Harry Potter and the Dragon's Chosen

Chapter XII: A Time to Rest

{Wish I was too dead to cry
My self-affliction fades
Stones to throw at my creator
Masochists to which I cater}

Weeks after the battle between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort, owls were flying back and forth with letters and newspapers telling of the defeat of the dark lord. Of course, nobody said anything about Tom Riddle being alive, and back to his young self. He was currently walking along the halls of Hogwarts…alone.

{You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds}

He was contemplating his past, both as himself, and as Voldemort. He was reflecting on all the deaths he caused and wondered why he was given a second chance, but even further, why he became that way in the first place. Little did he know, his pondering led him to Gryffindor Tower, the "home" of Harry Potter. Should…I go? Try to apologize? I wouldn't be surprised if I was told to leave and never return. I DID kill so many… Suddenly, the portrait hole opened, and he saw the one just in his thoughts appear, and beckon him inside.

{Wish I was too dead to care
If indeed I cared at all
Never had a voice to protest
So you fed me shit to digest}

The entire common room looked at him in disgust. And then he spotted her.

{I wish I had a reason;
my flaws are open season
For this, I gave up trying
One good turn deserves my dying}

That girl…she was the one I possessed through my diary. I must have scarred her for life…I must…at least attempt to make amends. Even if she doesn't accept. He didn't realize he was staring at her, and Ron was about to go and beat the shit out of him, until they saw tears running down the side of Tom's face. Tom gathered his courage and walked to face Ginny. Before she could say or do anything he fell to his knees and bowed at her feet.

{You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds}

"Ginny…I…I am deeply…and eternally sorry for everything I have put you, your family, and the rest of the world through. You wont believe me…but although I feel as if I had no true part in any of it, I will accept the full responsibility and consequences of my actions…"

"Stand up Tom." He stood and faced her, then she slapped him with everything she had, knocking him to the ground.

"You used me. You tortured my soul, and ruined my life. And now you ask for forgiveness?!"

He lay there, on the floor, not even bothering to hold his face from the pain, for the pain in his heart from knowing that everything she was saying was true, and that he deserved all of it hurt far more.

{Wish I'd died instead of lived
A zombie hides my face
Shell forgotten
with its memories
Diaries left
with cryptic entries}

She then walked over to him and held out her hand. He looked at it for a few moments before taking it, and with strength he never knew she had, she lifted him up. She looked into his eyes as if looking for something.

"However…YOU wouldn't be here if what you said wasn't true…"

She pulled him into a gentle hug.

"I forgive you Tom. Just never do it again."

"I…I promise."

"Good, now that's taken care of."

Everyone turned as Miles and Karen walked down from the dormitory staircase. Tom let go of Ginny and turned to Miles. He called up the Dragon Spirit and held it out to him. "I believe this…belongs to you."

Miles looked at his hand, and shook his head.

"Iie. It belongs to you now. Denkino chose you for a reason, and you are his master."

{And you don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds}

"Besides…we have something we think you might like…"

Karen stepped aside as Tom's old girlfriend Selene walked up to him from behind Karen. Tom stared in shock as she stood in front of him.

"Se…Selene?"

"It's about time you returned to who you were."

"But…how?"

Miles explained. "A bit of my blood, a specially created spell, and a picture of her. That and a fair amount of data as well. Her soul was a part of you Tom, that's why we were able to bring her back. Unfortunately, we cant bring anyone else back, because they've been dead and considered as dead for too long, therefore their souls have left this plane. But hers stayed with you, protecting your true self, that's why Karen's spell worked."

"Th-thank you…so much…"

Tom hugged Selene as Karen smiled and everyone else cheered…amazingly. That night, everyone partied in the great hall to celebrate their REAL victory. And in the weeks to come, Tom became an unofficial Gryffindor for his efforts to repair the castle and the town and everywhere else he attacked. His Death Eaters however, remained hidden. One night at dinner, Miles called out to Tom from the high table, and everyone listened.

"Hey Tom! I gotta question!"

"What is it?"

"Why in the Seven Hells of Saturn did you call your group the Death Eaters?! It makes no sense! I mean, who in their right mind would want to EAT death?"

Tom pondered his question, smiled, and then burst out laughing. When he calmed he claimed he had no idea why he named his group what he did, and agreed that now that he thought about it, it was a stupid name.

{You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on:
I'll never live down my deceit}

Time passed, and another school year had ended. The summer approached, and as it came, so did another, Darker force. This battle may have been won, but the war was far from over…

It is only a matter of time…

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Well, after a long while, I updated. Not much to say here accept that this story will be complete VERY soon. I'm gonna make a sequel though, but not for a while.

Rose of the Moon: I'm glad you finally started reading this. It's one of my longest fics, and it's actually nearly complete. I think one or two more chapters will do.