I look at his startled red eyes, the only thing showing his surprise, and take a few deep breaths to calm down.

"Leave us." He says to the others. When they don't move he gets angry. "I said to leave us!" They disappear and Tom comes closer.

"I didn't mean to get so worked up. I'm sorry."

"Would you accompany me home so we can talk more in private?"

I nod slightly and he takes my arm and we disparate. I find myself in a sitting area done in medium woods and light greens. He calls an elf to bring us tea, and, after a brief assurance that there is no poison, we settle down on a comfortable couch near the fireplace. It isn't cold, but the fire is a good place to look instead of at him.

"Potter—"

"Please call me Harry. I don't know why, but I hate it when you call me Potter." His lips twitch up a little before settling into a frown.

"Harry then. You said that you where abused by muggles. I know it's true from your mind, but Severus has informed me that Dumbledore placed you in a loving home. He said you were treated like a prince, and that you were arrogant and big headed. Is this not true?"

"Dumbledore said that? What the fuck would he know? He never even met me until I got to Hogwarts my first year. He left me with my mother's sister and her family. They hated freaks like me."

"You didn't meet Dumbledore until Hogwarts? But he's your magical guardian! Everyone knows that. He is legally required to check up on you every six months."

"Well he never checked on me."

He places a comforting hand on my shoulder and makes sure to make eye contact with me.

"Will you tell me? About the abuse I mean."

"I don't know. I haven't really told anyone other than Dumbledore. Even then I didn't go into detail. Just general ideas."

"You told Dumbledore and he didn't do anything?!" I shake my head and he takes a deep breath to calm himself. "Please tell me everything. I might be able to help you, but you need to talk to someone about it all. It isn't healthy to keep it all in like nothing happened."

"I- you won't tell anyone, will you? At least not the details?"

"Never without your permission."

I take a moment to adjust to the new, worried side of Tom. It's hard to believe the caring man in front of me is the one who wanted to kill me only twenty minutes ago.

"I grew up with my Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and their son Dudley. They always hated magic, but they still took me in. They said it was out of the kindness of their hearts, but I don't really think that would be enough. I didn't know my name until I started muggle school. Before then, I was always freak or boy. I slept in the cupboard under the stairs until the summer after my first year. I was given all the chores since I was five years old, and if I messed them up, I would be punished with either a beating, usually with his belt, or the withholding of meals, of which I got one small one every three days. I got water once before bed and once in the mornings. I started cooking all of their meals when I was seven years old."

I take a sip of my tea and avoid the rage filled red eyes staring at me.

"When I came back after first year, Vernon added another punishment. It was also something he did when he was drunk." I sniffle slightly and brush away a stray tear. "At first, he tried to get me to react to him t-touching me. When it di-idn't work, he gave up and, he tied me down and, he put his— he put it in my mouth and forced me to blow him." I cry. Feeling myself being pulled onto his lap, I stiffen, but relax when my head is pressed to his chest. "Last year he let Dudley do it too. I didn't want to. I'm related to them and I hate them and I didn't want to do it! Why did they make me? Why do they hate me? Most people have families that love them! I just don't understand." I end in a whisper as I sob quietly into his chest.

His fingers run through my hair in a calming manner and I am eventually able to calm down. I pull back to wipe my eyes, but he beats me to it. His gentle fingers move to dry my tears and push the loose strands of hair away from where they stick to my face. Our eyes meet and I have to force myself to focus.

"Thank you. I shouldn't have gotten emotional. I've gotten used to it."

"Don't say that. If it ever gets to be too much, you are welcome to come to me, whether it's to talk, or cry, or even just to have a distraction."

"Does that mean we don't have to kill each other?!" I ask excitedly. He laughs a deep laugh that sends butterflies through my stomach.

"As long as you either pull out of the war, or join my side, then I would even be okay with being friends. Of course joining my side doesn't necessarily mean fighting either. I will teach you whatever magic you want to know, and you can continue as you are, pretending to be the Golden Boy, while feeding me information."

"In that case, consider me dark, and your new best friend. I don't know who it was before me, but they will have to move over." He laughs again and I smile proudly for getting him to laugh twice.

