The door to the court room wouldn't budge.

Harry screamed, magic cracking around him as he threw his weight onto the locked door. The witch was saying something but Harry didn't care, nothing mattered anymore. His only coherent thoughts was to get Tom and run.

When the door failed to open, Harry slipped down beside it and drew his knees up to his chest as his body shook with uncontrollable tremors.

He refused to speak to either of the aurors, barely comprehending what had been suggested. How could they possibly understand what Tom was to him, or explain why anyone would want to remove him.

It was hours later before the door finally unlocked. Harry scrambled up, crestfallen when Tom was no where to be seen. Instead, a man dressed in long red robes stood in the threshold with his giant ginger tabby prowling around his legs.

"Where is Tom?" Harry demanded.

The man didn't answer as he stared down at him shrewdly.

"I am Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror department. And this is Nala."

His tabby yawned and looked away.

"I want to see Tom," Harry said again.

Scrimgeour's eyes slide across to the female auror who now had bright red hair.

"Has Potter been a problem?" he asked.

She shook her head at once as her jack rabbit jumped around her feet.

"No sir, given the circumstances of course-"

"I want to see Tom," Harry interrupted, louder this time.

Scrimgeour surveyed him carefully.

"I understand that you may be naive to how dangerous this situation is Mr Potter, but if I need to treat you like a child, then I will."

"How am I naïve? I know Tom better then you," Harry retorted.

Scrimgeour raised an eyebrow as his tabby hissed.

"Is that so?"

Harry's gaze slid across to the open door. He was pretty sure he could make a run for it if he took the auror by surprise. Scrimgeour however, was watching him carefully.

"Children are not allowed in the court room unsupervised," Scrimegour said.

It didn't matter anyway as Harry's escape route soon became blocked.

"Scrimgeour," a voice interrupted from the entrance.

There was no mistaking who this was. Lucius Malfoy had the same blonde hair and sneering expression as his son. Behind him, stood a proud peahen, feathers tucked carefully in place.

"Mr Potter has every right to see his dæmon," Malfoy stated coolly as he stepped into the room.

Nala hissed towards Malfoy's peahen.

"Fine," Scrimegour said. "But I'm not letting that thing out its cage under any circumstance."

Harry didn't stay still for long, he took this opportunity to dodge round both Scrimgeour and Malfoy and enter the expanse of a court room. Wizards, witches and dæmons were scattered about, huddled in tight circles as they muttered to each other.

Harry froze, suddenly uncertain as a number of people turned to look at him. Harry felt a hand place on his shoulder as Lucius Malfoy guided him forwards.

"Such a shame," Harry heard an old witch mutter. "For one so young to be so tainted."

"I don't know what the fuss is all about," another sniffed. "They should just remove that thing and be done with it."

Harry tried to ignore them, heart pounding uncomfortably as the grip on his shoulder tightened.

Sure enough Tom was enclosed within the glass prison. It stood in the centre of the room and was surrounded by four aurors, wands drawn and dæmons by their side. Shackles enclosed Tom's wrists.

Harry felt sick at the sight.

"You have two minutes," Malfoy said.

Tom looked up the instant Harry approached.

Harry couldn't help it, he pressed his hands up against the glass.

"Are you okay?" Harry rushed. "What's happened?"

Tom didn't answer the first question, instead his eyes hardened and he nodded towards the Wizengamot.

"They've just been condemning me for Voldemort's crimes," he said quietly.

Harry blanched at this.

"But you told them you don't remember?"

Tom tilted his head to the side and surveyed Harry with a sad smile.

"If you murdered someone Harry and then forgot that you did it. Would you still be responsible for their death?"

Harry's throat run dry.

"I took their families from them. Murdered them, manipulated them like puppets," Tom said, eyes unwavering.

Harry hit the glass, causing a couple of the aurors to look at him warily.

"Stop it, that was Voldemort, not you."

Tom pressed his hand up against his prison, chain clinking.

"I hurt a lot of people, Harry."

Harry had barely noticed Tom's distress through his own, but sure enough his fingers were tight against the glass, his eyes not quite meeting Harry's. Harry had never known him to be so afraid.

"You are not Voldemort," Harry insisted.

"I was, and I'm capable of becoming him again," Tom replied before nodding towards the court. "That's why they are all so afraid. They will do anything to stop me."

It was Tom's deliberate choice of words that made Harry's gut churn. And it took Harry a moment to realise that Tom's terror wasn't because of misplaced remorse.

They held each others gaze for the briefest of seconds.

