Harry's POV;
He creeps out of bed, leaving a still sleeping Tom in the room before walking downstairs. He sees Sirius sitting in the kitchen with the Daily Prophet, the regular breakfast stalled out in front of him and a cup of coffee. As soon as Sirius sees Harry, his eyes glow up, and Harry can see he's dying to say something, but Harry promptly pushes a croissant in his open mouth. He doesn't want to hear it. He just knows that Sirius must have seen what happened yesterday.
''Sirius, the Black's still have an island somewhere, right?'' He asks like nothing is the matter while taking a sip from the tea Dobby just put in front of him. His head is killing him right now. He needs tea and food.
Sirius looks confused but nods while trying to swallow a bite of croissant. Harry claps his hands and fakes a grin. ''Great! I'm going to live there in a cabin in the jungle, don't write unless it's an emergency. Bye now!'' He stands and almost sprints out of the kitchen when he hears Sirius scrambling after him.
But before he can leave the kitchen, Remus walks in, grabs his arm to pull him back to the kitchen island, and pushes him into a seat. Harry is definitely not pouting while he's being manhandled back to his seat.
Harry tumps his head on the granite and groans. ''I'm so stupid.''
''Now, Harry, you couldn't know that Darkthorn's daughter was that desperate and would roofie the wine.'' Remus tries to console him, he even adds a head pat, but it only adds to Harry's panic.
''SHE DID WHAT?!'' He shrieks. He can admit to shrieking. It was the only description for the high-pitched yell that came out of him.
Remus flinches, and Harry pats his wrist in consolement, he forgot that it's almost the full moon. Remus's hearing is even better during that time of the month.
Oh-oh Godric. Remus may have heard them... Harry remembers a door slamming...
''What the hell did she want to achieve?'' Harry hisses with a beet red head, not wanting to look Remus in the eye right now. It was bad enough that Sirius probably saw a lot more than he bargained for yesterday.
''Line theft,'' Sirius replies with a dark look.
Harry looks at his godfather and sees the twist in his lips. ''Was she arrested?'' Harry asks with a glint in his eyes.
''Not yet, but my contact in the Ministry just sent me an owl that she wasn't at home when they came looking for her.'' Sirius stirred his coffee.
''What about your other contacts?'' Harry asked in an air of nonchalance, but everybody in the kitchen knew he was seething in rage. They also knew that with 'other contacts,' Harry meant the wizards in attending yesterday, in other words, the witches and wizards who are on the darker side of the spectrum.
''You know that they don't spill the beans if something like this happens. If she's found by the end of the day, it would be quick, especially because she didn't limit herself to just one house. She spiked almost everyone's drink. Even asked the house-elves for help, who were too afraid to say no.'' Sirius muttered darkly.
Harry's anger cooled down significantly. But a question was still jumping around in his mind. ''Were Tom and I the primary targets?'' He asked in almost a whisper. They were the youngest Lords in attendance yesterday, and the heirs in attendance were minors.
Sirius looks sympathetically. ''Yes, you were, from what I've heard. She made a deal with a couple of her friends who are single or not yet pregnant by their own spouses.'' Sirius's face twisted at that, and he gripped Remus's hand while stroking his thumb over Remus's knuckles.
Harry feels sick to his stomach. They wanted to rape Tom, try to get in his pants so they could get pregnant from him, try to steal his riches and name only for their own benefit. Yeah, Harry understood that they wanted to do the same to him, but in his mind, Tom was more important.
Tom had been through enough.
''But thankfully, you both weren't interested in any of the advances thrown at you,'' Sirius said in an amused voice, making Harry's head snap up and see red.
''No-'' Harry spat. Making Sirius and Remus both take a step back at the vehemence. ''- no , Tom and I both were so drunk on the drugs she shoved at us that we jumped each other. Something we both didn't want.'' He declares while seething in rage.
Harry is breathing hard in through his nose. He needs to get out of here. He turns around and freezes when he sees Tom in the doorway, looking at him with a blank face.
''You're right-'' Tom says in a calm voice, and somehow it feels like a punch to the gut, but Harry keeps it together and doesn't show anything on his face. ''-So who was it that drugged us?'' Tom asks casually, but Harry can't stand to stay here anymore. He hears Remus and Sirius describing what happened again, and he walks out of the kitchen while only half-listening to the others talking.
He makes his way to his bedroom before ripping off the clothes he had pulled on in a rush just an hour ago when he woke up with Tom still in his arms.
Harry had taken about five minutes for himself to look at the man in his arms after he woke up. Wondering if he could ever have anything like it again. It felt amazing to have Tom in his arms, but after his talk in the kitchen, it was clear that Tom hadn't wanted it. That he was only drugged and Harry was the one nearest to him.
Tom hadn't wanted Harry the same way Harry had wanted Tom, and it hurt. At first, he already thought that he had made a mistake. He didn't want to lose the friendship he had with Tom, even if he hoped that Tom wouldn't mind, that Tom would want to do it again, and again, and again.
But then Sirius told him about the drugged drinks, and he knew that Tom hadn't wanted this.
He was just as bad as the daughter of Lady Darkthorn and her friends. He had taken something from Tom that Tom hadn't wanted to give.
Harry stumbled to his bathroom before falling to his knees next to the toilet and retching.
After his stomach was empty, he stepped under the shower, glad for the magic that made the temperature just like he needed. Scalding hot.
He probably lost some time, and his skin was starting to prune, but he did feel better when he finally left the shower.
Harry needed to get out of the house. A hiss grabbed his attention when he came back into his room only to find Nagini lounging on his bed.
''What are you doing here?'' Harry hissed in Parseltongue. A little bit wary of the snake at the moment. He didn't want to think about Tom for a while, and having Nagini here was not helping.
''Master is being an ass.'' She hissed back but didn't elaborate anymore, so Harry just shrugged.
''I'm leaving the house for today. You are free to lounge on the bed.'' He said before changing into muggle clothing.