"Well, what do you say to staying here for the summer? I can summon your things, and you will stay in the bedroom next to mine. When you go back to Hogwarts, tell them that you couldn't take the abuse anymore, and you ran away. When they ask where you went, tell them it's safer for you if nobody knows."

"Do you really think it could work? Dumbledore would figure it out in two seconds flat."

"That would be the case if I hadn't ordered Severus to make it hard to learn occlumency. Believe me, by the time you go back to Hogwarts, you will easily surpass your classmates in all subjects, and you will have firm control over your mind. Tomorrow we will go to Gringotts to get you secretly emancipated. We will have to do an inheritance test first as is regulation. Do you know what you want to do after you graduate?"

"Honestly, Ron always wanted to be an auror, and he kinda just assumed I would be too, so I never really put much thought into it."

"I see. What electives have you taken so far, and which ones are you planning on taking this year?"

"My electives so far have been Care Of Magical Creatures and Divination. This year I am taking Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology, Potions, and DADA."

"Do you really want to be an auror? I don't think it would be the best fit considering your lack of desire to fight."

"Not really, but I don't know what else I would do."

"I think what we will do, is get you a few cloaks that can be charmed to hide your identity while we are out tomorrow. Then you can go to Riddle Manor where the death eaters are without risking an undetected spy seeing you.

"I will have you shadow some of my elite and you will appear to be someone else, perhaps a distant relative of the Malfoy's, and you can see their work. Then you at least have an idea of some options. If there is a job that somebody in the outer circle has that you want to shadow, just let me know and I will have it arranged."

I smile at him and agree. He calls his house elf back and asks for dinner, ordering broth and bread for me since I haven't eaten in two weeks. I finish half the bowl and all of the bread, surprising myself with how much I was able to eat before my stomach hurt.

We talked for another hour, simply getting to know each other, but he showed me to my room the first time he saw me yawn. He pointed out where his room is and said if I need anything at all, I can wake him up. He also mentioned he would be gone for an hour while he debriefed his men.

I changed into the black silk pajamas the elves brought me, likely a shrunken pair of Toms. When I climbed into the massive bed with a dark purple comforter and light purple silk sheets, I moaned in pleasure of an actually comfortable bed. Tom chuckled slightly when he heard it, turned off the light, and I was asleep before the door clicked shut.

—-

A gentle shake of my shoulder is what I wake up to, and I reluctantly peel my eyes open. Tom is crouched next to my bed with a hand on my shoulder, the other folded under his chin. I smile sleepily, and pull myself upright. He laughs quietly at me when I yawn and stretch, earning a glare from me. It is ineffective, if his now full blown laughter has anything to say about it. I can't really complain though. I love his laugh.

"Come on kitten. I had Mimsy run you a bath, the bathroom is through that door. There is a change of clothes on the counter. You can either eat here in your room when you want, or you can come join me in the sitting room for breakfast in two hours. You are welcome to use anything you see in here and the bathroom. We will be leaving after breakfast."

"Did you just call me kitten?" I ask with a heavy blush.

"Yeah. You looked like a kitten when you stretched. I think it fits rather well. You probably won't get rid of the nickname, so I wouldn't bother trying." He answers smugly.

I groan but get out of bed to take the much needed bath. He leaves me alone and when I walk into the bathroom, I let out a gasp at how nice it is. The bath is built into the floor with gold faucets. The walls are a deep purple and all metal in the room is gold, and the floors are a light purple color.

I see the change of clothes on the counter which seems to be a black stone with purple stone in some spots. I strip down and place the pajamas in a hamper where they disappear. The steamy water is warming the air and calling me towards it.

As I step in, my body instantly relaxes, the scent of lavender surrounding me. The soaps are all luxurious brands that I have never heard of. When I finish in the bath an hour later, I change and use a wandless drying charm on my hair after brushing it. A house elf then pops in the room.

"Does master Harry needs anything? Kipsy can be doing masters hair if he likes."

"I doubt you would be able to do anything with it. I have tried and this is the neatest anyone can get it." I brush a hand through my messy hair and Kipsy smiles widely.

"Kipsy is beings excellent hair dresser."

"If you want to try, then you're welcome to." Kipsy jumps and claps.

"Master Harry is very kind! Is Master Harry being ok with long hair? Kipsy can make it grow and style it."