"You know then?" Harry asked quietly, looking away. "That they want to...separate us?"

Tom nodded, expression hollow. "It was the prosecutions opening statement."

They both fell into silence and Harry tried to ignore his rising trepidation.

"It's pretty hopeless, isn't it?" he said after awhile.

Tom didn't reply straight away.

"They want me dead. By whatever means, the Wizengamot made that pretty clear. And the only way to do that is to rip us apart." Tom said.

"Lucius Malfoy has a lot of influence," Harry began weakly, hoping he would reassure himself as much as Tom.

"So do you," Tom pointed out. "That doesn't mean they'll change their minds."

Harry was afraid to ask as his heart hammered.

"How do they remove a dæmon?"

Tom's expression flickered.

"There's a guillotine."

Harry felt sick, that sounded so barbaric and medieval.

"Theoretical, it should keep you and your real dæmon safe," Tom said quietly.

Harry felt himself go hollow.

"Safe?" he whispered, that was his least concern right now.

Tom pressed his head closer so it was leaning on the glass. He suddenly looked more determined.

"You have to be okay, Harry."

Harry could feel Tom's despair so painfully now, aching in his chest.

"I don't care about being safe," Harry whispered, pressing his own hand to Tom's. "I care about staying with you."

"Don't make this any harder, Harry," Tom pleaded. "I can't do this otherwise."

Tom was always the level headed one with his emotions so perfectly in control. It disturbed Harry, more then he would admit it, to see Tom like this. It took all of Harry's energy and effort to force a weak smile onto his face. He hoped he looked reassuring, but he knew Tom would see right through it.

"In any luck your death eaters will show up," Harry whispered as he glanced nervously at the aurors.

"Careful Harry," Tom chided, but despite this his mouth did tug into a smile.

Harry heard footsteps behind him and he shut his eyes briefly. He wasn't ready to leave Tom yet.

"Potter, the Wizengamot is about to reconvene. If you would?" Malfoy said briskly.

Harry turned away from Tom reluctantly, looking to where Malfoy was gesturing. There was a seat for him just in front of the benches. At least he wasn't returning back to that room.

"Can't I stay with Tom?" Harry asked.

Malfoy's sharp shake of the head told Harry not to disagree. Harry looked back to Tom.

"I won't let them take you," Harry said, a hard edge to his voice. Tom didn't say anything as his hand dropped away from the glass.

Malfoy guided Harry into a chair with a painful twist of his shoulder.

"Only speak if the Wizengamot ask you a direct question, I will answer for you unless otherwise instructed," Malfoy said.

"But-?"

"Do not make me have to repeat myself Potter," Malfoy said curtly. "Or I will have you escorted out of the court room."

Harry bit his lip to stop himself retorting, he nodded weakly.

Tom was leaning on the wall of his prison again. His distraught expression had disappeared only to be replaced with a cold indifference which Harry knew was a charade. He could feel Tom's panic, their hearts pounding in rapid succession.

Sure enough, the members of the Wizengamot were dispersing from their private discussions and returning to their seats with their variety of different dæmons.

Malfoy's peahen stood proudly by his side. Now Harry was closer he could see how beautiful she was.

"What's your name?" Harry couldn't help but ask.

She bristled her feathers.

"Her name is Chandraki, do not address her," Malfoy answered.

Harry slumped back in his chair, remembering how Blaise had said something about pure blood ways and dæmons interacting with other people.

"The Wizengamot is now back in session," a woman spoke loudly.

An awkward hush fell over the room and all eyes stared down at either himself or Tom. Harry squirmed on his seat.

"That's Madam Bones," Malfoy explained quietly. "Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She's chairing this trial."

"Who's the man with the bull dog dæmon?" Harry asked as he glanced along the table.

"The Minister of Magic," Malfoy answered.

"Is that like the muggle prime minister?"

Malfoy didn't reply to this and Chandraki turned her head away from Harry dismissively.

Harry couldn't help but think he'd asked something stupid.

"Having established the events before 31st October 1981, and the actions of the defendant. The Wizengamot shall now proceed with the circumstances regarding Mr Harry James Potter and his dæmon," Madam Bones began. Her dæmon was a Robin and was currently perched on her shoulder.

"If the prosecution would please summarise?" Madam Bones asked.

Dumbledore stood, boots clicking across the floor as he cleared his throat. Fawkes like usual was no where to be seen.

"On the night Lord Voldemort failed to kill Harry Potter-" Shudders ran around the room as Dumbledore spoke. "His soul became separated from his body and latched onto the one living thing present."

