"It has to be today," Fudge said as his dæmon paced restlessly up and down beside him. "If the prophet find out-"

"I understand, Minister," Scrimgeour said. "But Potter is in no state to continue-"

"That's the boys own fault, that stunt was completely reckless," Moody grumbled.

"This has only complicated everything," Fudge stressed. "What are we supposed to do now? If the Wizengamot are sympathetic, if they vote to keep them together-"

"That's not going to happen," Moody grunted, blue eye fixed on Tom through the back his head. "They know better."

Scrimgeour however, only raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms as Nala brushed up against his leg.

"I would have thought you'd be relieved, Minister. You have solid proof that Potter should survive the guillotine with a dæmon still attached."

"Well yes," Fudge agreed exasperated. "But I didn't expect Potter's dæmon to just leave. The boy can barely stand. If we approve the guillotine now-"

"It shouldn't kill him," Moody grumbled.

"I can't take that risk," Fudge said, ringing his hands together as his bull dog whimpered. "If Harry Potter turns-"

"If you don't Potter will have to be supervised constantly," Scrimgeour said.

"Supervised?" Moody added with a cold laugh. "Do you really think Potter can return to Hogwarts while he has the Dark Lord apart of him. No, you either lock them both up indefinitely or use the guillotine. They're your only two choices, Minister."

Fudge relented, shoulders sagging.

"We may as well get this over with now."

A few paces away Tom listened with hallowed eyes. The court was out of session but no one cared that he could hear them. He would be dead soon anyway.

Scrimgeour had offered little mercy as he had hauled Harry away and enclosed Tom back in his glass prison. Tom dug his nails deep into his arm, relishing the pain. Harry was still panicking, he could feel it.

"You should let Harry go."

Tom flicked cold eyes at the voice beside him. The headmaster was standing a few paces away watching Tom carefully. Tom closed his eyes briefly, if only to stop himself from snarling.

"Harry will never forgive you," Tom hissed.

Dumbledore actually had the nerve to look sad as he took an unwelcome step forwards.

"This is all for the greater good."

"The greater good?" Tom repeated, eyes flashing. "What right do you have to define the greater good?"

Pain flickered in Dumbledore's expression. It was brief but Tom noticed. He smiled vindictively.

Dumbledore sighed heavily, removing his glasses to dust them on his robes.

"You would never have been anything good, Tom," he said heavily. "I can only hope that one day Harry will realise this."

Tom's anger simmered.

"Then you are going to be sorely disappointed."

Dumbledore placed his half moon spectacles back onto his ageing face.

"No, Tom. Harry is not like you. He may seek vengeance initially but he will forget you. He will want to forget you," Dumbledore sounded sickeningly confident.

"You're wrong," Tom snapped as he pounded his fist against the glass.

"You took his parents from him," Dumbledore said. "How do you think Harry will feel when he finally comes to terms with this?"

"Don't you dare-" Tom hissed. "I am not responsible."

"And yet you fear Harry will blame you," Dumbledore said.

"You're wrong," Tom shook his head as his heart hammered wildly. "Harry will always pick my side."

"And yet he hasn't," Dumbledore said a sad smile lingering on his face. "The sorting hat placed you both in Gryffindor. I can hardly believe that was your decision?"

Tom wanted to hurt Dumbledore in any way possible.

"Maybe," Tom seethed. "But if you take me from him, you'll soon find out what you'll drive him to become."

Dumbledore's blue eyes didn't twinkle.

"It is a risk I am willing to take."

Harry stirred deliriously as his head spun. Someone pressed his glasses against his face.

Lucius Malfoy came into a sharp focus, as did his dæmon, Chandraki.

"You can't do this," Harry started, his thoughts incoherent. He needed Tom, why couldn't any of them see this, what right did they have. He tried to sit up but failed.

"Careful Potter," Malfoy said. "You've been given a calming drought. It should relieve some of your immediate discomfort and anxiety."

Harry closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. He could still feel the pull as his dæmon moved further and further away. It had happened instantly but there was still something faint, lingering, hanging on.