"Um, sure. I never really considered having it long before, but we can always cut it again if I don't like it. Go ahead and style it in anyway you want." I say.

Suddenly there is a chair facing the mirror next to me, with a tall stool behind it. He prompts me into the chair and I let him do what he wants. I am ordered to keep my eyes closed while he does my hair. Then he insists to do a small amount of makeup. When he is done, I get to open my eyes, and when I do, I am happy with the way I look for the first time ever.

He did my makeup just so that my face didn't seem so pale and sunken from malnourishment. My straight brown hair is pulled half up. My robes are feminine cut, tan with green accents, a white shirt underneath, and brown trousers. I have on brown dragon hide boots with silver clasps.

"Master Harry sir, Masters breakfast is being ready soon. Is Kipsy bringing Master Harry down to eats withs Master Tom?"

"Yes please." I agree.

He takes my arm and with a pop we are standing in front of a large doorway that I saw in the sitting room yesterday. There is a square wood table that can seat up to twelve people. Tom is sitting at the table checking his reflection in a spoon. I giggle at the sight and he drops the spoon.

"Harry! I was just- just- Wow. You look amazing!" He exclaims causing me to blush and look down.

"Thank you. You look really nice too."

And it's the truth. He is wearing similar robes as me, but masculine cut and it outlines his figure wonderfully. He is wearing the same boots as me and his hair is spiked up.

"Come sit. Breakfast should be ready soon." He stands up and pulls out the chair next to him.

He motions for me to sit there, and he pushes my chair in for me. My face warms up even more and I fear that at this rate, I will permanently become a tomato.

The elves bring breakfast out, and my mouth waters at the biscuits and gravy placed on the plate in front of me. Two large dishes are set on the table between us, one holding gravy, the other biscuits, in case we want seconds.

Tom looks at me funny when he sees me looking at the food, then seems to realize something and begins to eat. I pick up my fork and put a warm bite in my mouth, forcing back a moan at the taste. He chuckles at something, but otherwise we eat in a comfortable silence.

When we are finished eating, the elves bring us each a cloak spelled to hide our identities from even Moody's eye. We walk outside of the wards, and are met with an elegant silver carriage with thestrals pulling it. The seats are Slytherin green and when we sit down, they are very comfortable.

"Keep your hood up for now. We don't want anyone to see you even disguised if we don't have to." I nod my head and pull the hood up.

"Why a carriage instead of aparation?"

"Because it's a beautiful day out. There is no sense in wasting it. For now, let's talk and enjoy the sun." He says smiling, and making my chest contract.

"Okay. Um, what's your favorite color?"

"I have two actually. Green and purple. Although I must admit I have been favoring green lately." He flashes a secretive smile. "What's yours?"

"Red and purple. Favorite food?" I ask. If I'm lucky, I will know how to make it. Then I can surprise him.

"Um, roast with potatoes, peppers, onions, and carrots cooked in the same pot."

"Mmm. That sounds good. I like the roast at Hogwarts, it's probably my favorite, but I never had it with all of that. Kids don't tend to eat much veggies so it's not surprising that the meat doesn't get cooked with them. I've always liked vegetables, but I also wasn't really able to be picky growing up." I say biting my lip.

"Well then we will have to have plenty with dinner tonight." I smile at him gratefully. "What do you like to do for fun?"

"Oh, uh, I usually just play quidditch or exploding snap. Stuff like that."

"Well, I have to work tomorrow, but the next day we can explore the grounds if you want. The place you're staying isn't nearly as big as Riddle Manor, but I find it's a lot more warm and comfortable. I call it the Haven in case you ever need to floo there."

"Can we have a picnic?! I've always wanted to have a picnic!"

"I don't see why not. I will have Lopsy pack one up for us. I know the perfect spot too. It'll be my first one too, so I can't promise it will be perfect, but it should still be fun."

I jump up and give him a hug, but the carriage hits a bump and I fall onto him.

—-Tom's POV—-

He jumps up to hug me, and falls on my lap. Looking down, I see him smiling sheepishly at me. I smile back but there is only one word I can use to describe the boy sitting on my lap with the sun pouring over his face, eyes glittering with joy and embarrassment, small loose strands of hair in his eyes, blush on his cheeks, and an innocent smile on his face; beautiful.