Nagini didn't respond, but Harry hadn't expected her to. After looking into the mirror, he deemed himself fine before apparating from his bedroom to the alley behind Hermione's house.
He knocked on the door politely and was met with a beaming Hermione. She hugged him tight before pulling back and narrowing her eyes at him. She had to be smart, didn't she?
''Harry! What are you doing here?''
''Kidnapping my best friend for a muggle day without talking about certain members of the wizarding society. You in or out?'' He responded, making Hermione purse her lips before smiling.
''Fine, I'm in, so which ones need to be ignored today?'' She said, pulling Harry into the house so she could write a note to her parents.
''Every member that's living with me at the manor and the high-class asses of the Wizengamot.'' Harry decided on, he nodded to himself, he could live with everything else.
Hermione rolled her eyes but agreed. Then Harry apparated them to the wizarding district in Italy. He was done with Britain for today. Lady had shown him the wizarding district there, and it was beautiful.
Hermione was too enraptured with the wizarding district and the fact that they were in Italy to really question anything that had made Harry run away for the day.
They stayed the whole day and even had dinner in Italy before Hermione asked Harry to take her home before her parents would get worried.
Harry thanked Hermione by hugging her tight and wishing her good luck in her first week at school because Hogwarts would start the following week already.
He then apparated home. All the thoughts he had blocked out for the day came crashing back in. He sighed when he stood in front of his wardrobe again before turning around while pulling his shirt over his head.
Only to freeze when he saw that he wasn't alone in his bedroom.
''Tom?'' He asked in an unsure voice. He wasn't completely ready to talk to Tom right now. The day away had helped Harry, but facing Tom right now made him sick again.
Tom stood from the bed he had been lounging on with Nagini, vanishing the book he had been reading.
''I wanted to talk about yesterday,'' Tom said in a no-nonsense tone. Harry knew that he had no chance of escaping whatsoever. Tom had probably waited for Harry in his room for that exact reason.
Harry swallowed back bile but nodded. ''Yes, we should probably talk about what happened.''
Tom shook his head and made a gesture with his hand to wave the conversation away.
''We know what happened. We were drugged, and we don't need to talk about that. We need to talk about putting a lid on anything that could leak after our indiscretions .'' His face twisted in a sneer as if remembering what happened between them disgusted him.
Harry looks away from Tom, not wanting to give away how he thought about what had happened.
''Yes, of course. What do you propose?'' Harry asked in his most detached voice. He could handle this as long as he had time for himself when Tom was out of his room. Salazar... Tom had been lying on his bed. He was torturing Harry right now.
''I handled it with Pudgemore and Skeeter. There will be no article mentioning us, but they are publishing a story about the attempted line theft and discrediting the Darkthorne family. It will surprise me if Lady Darkthorne isn't kicked out of the Wizengamot at the next meeting.'' Tom told Harry.
Harry frowned but nodded. It was what they deserved.
''It seems to me like you have it handled already,'' Harry replied, noticing he was still in only jeans. He fiddled a little with the shirt he had been wearing.
''We only need to make sure that no one saw us together. If I remember correctly, we didn't do anything discriminating until we left the party, but we -'' Tom paused for a moment, and Harry glanced at him, only to see that Tom was looking outside, not at Harry. ''-were close while dancing. It was improper, and if anyone has ill will against us, we need to take action.'' Tom explained, and Harry nodded.
''I don't remember much, mostly - mostly you. And Sirius said that almost everyone had fallen victim to the drugged wine. So maybe no one noticed what happened between us.'' Harry said, feeling like the words left a sour taste in his mouth.
Tom was silent for a moment. ''That could be, but I think we need more action, so I was thinking we need to answer some courting proposals that have been sent our way. Make it clear that we are searching for proper wives and ready for marriage. It should take the heat off us for anything others might think are improper.'' Tom says in almost a cheery voice, but Harry sees right through it. Tom didn't want to respond to any proposals, just like Harry didn't want to. But he couldn't tell Tom that.
''Fine. I will start looking at it with Sirius tomorrow. I will also take it up with Death when I have a selection. He wants to approve anyone because of the secrets around me and the Master of Death thing.'' Harry replied, wanting this conversation to be over so he could crash to his bed and not wake up until absolutely necessary.
Tom's face twitched, and a dark look crossed his face.
''I will do the same, but I will take it up with Remus and Lady Magic. Because of my reincarnation, it will be tough to find someone - sane - to agree to everything that involves me.'' Tom said with a frown.
Harry nodded in understanding. Yes, it would be a bitch to explain to anyone that Tom was Voldemort, but now sane and not twisted like he had been, everyone will probably go running and screaming for the hills after hearing that. There was no reason to lie to Tom. ''Yes, it will, but if we start courting witches now, we still have a couple of years for them to come to terms,''
Tom looked Harry in the eye before nodding. The gaze was full of suppressed emotions, something Harry couldn't deal with right now.
Harry looked away. ''I'm going to bed.''
''Right. Goodnight, Harry,'' Tom said softly before walking towards the door.
Harry couldn't help but watch him go before he blurted out. ''I'm sorry.''
Tom's posture went rigid. He didn't look back at Harry before he nodded and whispered, ''me too.''
Before Harry could ask what Tom was sorry for, he was already out of the door.
Harry groaned and fell onto his bed only to startle by a hiss.
''Idiots. I'm surrounded by idiots,'' Nagini hissed before slithering out of bed and out of the door.
Harry used wandless magic to close the door with a bang after her.
Tom's POV;
Sleep doesn't take Tom as easy as yesterday. He was moving restlessly in his bed, feeling torn by the events of the day.
He woke up peacefully, now, this was not a new thing since he got therapy with Lady Magic, but the dreams he had that night had made him feel amazing, invincible, on top of the world, only to have that feeling crushed as soon as he entered the kitchen.
