Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and/or any associated characters.
Hi guys, here is the next chapter. Let me know what you think if you get a chance.
I hope you enjoy!
Tom was about to swing his legs into bed when a blood-curdling scream coming from Harry's room broke the silence. Grabbing his wand off his bedside table he bolted into the teen's room, but nothing could have prepared him for what he saw next. Harry was thrashing in the bed, arms and legs flailing madly.
"Wake up dear, wake up it's just a bad dream." Tom soothed as he perched on the edge of the bed l just within arms reach should anything happen.
Slowly Harry opened his eyes and was met with warm black orbs gazing at him out of the corner of his vision. All of a sudden the nightmare memory came back to him, and he figured he must have screamed wakening Tom. Mentally he cursed himself, now he'd definitely be left to rot deep in a dungeon or sent back to his relatives, whichever was chosen for him. Good things never happened to harry. And he assumed never would.
Harry curled up and moved to the far end of the bed as far away from Tom as possible without getting off. Bringing both his hands up to guard his head he whimpered, "I-I'm s-sorry sir I didn't m-mean to w-wake you up." He spoke more into his arms but nonetheless was still audible. Gently Tom reached out lifting the teen and cradled him against his chest. "it's alright, my dear no need to apologize, it was all just a bad dream, you can go back to sleep, I'm here."
With the teen tensing up in his arms he loosened his hold and carefully placed him back in bed. Harry simply wasn't ready for human contact just yet and would take quite a while before he was. One Tom knew he'd play a part in. He rubbed his hand along Harry's hand for a few moments until sleep welcomed him.
Placing a surprising kiss in his temple he whispered, "I'll be here for you. Always."
In the morning Harry awoke at half five, early enough to complete his chores and make breakfast. He wanted to keep the day as punishment-free as he could. If that was even possible. All his injuries had healed considerably well and he most certainly didn't want anymore. Throwing on his clothes he crept down the stairs hoping he'd get everything done before Tom woke. Luckily enough he found the kitchen without much hassle and began searching around for the cutlery as quietly as he could manage using only the small ceiling light for lighting.
Not knowing what Tom liked he decided to make a wide range including sausages, pudding, pancakes, eggs, and rashers to be on the safe side. He knew it was too much for breakfast alone but he just wanted to keep Tom happy and if luck was on his side avoid a punishment.
After cleaning the floor and table he was just about to hand out the eggs when he heard the stairs creaking. Somebody was coming. Fear tore away at his already pounding heart. He had failed yet again and would pay for it now.
"Harry what are you doing up this-." Tom's voice trailed off as he noticed Harry's pale face and his trembling hand as it shook so much it looked like the frying pan was going to end up on the floor in a matter of seconds.
"I-i'm s-sorry m'Lord, I-I tried to finish on time. I swear. Please p-please don't hurt me. I'll do better next time." Harry stuttered trying to reason with Tom but he knew he'd be punished or worse crucioed.
Moving over to the teen, Tom reached out and took the pan from his slightly outstretched hand and placed it on the hob. Immediately Harry ducked and crouched down underneath the table by the far wall. He knew his punishment was going to worsen now but he couldn't help himself from moving out of the way.
"Harry my dear please come out. I'm not going to hurt you and that's a promise." Tom sat on the stool by the counter waiting patiently for the teen to come out. Ten minutes later Harry crawled out, almost reluctantly, and stood moving closer to Tom.
Wrapping his arm around Harry's shoulders, who tensed, he led him over to the six seated veneer table adorning the centre of the room and sat down.
"Merlin this is delicious, well done my dear," Tom spoke after a few forkfuls of breakfast. Harry's eyes widened, his relatives had never said anything good about his cooking before, or anything for that matter. "Thank you." He murmured shyly.
They continued eating in comfortable silence until they were both nearly finished and Tom spoke. "Harry my dear, why did you make breakfast and do the cleaning?" After a few moments of hesitation, the teen responded. "I have to sir- to earn my… keep." Harry picked at his sausage hoping more than anything Tom wouldn't hit him.
