Hi guys, here's the next chapter. I hope you like it.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and/or any associated characters.
Falling into his dueling position, Harry did his best to prepare himself for as many spells and curses Tom could throw at him. Even though he'd been reading the books he'd been given and dueling lessons with Tom he knew there was quite a bit more to grasp. for the past week Although he was the Dark Lord so chances were he'd be caught out with something he didn't know how to counter but he'd certainly give it his best shot. He couldn't possibly let Tom beat him again, once was more than enough for Harry. Without a warning the duel began with Tom throwing the first spell 'immobilus' to which Harry successfully blocked after getting so used to reacting quickly.
Ducking, dodging, and even successfully blocking a few of Tom's spells, Harry gritted his teeth. He needed to think outside the box if he was to have any hope of beating Tom. Dark Lords didn't crumple in defeat like packaging cardboard with good reason. But he wasn't sure how much more he could take with a few spells and curses having blown him off his feet. He was tired and sore. Goddammit. Seeing Tom raise his arm, an idea occurred to Harry and doing his best to hide his smirk he yelled "Avis." A flock of birds shot from his wand and surrounded Tom, pecking his hair and shoulders.
"Damn these birds." Tom hissed doing his best to hide his annoyance at the amount of different coloured birds pecking him. He had always hated being on the receiving end of that spell but being the caster was different altogether. And with that thought, Tom set to work freeing himself from them.
When Tom finally managed to rid himself of the last of them, Harry was beside himself with laughter, until he thought- 'what if Tom was mad at me for that-' but his worries were unfounded at the bright grin lighting up Tom's face as the man bounded over, looking slightly worse for wear but sporting a delighted white-toothed grin that made Harry blush.
He picked Harry up and swung him round gently before setting him down on his feet softly and pecking his forehead. "Simply brilliant dear, well done. Bah so innovative." Harry blushed darker at the lopsided grin on Tom's face.
Tom noticed that Harry had gotten so much more comfortable over the past two and a half weeks and seemed to trust himself and Severus more, but there was still some way to go.
"I think it's safe to say you won that duel with that clever charm. Well done. With a bit more practice I'd say we'll be able to have a real good duel."
Excitement bubbled up inside Harry and a grin snatched at his mouth, he had beaten the Dark Lord in a duel and he couldn't be any happier. He knew that charm would come in handy at some point and it certainly did.
"Well dear, Severus will be returning with your friend soon so perhaps you should go get ready." Severus spoke as he entered the room Harry and Tom were dueling in.
With a nod Harry skidded from the room and tore down the corridor, the door banging shut behind him as he did so.
Smirking, Tom rubbed lint off his robes and headed downstairs to welcome Hermione when she arrived. He'd make a good impression on Hermione and make sure she knows he's not the same person he used to be. Well for the most part.
Harry flicked through the leather bound tome before him; eyes scanning the multitude of spells and potions. He found himself wondering how his potions lesson with Severus would go the following day. His previous few years with Severus hadn't gone too well getting scolded every class. All of a sudden he was pulled from his train of thoughts by a shrill shriek.
"Dear Merlin, Harry, you're actually reading! I can't believe it. It only took four years but I got through to you eventually." Her shock became exasperation and a small teasing grin overcame her features.
"Bit out of your grasp isn't it, H-Potter? " Severus cut in snarling, or rather trying to; the comment lacked its usual bite. Harry flashed a cheeky grin at the dark haired professor. "Takes one to know one, Sev."
Hermione was completely and utterly confused. It hadn't even been a month. It was like she was looking at two different people. Giving up, Severus gave an exasperated sigh and lingered at the corner of the room. Without barely a sidewards glance at Severus, Harry left, arm linked with Hermione.
Staring after them Severus spoke, "Well, you're welcome." With a swift backwards move of his hand, he waved gleefully at Severus who muttered,"ungrateful little brat."
Closing his bedroom door behind him, Harry plonked down on his bed along with Hermione who looked ready to blow Harry's ears off with one of her speeches which happened way too often.
"Well Harry, spill the beans. Tell me exactly what's happened. One minute you're with your relatives and the next minute you're living with the Dark Lord and-" Hermione raised her eyebrows and waited, rather impatiently, for Harry to respond.
"I amn't too sure either, Tom and his Death Eaters just arrived at my relatives and brought me here to Riddle Manor promising me a better life. Well, anywhere is better than living with my relatives to say the truth."
Placing her hand on the side of Harry's shoulder, gripping it a little, she looked him straight in the eye. "No Harry, truly how are they treating you. I have to know you're safe. You've been through too much already and I can't let it happen again if I can help it. You look to be in a better state physically than you used to be upon leaving your relatives, so I'll take that as a good sign."
giving Hermione's arm a gentle squeeze, Harry spoke In what he hoped was a reassuring tone. "Honestly Hermione, I'm getting the best of care here. They're treating me well, better than I could have ever hoped for and I love it here. This is my bedroom and I get proper meals every day that actually make me full. It's like a miniature version of Hogwart's feast." Harry grinned broadly.
"Alright. Your bedroom is lovely, but you do know who Tom used to be don't you?" she fixed Harry with a concerned look before letting her arm fall from his shoulder.
"Of course I do Hermione, don't be stupid I know what Tom's like. After all, I was the one he was after in the first place. But you were in danger because of me."