Dumbledore nodded towards Harry.

"What we now have is a dæmon, a child, with apparently no recollection of his past who threatens the very foundations we have had to rebuild."

Harry couldn't help but feel simmering resentment at this statement. Dumbledore had no right to claim Tom would rage war again.

"I think we first need a demonstration that Tom's Riddle's characteristics are that of a genuine dæmon," the Minister said.

There were nods around the panel.

"What do you purpose?" Madam Bone asked.

"A simple test should do," an old wizard interrupted. "Dæmons cannot go far from their counterparts and I believe we have yet to see any evidence that Riddle is physically attached to Potter."

Harry's mouth opened ready to argue, but his voice fell short. Instead of two normal eyes, this man had one which was a disturbing electric blue. The normal eye was looking down at Harry but the blue eye was locked straight onto Tom. The man's dæmon wasn't anywhere in sight.

"I object strongly," Madam Bones stated as her robin chirped. "This is a trial, not torture. Are you forgetting these boys are only eleven years old, Alastor?"

"She's right, Moody," another witch added. "It is unfair on Potter."

"Are you forgetting that one of these boys is the Dark Lord," Moody growled.

"You do not need to remind me," Madam Bones stated and her eyes flashed quickly over Tom who was now leaning on the glass, expression cold and body tense.

"How else can we determine if Potter and Riddle are attached then?" Fudge demanded.

"I would suggest talking to the defence?" Dumbledore said.

"We have already established that anything Riddle says will be a lie," Madam Bones said. Harry glanced at Tom, wondering what he had said.

Dumbledore smiled and nodded towards Harry.

"I would suggest speaking to Mr Potter then?"

"He is a boy, who has easily been manipulated," Moody grumbled.

Harry stood automatically to protest, but Malfoy was quick. He gripped Harry's shoulder tightly and forced him back down into his chair.

"Hold your tongue," Malfoy hissed quietly. "You will get your chance to speak."

The panel barely glanced in his direction as Harry wanted to scream in frustration.

Thankfully Madam Bones relented. "Very well. Mr Potter, if you could please stand."

Harry stood, and all eyes moved to him.

"What is the furthest distance you have been from Tom Riddle?" she asked.

"Not far," Harry said. "It hurts otherwise."

"Are we really going to take Potter's word for it?" Moody grumbled. "The boy has been compromised."

Madam Bones nodded.

"It will have to do for now. Mr Potter, you are claiming that Mr Riddle has no prior knowledge of his past life, is this correct?"

"Yes," Harry answered.

"When did you both become aware of Mr Riddle's real identity?" Madam Bones continued briskly.

Harry glanced over at Tom who nodded his head slightly.

"Mr Ollivander," Harry said clearly. "He recognised Tom."

There was silence. This apparently had been a good answer.

"Mr Ollivander prides himself in remembering every wand he ever sold," Malfoy said as Chandraki bristled her feathers.

"A story which Potter has had time to think of," Moody grumbled.

Harry opened his mouth but he was cut across again.

"What were your feelings towards Mr Riddle when you found this out?" Madam Bones pressed. "Were you angry, sad? You'd just found out your dæmon had murdered your parents?"

Harry glared at her.

"Tom didn't kill them."

Mutters ran throughout the Wizengamot like angry bees. Moody even snorted in sick amusement. Madam Bones's gaze sharpened as her robin chirped.

"Who killed your parents then?" she asked.

Harry frowned. That was obvious.

"Voldemort."

Gasps ran around the room and many dæmons jumped in surprise.

"You distinguish Tom Riddle and the Dark Lord as different?" Madam Bones asked.

"Of course I do-" Harry started.

"How are they different?" Madam Bones interrupted.

"Tom would never hurt me-"

"And you believe the Dark Lord would?" Fudge said.

"I don't know, I've don't know him," Harry said as he raised his voice.

"Mr Riddle can use your wand?" the Minister snapped as his bull dog growled.

"Yes," Harry nodded.

"Has Mr Riddle ever used your wand to harm another human or dæmon?" Madam Bones asked.

Harry's mind flashed back to the incident in the Slytherin common room.

"No," He said a little too quickly.

"Do you tell many lies Potter?" Moody growled.

"I'm sorry?" Harry said as he forced a frown onto his face.

He wasn't convincing anyone, Tom had always been the better liar.

"What do you think of the Dark Lord, Mr Potter? Do you support him? Are you afraid of him?"

Harry paused, totally bombarded with the onslaught of questions.

Thankfully Malfoy was on hand. He barely raised his voice to catch the panels attention.