"What's happening?" Harry asked as his voice shook.

"The effect is known as Pulling," Malfoy said. "Your dæmon however, seems to be past this stage."

Fortunately the potions had taken effect quickly and Harry was able to sit up slowly, unnerved when his body responded like normal. After flying he had been drained, shaken briefly from being incomplete. Now he just felt empty, like a piece of him was missing.

"Please can you leave, I would like a minute to speak to Mr Potter alone," Malfoy said suddenly.

Harry looked up startled, he hadn't noticed the two auror's behind Malfoy. One of their dæmons, a heron, ruffled their feathers before their wizard relented. The door closed and they were alone.

"You were foolish," Malfoy snapped at once, fury crossing his face.

Taken aback, Harry blinked several times.

"I-what did I do?"

Chandraki ruffled her feathers, showing her disapproval.

"You could have destroyed yourself," Malfoy hissed.

"That was my dæmon," Harry replied numbly.

Malfoy looked murderous at this comment.

"Do you not understand dæmons at all, Potter?"

Harry opened his mouth, immediately to answer yes but Malfoy cut him off.

"Your dæmon is your soul. It is not like Tom Riddle who is an entirely different entity completely."

"Tom is my dæmon too-" Harry started.

Malfoy's eyes narrowed at this comment.

"Tom Riddle is nothing of the sort. The Dark Lord takes the form of a dæmon, but he does not belong to you. To separate yourself from your true dæmon is wrong. It should never have happened."

"But Dumbledore-" Harry stammered.

"Dumbledore, like many other witches and wizards are only capable because they have trained themselves. You should know this," Malfoy snapped. "It could have destroyed you. You alone are responsible for jeopardising everything."

"I would never endanger Tom," Harry retorted.

"And yet you did." Malfoy countered coldly.

Harry clenched his fists in fury.

"I didn't-"

"Think about it, Potter. You chose the Dark Lord over your dæmon. You forced your dæmon to leave."

Harry could feel his regret building. He didn't mean what he'd said, he hadn't really wanted to be alone.

Harry chewed his lip.

"Everyone knows then? That I have another dæmon?"

Malfoy nodded curtly.

"It is something you can deny no longer."

Harry sunk back into his pillows. It was his fault. His dæmon had left because he had chosen Tom. He might have been able to accept the pain if the lingering despair wasn't so intense. Harry braced himself for the worst.

"If they do remove Tom, will it feel like this?" he asked slowly.

"No, it will be worse."

Harry couldn't imagine any feeling worse then this. Even Chandraki looked disturbed as her sharp peahen eyes fixed onto Harry.

"There is one fundamental difference," Malfoy said. "You are still connected to your dæmon despite the distance. If the guillotine is used to remove Tom Riddle you will lose your bond and it will be impossible to get back."

Harry fell silent as his stomach churned. It was only the calming potions which held him together.

There was a sharp rap of knuckles on the door. The auror's had returned.

"Is Mr Potter well enough to continue?" the one with the heron dæmon asked.

"Yes," Harry lied before Malfoy could say anything. Harry couldn't leave Tom in there alone. He staggered up using Malfoy's arm to support himself.

Chandraki didn't like this at all, sharp eyes betraying Malfoy's disapproval.

"Do you think it'll change anything?" Harry asked quietly as he moved back towards the court. "Will it change their minds, the fact that my dæmon left? They can't take Tom from me when I'm like this?"

Lucius Malfoy didn't reply, instead his grip tightened on Harry's arm, pulling him forwards. Everyone was waiting but Harry only had eyes for Tom.

Tom looked relieved to see him as his shoulders sagged. He offered Harry a weak smile. Harry tried to smile back, but the weight of despair made it difficult. Malfoy guided him back into his chair.

"Harry, how are you feeling?" Dumbledore asked at once, his voice laced with concern.

"Mr Potter is managing," Malfoy answered as he held Harry's shoulder to steady him. "Considering his current condition."

"Of course," Dumbledore said as he dipped his head. "We shall proceed then?"