Hearing Harry rant about how they both hadn't wanted what had happened to them had made Tom want to protest. He wanted everything that had happened, even if he had thought it was a dream at first. To know it hadn't been a dream was at first wonderful, but hearing Harry say that he hadn't wanted what happened between them had taken Tom's breath away. And not in a good way.
He remembered everything from the night before, and Harry had participated just as enthusiastically as Tom had. But it was clear that it was only the drugged drink talking on Harry's side.
Tom knew that Harry hadn't done anything sexual with anyone in his life. So Tom had yet again taken something from Harry that he couldn't return. His first experience with someone would be forever tainted by what Tom had done.
He jumped out of bed, terrorized by his own thoughts. He wanted to hurt something, let his magic go, and bring pain to something or someone. Everything he had with Harry was ruined! Everything he was building up was imploding around him.
Harry had run during the day, but Tom had stayed and fixed the biggest fallout. Now it was his time to run.
He was ready to apparate to the Malfoy mansion before he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Lady Magic stopping him. He hadn't heard her appear, but if Lady didn't want to be noticed, there was nothing you could do about it.
''You can't go and hurt someone, Tom.'' She stated calmly.
He bared his teeth at the deity. ''Why the bloody hell not?! Malfoy probably knows where the Blackthorne welp is. She will deserve anything that is coming to her!'' He thundered.
''She is already getting what she deserves. You need to step away from this.'' The deity said in a level-headed voice.
''I can't!'' Tom put his hands in his hair and ran his fingers through it. Looking probably unhinged.
She cupped the back of his head before speaking again. ''You weren't the only one who was hurt-''
Tom snapped his glare to her and ripped himself out of her soft comfort. ''I don't care what she did to me! She hurt Harry! She made ME hurt Harry!'' He roared.
Lady stood for a moment, too stunned to speak.
''I already hurt him enough. I promised him and myself that I wouldn't hurt him again! And now, because of some bitch that only wants a name and some riches, I hurt him again. He doesn't deserve any of this!'' Tom yelled, now panting from the rage he felt in himself.
Lady Magic was still rooted to the floor before holding out a hand as if to touch Tom, but Tom pulled out of her reach, not done with ranting just yet.
''I used him, and at first, I didn't even care because it was everything I wanted, but he didn't want it! Harry didn't want me! '' At the last exclamation, his voice broke, and he fell to his knees.
''He didn't want me.'' He whispered brokenly only to find himself in the arms of Lady Magic. Tom's last resolve broke, and he let out a sob against Lady Magic's shoulder. Unbelievably glad that nobody could hear him due to the silence wards on every room.
Lady Magic held him tightly, and Tom let tears fall against her, but he didn't make any sounds anymore.
He didn't know when he had fallen asleep, but he felt at least a little rested when he woke up. There was no evidence of his breakdown in Lady Magic's arms, and he woke up in his own bed. Alone.
Tom knocked on the banister of the door to Harry's office. He and Harry hadn't exactly avoided each other since the Blackthorne's fiasco, but they haven't been back to the same easy companionship they had before.
They both had multiple conversations with Sirius, Remus, Death, and Lady Magic and had found a couple of suitable witches. Tom was repulsed, and Lady told him he could also ask for courting proposals from wizards instead of witches, but he needed to make sure the Slytherin line continued. He didn't want to disappoint anyone anymore.
He knew that same-sex wizarding marriages were possible now, but that didn't mean it wasn't frowned upon. That was one of the reasons why Remus and Sirius hadn't been public. Well, that and the fact that Remus was a werewolf and Sirius was an inbred pureblood. It will kick up a giant storm when they finally came out.
Harry couldn't wait until it came out. The little mischief-maker.
Tom shook himself when Harry gave him permission to enter.
''Have you received any letters from Hermione?'' Tom asked, deciding to not dance around the subject. He didn't really want to see any pity in Harry's eyes, and he had a courting date later, so a little hurry was appropriate. Even if he would rather stab himself than marry a witch. Well. Those were his own concerns.
Harry seemed to still be in the middle of his work because his eyes were a little glazed. He shook his head as if to get his thoughts straight.
''Not that I can remember. I think the last time I received one was last week, but this is her OWL year, and we both know that Hermione will be already stressed. Even if it's just October.'' Harry said with a chuckle.
Tom frowned. He knew that Harry was right, but still, something felt off.
''Mh, last week was the last time I heard from her too. I asked her for her opinion on the new creature agreement we want to propose. I know how passionate she is about it. So it just seems strange that she hasn't responded.'' Tom mused.
That got Harry's attention, and he finally looked Tom in the eye. ''That is nothing like her indeed. Could it be that her letters can't reach us? Maybe it's Dumbledore's plan to stop our correspondence, making it seem like I don't care about her. With the recent alliances I got in the Wizengamot, it could seem like I wouldn't want a muggle-born friend.'' Harry said while walking around his desk and planting his hip against the desk. Harry had made new alliances with some of the darker families. Bonding over the fact of what the Darkthorne's had done.
Tom licked his lips. Harry looked amazing when he was all professional-like.
He then thought Harry's words over, and it could be possible.
''We can check Hogwarts for letter wards. I have the right to be on the premises without invitation with me being a Hogwarts heir.'' Tom said with a smirk. Harry chuckled, and Tom took a deep breath before swallowing. He loved hearing Harry laugh. The last couple of weeks had been hard for him.
''And would you like a tour through Hogwarts while you're there?'' Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
''I would be honored to be led through Hogwarts by last year's Triwizarding Champion and proclaimed Dragon King!'' Tom exclaimed with a mischievous wink. It would help his story that it will seem like he didn't know Hogwarts.
''Oh bloody hell, please don't say that name again.'' Harry groaned, earning only laughter in response. It felt good to joke with each other again.
Tom turned serious again. ''When do you have the time to go there?''
Harry casted a tempus to see what time it was. ''I have time now.''
