Author's Note: Tom attempts to play Quidditch . . .

Chapter Thirteen -- Dark Orbs

Harry waved his wand and said with utmost confidence: "Acerbus Digressus." For the fifth time in a row, nothing happened.

"Damn," Harry said through clenched teeth.

"Cursing isn't going to make it any better," Tom said, looking up from his reading at the struggling Harry Potter.

"Maybe I'm just not cut out for this Dark Orb thing," Harry said, slumping down into the chair opposite Tom. "Maybe I'm just not powerful enough to be doing this."

"Nonsense," Tom smiled, leaning over and tucking a loose strand of hair behind Harry's ear. "If I can do it, then you definitely can. Get up and try it again."

Harry got up, and walked to the center of the room. "Acerbus Digressus," he sighed half-heartedly.

"Now, you're not even trying," Tom said, putting down his book and rising to his feet. He quickly made his way behind Harry Potter, wrapping one hand around the boy's wrist and the other around his waist -- In a "purely academic way." "Maybe the problem's in your hand work," Tom stated, nodding his head toward the boy's wand. "Holly, eleven inches, single phoenix feather . . ."

"Don't start blaming this all on my wand," Harry laughed. "Remember: You have the other feather."

"I never said your wand was the problem" Tom stated. "Here . . ." He adjusted the wand in Harry's hand. "Now say the incantation again . . ."

As Harry said "Acerbus Digressus" again, Tom swished the wand in a figure eight -- First to the right, then swooping back towards the left. Suddenly, about an inch away from the tip of the wand, a red ball of light appeared. It was a small orb, no bigger than a Golden Snitch, but it was an orb all the same.

"I did it!" Harry exclaimed, about ready to turn to Tom.

"Keep eye contact," Tom scolded, releasing the boy. "Now walk backwards and beckon it to follow you." Harry began slowly making his way backwards, waving his wand in a summoning motion. The orb followed him obediently. "That's it," Tom said. "Now wave your wand again, like I showed you the first time, and say 'Levitas Natus.'"

Harry took a deep breath and waved the wand stating "Levitas Natus." In a flash, the orb spread out -- Red light filling the room. Then, before Harry knew what was going on, the red light contracted again and the orb disappeared.

"What was that?" Harry asked, startled.

"A sure-fire way to protect yourself from the Dark Arts," Tom replied, walking over to where Harry was standing. "Dark Orbs are mysterious things. Few people know about them but they're one of the most powerful spells available. A Dark Orb can ward off any Unforgivable Curse, rendering Dark Wizards practically powerless over you. But you have to be quick." Tom stepped backwards, pulling out his yew wand from inside his robe. He muttered the incantations, waved his wand a few times, and, without three seconds, the Dark Orb had appeared, spread, and disappeared.

"You're good," Harry gulped, wondering how he could measure up to Tom. Tom Riddle was magnificently gifted and extremely dedicated. Despite the fact that Tom had insisted that Dumbledore didn't favor him in the least, the headmaster seemed to have taken a particular shine to his old student. Harry couldn't deny that he felt just a twinge of envy towards his former archenemy. Tom was everything that anyone could ever hope to become: Brilliant, charming, talented, powerful, charismatic, and exceptionally beautiful.

Tom smiled his thanks at Harry before quickly saying, "You're better." Then he asked, to change the subject, "Does the school session still begin on September 1st?"

"Yeah," Harry said, sitting down momentarily. He didn't want to be reminded of the time when he'd have to tell his friends.

"Don't worry about it," Tom said, gently laying his hand on top of Harry's.

"Well, the fact that you're Lord Voldemort doesn't make this situation any easier," Harry said quickly and Tom glared at him.

"I thought I told you to forget about that."

"Just because I'm working hard at forgetting about it doesn't mean that all of my friends will," Harry stated simply.

"Just don't worry about it."

"Sure," Harry said, just wanting to forget about his friends for the time being. He'd worry about them when September 1st came. "Has Dumbledore recruited you for his 'projects' yet?" Harry asked with an obvious show of interest.

"Not yet," Tom sighed. "But when he does, I'm not sure if I'll be able to discuss them with you."

"Come on!" Harry insisted. "We're bound. That means that you can't keep secrets."

"Sorry Potter," Tom smirked, leaning back in his chair. "But this is a secret I might have to keep. After all, it doesn't really involve you. It's a grown-up thing."

"Oi!" Harry shouted, shoving Tom playfully.

"You know, when you tease a person, it usually means that you like them," Tom said with a blatantly flirtatious overtone. It wasn't a rare thing for Tom to take on a flirtatious, wanton nature during conversations but it always made Harry uncomfortable and incredibly aware of the inevitable loss of his virginity.

"Um . . . yeah," Harry said, rising to his feet. "I better go and finish my transfiguration project. After all, I want to get ahead for the new school year."

"I suppose," Tom sighed, thwarted once again.

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Harry crossed off August 30th on his calendar. It was August 31st now -- One more day until the dreaded September 1st, the day when the Hogwarts school session would begin again. Tom looked up from the bed to see Harry wracked with nervousness.

"Come over here," he sighed, sprawling out on the bed.

"No." Tom noticed the slight tremor in Harry's voice. He stood up and walked over to the young boy.

"Tell you what," he said, taking Harry by the hand. "I'm going to go get dressed, I suggest you do the same, and then we'll both go out for a walk."

"I don't really feel like walking," Harry said, extremely melancholy.

Tom rolled his eyes. "Fine. You get dressed. I'll get dressed. Grab your broomstick and we'll do a little Quidditch practice."

Harry's eyes lit up a bit. "Quidditch practice? I didn't know you played Quidditch!"

"I don't," Tom muttered. "I hated the game. Sounds odd for prefect and head boy, doesn't it?" Harry nodded in agreement. "But if you really want, I'll help you practice a little. After all, you are the famed Gryffindor seeker."

Harry smiled proudly. "Meet me on the Quidditch field in fifteen minutes."

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Harry waited on the Quidditch field for Tom. The wind was surprisingly nippy for a day in late August and Harry had draped a scarf around his neck to keep from catching cold. He looked over the horizon to see Tom, walking over the hill in one of the traditional Slytherin school robes with a worn out broomstick.

"That's right," Harry grinned. "I forgot that you were a Slytherin. I'll have an exceptionally wonderful time beating you then."

"I have no doubt you will," Tom declared modestly. "I don't play Quidditch."

Harry shrugged. "Tell me you can at least mount a broomstick."

"I said I don't play Quidditch," Tom said, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't say that I was completely incompetent." Tom mounted his broomstick gracefully and soared off to circle the Quidditch field.

"Coming?" he yelled down to Harry.

"You're good on a broom," Harry shouted up to Tom, quite impressed with his form. Harry released the Golden Snitch he had brought with him, quickly mounted his broomstick, and flew over to meet Tom.

"Whoever catches the Snitch first definitely has the better house!" Harry exclaimed and both Harry and Tom took off after the Snitch. Tom was a decent Quidditch player, despite the fact that he loathed the game and he had avoided playing it at all costs. At least he wasn't a complete failure like Neville.

Harry and Tom moved closer together in the race for the Snitch. "It's so close," Harry thought to himself, reaching out quickly to grab the thing. Unfortunately, while reaching out, Harry knocked Tom who quickly lost his balance. Tom fell off of his broom and onto the ground below with an unhealthy thud. Harry looked down at Tom who slowly got to his feet, rubbing the back of his head and grimacing.

"Sorry," Harry said holding up the Golden Snitch, "But Gryffindors are definitely the best."