A/N: So, I, um... am... back? Seems so... anywho... I hope this new chapter won't be a huge deception or anything... it's not the best one, but it's the one where you find out a lot of things... So, um... I'm not expecting to get a lot of reviews or even a lot of readers, because a) I never had many; b) almost everyone will be too busy reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I, on the other hand, have a lot of "free time" since the book won't be here (Argentina) until December... I *so* hate living in South America...
BTW: I forgot that the Hogwarts Express stops at Hogsmeade Station, so, the way they travel from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade would be the ever so wonderful carriages. So, please forgive my mistake and pretend they go to Hogsmeade by train...

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TIME-TRAVEL
Chapter 7: A Story.



The boys walked hand in hand all the way to the train where they met the rest of the students who gave them weird looks. Tom smiled shyly at Harry who returned the gesture with a broad grin. Remembering the last two hours spent in the park, they found an empty compartment. They kept their finger entwined and waited for the train to reach its destination.
Tom fell asleep with his head resting on Harry's shoulder, while the latter was in deep thinking one again...

I have a bad feeling about that park. I wonder why it's so special to Tom... I guess I'll ask him later. There's one thing I did like about that place: that kiss we shared. It was amazing... almost like magic... how ironic! The way we connected... I can't believe I have to go in two weeks. I hope he won't get hurt...-

* * *

They reached Hogwarts at half past six. They had an hour before dinner, and Harry thought it was a good idea to talk to Tom.
They walked to the prefect's room, where they sat together in the same armchair. Harry, being the smallest one, was sitting comfortably on Tom's lap and the boy's arms were around his waist. He placed his own arms around the taller boy's neck and placed a quick kiss on his expecting mouth.

"I was wondering..."

"Yes?" Tom asked while kissing his lover's earlobe.

"Don't do that!" Harry giggled "I want to ask you something"

"No-one's stopping you" Tom smiled against the curve of Harry's neck.

"Yes... you are"

"Sorry" Tom pecked Harry's neck and let his head rest on the back of his seat. Once he'd stopped provoking Harry, he asked "what do you want?"

"I want you to tell me that 'long story' you mentioned about the Ghosts Park" Harry looked at Tom who was frowning.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because that place gives me a funny feeling..." Harry shrugged "...and I'm plainly meddler" he gave Tom his best smile and, apparently, it was enough to convince him.

Tom sighed "Remember I told you a had a boyfriend?"

Harry nodded "Christian"

"Exactly. Well, I was here at Hogwarts when he died. Headmaster Dippet said it would be too painful for me to go to London. He also said it was pointless for I would only get to see his family, and they didn't know about me. Instead, he took me to Hogsmeade. We went for an ice-cream, then he bought me some candy and took a walk with me. He truly wanted to make me feel better, and he did for a while. Then, I asked him if I could have some time on my own and he agreed. He gave me an hour to walk freely through the town and do some thinking. He went to The Three Broomsticks, I guess...

"I started walking and ended up in the park. I sat under a tree and the memory of Christian and all the things we shared came to my mind and I... I started crying. I cried until my chest felt sore. Then a cold voice asked if I was alright. I looked up and saw something that really shocked me..."

"What was it?" inquired Harry.

"It was... I don't really know. But it was horrible at first. It was weird. It looked like solid smoke or something... in the shape of a man"

"A man? Do you mean... it's a ghost?"

"I guess... though I'm not really sure. He doesn't look like a ghost. I never stopped to think what he is exactly. It was scary at first. A grey, ethereal body with blood-red eyes... I swear, I almost panicked when I saw him. But then again, he just wanted to know if I was alright...

"I told him about... you know... and he just listened and encouraged me to stop worrying. He has a funny way of speaking. And he's quite persuasive. I actually felt better. I don't know, it's like he took the pain out of me and kept it... it sounds crazy, I know, but ever since that day I would go to him whenever I felt bad. Salazar's a good man..."

-Salazar?!! No wonder I had a bad feeling. That... thing... wait a- Voldemort has blood-red eyes. I knew something wasn't right... I have to go back to that place. I have to meet him...-

"Harry?"

-Harry?- "Why did you call me that?" he asked Tom, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, Harold sounds a little... weird. And so, I'd rather call you Harry. If you don't mind..." Tom smiled shyly.

"No... I guess... you can call me Harry"

"Great. So, what were you thinking?"

"I was just..." Harry stuttered nervously –I have to go back to that place...- "I was thinking..." –quick! Say something- "I... love you?"

