Chapter Nineteen – Mysterious Visitor

That night Ginny went to bed with a goofy smile plastered to her face. Her husband Tom had actually acted decent, dare she even say fun. Looking back at the time the two had shared together; Ginny couldn't ever remember them being happy, as if they were a couple in love. Tom had surprised her with his friendliness and playfulness. She almost fell over when he laughed…when he playfully punched her…and most of all when he truly smiled.

Before she went to sleep Ginny felt that Tom had forgotten about their incident in the dungeons. Perhaps this was her lucky day, maybe Tom was going to forget and forgive.

But Tom had done neither. That night he tossed and turned in his bed for a long twenty minutes before deciding he might as well get up. The hallways were cold and dark, not helping his mood in the least. He fumed inside as he thought about his wife. Ginny was able to get under his skin so easily he believed she did it for fun, but even she should know what boundaries shouldn't be crossed.

Yet against her better judgment she had crossed the thin line twice, once accusing him of adultery and another by lying. The woman he called his wife had been seeing someone else, or so he believed, someone she would trust. Why else would she hate him out of the blue? Nothing seemed to make much sense anymore.

Tom looked up to find himself outside his castle in his largest garden. The smell of all the exotic flowers, such as birds of paradise, hibiscus, ginger, and cymbidium, overpowered his nose. Taking deep breaths Tom felt his anger slowly float away in the harsh wind.

Finally noticing how cold in truly was outside Tom wrapped his arms around himself as he circled the garden, taking time to appreciate every flower. It was as he turned the corner to go back to his warm castle when he heard a sneeze come from behind a large plant. Identifying the sound as human Tom drew his wand and advanced towards the dark figure that sat huddled under the large shrub, hoping to keep warm.

As he stepped on a twig the intruder awoke and quietly stood, most likely in fright, getting ready to flee. Tom, thinking this might be Ginny's friend, didn't want them to escape. As anger and jealousy rose in his body Tom readied himself for a battle; crouched down and pulled his wand from his shoe, removing it with a swift flick. It happened to be then that the moon shone on the figure before Tom. For a brief second Tom was able to see a lightening shaped scar resting on a boy's forehead.

"Potter?" Tom called. Shaking his head Tom closed his eyes to make sure he wasn't delusional. When he reopened them though nothing stood before him, just a big bush. Thinking himself crazy Tom spun around to look for Harry. Not seeing anyone, human or otherwise around, Tom called, "Whose there?"

When he got no reply Tom began to panic.

"It must have been the caviar." Tom muttered. "That or I'm going crazy."

Thinking he must be tired Tom trudged back to his cozy bed and fell onto it, waking Ginny up in the process, causing her to let out a yelp. When she saw Tom's face she calmed down and said, "Tom, don't you ever do that again."

Ignoring her Tom pulled the covers over himself and turned his back to her. Confused, Ginny said, "Did I do something?"

Ginny was unable to hear Toms reply, and therefore asked him again. When he didn't answer Ginny became frustrated and poked his shoulder.

Rolling over Tom pinned her under the bed and looked down at her with a frightening face. As his eyes radiated hate Tom crushed her wrists with his hands. Muffling her sobs Ginny turned away from him and hoped he would stop soon.

Tom grinded out, "I know who you have been talking to."

Gasping Ginny looked at Tom to see if he was indeed telling the truth. Just one look at his face confirmed her fear. He knew.

"How?" She breathed.

"He hide in my garden." Was his blunt reply.

"Tom, please forgive me!" Ginny wailed as Tom applied more pressure to her sore wrists. "I didn't ask for him to come, he found me."

Looking at her face, Tom saw the sincerity in her eyes and eased some of his weight off of her trembling body. The sight of her, so defenseless, gave Tom a momentary glimpse into his past.

Sitting on his bed he heard his mother fighting with his dad. Knowing that it was going to get worse Tom lightly crossed the hall to go onto the patio. Taking deep, calming breaths Tom waited for his parents to stop their bickering. When the noises from inside subsided Tom believed them to be done; entered the house he went to find his mother, wishing to sooth her.

But what Tom found made his skin crawl. On the stone floor was his mother, trapped under his father who was mercilessly beating her to a pulp. Her face was covered in blood and bruises. Instinctively Tom went to aid his mother but stopped when his dad locked the door with a flick of his wand. Poor Tom pounded on the door screaming, "Mommy! Stop hurting mommy!"

The muffled screams and grunts that passed the barrier between them only made Tom become more persistent. Screaming for help, he flooed his neighbor witches and begged for help. One his older neighbor, Janice Oplicat finally arrived. It was too late. In a pool of blood laid Tom's mother's body. Rivers of tears ran down his face as she was transported to St. Mungo's. That was the last time Tom's father was ever seen. His mother thankfully survived but died only a year later due to a fatal heart attack.

Called back to the present by Ginny's worried voice Tom jumped off her and stood near the bed, shakily running his hands threw his hair. Was he acting like his dad? Had he become a woman beater like his father? Wishing it wasn't so but knowing it was, Tom quickly exited the room, leaving a perplexed Ginny behind on their bed, rubbing her bruised wrists.

--------------------------------------

Hey all my great readers! I hope you are all enjoying my story. Please feel free to review with criticism, comments, or ideas. Also feel free to read my other two stories.

In this chapter I have redone Tom's childhood to give him a reason to try and change his abusive ways. Buy now though, you should have noticed that I am not following all the books perfectly. If you don't like this new revelation I am sorry but I have an idea where this will go so please don't get too upset. All of it will work out later in the story…I promise.