"Your questions are hardly relevant. I would remind you that Mr Potter is only a child and this is a full court proceedings. Please limit your questions."

Madam Bones nodded.

"Very well. Only one further question for now."

Moody's electric blue eye waved slightly, flicking to Malfoy for the briefest of seconds before it focused back onto Tom.

The Minister also looked agitated as his dæmon growled.

"If Tom Riddle's memories returned, do you think the Dark Lord would still care for you?" Madam Bones asked.

Colour flooded Harry's cheeks, how was he supposed to answer that. His eyes darted to Tom's who was completely focused on him.

Unfortunately Malfoy remained silent.

"I don't know, I don't know Voldemort," Harry repeated slowly, holding the panel's gaze. "But I do know Tom. And Tom would never stop caring."

The panel didn't seem convinced by this, Moody actually snorted again.

"Moving on," Madam Bones said abruptly as her robin ruffled his feathers. "Professor Dumbledore, I believe you have something you wished to bring to the attention of the Wizengamot?"

Dumbledore cleared his throat and stood, pacing close to where Tom was imprisoned.

"I believe it is important to establish how dangerous Tom Riddle still is despite his memory loss. I have here a statement from Mrs Petunia Dursley, Lily Potter's sister and Mr Potter's current guardian. If the Wizengamot would allow?"

Madam Bones nodded.

Harry's wanted to disappear. Tom was fixed on Dumbledore, shoulders tense, expression haunted.

Dumbledore unfolded a small piece of parchment and started to read.

"We took Harry in with the intention of raising him like a son," Dumbledore said loudly. Harry's mouth fell open in shock. "However, it soon became apparent that Harry was influenced by something sinister. I always knew Harry would have a dæmon, just like Lily did, but I would have thought twice about bringing Harry into my home if I had known about Tom."

The court was deadly silent. Harry could hear his own heart beating.

Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Dudley Dursley," Dumbledore nodded to Harry. "Mr Potter's cousin, has suffered serious injuries due to Mr Riddle's actions."

Tom was glaring at Dumbledore. If looks could kill.

Dumbledore turned back to the parchment.

"We had to use stricter discipline on Harry, to try and keep Tom in order," Dumbledore read.

Harry could feel his face burning with embarrassment.

"As Muggles cannot see dæmons, Tom used his invisibility to his advantage," Dumbledore concluded. "He manipulated Mr Potter's family for his own agenda."

"What was the most serious incident?" Madam Bones asked.

"Dudley Dursley was pushed down the stairs when he was eight years old," Dumbledore said. "He spent a few days in the local hospital with a number of broken bones. He was lucky not to have broken his neck."

Harry could remember it clearly. It was the first time his relatives had acknowledged to Harry that Tom was real and not part of his imagination. Uncle Vernon had been furious.

The court was buzzing and Harry had a horrible feeling they had just had their fate sealed.

"Mr Riddle, can you please explain why you pushed Dudley Dursley down the stairs?" Malfoy asked.

Tom straightened himself up, looking away from Dumbledore.

"I hardly think your question is relevant Lucius, we cannot and will not condone behaviour like that," Dumbledore said.

"I think it is very relevant," Malfoy said. "Children have simple mindsets. Mr Riddle could easily have acted out of retaliation or acting with much more malicious. The intent is always important."

Madam Bones scribbled something down on her parchment before she looked up and nodded curtly. "I agree. Please proceed with your question."

"Mr Riddle?" Malfoy prompted. The court tensed as focus shifted to Tom.

Tom scanned the Wizengamot carefully, deliberating what to say. His eyes locked onto Harry's for only a moment before he looked away.

Harry's chest was uncomfortably tight.

"Harry was locked in the cupboard downstairs," Tom said.

Madam Bones looked startled and her robin flapped its wings.

"I'm sorry, can the defence please clarify?"

Malfoy nodded, eyes scanning over Harry ever so briefly, a curious expression on his face.

"An accident?" he pressed.

Tom lent up against the glass.

"An accident that lasted two days."

There was a cold silence.

"Harry was hungry," Tom continued, voice piercing through the court room. "Uncle Vernon wouldn't let Harry out so I thought he needed persuading."

This time angry mutters seemed to ripple throughout the court room.

"Mr Riddle, I hope you understand the seriousness of your allegations?" Madam Bones stated.

Tom's expression darkened.

"The boys lying," Moody chimed in.

"You're claiming that Mr Potter was abused by his muggle relatives?" Madam Bones pressed.

Tom nodded.