Tom contemplated if he should go to Hogwarts today and cancel his courting date or go to his date and go to Hogwarts tomorrow. The choice wasn't that hard.
''I need to send off a letter first, but after I'm free,'' Tom responded.
Harry nodded with a smile, seeming almost giddy to go to Hogwarts. Tom could relate, Hogwarts had been his first home, and from Harry's stories, it had the same meaning to him.
Tom made his way to his own office and quickly sent a letter to heiress Eastvine. This would have been their first courting date, but Tom didn't mind canceling it.
He may have canceled a couple of his dates. All with good reasons, of course.
When he entered Harry's office again, he saw that Harry had changed his clothes. Less official wizarding robes and more mundane muggle suits. Tom's breath caught when he saw Harry was wearing Slytherin colors.
They matched his eyes and raven hair. That Harry had ever been sorted in Gryfindor was truly a travesty for the human eye.
''Good idea,'' Tom said, and he waved his hand in an elegant motion to change his own clothes. It was a little more old-fashioned, but Tom liked the old-fashioned suits more. Probably because he was born in another time. Tom straightened out his colbert before looking at Harry again.
Harry's pupils were a little dilated, which Tom only could see because they were pretty close to each other without him noticing.
''Are you ready, Harry?''
Harry looked away from Tom and coughed before nodding. Tom held out his hand, and Harry rolled his eyes but still accepted Tom's hand. Tom suppressed a shiver when he felt Harry's warm hand in his. He quickly apparated them both to Hogsmeade and mourned the loss of Harry's hand when they broke apart.
They silently made their way to the gates, deciding without words that they would walk to Hogwarts from the Hogsmeade village.
Tom enjoyed the walk and smiled at the sight of his old school. They walked closely by the lake, and Tom saw one of the nymphs wave at them.
What they didn't see, however, were students. Like none at all. Which was strange for a Saturday. It was still pleasant outside, so Tom expected to see lots of students at the lake, maybe studying or goofing around, maybe there was a Quidditch game or something, but when he looked towards the Quidditch pitch, the stands were empty, as was the field.
He stopped Harry with a hand on his arm. ''Where is everyone?''
It seemed like he had pulled Harry out of his own head because Harry looked around with a surprised expression.
''I have no idea,'' Harry mumbled. They looked at each other and decided to make haste towards the castle.
Even the entrance hall was empty. They both didn't want to deal with teachers, so they cast notice me not charms on themselves.
It was not time for diner just yet, so the Great Hall was empty too, but Tom could remember that there always was someone in the Great Hall, sometimes teachers but always one or two students playing a game if their own common room was full or something.
''I don't like this,'' Harry said, and Tom could hear the worry.
''Me neither. Let's go to Snape. Talk to him.'' Tom whispered, but when he turned around, he was surprised by a wall full of frames with rules.
He took a couple of steps closer to read a couple.
Decree no. 32 - All students Need To Report To High Inquisitor When Gaining Detention.
Decree no. 2 - Any Literature By Non-Wizards Or Half Breeds Is Banned Forthwith.
Decree no. 14 - Any Student Found In Possession Of A Spell-Check Charmed Quill Will Be Severely Punished.
Decree no. 92 - Any Student Found In Possession Of Sweets From Unauthorized Suppliers Will Be Expelled.
Decree no. 55 - All Weasley Products Will Be Banned Immediately.
Decree no. 121 - Wands To Be Confiscated From Students Casting Recreational Spells. All Magical Objects To Be Held By High Inquisitor Until Further Notice.
And it went on and on.
''What the actual fuck.'' He heard Harry hiss. He looked to the other wizard, or at least where his voice sounded from. He gasped when he felt Harry's magic surround him. Harry mostly had a tight leash on his magic. With the extra powers he had, it was necessary, but it was clear that Harry was emotional. It was when his control slipped sometimes.
''What is it, Harry?'' Tom asked. He reached out his hand and felt his hand connect to Harry's shoulder. It was also when Harry's notice me not charm fell. Harry just pointed towards one of the decrees.
Decree no. 7 - Students Must Consent To Have Their Post Checked For Illegal Contraband.
''That High Inquisitor is using this decree as an excuse to check students their post,'' Tom said in understanding after reading the decree.
''I think Hermione is in trouble,'' Harry said through gritted teeth.
Tom squeezed Harry's shoulder. ''We will fix it, come on. Let's find Snape. He will know more about this.''
Harry nodded and casted his notice me not charm again. They quickly made their way to Snape's office.
They knocked on Snape's office door after checking if the coast was clear. It didn't take long for Snape to open the door. He sneered when he saw no one. They both took that as an invitation to cancel their charms. Snape blanched for a moment, and Tom knew that he was smirking in response to startling Snape.
''Get in.'' Snape hissed before rechecking the corridor if it was really empty and closing the door, immediately warding it.
''What are you two imbeciles doing here?'' Snape said with a scowl.
''Now, now, Severus, we thought we were friends,'' Harry said in a dark voice. Tom shivered in response. He loved it when Harry got a little dark. Mostly because Tom was so open to Dark magic, he needed to feel it sometimes. Not bad Dark magic, of course. He was done with that. But he was the Dark Lord or would be again soon enough. Dark magic was something that made him feel good.
''Potter -'' Snape started to growl.
''Severus. What is happening in the school?'' Tom intercepted. He didn't want Harry to kill Snape. He was still of use.
Snape seemed to sigh with his whole body before gesturing to two seats.
They both took one and were surprised when Snape floated timber glasses with Fire Whiskey towards them.
''The High Inquisitor-'' Snape sneered even more than they were used to. ''-is taking over the school, Dumbledore isn't doing anything, and she is dictating the entire school. She is handing out detentions left and right, students are scared of her, they won't even talk to their Heads of house. She is doing something to them, but we can't prove anything. And again, Dumbledore isn't doing anything!'' Snape sneered, clearly distraught with whatever was happening.
