Tom fell onto the bed as he examined his blood stained hands. The unicorn had really been unforgiving and although its previous silver sheen had now dulled, it left a murky splatter across his hands and face.

Tom rolled his eyes when he noticed Harry attempt to rub the stains from his own hands.

"Come here," Tom said as he shifted forwards to pull Harry close.

"Don't-" Harry said and he took a single step back. Tom stopped short and his eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"Harry, I didn't-" Tom started.

"Oh, stop lying, you knew about the unicorn."

At this, Tom's gaze immediately slipped away from Harry to the surrounding room. The dormitory had long gone dark, and if Ron's snores were anything to go by they weren't going to be interrupted. Tom fixed his gaze directly back on Harry as he made to close the hangings.

This time it was Harry who rolled his eyes as he shifted onto the bed. Tom pulled the curtains closed around them.

Tom didn't hesitate as he took the opportunity to twist Harry into his embrace. Harry reacted on instinct as he jerked upwards, but Tom only tugged him back. Harry settled back down scowling.

"You were going to drink it's blood," Harry said.

Tom frowned and tilted his head.

"So?"

Tom could have said anything and it would have been better than his cold indifference. It didn't help that Harry could still remember Quirrell's gulps as the curse ran through their connection.

"Do you even know what unicorn blood does, Harry?" Tom said.

Harry crossed his arms as he glared up at Tom.

"No, but that's not the point," Harry said. It had felt wrong enough and the fact it made Voldemort stronger was more then chilling.

"No, I guess it's not," Tom said. "You shouldn't have left, Voldemort isn't going to be pleased."

That wasn't the point either.

"Well that's his problem," Harry said.

"Mmm, I guess it is," Tom agreed.

Harry frowned but Tom seemed oddly satisfied as he hummed and ran his fingers through Harry's hair. Harry's heart ached, it seemed like an age since they'd been like this. Tom's actions screamed fake as he attempted to sooth Harry into a false sense of security. Something was clearly wrong, and it wasn't just Dumbledore's lack of action to inform the ministry, or the death of the unicorn which would make Harry sleep uneasy tonight.

Sure enough, the stares and whispers that followed Harry over the next day were extreme to say the least. Every corner Harry turned, he found half a dozen people shooting looks in his and Tom's direction. Of course, this was usually to be expected, but it was only exaggerated due to the huge deduction of Gryffindor points and the stains which Harry and Tom still hadn't manage to remove.

It didn't help that Tom was translucent to everyone else, and that only made the silver stand out more.

Thankfully the castle was going to be emptier then usual in the coming weeks. The Easter holidays were starting It also meant that Harry wouldn't have to face Quirrell until classes started back up again.

"It's not that bad," Ron encouraged at dinner. "It'll disappear in a few days and everyone will forget about it."

Harry slumped as a couple of people passed behind him, whispering under their breaths. Beside him, Hermione looked just as pushed her food around dejectedly.

"Look, I'm sorry about losing Gryffindor house points-" Harry started.

Hermione looked up and she looked genuinely surprised as her brow knitted together and Ramiron squeaked.

"Oh, no. It's not that," Hermione said.

At Harry and Ron's confused gazes she sighed.

"It's just, I was doing some more reading-"

Ron rolled his eyes, as Hermione took a deep breath.

"And well, are you sure you're okay, Harry?

"I'm fine," Harry said.

"Are you sure?" Hermione repeated. "Just do you know what happens to witches or wizards who lose their dæmons and don't get them back-"

Harry had never seen Tom move so fast in his life. In less than a second, he reached for Harry's wand and had it held directly not two inches from Hermione's throat. Ramiron jumped out of her arms. Even though Ramiron couldn't shield Hermione, he arched his back and hissed at Tom.

"Don't-" Tom said.

Hermione jutted her chin up.

"Harry needs to know."

Harry however was totally thrown. Quirrell was the only person who was without a dæmon entirely and he was still functioning.

"That's not going to happen," Tom hissed.

No Harry turned to Tom. Harry grabbed Tom's wrist to pull the wand away from Hermione's face.

"Oh great, something else you're hiding from me?"

The look Tom gave him as he yanked his arm away from Harry's grip.

"It doesn't matter, trust me."

Harry couldn't help it, he laughed. He had trusted Tom when they had entered the forest.

Hermione looked stricken, as if unsure of what she had started. Ron however only watched intrigued as Sephronia took the opportunity to swipe Ron's bacon.

Tom still gripped Harry's wand and he looked quite tempted to use it.

"Look, I'm sorry you lost fifty points but it's not the end of the world, it's only a house cup," Tom said.

Now it was Harry who returned the cold look. House points were the last thing on his mind, right below the Gryffindor's hating him and the detentions Dumbledore had given him. Voldemort was the problem and Tom knew it.