"Mr Potter, please can you stand."

Harry stood again as he tugged at his sleeve. Tom's eye slid to fix straight on him.

"Can you please explain is the information Mr Riddle providing the Wizengamot correct?"

Harry's fists curled tightly.

"Tom only hurt Dudley when I was trapped or hungry," Harry said.

"Mr Potter, please answer the question. Were you deliberately abused by your muggle relatives?"

"Uncle Vernon never hit me or anything," Harry answered honestly.

Tom rolled his eyes.

"Harry," Madam Bones leaned forwards, her face lined with concern. "Do you know what I mean by abuse?"

Harry didn't answer, he only stood deadly still.

Madam Bones however leant back, a disturbed look on her face.

"Why were you locked in a cupboard?"

Harry however continued to remain silent, fists tight.

"It's where we slept," Tom offered. "Until the muggle social services came poking about."

This wasn't strictly true, they had only moved upstairs after Hagrid had visited, but Harry wasn't going to say otherwise.

"The prosecution will withdraw their statement from Mrs Petunia Dursley and an investigation into Mr Potter's living conditions will be reviewed at once," Madam Bones said, nodding over to Scrimgeour. "This action is on the Auror Department for competition within one weeks time."

Harry couldn't believe it, did that mean Tom's actions wouldn't be condemned. The room was in an stunned silence.

However it seemed the panel wasn't finished.

"It is vital we establish if Mr Potter has another dæmon," the Minister said. "To remove Riddle could easily result in Mr Potter's death. We need to establish that Potter will not be left incomplete."

Harry felt his stomach drop. No one had mentioned that. Tom had moved forwards against the glass, Harry could tell he was anxious.

"Mr Potter fell after he flew above the dæmon line?" the Minister continued.

"Correct," Dumbledore answered. "His classmates witnessed the event."

"And Mr Riddle was on the broomstick with Mr Potter?" he clarified.

Harry's heart was hammering. Although all the evidence pointed towards it, he still wasn't convinced. Only Tom felt real to him.

"Mr Potter, have you ever seen your real dæmon?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry shook his head.

"Can you please state your answer Mr Potter," Madam Bones said.

"No," Harry answered. "I don't even know if I have one."

"I think we have already established the existence of your real dæmon, Harry," Dumbledore said.

"Mr Potter had never flown a broom before," Malfoy countered. "It could easily have been an accident."

Scrimgeour coughed gently.

"The boy is James Potter's son. It doesn't matter if he'd flown or not before, Potter would be a natural."

Harry's head spun. Everyone seemed pretty clued in and decided on what had happened all those weeks ago.

Harry raised his voice.

"I don't care if I have a real dæmon or not. I don't want them, I choose Tom," Harry said stubbornly, hoping it would count for something.

It happened immediately.

Harry's body ran cold. It was just like before, when he had fallen off his broom.

Harry swayed, emptiness consuming. He had never felt so alone.

"Harry!"

But the voice was distinct as Harry's touch became numb.

Tom was panicking, banging fiercely on his glass prison.

"Let me out," Tom screamed.

"Mr Riddle, calm down at once or I will have an auror sedate you," Madam Bones demanded.

Tom didn't even have time to respond as Harry crumpled to the floor.

There was uproar but Harry could barely tell. His body was completely lifeless.

"Let me out now," Tom hissed as he thumped his hand hard against the glass.

Scrimgeour didn't move.

Dumbledore however was immediately concerned.

"Let Tom out," Dumbledore said.

Still Scrimgeour didn't react.

Thankfully another auror gave the command but Harry was barely aware. Tom was released from his prison and in an instant he was by Harry's side. Wands were trained on Tom but he didn't even care.

A tear ran down Harry's cheek. He didn't understand, why did he feel so empty.

"I can't feel anything, why can't I feel anything?" Harry sobbed.

He reached out, fingers shaking and unable to grip properly into Tom's shirt. But the hollowness was still there, lingering and consuming.

Harry hadn't admitted it after flying, but now he had never been so sure. It was because his dæmon had always been there. Only now with their absence did Harry realise how incomplete he was without them. And then Tom's voice, echoing his own thoughts.

"I can feel it too," Tom whispered as he clung to Harry. "It's dim for me though, not as intense."

"Make it stop," Harry breathed. "Tom, please make it stop."

Tom shook his head hurriedly in a panic.

"I don't know how."

"Tom-" Harry pleaded.

Tom was rigid, completely silent.

"Tom, please make my dæmon come back."

Chapter nine updated May 2018