He climbs off my lap far too soon, and I am left to my thoughts.

Last night, I realized that Harry James Potter, the one who's parents I killed, the one I have been trying to kill for fifteen years, is my soulmate. It didn't take much. I always thought he was beautiful, but yesterday, when he was telling me about his past, what those bastards did to him, I could hardly keep myself from going over there and killing them right then.

I would have, if he hadn't begun crying. I sat there shocked for a moment, listening as he told me things even worse than before, knowing there was only one reason for me to feel quite that overprotective over him. As soon as it hit me, I was acting on instinct and I pulled him onto my lap and comforted him as he broke down for what was likely the first time ever.

When we go to Gringotts, which will be our first stop of many, I will get 1500 Galleons. That should be a sufficient amount to spoil him with, because he deserves the world, and a new wardrobe, personal library, quidditch set, the newest, most reliable broom with personal charms, and even decorations for his room. I may be going a little overboard, but he has gone through hell and back, and he deserves a life of luxury from now on.

—-Harry's POV—-

The rest of the ride is quiet, the only noises being the yelp I let out as we pass through some kind of portal to get to wizarding London, and Tom's laughter because of it. Otherwise, he sits there staring off into space, his face changing to match his thoughts. It gives me a chance to study him closer.

When we finally arrive, there is one other, less fancy, carriage pulled by horses, and a few muggle looking cars, but are more likely flying cars like what the Weasley's had. Tom climbs out and offers me his hand, helping me out with a warm grin.

"I hope you don't mind, but I would prefer we act like a couple in public right now. I don't want you to stray far from me, and people wouldn't look twice if they saw a couple out. They will look away for privacy reasons."

He sounds smug, and I can tell because of the bond that it's just an excuse to be near me. I blush heavily considering the implications, but gladly feign ignorance.

"Alright." I agree.

He offers me his arm and I take it, pressing closer to him to seem more intimate. It definitely has nothing to do with the wonderful scent of rosemary, mint, and earth that follows him, nor does it have anything to do with the pleasurable sparks that shoot through me from where my shoulder is touching his arm. He leads me through Diagon Alley, and over to Gringotts. We get to a teller, and Tom requests the head goblin for help with an emancipation. Another goblin leads us to an office where we take seats on the couch facing the desk where a goblin with the nameplate Ragnok is sitting.

"What can I do for you today?" He asks without looking up from his paperwork.

"Good morning sir. I apologize for bothering you today, but we are here with a request for emancipation on the grounds of abuse and neglect."

The goblin looks up surprised, before studying Tom a little closer.

"Tom? Is that you?"

"It is. It's good to see you again old friend. Harry, this is Ragnok. He helped me get emancipated a year before coming of age so I didn't have to live at Wools Orphanage anymore. Ragnok, this is Harry James Potter."

"Well, you two make an odd pair. I can't say I ever thought I'd see the two of you in the same room without trying to kill each other, let alone seeming to be on friendly terms with each other."

"Yes, I think all of the wizarding population would have to be in the same boat. We had a bit of heart to heart last night, and Harry has secretly joined the dark. I am telling you all of this under the assumption that it will remain confidential."

"You know that it will. Now, you mentioned emancipation. May I have more details?"

Tom looks at me in question, and I take a deep breath, showing that I will be the one to explain. He smiles proudly, yet sadly at the same time, and takes my hand to show support.

"I have only told two people about this. One was Tom, and the other was Dumbledore. Dumbledore said that I had to go back for the greater good. I think that's his excuse for everything if I'm being honest. Anyway, growing up with my muggle relatives was by no means... pleasant. My "room" was the cupboard under the stairs, and I always had chores. By the time I was five years old, I had all the chores in the house, and I made all the meals by the time I was seven.

"The beatings started when I was three. Before that it was just a smack here and there. I had preformed accidental magic because I was jealous that my cousin got toys and I didn't. One of them started floating towards me, and I got ten lashings of Vernons belt for it."

I freeze when a hand wipes a tear I hadn't noticed from my eye. I look up to see Tom with a worried look, but I shake my head gently.