"I know, I know, I just have to be sure. You're my best friend and I couldn't live with myself if I knew you were getting hurt again. You've been through too much already." Hermione clasped Harry's hands in a vice-like grip on his lap, not letting go.
"I always get hurt and always have done, I'm used to it by now. You don't need to worry about me, I can look after myself." Harry spoke attempting to dislodge his hands but to no avail, his hands were beginning to tingle.
"Yes, I know, Harry. You know what I mean though. Just be careful and I'll always be there for you no matter what. Just owl me and Hedwig will find me." As if in response Hedwig chirped, making her way over to Harry and nuzzling into his neck affectionately.
"Thanks Hedwig. I always knew I could count on you," Harry took his arm from Hermione's suddenly loosened grip, and nestled her fur affectionately. "Thanks Hermione, you're a great friend." Harry quickly changed the subject to chess playing with Severus and they continued chatting till dinner.
"Harry, Hermione, your dinner is ready, i'll see you both in the kitchen." Tom called three hours later.
Minutes later Harry pushed open the door of the kitchen and watched as Hermione stared open mouthed at the size of the room.
Harry really was living in a palace, a big improvement from where he used to live and he truly did deserve it. Hermione thought after reflecting on Harry's past and all the injuries he'd suffered throughout the years. When Harry showed her the list she couldn't help herself from getting all protective and mother-like embracing him in an almost suffocating hug. To anyone who knew Hermione well, she was always in mother mode and always kept her best friends safe. No matter what. Mother Mode was second nature to her.
Sitting down at the table- Tom at the head, Severus to his left, Harry to his right and Hermione beside Harry, they tucked into their roast chicken.
After a quiet chat amongst them, Severus burst out before he could stop himself, forgetting Hermione was there.
"I hope you're ready for this evening Harry, because we're going to be inflicting some much needed payback on those relatives of yours." Harry stared from Tom to Severus, confusement coating his features while Tom looked ready to behead the potions master.
"Severus, I have already discussed this with you and now is most definitely not an appropriate time for it." Tom glared daggers at Severus who quietly muttered an apology.
"Forget what I just said, we'll leave that for another day." looking like a defeated hero, Severus sunk back into his chair slightly, hoping to be forgotten about but that wouldn't be possible with Hermione at the table. Hermione wasn't the type of person to let anybody away with anything least of all Severus.
"No, no you are not leaving it, tell me about it now. I want to know." Hermione pushed for Severus to elaborate with an almost demanding quality to her tone.
"It doesn't matter Hermione, and it doesn't concern you so stay out of it." Severus snarled and glared at Hermione who wasn't taking any of his glares. She was well used to them by now and wasn't going to let him intimidate her now.
"Yes, I know It probably doesn't concern me, but it is because of me that Harry is still here today. I stopped him from doing many stupid things. For merlin's sake just tell me." Hermione snapped, reaching into her pocket to grab her wand to hex Severus only to have Harry grab her hand putting a stop to it.
Reluctantly Severus elaborated a little bit. "Well Harry after the way those relatives treated you myself and Tom feel they need to pay for what they did to you. What they did was not right under any circumstances. And I'm not talking money wise." Severus looked towards Tom as If for help.
"I think I already know that, Snape. Since when did anything ever concern money with you? In fact it never did and I'm pretty sure I know what way you're inclining towards now, Severus."
Cutting Severus and Hermione off before they hexed each other, Tom calmly spoke. "Like Severus has already said I feel we should, but it is entirely your choice considering you were the one living there. Would you like to, harry? Myself and Severus will come with you, of course."
Harry considered it for a few moments while Tom did his best to calm and reassure Hermione but failed miserably.
"Um alright-" But before he could continue he was cut off by one of Hermione's lectures.
"Tom, how could you do this? It's not right to do anything of that nature to another human being. I thought you had changed, but now I don't think so. Look, do whatever you want. I'm going home." Hermione made to get up only to be pulled back into her seat by Harry.
"Stay here Hermione and Severus will drop you home after. Alright?"
"Fine I'll stay but I'm not watching any of what you are going to do. I don't care what you say. It's not happening."
"Yes of course I don't expect you to. Sure I've got a lot of books you can bury your head in." And with that Tom got up and ushered for Hermione to follow him.
After sending a glare in Tom's direction, Hermione hastily followed him towards the library. "Fine. Your books better be interesting though."
"Of course they're interesting, Hermione. When am I ever boring?" Tom giggled and watched Hermione's reaction.
"Not boring, you're just sadistic."
"Yes I know I am, sure sadistic is my middle name." Tom giggled.
"Damn you, I'm going to murder you if you don't stop." Hermione snapped, folding her arms across her chest.
"Sure you will, I'd like to see you try and I'll congratulate you on attempting to take on the Dark Lord."
Tom led Hermione into the library and watched as her eyes lit up and she forgot all about her little encounter with him. "Well here we are, read whatever you want and put everything away after you. I'll see you later." With a nod, Hermione disappeared among the shelves, lost in the world of books. Her world.
"Well Harry, I'll show you to your relatives. They're not where you think they are though." Tom spoke and led the way down the corridor, both Severus and Harry following behind.
Letting the door of the dungeons bang closed behind them, they stood in front of the Dursley's who were all chained to the wall by Lucius who had captured them the night before.
Harry stared at each of his relatives in turn who wore their usual hatred for him not that he expected anything different.
"I'm ready." and with that he stepped closer to his uncle, wand at the ready.
That's it for now. Looking forward to any reviews.