harry would feel to just come in.

He'd been gratified to hear the door opening, and he'd remained still as he heard it close and the muted footfalls of Harry approaching the bed.

His boy hadn't said a word. Tom's curiosity was piqued.

He decided to play dead.

It got rather difficult when Harry climbed on the bed—but he managed not to move or give any indication as to his wakefulness.

And then he felt Harry's lips against the corner of his mouth.

He forced himself not to respond. Wondering how much further his boy would go on his own…uncompelled…

His breathing deepened on instinct as he felt Harry's hand on his chest, and he made sure not to give the game away as Harry's hand trailed down.

When he felt Harry's hand hovering over the waist of his pants, Tom suppressed a wolfish grin wanting to break out.

When he felt the waistband stretch and Harry's questing hand slip so innocently beneath…his eyes slit open narrowly enough to surreptitiously observe his boy's darling face as Harry began to stroke his rapidly awakening flesh slowly up and down.

Still convinced Tom was asleep.

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

Harry flushed darkly and mentally berated himself for his actions, even as his hand kept moving between Tom's legs…amazed that the other was still asleep at this point, because his cock was heavy and hard and beginning to leak into Harry's palm.

Harry panted softly, breathless…and he wondered…if he took Tom in his mouth, would Tom wake up then?

Like a siren's call, he allowed his curiosity to goad him into further action.

Tugging the waist of Tom's loose pants down just enough to free Tom to the air, Harry took Tom in both hands and got more comfortable on the bed, until his mouth was level with Tom's dick.

Neglecting to glance up anymore through his heady anticipation, Harry sheathed his teeth and began sliding his mouth carefully down the silky, hot rod of flesh…tonguing the mushroom head and it's slit along the way.

He heard a guttural moan from above, and Harry daringly looked up with a full mouth into the wide open, non-drowsy, predatorily dilated eyes of Tom—staring directly down at him with hunger…so much hunger.

"Harry…" Tom rasped his name, reaching down to possesively sift his long fingers through Harry's locks and tugging at the strands, urging his boy on as Harry moaned and began sucking on him in earnest—more than happy to finally have him awake and responding.

It was different not being pressed for time.

Harry remembered when Tom had been in his room. When he'd first attempted to pleasure Tom like this…

That had been new and dangerous…because they'd been under his parents' roof.

Now…he had the chance to take his time, and really learn…

Tom encouraged him verbally and made him feel good as he took him down. Stroking with his hands what he couldn't swallow, and breathing harshly through his nose as his own blood pooled south, and he began pressing himself against the mattress as Tom slid thickly over his palate.

Harry found he liked doing this.

Even though his jaw was beginning to ache and stiffen…and his eyes were watering fiercely, Tom's hand petting his head—Tom's mouth groaning his name and all manner of endearments ('that's it sweetheart…fuck…such a good boy for me…my darling...'), had Harry about ready to come already, no other stimulus needed.

Harry drew back with a wet slurp, and curiously nosed forward—mouthing Tom's heavy balls, earning a string of indistinctly hissed curses and a harsher pull at his hair, incongruously startling a keening whine from his raw throat as a jolt of pleasure lanced through him and had him panting heavily and rutting his hips against the bed.

Licking warm stripes repeatedly over Tom's full sac, Harry kissed his way back up Tom's cock which he continued to stroke at the base with soft, eager hands—before taking Tom suddenly down again as far as he could and sucking hard.

What happened next was a spectacular mess.

Tom's hand clenched in his hair, pulling painfully at the root—and Harry began to choke as Tom's dick pulsed and his mouth was flooded with warm, thick seed, overflowing from his constricting throat and down his chin.

Tom's breath stuttered and evened out, as his hand gentled apologetically—urging Harry…still coughing and gasping for air away from his manhood with a firm large palm cradling the back of his boy's sweaty neck.

"H-haa…nnn….Tom…"

Harry trembled and stared a Tom with blotchy red cheeks, and a few tears streaming as he struggled to regain composure, swallowing repeatedly…and grimacing at the taste of semen running down his gullet.