"After that, everything that got done even remotely wrong in my chores was punished. A few months after I was given all the chores in the house, I started getting punished for things that weren't my fault. If Vernon lost a deal at work, I got twenty lashes and I lost a meal. I only got one small meal every three days as it was. When Petunia lost a bet, which happened often, I got hit in the chest with a frying pan a few times. I wasn't allowed to get better marks in school than Dudley or I'd get thirty lashings, then Dudley got to beat me up.

"At school, Dudley and his friends would play a game called Harry Hunting. Basically they would chase me, and when they caught me, they would all beat me up at once. I didn't know my name until school. When I went back after my first year at Hogwarts—" I take a deep breath, but look over when Tom squeezes my hand.

"Why don't you go clean up in the bathroom while I tell him that part?"

"Okay. Thank you."

"When you leave this room, turn left then left again when the hallway ends. The bathroom is the third door on the right." Ragnok explains.

"Thank you."

I follow his directions and walk up to the sink to splash water on my face. Thank the gods that Kipsy put a stasis charm on my makeup so it wouldn't smudge or come off with water. Taking a few deep breaths, I use the restroom and wash my hands. I wait another moment to collect myself and make sure they have enough time to finish before I come back, then I slowly walk back to the office.

"—mates." Tom is finishing saying something when I walk in. "Harry. Are you better?"

"Yes, thanks." I reply, taking my seat next to him.

"Well Mr. Potter, I believe that your circumstances will be more than enough to get you emancipated. Shall we do the inheritance test now so we can get that done before noon. After that you will have to wait until tomorrow before you become a legal adult." At my agreement, he pulls out a parchment, a quill, and a potion. "Prick your finger with the quill, and let seven drops fall into the potion. Then use the potion as ink and place the quill over the parchment. It will write the information and the parchment will grow as long as necessary. It will show your identity, parents and godparents, any creature inheritances, your mate if you have one, lordships and heirships, injures, and any potions, spells or blocks placed on you unwillingly or unknowingly."

I follow his directions as he explains what it will show, not really paying attention to it.

Name: Hadrian Severus Snape

False Name: Harry James Potter (goblin approved for child's safety)

Mother: Lily Jasmine Potter nee Evans

Father: Severus Tobias Snape

Adoptive Father: James Charlus Potter (adopted for child's safety)

Blood Type: Half Blood

Godfather(s): James Potter, Sirius Lupin née Black, Remus Lupin

Godmother(s): Alice Longbottom, Narcissa Malfoy nee Black

Creature: Submissive- Dark Elf(Mother), Demon(Father)

Mate: Tom Marvolo Riddle

Heirships:

Black

Lupin

Prince

Le Fay

Lordships:

Potter

Peverell

Gryffindor

Hufflepuff

Ravenclaw

Ambrosias

Death

Injuries:

(Not going to list all of his injuries, just assume it took a lot of parchment)

Potions:

Blood adoption- keyed to James Potter. Administered by James Potter.

Loyalty- keyed to Albus Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, Ronald Weasley, Ginerva Weasley, and Gryffindor. Administered by Albus Dumbledore.

Hate- keyed to Tom Riddle, Severus Snape, Malfoys, Slytherin, dark wizards, and neutral wizards. Administered by Albus Dumbledore.

Love- keyed to Ginerva Weasley. Administered by Albus Dumbledore, Ginerva Weasley, Molly Weasley, and Ronald Weasley.

Submission- keyed to Dursley's, Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, Ginerva Weasley, Ronald Weasley. Administered by Albus Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, Ginerva Weasley, and Ronald Weasley.

Poor Eyesight- administered by Albus Dumbledore

Spells/Charms:

Glamour- to appear like the child of Lily and James Potter

Slack off- administered by Albus Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, Ginerva Weasley, and Ronald Weasley.

Hero Complex- administered by Albus Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, Ginerva Weasley, and Ronald Weasley.

Attract Danger- administered by Albus Dumbledore.

Learning Impairment- administered by Albus Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, Ginerva Weasley, and Ronald Weasley.

Hatred of Potions- administered by Albus Dumbledore.

Blocks:

Magic 95% blocked

Inheritance 100% blocked

Animagus 100% blocked

Learning Ability 65% blocked

All blocks administered by Albus Dumbledore.