''Handing out detentions and students being scared of a teacher is not something new, now is it, Severus?'' Harry said in response with a glare. Snape rubbed his face with both his hands.
''Potter - Peverell, Harry , I know I was wrong, I am bettering myself, but she is even worse than I was,'' Snape said, and Tom was inclined to believe him.
Harry sat back in the chair while swirling his drink.
''You said you can't prove anything. What are the suspicions of what she's doing to the students?'' Harry asked.
''We think she is threatening the students to keep silent, and we think that she's using a blood quill on them,'' Snape said. Tom went rigid, and Harry seemed to freeze next to him.
''We came here today because Hermione isn't responding to our letters and we were worried. Are you telling me my best friend, my sister , is being tortured inside this school?'' Harry asked in a voice that could freeze hell.
''Harry-'' Snape tried, but Harry slashed his hand through the air to silence Snape.
''Were. Is. Hermione?'' Harry seethed. Tom put a hand over his mouth because the smile he had on his face was not appropriate for the current situation. It's just that he secretly loved it if Harry lost a little control.
''She has detention today with the Weasley twins, Luna Lovegood and Lavender Brown, Draco would have had detention too, but she's not strong enough to go after a Dark, pureblood family.'' Snape quickly explained.
Tom narrowed his eyes.
''Who is she? Who is the High Inquisitor?'' Tom asked.
''Dolores Umbridge.''
''The pink toad.'' Harry and Tom said at the same time.
Harry's POV;
Harry was ready to get some heads rolling, especially if something was happening to Hermione. He stormed out of Snape's office, making his way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts office. Tom ran up behind him.
''Harry-''
But Harry didn't stop. Tom had been avoiding him. He knew he had, Tom knew he was doing it, and Harry had had enough. Finding out that someone was probably hurting Hermione was the icing on the cake. The anger and helplessness he had felt the last couple of weeks came to a boiling point.
He started walking faster, wanting to help his sister in all but blood.
''Harry!'' Tom whisper-shouted, not wanting to gain any attention from other teachers while they were there.
Again Harry didn't react. He was seeing red. Suddenly a hand came down on his arm and pulled him to a stop. Tom was a little flushed when he stepped in front of Harry.
''You can't just go in and kill the woman!'' Tom hissed in his face.
''Watch me-''
But before Harry could step around Tom, Tom stopped him. ''No, I'm not going to watch you. You will end up in Azkaban, and what about all those plans you had for us? What about those? You are willing to throw everything away because-''
''Because she's hurting Hermione! I couldn't protect you, but I can protect her, so let me go!'' Harry roared, satisfied when Tom seemed shocked by the turn of events.
When Harry wanted to step around Tom again, he found himself blocked again. He groaned in annoyance, but then Tom started speaking.
''From what exactly did you feel the need to protect me from?'' Tom asked in a steady voice. Harry shivered from the detached voice Tom used.
Harry threw up his hands and sighed. ''Darkthorne, she wanted to use you, and I couldn't stop it, even worse because of her I used you. And now you can't even stand to see my face-'' Harry knew he was starting to ramble, but he just couldn't stop.
''Harry-''
''-and now you hate me because you didn't want me-''
''Harry!''
''-And I'm so fucking sorry, Tom, I know you didn't want it, but it was the best fucking thing that ever happened to me-''
''Potter!''
''I even can put some distance between us, if you want that after this, but I can't let anything happen to Hermione, she's like my sister-'' Words faltered him when Tom's lips interrupted his rambling. Harry was completely shocked and didn't move until Tom pulled away. He then made an embarrassing sound before grabbing Tom's jacket and pulling him back in.
Tom let himself be pulled and sighed when their lips connected again. Harry didn't know how long they stood standing there, but that was fair. He was finally kissing Tom, completely sober! He reveled in the warm feeling that spread through his entire body. He opened his mouth and licked the seem of Tom's lips, asking for entrance, groaning when Tom let him in.
Tom then pulled back, again, and chuckled when Harry didn't want to let go. Tom put his hand on Harry's cheek, and Harry's breath hitched when he looked in those dark blue eyes.
'' I thought you didn't want me, and I couldn't bear it to see you the whole time when I couldn't touch or taste you again,'' Tom whispered the confession.
Harry was stunned before a moment, cursing himself because of the lack of communication. They could've done this for ages! ''Bloody hell, okay, we're going to stop that bitch from hurting Hermione, and then we're going back home, and we will not leave my room for the next two days.'' Harry breathed out. Tom grinned and quickly moved towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts office.
Harry's anger was gone, way too happy with the fact that Tom wanted him! Oh, bloody hell, Death had given him clues. Hell, Remus and Sirius had also given hints that he was doing something wrong. They had told him that he was being stupid and that he needed to talk to Tom about it, but Harry didn't want to make it even more awkward.
They finally reached the classroom, and Harry and Tom saw a pale blonde girl coming from the office. She was cradling her hand, and Harry could see that she was holding back tears.
''Are you okay?'' Harry asked immediately, canceling their notice me not charms while striding over to the girl. He looked at her but held his hands back a little, asking for permission to touch her without words. She gave him a dreamy smile before holding out her hands.
''Hello, Lord Potter - Peverell, Lord Slytherin, it seems that she was right.'' The girl hummed, making Harry frown.
''Uhm, what? And who are you?'' Harry asked. He received a dreamy smile again before she pulled her hand back and curtsied, ''my name is Luna Lovegood, and the only one who could've told me you were coming is Lady Magic, of course,'' She told them with absolute certainty.
Harry glanced at Tom, and he saw that they both had raised their eyebrows in question. Lady Magic didn't 'just' communicate with regular witches and wizards. If this girl got messages from Lady herself, she was special.
''Well, nice to meet you, Miss Lovegood. Are we correct to assume that Miss Granger and other students are still inside the office?'' Tom said because Harry was still too stunned to speak.