"I don't see how we can continue," Madam Bones said. "Mr Potter has been through a very traumatic experience."

Most of the dæmons in the court fidgeted at this.

"We are only putting everyone at risk if we postpone this trial," Moody said.

"We have already established Riddle's violent nature," Fudge agreed. "It would be in our best interests to be done with this situation at once."

"I disagree," Malfoy countered without hesitation. "Tom Riddle's actions have only been defensive whenever Mr Potter has been threatened or come to any harm. Of course, the muggle abuse Mr Potter has suffered would have heightened this. A dæmon is always more expressive. Could you honestly say your dæmons would not have acted the same?"

"There is a difference between fighting between dæmons and a dæmon cursing a wizard." Fudge said as he gestured down at Tom.

Malfoy offered the Minister a brief smile as he stepped around Chandraki.

"Only because our dæmons do not have this choice. I hardly think it fair to criticise Mr Riddle because he can achieve what another dæmon cannot."

An awkward silence wrung out.

"I think we have heard enough, Minister?" Scrimgeour prompted.

Fudge chewed his lip and he glanced briefly at his dæmon for guidance. Clearing his throat, he nodded.

"I don't need to hear anything else. The Wizengamot should have enough information to base their decision."

Madam Bones raised an eyebrow, clearly debating whether to challenge this or not.

"Let's just get this over with," Moody added.

Madam Bones' robin puffed out it's feathers, letting out a shrill chirp.

"Is the defence happy to proceed?"

Chandraki held her head high and didn't move an inch as Malfoy addressed the court.

"The defence will make no further statements on this matter. I will only stress how much this procedure could now destroy Mr Potter's very existence. And it is only due to our own fear of the past."

Harry looked up stunned. Surely they hadn't done enough, was it all over.

"Can the prosecution please make their closing statement," Madam Bones asked.

Dumbledore stood as his robes flowed out behind him. He turned towards Harry and offered a brief smile. Harry was too drained even to glare back.

"Now we have definite proof that Mr Potter has a real dæmon we know her temporary absence will make this safer," Dumbledore continued clearly. "Tom Riddle can be removed without consequence."

Harry blinked at the word 'her'. Of course, everyone else's dæmon were the opposite sex to them, why would he be any different. The whole concept just felt so alien to him.

"It would be better for everyone involved, including Mr Potter, if Mr Riddle was removed now. We will not have the fear of living through the pain and suffering we once did."

That was blatantly unfair. Harry looked towards Tom wondering if he would protest. Tom was deadly silent and his face expressionless but Harry could feel his fury and fear pulsing through him. Madam Bones nodded sharply and raised her voice to the court.

"Very well. The Wizengamot shall now take a few moments to deliberate."

A buzz ran around the room at once. Dumbledore nodded his head curtly to the Minister. Harry couldn't stand the whispers. He wanted to move towards Tom but he didn't feel like his legs would support him.

It happened all too soon. Madam Bones cleared her throat.

"All in favour of removing Tom Riddle from Harry Potter using the silver guillotine?"

First there was nothing and Harry felt a brief dash of hope. Then hands raised in the air, dozens of them, Harry couldn't count them all. He felt his stomach twist painfully.

"And all against?" she continued briskly.

A few hands shot into the air, including Madam Bone's, but there weren't nearly enough. She looked around and said the words which crushed Harry completely.

"Very well, the Wizengamot approve the authorisation of the silver guillotine to remove Tom Riddle from Harry Potter."

The words washed over Harry. This couldn't be real.

The court began to mutter its approval. Some dæmon's screeched while others barked and howled.

"Riddle will then be taken to Azkaban where he will be destroyed immediately," Madam Bones said. "It is also advised that Mr Potter will need to undergo rehabilitation and counselling until he has been deemed to be recovered."

"Can't we appeal?" Harry asked as he turned to Malfoy in desperation.

"No," Malfoy stated as he held Harry's shoulder tightly. His fingers dug in painfully but Harry barely noticed.

Malfoy looked up towards the panel.

"The defence accepts the Wizengamot's verdict."

