CHAPTER 20 - Promotion

Tom yawned going down the stairs and scratched his body. He had worn off pajama pants and an old, second hand 'Hex and kisses' band t-shirt he only wore to sleep. Before coming down he wanted to check on Hermione, the witch wasn't in the guest room however. He was about to enter the kitchen when Molly stopped him.

- It would be better if you eat in the living room, believe me. - She had a slightly annoyed look on her face and from screams that he could hear it was clear Percy and his father had quarrel for some time now.

With that his mind was off thinking about where Hermione went for a moment. She probably just left somewhere to avoid loud yells.

- What is it about, mother? - He asked with curiosity. Percy and their father often didn't see eye to eye, but usually were more civil about it.

- Oh, well… - Molly handed him a scroll with Percy's name on it. - You will find out soon enough, I guess. Your brother got another promotion.

Tom raised his brow and quickly read some of the letter. Then he decided to walk through his mother and enter the kitchen after all.

- You just don't understand! - Percy was red with anger and was looking like he was about to draw his wand on his dad.

- Oh, I understand perfectly! Can't you see that Fudge just wants to use you, son?! Even an idiot could see he just wants to control you and make you spy for him or something! He doesn't care about you!

- I am not an idiot!

- Yes, you… - Arthur stopped himself, but could see a pure spite in his son's eyes.

- Then let him have it. - Tom stated confidently.

Both turned their heads in Tom's direction.

- What…?

Black haired man took milk from the fridge and purred water into a kettle to make himself coffee with one motion of his wand.

- If Percy is right, and for that Fudge guy sake, let's hope he is. - Tom made a rather mean grin. It was quite clear what he intended to do to Cornelius otherwise. - Then, we should be happy. Percy no doubt deserves recognition for all his hard work, father. You shouldn't deny it. He was practically born to work in the ministry of magic.

Percy was beyond grateful to Tom. At this point he really didn't give a shit if the younger brother was Lord Voldemort incarnate or not. Any support in this hellhole of a situation was worth it.

- Thank you! - He pointed out his hand in Tom's direction. His words dripped with irritation towards his dad.

Arthur himself caught himself blushing a little. He didn't mean to imply Percy didn't deserve promotion. It was just fishy after such a short amount of time. Percy was so young and still too hopeful and naive… as much as it broke his heart he knew it was too good to be true appreciations of his son's intellect.

- However, - Tom crossed his arms. - And forgive me for saying that, Percy, dad is probably right, but you could use it for your own advantage.

- Excuse me? - He huffed. His smile faded.

Sausages flew by on the pan as Tom continued his thought. Spoon stirred herself in a coffee mug.

- If he really wants to use you to spy on us, spy on him yourself. - He simply said back. - And gain more power by doing so. Think where you can be in a few years just by staying silent about things he doesn't want others to know.

Percy's and Arthur's eyes open wider in shock. Somehow they understand what Tom was capable of by now, knowing who he was, but hearing him just pretty much admitting he was less righteous than he led them to believe before was another thing entirely.

- I'm making breakfast, by the way. - Tom licked his fingers after buttering the bread. - Did you eat already, Percy?

- N-no…

- Then, I make us something. - He patted his shoulder. - Congratulations on your promotion, Percy!

And just like that horcrux boy flushed him a brightest smile like he didn't just suggest blackmailing his new boss.

They would say something more if not for the flash of the wand in the backyard and a terrified scream of two teenagers who were outside.

Ron was relieved when he realized Hermione didn't remember last night's events. It was bad enough that he witnessed it in horror, and was unable to stop it. It seemed to him she just was under the impression that it was just a wild dream, and thought nothing of it.

- You didn't get my letter? - he asked.

- No. - She shrugged. - Sorry Ron, I was in a hurry.

He smiled slightly but still Hermione could sense a bit of sadness in him.

- That's fine… it was nothing really. - He blushed. - You know you shouldn't even read it. Just ignore it when you come back home.

- Sure… - She raised her brow. - can I ask you something?

Witch lowered her voice.

- What happend at the end of the school year? I never saw your parents so angry…

He gulped. What was he supposed to say to her?

- I can't tell you much, but it was about what T-Tom did… They get so mad at Dumbledore that they think of changing our school to Durmstrang… - Ron whispered more to himself than to her.

Hermione blinked.

- W-what…?

This was not happening… First Tom was leaving the UK in a few weeks and now she won't be seeing Ron at the beginning of the september?

- Does Harry knows?

Ron only shook his head.

- Nothing is set in stone yet, but they all seem to think it's better if we leave Britain now You Know Who is back… well, Fred agrees with them that they are right to be angry at our headmaster, and George thinks it's all Tom's fault and already told them that they can't make him leave Hogwarts. And I'm…

She just hugged him tight.

- You have nothing to worry about. At worst we will be sending each other owls everyday. - Her voice was shaking, her eyes became red but she held her tears. - And I will visit you guys with Harry every occasion I get.

He hugged her back, burying his hands in her chestnut bush of a hair. It was so comforting…

And then his eyes opened wide as the hooded figure on a broom shooted a light from his wand at the girl.

- Crucio!

Ron menaged to spin her around at the last moment, but the stinging pain he felt was insufferable.

- Ron!

The loud cry of the witch alerted people inside, she was holding her friend's body in her arms slowly petting his head.

- Now, now, Ron, it's going to be alright. - She pressed him to herself.

His vision blurred and he could hear male voices belonging to his dad and brothers now.

- Hermione, what happened…?

Arthur, Percy, Bill, Molly and Tom draw their wands immediately, seeing a death eater in their yard.

- I thought your ward was "protecting" us?! - George screamed at Tom. - Or do you consider Death Eaters your friends and family?!

- Stop blaming me for everything! - Tom shouted back trying to shoot the enemy down. He wasn't sure himself how that was even possible. Masked figure was definitely not their friend.

Fred sends George a glare.

- We should take them inside. - He pointed out Ron and Hermione. Helping her take his younger brother back, shielding them from attacks.

- You're right… - George reluctantly admitted. He saw some blood coming from under Ron's shirt. Hermione too didn't look well, but aside from being pale and frightened she was ok.

- What is going on!? - She cried once again.

- I think your boyfriend knows the answer to that. - He just hissed.

Tom couldn't hold back his anger anymore. He held his wand high and screamed of the top of his langs:

- Alarte Ascendare!

The man shot into the air and fell on the ground unconscious. Tom took off his mask.

- Peter Pettigrew! - Hermione gasped, almost dropping Ron out of her arms.

Note: I wonder how many of you guessed he was going to show up in the Burrow. I wanted Voldemort to confront Tom at one point originally, but I don't want to change canon all that much. It's Harry's job to kill that guy, so Tom doesn't need to worry about it. Let's give our favorite horcrux a happy ending too.

And just to make it clear. Voldemort explained his visions to Peter, and he recognized the place he was talking about, maybe even saw his horcrux in Daily Prophet since it was Tom and not Ginny who would go on a family trip. I didn't really know how I would include it without spoiling the reveal and this has already become way longer than I intended (trust a woman who doesn't know where to stop with a short Christmas special… :P).