A sad look came over Luna's face, and Harry stepped forward again, taking her hand again and now seeing the letters that were engraved in angry red wounds. He clenched his jaw, the rage that had calmed down reared up again when he read, ' I must not dream.'
''Go to Madam Pomfrey. She will have Murtlap essence. It will help with the scarring and the cursed wounds.'' Harry told her and waited until she nodded before letting go. She turned back to them with another dreamy smile. ''I'm glad you two found each other. You both seem happy.'' Stunning the two wizards again before she made her way out of the classroom.
Harry shook his head, clearing his thoughts before pulling out his wand and cursed the fact that Dumbledore still had the Elder wand, but he still needed to wait before he could get the wand from the older wizard.
He tipped his head in the direction of the door, and Tom immediately copied and followed him.
They waited at the door for a moment, but they didn't hear anything, so Tom used a spell that most people had forgotten over time, a spell that was undetectable by most wards. It made a window with sound on a door or wall so you could see and hear what was happening inside that room. The people inside the room would not see anything wrong with the place the window spell was used on.
Inside they saw the pink toad standing in front of the room, looking quite smug while looking down on the students who were bent over the desks.
Harry saw Hermione's bushy hairs immediately. She was hunched over her desk, writing and clenching her other hand before shaking it as if to get rid of a cramp.
He also saw Fred and George in two other seats. They were both glaring at the witch in front, clearly wishing they could do anything to get out of this. Harry also saw Lavender. She was crying and wiping her face before hissing at the sting of her wounds because of the blood quill.
''Raise your hands. I will check if the message has sunk in this time.'' Umbridge said in a fake sweet tone with a smile on her face.
They all stopped writing and held out their hands for Umbridge to inspect. She first went to Fred, declaring he wasn't ready yet, before doing the same to George. They both were almost frotting at the mouth in rage, but Harry could see they were anchoring each other to not lose it. Harry couldn't make out the words that were now etched on their hands. Dear Godric, if Molly would find out about this... Hogwarts would be too small.
Umbridge then made her way to Lavender, who was still crying, silently, but still crying. ''Ah, dear, it seems like you've finally got the message. You can go, but I don't want to find any other magazines ever again, am I clear?'' Umbridge demanded, making Harry clench his teeth. She was punishing Lavender for a simple magazine? What the bloody hell did she think she was doing?!
Lavender scrambled out of her seat gathered her things before looking at Hermione, clearly hoping that she would come with her, but Umbridge was now standing next to Hermione and inspecting her hand.
Umbridge clicked her tongue in disapproval before smiling indulgently at Hermione. ''It seems like you haven't had learned your lesson. I need another twenty lines with 'I am not as smart as I think I am.' Miss Brown, you were dismissed.'' Umbridge said with a cool look at Lavender. Hermione also looked at Lavender and nodded at her that it was okay. But Harry saw red.
He stepped out of the way so Lavender could make her way out of the door. Tom stopped Lavender and silently ordered her to go to Madam Pomfrey. But Harry barely heard it. She seemed afraid but nodded and bolted out of the classroom. Then Harry made his way inside the room with Tom on his heels.
''Madam Umbridge. Care to explain what the bloody hell you're doing?'' Harry demanded, barely restraining himself from throwing a crucio at the witch.
''What are you doing here! You cannot be on Hogwarts grounds! It's illegal for w-''
''Oh shut up, you stupid old hag!'' Harry declared, earning a whoop from Fred and George.
Hermione watched with fear and relief etched on her face, and Tom quickly made his way towards her. She smiled at him when he carefully took her hand in his and drained her pain with a simple spell, he couldn't heal it because the wound was cursed, but he could take the pain away.
''You cannot talk to me like that! I'm the High Inquisitor! I am appointed by the Minister himself!'' Umbridge shrieked with wild eyes, aiming her wand at Harry.
Harry narrowed his eyes, so Fudge had also something to do with this, he couldn't see their endgame just yet, but he will find out.
''I can, and I will talk to you like this. You are torturing innocent students!'' Harry snapped.
Umbridge began to go red in the face, but Harry didn't care. ''You should listen to me, you filthy half-blood!'' Umbridge declared before shooting a spell at Harry, which was a grave mistake on her part of course.
Harry could've easily stopped the spell, but it wasn't necessary because Tom was now in front of Harry and blocked the spell with a look on his face that made it clear that Umbridge would get what was coming to her.
''Why don't we take this to the Great Hall? I think the students deserve some closure after being tortured and harassed for the past month.'' Tom declared cooly before binding Umbridge with just a flick of his wand and spinning her upside down. She was shrieking like a pig at the sudden change of events, but nobody in the room seemed to care.
''Oh! Just in time for dinner!'' Fred declared gleefully.
''Can we make it a dinner show?!'' George added with a grin. Harry rolled his eyes but chuckled. He waved his wand to silence the shrieking pink witch before dragging Hermione into a crushing hug.
''Are you okay, Mione?'' Harry whispered in her hair. Hermione shook her head and held on tight to him. They stood there for a moment, and Harry saw that Tom was having a little too much fun. He was waving his wand this way and that way, making Umbridge bounce all over the room. Of course, he was being encouraged by the twins.
''Fred, George, could you bring Hermione to Madam Pomfrey? We have already sent Luna and Lavender to her.'' Harry asked while pulling away from Hermione and smiling softly at her, hoping that he could show her that it would be okay.
The twins nodded but also pouted, not wanting to miss a thing of what was going to happen to Umbridge.
Harry sighed, ''I will get you the memory of what happens, deal?''
''Then, of course, we will-'' Fred started, and Harry groaned, already knowing this would become of their twin speak tangents.
''-escort, Miss Granger to the wonderful-''
''-helpful, amazing healer-''
''-but, we would like to give our thanks-''
''-to our two wonderful saviors-''
''-little Harri-kins is all grown up-'' George started to faux choke up at that, making Harry roll his eyes.
''-and such a handsome bloke he-'' Tom frowned at this, and Harry barely suppressed a laugh.