Harry wanted to scream, to protest, but he couldn't bring himself to move as his body failed to coordinate itself though his numbness. Maybe they had got it wrong, perhaps Lucius Malfoy wasn't a death eater. He didn't seem to care that his Lord was about to be destroyed.

Harry and Tom were going to be brutally ripped from each other. All colour had drained out Tom's face.

Harry stumbled up, desperate to be close, to do something. He didn't get very far as his legs gave way.

An auror caught him around the waist.

Everything else was a complete blur. Harry didn't feel latched on to reality as the absence of his dæmon was too suffocating. His own responses were slow and disjointed as he remained empty. He needed Tom now more then ever. How could they take him from him.

Witches, wizards and dæmons were moving around Harry as Tom was forced out of his prison. His arms were chained behind his back and he was surrounded by several large threatening dæmons.

Harry couldn't breath as his vision swan in and out of rapid focus.

Harry had no relocation of how he ended up in the stone room, he couldn't remember if he'd black out, nor could he place if Tom was by his side. He blinked, disorientated. Everything was happening too fast.

Before Harry stood the dreaded contraption. It comprised of two metal cages separated only by a sharp blade.

Harry didn't want to go anywhere near the device. It was tall, imposing and screamed unnatural.

A hand pushed him forwards and Harry automatically dug his heels in. He twisted automatically in what he hoped was Tom's direction but he was blocked by a huge bear dæmon.

It was hopeless, Harry was still weak and he had no way to defend himself. He kicked out at the auror behind him but it had no effect as he was placed inside one of the metal cages.

The door locked shut.

Harry spun around frantically, distraught.

"Let me out," Harry hissed, kicking the wire mesh with his feet. It was solid.

It was even worse then being separated in their cupboard. It was tight and suffocating and with no Dudley to threaten and escape from.

Harry couldn't think straight. He rattled the cage again.

Everyone was standing back in the shadows, their faces barely lit from the flickering torch light. A man stepped forwards, wand in hand as he pointed it towards the blade.

Harry couldn't take it.

"Please," he whispered.

No one answered him.

And then the silver blade was rising, catching in the dim light.

"Harry!"

Harry closed his eyes shut tight as his heart hammered wildly.

"Harry, look at me," Tom snapped though the deafening silently.

Harry didn't want to acknowledge what was about to happen. He couldn't bring himself to look at Tom. The truth was too horrendous. He wished he was back in his cupboard. Tom and him locked in together. No one else but them.

He would give anything to be in Tom's arms just one last time. Harry hoped Tom understood how he felt, that he never wanted to let him go, ever.

Harry would rather die.

"Harry," Tom tried again as his own voice shook.

It took all of Harry's resolve to open his eyes and look across at Tom.

Harry's heart broke. Tom looked afraid and so alone as he pressed himself up against the other cage to try and be as physically close to Harry as possibly.

Tom didn't say a word, but his eyes were pleading.

Harry's couldn't find his voice to speak as he clutched at the cage.

Cornelius Fudge was watching intently. His dæmon was skirting around his ankles. In fact, most of the dæmons gathered looked unnerved, clinging close to their humans as they waited for the atrocious act to be done.

Dumbledore walked up to where Harry was imprisoned.

"I'm so sorry Harry. I hope that one day you will understand."

Harry's green eyes glared in fury. He bit his tongue if only to stop himself cursing. He would never forgive Dumbledore, but right now Tom was is priority, and if they were truly to be separated then Harry would do everything to hang on, connection or not.

Dumbledore stepped back and cleared his throat.

"Minister," he pressed.

Cornelius Fudge chewed his lip. Harry wished that Fudge would change his mind and override the Wizengamot's decision. However it wasn't to be. The minister nodded once giving the command.

The man operating the guillotine responded as he flicked his wand to hold the disturbing blade in place. His bird dæmon was perched on his shoulder and they cooed gently.

This wizard would tear away Harry's completeness, the part of soul that was never his but had been absorbed into his own. Harry waited, breath held. There was nothing he could do.

And then there was a flash of green.

