CHAPTER 17- Horcrux

- You're… what?

Weasley siblings expected a lot of things, but that. Tom was now sitting on a sofa, and was carefully picking words to explain to them how he one day became aware of being inside an enchanted diary and how this led him to seeking his way out.

- An horcrux. It's a part of someone's soul and… well… it shouldn't be sentient… but here we go… - He blushed slightly, as if he was ashamed of his origin. Well, maybe he was. - And I know asking you to just accept this and forgive me is too much, but…

- But nothing, you are our brother. - Said Percy firmly. Fred nodded. It was a shame that Charlie wasn't there, they were sure he would share their statement.

- There is another thing… - He gulped hard and turned his head. - I was only able to escape in exchange for someone else… we… we have a sister… and…

That information lands a lot harder. It was what was expected. Still, Tom knew that will not be as easily forgiven as his other actions.

- WHAT?! - Twins yelled in pure shock.

- But he is bringing her back! - Molly said to her sons. - We must do everything to help him.

- S-sister… w-what was … is her name? - Ron asked for the first time since Tom started his tale.

- Ginny. I met her when she was 11. - Tom explained. - I admit I wasn't thinking twice when I saw the opportunity, but now…

This whole deal was a mess. He didn't know what to feel anymore. Love or hate? Tom was clearly a stranger, but at the same time he was not a stranger at all. And judging on everybody's faces he was not the only one with mixed feelings. Did Hermione know anything about this? No… it's impossible, it seems like only his parents knew. Oh, God…. that's why the headmaster was so livid with them? But… this was mom and dad… if they didn't believe in Tom's good intentions they wouldn't help him… there is a reasonable explanation why…

- But now you are regretting it, right? - ask Percy softly.

- How can you be this calm, Percy?! - George yelled. - This… this… monster took our sister away!

Percy paled. He didn't know. He didn't remember having a sister, and his feelings towards Tom were nothing but warm and positive. He was the only member of the whole family who got him. The only one who even likes him and talks to him as more than just a sibling, he was always more like a close friend to him. What was that saying about Tom? Or worse, what was that saying about Percy himself? Was he otherwise fated to be outcast without him? He looked at Tom uncertain of himself. It really hurt…

- I… - Tom tried to reach his hand, but retreated it and answered with a cold tone. - I did it to survive. And she is still alive, we just have to work together and she will be back soon.

- It's your fault she is missing in the first place! - George hissed.

- George… - Fred unexpectedly sided with Tom. - He was imprisoned in a fucking book for 50 years. Don't you think he suffered enough?

Bill was silent. It was hard to see Tom as anything but his baby brother, but then again, it was clear they were under a heavy amount of spells. Curses even. How did he never recognize it? He wasn't in England a lot, but if anything Tom said was to be believed, it all started about 2 years ago. Horcrux… that would mean Tom was ripped from the soul fragment of some deranged evil warlock. How could he be this normal? Just a perfectly nice young man?

- Who are you? - He asked, changing the topic slightly. That Ginny girl could wait.

- Billy, this is Tom. - Arthur said. - Nothing is different about him, believe us. Please, at least you…

He growled a bit. He did wonder how it was possible they didn't trust him, the oldest son, immediately when they found out. He was a curse breaker. He would help! Their own daughter was missing and they waited for what?! A Miracle?

- I said, who are you?

- Tom Marvolo We…

- And don't give me that crap about being a Weasley. I give you that, you are one of us now, whether we or you like it or not, but who were you originally? - His gaze was sharp, undecided if he was ready to forgive him. But at the same time he dreaded the answer. There were not many options he could think of.

- Riddle. My original surname was Riddle. - Tom just said. - But that doesn't ring a bell, does it?

- No. - Bill replied. - Should it?

- I just want to be clear that I think of this man as my abuser, not someone I want to be back with. - Tom stated. - And yes, Riddle is an evil wizard, quite dark actually. He made the horcrux still in Hogwarts that's why I'm so young.

All eyes, even his parents who already knew, were turning his way now. As they drank every word of his mouth, intensely waiting. Bill especially, since he knew what one had to do to make a horcrux.

- Is? - Bill asked, even if that was obvious. He had a horcrux thus, there was no way he wasn't alive.

- He changed his name as far as I understood. Not that he didn't come up with it as a teen, but seriously? Who keeps his childhood nicknames as an adult?

- Stop stealing and spit it out already. - George was too angry at Tom for this game of cat and mouse.

- Fine. - Tom sighs. - Just don't hate me for it… Lord Voldemort.

The silence in the room was so grim right now, that one could feel a chill wind down on it's spine by entering the room full of people.

Tom wasn't ready to tell them that part. They forced him to admit it. Why were they glaring at him then? It wasn't his fault!

- B-but he's dead… - Percy only stuttered.

- Not anymore. - Tom said.

Again, why was he telling them that? To prepare them? No. But if there was no other way… he didn't want to obliviate them and pretend like nothing changed. He just hated Voldemort so much. Why was he there again to ruin his life?! He was happy! He had family! A loving girlfriend! And now?! In their eyes he was no better than that lunatic!

- I can sense him ever since he came back. Why do you think I was planning to flee the country? Honestly I advise you guys to do the same. Even with my powers I don't know how long I can protect you all.

- Protect us? Protect us?! - George was again yelling. - You ARE him! We need protection from YOU!

- George… - Ron started. Not sure what he wanted to say.

The two brothers stood out from their respective seats and glared at each other. His gaze met with George. Young boy had no idea how it was for him, how could he judge him so harshly?

Think for a minute, If I wanted to hurt any of you I would have done it a long time ago! - Tom screamed at George. This outburst of red headed boy wasn't uncalled for, but it still hurt. Didn't he know by now that Tom cared for them? Wasn't that obvious?!

- Is that a threat? - George raised his wand.

Blackhaired young man was speechless.

- Of course not…

Then, before anybody was able to react, a small reptile swirled on a floor to the room and hissed at his master.

Tom answered her in shock hissing as well.

- He knows parseltongue?! - Bill gasped and face palmed at the same time. - Well, Of course he does!

- There's someone downstairs… - Tom whispered. - But Meret isn't sure who it is...

He gulped, he put wards on the whole Burrow, only the most trusted friends and family should be able to get here on their own. He didn't want to risk being found by Death Eaters, so who…

He slowly opened the front door to reveal a young, about 13 years old girl, a bit skinny and not too tall. She had red, ginger hair, freckles and was wearing oversized male Hufflepuff robes. She grinned and handed him an old diary which he knew all too well.

- How are you, dear brother of mine?

Note: By the way, guess who else can be considered a family member? Yes, I'm that evil.