CHAPTER 2 – AWAKEN AND REUNITED

'Harry… Harry… please wake my boy…' The healer gently shook the boy after having show signs of awaking.

Just then, he heard a soft moan. It was from Harry.

'Come on Harry…'

Harry stirred, his vision blurred. He blinked once and found himself in a large bedroom filled with black and green wallpaper. He sat up slowly with the help of the healer.

'Where am I? And who are you?' Harry asked, still with a bit of difficulty.

'Good… you're awake.' The healer immediately nodded to the guard and he ran out of the room to call Tom.

Within minutes, the door opened to reveal a tall handsome and muscular man with three other companions.

'Harry! Good to see you awake my dear boy…'

Harry looked closely at this man… he remembered he saw him a few times. Suddenly, it struck him. It was Voldermort.

'Get away from me! I know your Tom a.k.a Voldemort,' Harry moved to the far end of the bed.

'Harry, I swear to you. I will not harm you. Trust me,' Tom's voice, although commanding, sounded safe and reassuring. He offered his hand to Harry, wanting him to take it.

For the first time, Harry felt safe even though it was Voldemort. Harry slowly stretch out his hand and shook Tom's. The feeling was warm and safe that Harry began to move closer to Tom.

'There… that wasn't so bad wasn't it?' Tom smiled.

'You've changed… as in physically… and maybe mentally too…' Harry added.

Tom laughed, 'Indeed I have Harry. It's quite obvious isn't it?'

Harry gave a small smile, 'Yeah, I suppose so.'

'How are you feeling Harry? Better?'

'Yes…yes…thank you…' Harry replied, gently rubbing the bruise on his arm.

'Harry, I want to talk to you. I want to make things clear once and for all.'

Harry sighed, 'I know you want to kill me, real badly. You can do anything to me, as long as you don't return me to the Dursleys. That I beg of you…'

'It's ok Harry, I'll never return you to those bastards,' Tom leaned forward and carried Harry into his arms since Harry was so light, holding him close so as to make him feel safe once again.

Harry, for once in his life, felt warmth flowing through his body. He cried against his Tom's chest.

'Shhh… It's ok Harry. I'll never kill you nor return you to those bastards. You are safe here and nothing can or will ever change that.'

Harry looked at Tom with his shinning green eyes, 'Really?'

'Yes… I swear to you.'

'But…why? I don't understand.'

Tom gently lay him on the bed once more before beginning.

'Harry, James is not your father. I am your real father. Before Lily went out with James, she was with me. We made out and she bore you but then I didn't know until she got married to James,' Tom stood up and slowly walked around the room, continuing, ' Dumbledore knew before me so he told James to pretend that you were his son. Luckily, you resembled him by a bit. Then on Halloween, I killed both of them even though your mum pleaded with me… At that time I was still kept in the dark. I regretted what I did that day. I only knew of the truth recently when I drew blood from you, only then realizing that you were my son. So I did my research and came to a conclusion,' Tom stopped and looked at Harry, 'That you are my son.'

Harry was in a state of shock. Voldemort, no, Tom, was his father. His real father. After all those years of lies by Dumbledore and only knew of the truth now.

'I'm truly sorry and I can understand if you want to return to Dumbledore, I would send you back but if we ever meet again, I have to kill you,' he ended with a sad tone.

'I… those lies… Dumbledore… that bastard… he lied to me!'

'Harry, you must understand that I don't want to kill my own flesh and blood. Every fathers' dream is to have his son follow in his footsteps. And I really want you to come back to me.'

Harry looked at Tom. He was the son of a dark lord. He is hurt and wants revenge. He wants those people to cause him to suffer to die. He wants justice.

'I… I'll follow you…' Tom immediately hugged his son.

'A happy ending it is,' Lucius sniffed.

'Oh don't be a sissy Lucius!' Bella rolled her eyes.

'Hey shut up Bell! I'm just being human…'

'Oh shut up you too!' Severus muttered.

Both cousins then smiled evilly at Severus.

'Oh Sevie…… come here you little…' Bella and Lucius chased the potions master around the room, not knowing that the reunited Father and Son were amused by the entertainment.

Tom cleared his throat, resulting the trio to stop.

'This is my son, Harry Achilles Zeus Riddle. You shall respect him the way you respect me. Is that clear?'

'Yes master!' Their voices rang out.

Tom turned to Harry and introduced them, 'Harry, these three are my most trusted death eaters, Lucius, Bellatrix and Severus.'

Upon hearing Snape and Bellatrix's name, Harry's blood boiled.

'You! You killed Sirius! I'll get you for this! And Snape! He's a spy!' Harry shouted to Tom,' Don't trust them father!'

'Master, you're mistaken…' Lucius spoke gently.

'She murdered Sirius!' Harry wailed.

'Harry… Harry… Harry! It wasn't her fault, Sirius was under the influence of the Imperious curse!' Snape shouted.

Harry calmed down, 'What!'

'Yes Harry, Black was trying to help us as he knew of the truth but Dumbledore had him under Imperious. He was forced to fight Bella,' Tom added sadly.

Tears streamed down his eyes as Harry learnt of the truth.

'I'm truly sorry, young master. I humbly accept your punishment,' Bella knelt down, awaiting her punishment.

Harry walked towards her and pulled her into a hug, 'It's not your fault Bella. If there's anyone to blame, it's Dumbledore.'

'Thank you, young master.'

'Harry, Severus is a spy no more. I questioned him and told him to think about it. He decided to remain here.'

'Yes young master, I no longer want to be a puppet, risking my life for some fool who use me repeatedly for his own good, unconcern about mine,' Severus bitterly ended.

Harry put a hand on his shoulder, 'I'm glad you're in our side now Professor and I'm sorry about yelling at you without clarifying the facts.'

'It is I who have been disappointing you, young master. Please call me Severus.'

And please call me Harry, all of you. Since my father trusts you the most of his army. You shall have my trust too.'

Tom smiled at his son's wisdom, 'Alright Harry, to the bed for you. Come now, you have to rest.'

'But Father… can I tour the castle? I'll be fine I promise you?' Harry pleaded with his father.

'Master, don't worry. We'll protect him at all cost,' Lucius assured his master.

Tom shook his head in defeat, 'Alright but be safe. You three will be in charge of him from now on. Be safe Harry.'

With that, the four of them dashed out of the door and into the corridor.