My dear, there is no need for you to earn your keep, the house-elves here do all the work and keep my manor in order. You'll stay here no matter what happens." And with that, he placed a kiss on the teen's matted hair who stiffened momentarily. His relatives had never kissed him before but he most certainly saw them kissing Dudley, well anyone would, it seemed like something they wanted everyone to see.
"Would you like me to give you a tour of my manor and show you your new bedroom harry?" Tom asked as he gestured for the house elf to start clearing away the plates.
"But sir- I already- the bedroom- perfect, it's."
After unjumbling Harry's sentence, Tom spoke. "The bedroom you spent the last week in is a guest room. Severus has prepared a bedroom for you. It's just across from mine should you need me." As If on cue Severus entered. "I decorated it for you, but if you don't like it, I will change it for you. It's no problem." Harry stared at Severus for a few moments 'why is he being nice to me, is this a trick?' Harry thought to himself. Tricks were part of his childhood years.
As if reading Harry's mind Tom answered. "I assure you Harry Severus is speaking only the truth, I've seen your room, it looks lovely."
Behind Harry's back Severus' face morphed back into its usual snarl and he opened his mouth to speak only to be cut off by a firm look from Tom and he quickly closed his mouth.
Tom and Severus stood on either side of Harry and gave him a tour of the whole manor. Wide emerald orbs observed his surroundings. The manor looked very much like a palace, far bigger than he'd ever seen or could expect to live in.
Stopping outside Harry's bedroom Tom placed a hand on the handle then looked at Harry smiling. "This is your room, my dear, all yours. As Severus said at breakfast if you don't like the way it's decorated, it can be changed."
Harry nodded, still not fully believing that he'd get his own decorated room. He had gotten so used to his bedroom being the cupboard under the stairs or the room upstairs certainly not decorated or with much furniture. He wasn't sure how to react now having a room decorated and furnished of his own. Tom and Severus were being so nice to him, he simply didn't know how he'd ever repay them for everything but he'd certainly try.
Grinning Tom opened the door and ushered Harry inside and watched as the teen's jaw dropped. The room was simply magnificent with Quidditch posters on a Gryffindor and Slytherin wallpaper, a Gryffindor duvet cover, and a wardrobe for Harry to put away his stuff. Well he'd certainly need more for he didn't have half as much as other teens or kids.
"Do you like your room, Harry? Do you want us to change it?" Tom asked as the raven-haired teen barrelled into himself and Severus, embracing them both in a tight hug unexpected to them both. Regaining his composure, Tom placed a kiss on the teen's head as Severus hugged him back.
"No no it's perfect, thank you. Is the bed and wardrobe for me?" Disbelief coated his every word.
"Yes my dear everything in the room is yours." He tightened his grip on Harry before pulling away. Harry stepped back shocked that he'd hugged Tom and Severus of his own accord but he couldn't deny it he quite liked it.
"Now Harry we'll leave you now so you can unpack your stuff which Severus left behind your bed. If you need us just call us ok?"
With a nod they left, leaving Harry in the company of his owl.
As Harry hung his clothes up his mind began racing. What if he somehow managed to annoy Tom would he change his mind and send him back to his relatives? He was quite liking it in Riddle manor and most certainly didn't want to leave. He'd just have to do everything he was told and try not to get on anyone's nerves. Everything good in his experience always came to an end and an abrupt one at that.
Placing Hedwig's cage on his desk at the side of the room, he perched on the edge of his bed and watched as his owl slept soundly, head perched under her wing. Hedwig's company was very comforting and made him feel at home. Just ten minutes later a soft knocking sounded on the door and Tom entered. "I see you've finished unpacking," with a nod from Harry he continued, "I'll leave you now to your own devices. I'll see you in the dining room at seven for dinner." He turned and was just about to leave when Harry spoke.