Tom leaned forward, helping Harry up to his level and tucking himself away even as Harry scrambled to his knees, still sporting a painful hard-on and clutching at Tom's shoulders as the other teen easily maneuvered him to straddling his lap and coming nose to nose with Tom.

Harry licked his lips and swallowed more as Tom just stared at him…head tilting oddly and eyes gleaming with heat enough to melt Harry's bones as Tom merely watched his boy imbibing his spilled essence…with no little pride of possession.

"Harry…Harry…Harry…whatever am I to do with you…?"

What should have been a question sounded to Harry's reddening ears like a promising threat.

Harry blinked slowly and clenched his hands in the fabric of Tom's shirt over Tom's broad shoulders, as Tom's hands drifted up and down his sides and back…petting him like an oversized kitten he was deciding how to pin down.

Harry shivered as Tom leaned in and licked at the drying seed around his mouth and on his chin. Lazily cleaning Harry of himself and moaning softly as his hands continued to roam…now squeezing at Harry's buttocks and gently cupping his boy's crotch, but not giving any of the desired friction Harry now craved.

"T-Take…care of me…p-please…?" Harry panted aloud, as Tom's tongue gave his chin a final elongated lick and those hands gripped the back of his thighs like so much coveted property.

Tom chuckled darkly and said in a husky voice with his lips just barely brushing Harry's own parted ones, "Didn't I promise you I would?"

Something molten and intense uncurled in Harry's stomach, and he gasped as Tom upended his world—knocking him sideways and pressing him into the bed as he hovered above Harry with an unreadable look on his face.

Unreadable—in the way that it was saying too much at once for Harry to fully comprehend.

Unreadable—in the way that Harry couldn't isolate everything passing through those fathomless eyes in time to accurately name each blended emotion.

Harry's breath caught, and he moaned deeply as Tom dove in, crushing their mouths together and kissing all the remaining sense out of his head as he merely held on and allowed Tom to take his fill.

By the time Tom finished with his body that evening, Harry was naked and all marked up, rendered unconscious—this time beneath Tom's covers…knocked out in Tom's arms, enfolding him as Tom worshipfully kissed his neck and cradled him close.

Tom hadn't taken Harry in all the ways he'd wanted to…but it'd been a near thing.

His eyes flashed as he remembered spreading his boy's thighs wide and invading Harry with his tongue and fingers, before he sucked the life right out of him—leaving fire red trails all along Harry's skin throughout and gripping him tight enough to leave fading fingerprint bruises.

His restraint was truly remarkable.

Especially with the way Harry had come to him…had come onto him…unprovoked.

It was a heady feeling—to know his boy felt justified touching him without his prompting.

It felt good to be wanted dead or alive…but mostly alive.

And to think he'd kept his hands to himself.

A salacious grin spread unseen across Tom's mouth in the dimly lit room, and he reached out and clicked the light off.

As he held Harry in the dark, he flirted fixatedly with the idea of keeping his boy with him…indefinitely.

How much would it take to gain permanent custody…he wondered.

-v-

End Violation.

-v-

A/N: I have nothing to say except—I hope you all enjoyed this Violation to the fullest, despite it feeling like a massive filler. Who knew moving could be so involved?😏

Ugh…I couldn't believe how long it took to get Harry all settled down. I was pulling my hair out trying to hurry it up.

**Note on those lyrics from 'Best Friend' by Toy Box: I just had to use that particular song even though it came a bit later in the years than when I imagine this fic taking place. It just felt right. I could well imagine the look on Tom's face and I thought it cutely hilarious.**

**Note on 'American Psycho': That was completely unplanned, but I could imagine Tom having Harry watch that as payback for the car. Even though he legit feels like he'd like that movie…as a dark comedy if naught else—I have seen it twice. Once long ago and again more recently, and I found myself startled by the gore I didn't quite remember. I felt distinctly worried at how much I'd obviously blocked out. But it was a memorable film. I figured Harry would hate it. But suffer for Tom...and apparently Luna.**

Until next time,

Take the utmost of Care in 2021 ~ 🌺🐍🌕

Obligatory Disclaimer: Not mine. I be broke fan.

~ Ravenslith-FledglingMoon ~ 🌺🐍🌕