Startled, Harry tore his eyes off Tom's, just in time to see the bird dæmon disappear into nothingness. The wizard controlling the guillotine collapsed to the floor.

The blade started to fall.

Harry scrambled back terrified as if distance could somehow save them.

There was another flash of green and the blade shattered. Shards splintering in every direction as people started to yell.

Harry barely registered what had happened but somehow the guillotine was broken and he was still connected to Tom. Harry had no time for relief. He tore his gaze away.

Dozens of people in black robes had descended. White masks covered their faces and there wasn't a single dæmon in sight. Curses shot through the air, perfectly aimed. Catching the slower dæmons and causing their witches and wizards to collapse into crumpled heaps on the floor.

At once the aurors responded, launching in to counter. All of their dæmons retreated expertly to form a protective barrier around the Minister.

Dumbledore's own curses tore through the air as Harry and Tom remained trapped in the broken guillotine.

Harry turned back to Tom in complete shock. Tom looked deadly pale but he was smiling.

He caught Harry's gaze and mouthed the words.

"Death Eaters".

Witches and wizards were fighting brutally in front of them. The aurors fell as either they or their dæmons were caught off guard. Death Eaters too crumpled, stunned in fierce rays of light, but they never once relented.

There was a flash, a bang and the contraption holding Harry and Tom broke apart. Harry's cage spun, twisting him into the air, before it crumpled down hard on the stone floor.

Scratched and bruised, Harry scrambled wildly as tried to free himself. He could barely get his bearings, he was unable to see Tom through the curses, or hear him through the noise.

The door clicked open. Harry desperately lunged forwards, but he need not have bothered. Strong hands gripped his waist, hauling him out of his prison.

Harry needed to find Tom, but he had barely tried to struggle forwards when his muscles collapsed. Harry had no strength or energy as the masked man pulled him close, shielding him from the oncoming curses.

Harry felt sick, he was hardly consciousness as his head spun. He thought at first the potion had worn off, that Harry was feeling the true effects from his dæmons absence. And then Harry realised that one of the robed men was holding Tom.

Instant outrage at this indignant act flooded his head. Tom was his alone. This was so much worse then the unbearable pain Quirrell had caused after the troll. This was different, the touch of another human on his dæmon. Harry could understand why it was forbidden and yet his limbs still couldn't respond.

Curses continued to flash as the aurors and death eaters continued to clash.

But Harry barely registered anything else as his stomach suddenly jolted. It felt like a portkey, snatching him away from the fight in a blink.

Harry collapsed hard onto a wooden floor. He coughed violently as dust flooded his lungs. Harry scrambled around desperately seeking Tom. He could feel their connection, Harry knew Tom was close by.

Tom was behind him but he was still held in the masked man's icy grip.

If felt like an age before the man let go.

As soon as Tom was released, Harry felt some of his strength return. He lunged forwards to grab hold of Tom, instantly feeling the familiar rush of warmth and comfort.

Tom's arms wrapped around him tightly, pulling Harry close. Harry's whole body was shaking but he needed to be connected. Never again would he let Tom be kept from him.

They both remained on the floor, unable to pull themselves apart long enough to stand and get their bearings.

"You will wait here," the death eater instructed before he disappeared with a loud crack.

They were alone.

Tom pushed Harry back slightly as his hands skirted over him to check that he was still safe. His eyes were hard, unreadable.

"Tom-" Harry started.

"Shh," Tom hissed as he clamped a hand tight over Harry's mouth.

Startled, Harry barely managed to suppress his cough. He moved his head back from Tom to look around. They were in a decrepit building, it was dark and full of cobwebs.

Tom pointed towards the floorboards. Harry strained his ears. He could barely hear anything over the sound of his own beating heart. And then he heard it. A noise echoing beneath them.

Tom stood slowly as he pulled Harry up behind him. Tom's gaze was locked across at the only entrance. A broken door hanging in an old frame.

The sound shifted and Harry nearly swore. Whoever was beneath them was coming up the stairs.

And then Harry's forehead exploded in pain.

Chapter ten updated May 2018