''-has become!'' They ended together. Hermione rolled her eyes before pecking Harry on the cheek. ''Be careful, Harry. I think Dumbledore also has something to do with this.'' She whispered, and he nodded in understanding.
She then made her way to Tom before also pecking him on the cheek, making him look surprised at her. She just smiled and shook her head in amusement. Hermione and Tom had become friends, but they didn't share hugs or anything the like. She was also one of the only ones that knew Tom's true identity.
At first, she had a hard deal with it, and it was extremely awkward, but after she had talked a couple of times with Tom, read had heated discussions with the man, she accepted the fact that he had changed for the better.
''Am I not getting a warning to be careful?'' Tom asked, sounding amused, but Hermione shook her head. ''No, just give her hell.'' She replied with a twinkle in her eye before making her way out of the office with Fred and George on her heels, acting like her personal bodyguards.
Harry turned to look at the toad again. It seemed like she was becoming green from all the bouncing around and screaming without a sound. He gave her a disgusted sneer.
''Let's go. I want to bring this -'' indicating Umbridge with a wave of his hand. ''-to the Aurors as soon as possible, and make sure the Prophet is aware, maybe they can even print an evening edition,'' He mused the last part with a smirk.
''Good thinking, Harry,'' Tom purred. Harry shot him a heated look, not having forgotten what he had promised as soon as they were back home.
Tom smirked knowingly before making his way out of the classroom with a bouncing Umbridge behind him. Harry quickly called upon his Patronus to call Madam Bones to Hogwarts with a couple of Aurors so they could hand Umbridge to them.
When they were in the entrance hall before the Great Hall, they saw multiple students make their way to dinner, all in perfect formation until they spotted the pink abomination behind the two wizards.
Whispers started, and yells of glee were heard, but Harry and Tom ignored them, still making their way to the Great Hall. All the students quickly followed, too curious about what was happening.
Most of the staff were already at the dining table, and Harry barely suppressed a sneer aimed at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore's eyes widened when he saw Tom and Harry enter with a bound and shouting Umbridge. Even if she was silenced, it was clear that she was screaming herself raw.
Tom practically threw Umbridge on the floor in front of the staff table, not caring in the least if she was hurt in the progress. Dumbledore stood and frowned at the young men.
''What are you doing? You can't just walk into this castle and hurt one of our teachers! I can and will make sure you are arrested for your crimes-'' Dumbledore started to demand, but Harry interrupted him.
''Oh, save it, Dumbledore.'' Harry sneered, making the whole hall go silent.
''You can't-'' Dumbledore started again, but Harry raised his hand in demand of silence, and Dumbledore stopped talking.
''We found out today that one of your teachers was dictating and torturing students of Hogwarts. We caught her in the act, and within a couple of minutes, Aurors will come here to arrest Madam Umbridge. We demand her immediate dismissal, or we will hold you responsible for her actions. We hope you weren't aware of any of her crimes; otherwise, we will bring you to justice too, Dumbledore.'' Tom declared, sounding at least a little official while Harry was a little too emotional for that right now.
''But we won't have a teacher for Defense Against the Dark Arts anymore,'' Dumbledore demanded, earning outraged cries from all over the room. It was McGonagall that stood now.
''Seriously, Albus! What that woman was doing could hardly be considered teaching! The students are better off without her, especially if the accusations are true!'' The woman declared with fire in her eyes. Harry couldn't suppress the feeling of disgust for Dumbledore that he only cared about the DADA post and not about the students themselves.
''They are. We have sent five students today to Madam Pomfrey, who will also verify this.'' Harry declared before turning to the other students that were now watching the spectacle.
''Please raise your hands if you have served detention from Umbridge and were hurt during those times.''
Two-thirds of the students raised their hands, no longer afraid of the consequences of tattling on the most hated teacher. Most of them had bandages on their hands.
Harry growls before turning back to the staff table. ''If you're so afraid that you're missing your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, then I will take the position gladly!'' He declared heatedly.
The staff table seemed shocked for a moment, but the students (mostly the girls) cheered.
''You don't have a teacher's license,'' Dumbledore spluttered in protest.
Tom chuckles darkly before responding to Dumbledore's protest. ''I can't imagine that the pink stain in front of us had one. And she was appointed by our dear Minister.''
''But Harry doesn't have that, and I will not employ him!'' Dumbledore then says with a glare aimed at Tom.
''If you won't, I will raise it with the Board of Governors. I'm sure they will all gladly accept him as a teacher for their children,'' Tom replies with a smirk, enjoying the spluttering of the old fool.
''You can't do that! You have no rights-'' As soon as Dumbledore stated that Tom had no rights, the enchanted ceiling thundered, making Tom smirk. Dumbledore froze and looked at the ceiling in regretful understanding but mostly disappointment.
''Actually, because I'm the only living descendant of the Hogwarts founders, I do have the rights. Even more so, I can appoint him right here right now, and it seems like Hogwarts agrees with me , Dumbledore. Not you.'' Tom sneers, making Harry duck his head with a smile. It seems like he has a new job.
They had plans for Hogwarts, but they wanted to make some progress in the Ministry before they would start those. But now they will start those plans sooner, not that it is a hardship, they only want the best with Hogwarts.
There is some ruckus behind them, and Harry turns to see Madam Bones and three Aurors making their way towards them through the students.
''What is going on here, Lord Potter - Peverell?'' She asks with a stoic look after seeing all the students gathered and the two Lords that have started a lot of her recent headaches with everything they were changing in the Ministry. All good things, thank the Gods, she seriously doubted that she could stop them if they started other businesses, but still, many, many headaches.
Harry bows to her before pointing at the pink stain on the floor, ''Madam Bones, we want you to arrest Madam Umbridge on the grounds of torturing minors. We have witnesses and evidence, but if you want to administer Veritaserum, we should go to the Wizengamot. I'm sure they would like to hear what Madam Umbridge has done to their children and others.'' He sneered.
