Chapter Twelve

Warning(s): none

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"How was your visit to Diagon Alley with Severus?" Nevans asked as soon as Harry was comfortably sprawled on his couch.

"It was good. I met up with Hermione and the Weasleys." Nevans cocked an eyebrow. "All of them but Ron accepted me as who I am, and who Kayan was to me." Harry continued in a somewhat more dejected tone.

"And how does that make you feel?" Nevans questioned.

"I'm not too upset over it. Ron was always one to believe what ever would make him look good. I'm just glad that the rest of his family isn't the same way." Nevans smiled. "Besides, he might come around when he realizes that wether he's famous or not matters less than family and friends."

"Do you think he will?"

"Well, he has Hermione and his entire family against him so I think that given time….He might at least accept me. I'd take that any day, even if we don't become friends again." Nevans nodded.

"So, have you thought any more on Tom? You said you would support him." Harry nodded.

"I'm waiting for him to contact me. I'll meet up with him, hear his plans, then decide from there what I'll do. If I'll just openly support him, aid him, or what."

"Wise move." Nevans commented. "That's sort of what I did." Harry sat up and summoned a board.

"Want a game of checkers?" Nevans slid all of his work aside and Harry began to set up the game. Just as they were about to make their first moves, a regal looking eagle owl flew in through the window. He had a piece of parchment in his talons and he dropped it by Harry. He perched on a chair.

"Open it and read it. It seems like he's waiting for a reply." Harry nodded and unrolled the parchment.

Mr. Potter,

I do hope your father has explained everything to you by now. If not then ask him before you continue this letter. If you do know all about me and the Shadow called Voldemort, then I want you to listen carefully and think before you decide.

I am still going to fight against the rule of the Ministry and Albus Dumbledore. I trust neither and would hate to see what this world would be like if more people like them ruled. In order to correct them I plan on replacing them with people of neutral loyalties.

I cannot explain everything in writing so I am asking that you meet with me later tonight. Send your reply back with the owl and if you agree to speak, I'll floo to your father's Meeting Room on the second floor.

Sincerely,

Tom Riddle

Harry finished reading the letter out loud and looked up at Nevans. "Should I meet him? Tonight?"

"Are you ready?" Harry let the parchment roll back up.

"Not to decide."

"Then hear him out. See what he has to say but let him know that you are still uncertain." Harry nodded and wrote back his response, adding that he wasn't quite sure he was ready to decide but that he would listen. The owl returned twenty minutes later with a time, and Harry gave the owl a piece of bread as a reward.

"I suppose I should go warn my father." Harry said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Be sure to tell me how it goes." Harry nodded and left the room.

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Harry stood in front of his full length mirror, staring at his reflection nervously. He was wearing a pair of his baggier, low-cut leather pants. The pockets were stitched with silver thread and he slid a leather belt through the loops.

His shirt was a dark green, silk, button-up dress shirt with silver buttons. He had the sleeves rolled neatly up to his elbows and the top three buttons were unbuttoned. The pocket on his left breast has a silver snake, poised to strike.

He refused to wear a cloak down to the Meeting Room, and Severus reluctantly agreed. It wasn't as if Harry was leaving the house, and Tom wouldn't mind.

Harry fastened a silver chain around his neck, a small silver chain around his wrist, and slipped on his more conservative black boots.

"You look handsome." Severus said from Harry's doorway.

"Thanks." Harry flattened his hair.

"You don't have to choose Harry. He would understand."

"I know, but I want to hear him out. Who knows what I'll decide." Severus nodded.

"Well, he's waiting downstairs." Harry nodded, straightened out his clothes once more, then followed his father downstairs.

TBC

A little bit shorter, but hey.

Oh, it's an ongoing epic. My mom wants me to get my eyebrows plucked. blinks and gives her a death glare Stay away from me woman!

And a new little fight between me and my dad. He seems to think that if I'm in the TV room watching TV, and he wanders in talking to my g-pa, I have to turn the TV off so he can hear. blinks I don't think so. He doesn't do it for me, so I won't do it for him. He called me stupid for that one but I don't think it's too stupid. Do you?