"Sir is it ok- I mean can I go read in the library... I promise I'll clean up after me?" He stepped back towards the wall knowing what was sure to come. What was he thinking, he had everything he could possibly ever want. Now wanting more, he was sure to end up back with his relatives. Tom's next few words surprised Harry.
"Of course you can, my dear, don't worry about cleaning up, just make sure you put the books back in the right place on the shelf." The terrified look on the teen's face almost broke his heart but he didn't show it.
"Thank you, sir." And with that, he headed off in the direction of the library before Tom could change his mind.
In the library he scanned the many shelves lining the walls, pulling out books that caught his eye, careful to remember the exact location.
Satisfied with the books in his hand he grabbed a cushion from the side and sprawled out leaning against another cushion. Harry flicked through the books on wandless magic getting lost in its contents. It was something he'd love to learn which would come in very handy but he didn't want to ask. They would only think of him as ungrateful and may not want to keep him anymore, or so Harry thought. He certainly wasn't going to ask for more when he already had more than he could ever ask for or want.
After cleaning up his mess in the library he entered the dining room and sat down, Tom at the head, Harry to his right, and Severus to his left. Harry stared up and down at the amount of food on the table. It looked almost like the Great Hall at Hogwarts, just a smaller version. After instruction from Tom, he carefully scooped small helpings onto his plate unsure of how much he was allowed to eat, and picked up his fork.
"That's not near enough food to feed a growing teen your age." Tom pointed out and piled more food on Harry's plate. "Start eating, dear." And with that Harry started eating, casting nervous glances at Tom and Severus as he did so.
As Harry finished his meal and put down his fork Tom spoke. "Now Harry there are certain rules that you will be expected to abide by just so you're sure of yourself ok?" The raven-haired teen nodded in response, he was used to rules there were many with his relatives and he knew what happened if he broke one. He'd be beaten. He shivered at the very thought of it, it seemed like ages ago now even though it was only less than two weeks ago.
"I hope to get you eating three meals a day, or four small, whatever you can manage so you maintain a healthy weight. Also please try not to provoke my Death Eaters, they are not the calmest of people. Lastly, always tell the truth and don't go exploring outside the manor without either myself or Severus with you for your own safety. Is that understood, Harry?"
"Yes sir. W-what happens if I b-break a rule?" Harry tightened his grip on his mug terrified of what Tom's response would be. Breaking rules was a hobby of his and one he was very good at, much to his annoyance.
"I assure you, Harry, you will not be beaten or punished like those relatives did to you. We will merely tell you verbally alright?" Harry nodded and placed his now empty mug back on the table.
Returning back to his room later that evening Harry flopped onto his bed with the moving photo of his parents. He stared at the photo for a few minutes and couldn't altogether stop the tears which rolled down his cheeks. Wiping the tears away and drying his face, he pushed the photo under his pillow just in time for at that moment Tom entered.
"Hello, Harry." He spoke and moved slowly into the room.
"Hullo," he murmured as Tom came to a stop by his bedside.
"Are you having trouble sleeping, my dear?"
"No no I'm fine sorry for keeping you up." Harry pushed the duvet back and crossed his legs.
"It's fine, do you want me to read you a bedtime story?" Tom let a smile spread across his features and plopped down on the floor facing Harry as the teen replied hesitantly. "Um ok."
With a grin, Tom began. "Once upon a time there was an evil queen who lived in a castle beyond the woods. She spent her days presiding over her large but poor kingdom with an iron fist and admiring her own beauty in the mirror. Her name was." Tom paused for dramatic effect and Harry found himself moving over to the edge of his bed intrigued. As the teen tilted his head like a confused kitten Tom revealed, "Her name was…. Snow White." Tom got surprisingly fascinated with his own story and waved his hands around animatedly as Harry watched in amazement.
"Did you like my little story?" Tom stood up and stretched out his legs.
Harry nodded his head vigorously. "Yes, yes sir it was amazing."
Tom grinned and planted a kiss on Harry's forehead "We'll do it again sometime, I have to say I quite enjoyed it myself."
That's it for now. Looking forward to any reviews.