Madam Bones seemed shocked for a moment before glaring at the witch in question. She then looked frantically around her until she found her niece, who was looking regretfully at her before stepping forward.
''Auntie, he's speaking the truth-'' Susan Bones then walked towards her aunt and showed her hand without the bandage. ''-I tried writing to you when it became bad, but when I didn't receive any answers, I figured out she was also blocking the mail.'' She told her aunt with a trembling lip.
Madam Bones inspected the almost closed wounds with flaring nostrils before turning a heated glare at Umbridge.
''You dared to torture my niece?!'' She hissed, all composure gone. Harry glanced at Tom and saw him suppressing a smirk.
Umbridge actually flinched at her tone but was still screaming under the silence spell. Not able to break it without her wand.
''I would ask if I should break the silence spell, but I'm afraid that everything she has to say will scar the students.'' Harry hummed, not even hiding his amusement.
Bones wordlessly waved her Aurors forward to arrest the pink bitch.
''I will see you in the Wizengamot in one hour.'' Bones declared before turning back to her niece, whispering to her.
Tom scraped his throat, getting her attention again. ''I'm sorry to interrupt you, Madam Bones, I understand that you're worried about your niece, but a lot of the students have been hurt by Madam Umbridge. So many that I think that Madam Pomfrey will be overwhelmed if they now all go to the hospital wing. Shall I ask assistance from St. Mungos?'' He proposed.
''Yes, Lord Slytherin, that would be much appreciated. But make sure they document every wound.'' Tom nodded, and Harry refrained from kissing the man again for such a good idea.
The healers from St. Mungos will definitely not be influenced by Dumbledore, which with Pomfrey, it was still debatable if she was loyal to Dumbledore or the students.
Tom then asked McGonagall if he could use her floo for the call to St. Mungos, something she was happy to assist in. While the Aurors took Umbridge away and Tom went with McGonagall, Bones turned back to the staff table with narrowed eyes.
''Why has none of the staff noticed this? While two Lords who were just visiting saw and took action within hours?'' It was clear that Madam Bones took this very seriously, and she was a little terrifying.
Dumbledore was dumbfounded with how quickly everything was spinning out of his control, and Harry tried not to look too smug.
It was Professor Flitwick that spoke with a glare aimed at Dumbledore. ''The students never came to us directly, and while we did question all the decrees Umbridge was starting, our complaints were not heard by the Headmaster, because according to him , the Ministry would know what they were doing,'' Flitwick said in a mocking tone, and the other teachers nodded in agreement.
You could really see the resemblance to his next of kin, the Goblins, at that moment because Professor Flitwick was livid.
''She also threatened to fire us when we did try to step in with detentions.'' Hagrid declared with a sniffle. Harry felt for his old friend. He was still deeply in Dumbledore's pocket, but Harry could see that Hagrid felt terrible for the students.
''Madam Bones, would this be a good time to add that Umbridge was named Head Inquisitor by the Minister? A position that made it so that she would have almost as much power as the Headmaster?'' Harry added innocently. He looked back at the students when he heard some sniggering, seeing that the older Slytherin students clearly saw straight through him and what he was doing.
Madam Bones hummed in acknowledgment. ''It would. Dumbledore, I assume you will be present with the hearing in an hour?'' She asked with narrowed eyes. Dumbledore could only nod, but his eyes shifted, and he glared at the person who walked in. When Harry turned, he saw that Dumbledore's glare was aimed at Tom, who had just come back into the Great Hall with multiple Healers.
They did quick work with setting up a little field hospital for the students that had fallen victim to the pink witch, making sure to document everything for the hearing of Umbridge.
Tom then asked the house-elves to serve dinner in the common rooms so the students could eat in the comfort of their own houses. He also took the Head of houses apart to propose mind healers for all the students. McGonagall had tears in her eyes but nodded determined, replying that they would take care of it and of the mail ward so the students could contact their families.
Tom and Harry then left together. They made their way to the hospital wing to update Hermione and the twins before walking back to Hogsmeade to apparate home for their official Wizengamot robes.
As soon as they stood in the entrance hall of Peverell manor, Harry had his hands full of Tom's clothes and pulled him closer to kiss him senselessly.
''You were fucking amazing,'' Harry breathed in between kisses. Tom bit his lip, and a blush spread over his cheeks.
''You were too. I wanted to tear your clothes off when you went all dark. I love it when you go all dark,'' Tom admitted, making Harry groan.
Harry dropped his head on Tom's shoulder. ''Why did you tell me that?! We don't have time to do anything right now!''
Tom chuckled and placed a kiss on Harry's temple, making Harry feel warm inside his chest.
He pulled back before kissing Tom again, putting his desire in the kiss, only stopping when they heard someone scrape his throat.
When they turn around, they see a smirking Sirius. It was silent for about two seconds before Sirius threw up his hand and ''FINALLY!'' screamed at the top of his lungs before throwing himself at the two men. Harry grunted from the impact but laughed when Sirius seemed genuinely happy for them.
When Sirius pulled back, he narrowed his eyes at them. ''Are you two the reason there is another Wizengamot meeting by any chance?''
''Well-'' Tom started more amused than anything else, ''-we are, the pink toad will get what she deserves today.''
Sirius beamed at them. ''Bloody awesome, do I wanna know-?''
Harry shook his head with a severe expression. ''No, it's bad, but you will hear soon enough. I rather have your genuine reaction to it all in the meeting.''
Sirius nodded easily at that before clapping them both on the back.
''Okay, get ready, we need to leave in a few,''
Harry and Tom quickly made their way to their rooms before they heard Sirius yell after them. ''And no funny business! My Moony will know if you try anything!''
Harry groaned while Tom pulled him along. Tom then leaned in to whisper in Harry's ear. ''Don't worry, we have plenty enough time later,''
Harry blushed but was very pleased with the implications. He couldn't wait.