Tom stopped smiling abruptly "what?"

-oh no. nonononononono... why did I have to say that?!!... not that is a lie, but- hey... it's- It's true? Oh. My. Lord. It is true. I love him. I never thought about it, but... I guess... oh, dear Merlin! I love Tom Riddle? I can't believe this. I never loved anyone before. I...-

"Harold" Tom interrupted Harry's thinking "what exactly have you said?"

"I love you" Harry said without stuttering this time.

Tom shook his head and rose up from his seat, forgetting Harry was sitting on his lap "You're lying"

"No, I'm not!" Harry said, while standing up "I love you, Tom. And I was thinking that I never loved anyone before you" –not entirely a lie...-

Tom wasn't convinced yet "are you sure? I mean, we've only known for a week"

Harry replied, while showering Tom with kisses "I've never been this sure about anything in my entire life. I love you. I mean, I've been falling for you since we first met, but now... I really, really love you!"

This time, the prefect smiled, though a pained expression could be seen on his delicate features.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"I just... I'd like to say 'I love you' too, but I can't. I'm crazy for you, really, but I'm not sure if I can-"

"Tom, don't worry. I feel good this way. When the time comes, if it does, you'll know it and I'll be waiting eagerly to hear you say you love me" He kissed Tom sweetly, tasting the softness of his lips, before concluding "Don't feel forced to say that. I'd rather wait all my life than to be told a lie" –I'm the worst person on Earth. I've been lying to him since I got here...- Harry was a little hurt by that thought, but shrugged it off. He lied to Tom because he didn't have a choice.

Tom hugged him tightly "I'm so lucky to have you... and I'm so miserable for having to let you go..." he said, silent tears brushing his flushed cheeks.

"If it depended on me, I'd stay here forever" Harry whispered, while kissing the boy's tears away.

* * *

After dinner, the boys went back to their room. Harry had a bath and Tom followed. Soon after, they went to bed. And pressed tightly together, they fell asleep.

* * *

Harry woke up. A clock in the wall told him it was three in the morning. He tried to go back to sleep, but found it quite difficult. He was a little worried... and disappointed.

I thought he, of all people, would say he loved me. And yet, he didn't. I can't believe this hurts so much. I know I love him and I know I can't change that, but I feel like a complete idiot. And why? Why couldn't I think of something else to say? At least that way I wouldn't know he doesn't love me. Why did I have say that?!! Why? I'm so stupid...-

As Harry rose from bed, Tom stirred. He needed Harry near. He made him feel safe. And Tom made Harry feel he wasn't all that stupid.

* * *

The week went by as any other would. The only difference was that the boys wouldn't hide from view as they used to, and they would spent each little free time they had kissing and cuddling in dark corners or deserted classrooms.

Harry, having overcome his insecurities, wanted to shout he loved Tom. And he would have done it if it weren't that Tom was a very 'private' person and the gesture could nearly kill him with embarrassment.

But weekend came once more, a Hogsmeade weekend at that, and Harry had plans for the day. Saturday would find them in a meeting with Salazar at the Ghost Park.

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I wanted to thank the few people who reviewed last chapter and also the ones who reviewed chapter 5. I don't know why but those reviews never got to FanFiction...
I would have thanked you but, thinking I would see your wonderful words of encouragement on the site, I emptied my mailbox... stupid me... anywho, onto last chapter's reviewers:

Jeremy: thanks for the sweet words!! I hope you liked this chapter as well as the next ones... thanks again...

I-Chan: you always have something to say and I like it. I try to do the best I can, but I do tend to rush things a little... anyway, I'm glad you liked last chapter I was going insane with the kissing scene... I'm not one romantic person, so...

The Wolf of Were: I don't know if Tom/Harry slash is the best, but I *do* like it a lot... ^.^

HPIceAngel: *blush* d'you really think is that good? =)!!!!!

rayvern: you know, I have no idea why Snape was a part of their debate... I just didn't think about it... but let's pretend Harry told Tom about him... ;)

kirri: or else what?!! J/k... I'm soooo glad the kissing scene was good... really...

Aislynn: again: is really *that* good? Ok... I loved your idea but, sadly, I already have the story planned... I even wrote the next three chapters! I'm so proud of myself...

See you in chapter 8! Please review... It will get better, I swear!!!
Tom: well you'd better...
Severus: Or else...
Oh no!! It's the attack of the angry Slytherin muses!! Run for your lives!!!!!!!