(Tom's P.O.V) -Fourth-year

I hate it. He's ignoring me and I hate it.

I haven't paid as much attention to him over the years, I know that. I've been focusing on my plans for the future. Gemini gave valuable inputs, like his family's collection of Dark Tomes, and Abraxas was helpful, we were also getting closer as friends now he wasn't always flirting with Harry. His family connections and money were useful as well. His father told him how to manipulate the ministry and he shared that knowledge with me. In fact, after getting the top scores in my year for the third year running, the Malfoy's asked me to have dinner with them during the summer. Maybe that was why Harry was upset with me, I didn't ask to bring him. I wanted to avoid the questions about how close we were. The world wasn't ready to accept love like ours, and the Malfoys were especially traditional.

Cordelia and Oliver knew, we lived them and still didn't want separate beds or like spending time without each other. They seemed okay with it, since they didn't look uncomfortable around us, but I imagine they feel at ease knowing it isn't a sexual attraction. Though I suppose this summer I wasn't around Harry as much, I was planning with the boys in letters or meeting them in Diagon Alley. That might be why he was upset with me, I didn't bring him out then either, I left him to study so he could bring his grades up. That's a good reason for him to be distant now.

But the planning was important. We were so close to having everything shaped. We'd fixed the system in Slytherin, earning the respect of the students that I can recruit later on. The perfect way was to fight on both sides. Have handsome, intelligent, trustworthy Tom Riddle go through the ministry and try to change things politically, while a group of terrorists act out and change the world by force. Not how Grindlewald handled things, we'd be more controlled with raids and killing, so we weren't entirely the bad guys. We could paint ourselves as those desperate for a better world, and willing to fight for change. And accepting homosexuality was part of that plan, our future happiness was part of that plan.

"Maybe he has a girlfriend and he doesn't want to tell you about it," Abraxas smirked. "He's hot, and you know it. Girls want him. And if you aren't giving him attention, I'm sure he's getting it somewhere."

"He wouldn't. You know how close we are."

"Were. You spent summer with me and Gem, and didn't even invite Harry here."

This made Lestrange join the conversation, "I'm concerned. Where is Harry? He's never around anymore."

"He's with his girlfriend," Abraxas laughed at my uncomfortable expression.

"Stop being mean," Gemini scolded. "I'll bet he's with Avery. Tom, if you're concerned, just ask Harry."

"Or snoop through his things. See if you find love letters or lipstick-stained clothes or something," Abraxas suggested.

And that's why I was in our dorm room. I was looking through his trunk, trying not to mess anything up so he wouldn't find out. It was just regular clothes, no lipstick-stains, and all the paper was notes or unused. The little drawer by his bedside wasn't anymore incriminating.

"Nothing! There has to be something."

As my frustration sparked, almost controlling me, I looked to his bed. He always used to keep his things in his pillowcase. I buried my hand into the first one, rummaging as if my life depended on it, ignoring the sound of an opening door. I just got angrier when I found nothing there. I threw it with all my might across the room, reaching for my last hope. There was a lump in the second pillow, and I clawed into the case to pull out whatever caused it. A crystal ring on a necklace, that shimmered like no diamond I'd seen. My blood went cold.

"Wanna explain what you're doing, Tom?"

I turned to Harry, his arms crossed and a frown on his face. My eyes narrowed, "I'd much rather ask why you still have this."

A/N: Sorry it's shorter and there's a big time-jump, but I want to get to the juicy bits and nothing in between is important. It's short cos I have the idea in my head it would have been too long with the next bit, so the next bit is separate. Hope you enjoyed it!