"You know I don't care about that," Harry said. Multiple heads turned in their direction but Harry had managed to attract more attention.

"Wow, you Gryffindor's are really melodramatic-"

Harry spun around at the intrusion and came face to face with an amused Draco Malfoy. Adara skirted round his heels as she peered up at Tom.

"What do you want?" Harry snapped.

Draco smirked as he raised both hands up with a shrug.

"Well the rumour among the Slytherin's is that you were fighting the bloody baron, I just wanted to see if it was true?"

At Harry's furious look, Draco only smiled.

"What? I was rather pleased with it myself."

"Don't you have better things to do then make up rumours about me and Tom?" Harry asked.

Draco smirked and lowered his hands.

"Sure, but I still wanted to come and thank you for destroying Gryffindor's chances at winning the house cup."

"Get lost, Malfoy," Ron said as he jumped up.

"There's no need to be a sore loser, Weasley-" Draco started, but he didn't get to finish.

Sephronia was out like a heart beat, her teeth snapping towards Adara. Adara reacted in a second. She darted away from Draco and the small terrier and ferret collided, teeth and claws bared.

"Don't fight," Ramiron protested as he squeaked and jumped down from the table.

Draco and Ron both reached for their wands.

And then Einaris was there, his back arched as he hissed. Sephronia and Adara separated as quickly as they had started.

Draco scooped up Adara, although the small ferret looked like she was tempted to go for Ron's dæmon again. All eight of them turned to see Professor McGonagall standing behind them.

"If you would both like to join Mr Potter in detention, I'm sure that can be arranged," McGonagall said. Einaris still had his claws out as both Ron and Draco but shook their heads.

"I was just giving Harry something, Professor," Draco said.

At McGonagall's stern look, Draco reached into his pocket and pulled out some heavy parchment.

"What's that?" Harry asked.

"A letter from my father," Draco said as he handed it over.

Harry unraveled it and his eyes scanned over the Malfoy family crest at the top. Harry's mouth dropped open in shock.

"Is this real?"

Ron snatched it out of Harry's hand before Tom could see it.

"Of course, father wasn't going to let them send you off to live with just anybody," Draco said. "I mean, to think they sent you off to muggle's in the first place."

Hermione peered over Ron's shoulder, her eyes reading hurriedly as Ramiron jumped back up onto the table.

"Oh, but this says your guardian is currently Dumbledore?" she said.

Ron and Hermione turned to look at Harry. Of course, Harry still hadn't mentioned every detail that had happened after the trial.

"Only during the school term," Draco added as Tom pulled the letter out from Ron's hands. "During the summer you'll be staying at my house."

Harry frowned as he watched Tom read the letter. Tom looked almost uninterested as he handed the parchment back to Harry with a shrug. Harry couldn't help but feel conflicted, of course Tom wouldn't be surprised.

McGonagall turned to Harry.

"Mr Potter, if you are quite finished?" she gestured for Harry to accompany her.

From McGonagall's reaction, it didn't look like she was surprised either, which only reinforced Harry's concerns.

What had Tom written in that letter to Dumbledore?

Harry didn't bother offering an explanation to Ron or Hermione as Harry trudged after McGonagall. Harry's head was still spinning from the letter, he didn't know quite what to make of it.

Einaris hung back slightly, cat eyes still very carefully locked between Adara and Sephronia as Draco walked away with a wave.

"You are to serve your detention with Hagrid this evening," McGonagall said as they moved out of the Great Hall.

Sure enough, Hagrid was waiting for them in the entrance hall, he waved happily at Harry who didn't manage a smile back.

Harry looked warily at Ilaria. He didn't like the way she was eyeing Tom. She had a hungry look in her eyes and her teeth looked bigger and sharper than he remembered.

"Make sure you escort Mr Potter back up to the castle when you are finished, Hagrid," McGonagall said.

At least detention with Hagrid couldn't be worse than Quirrell. Even though Harry hadn't visited Hagrid like he had promised, Hagrid didn't seem to mind as he only smiled merrily at McGonagall and steered Harry outside into the cool night air.

"How's Hedwig gettin' on?" Hagrid asked, as they walked across the grounds.

"Fine," Harry said as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. He really wished Ilaria would look away from Tom.

"There's a spell for that," Hagrid said who was still oblivious to Harry's nerves as he nodded towards the dull blood stains. "I don't know it though-"

"Helpful," Tom muttered.

It was a clear night and Harry was surprised when they turned to the side of Hagrid's hut.

"We're going back into the forest?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, but we've other things teh do first," Hagrid said.

They walked only a short distance around the tree line before they came to their intended destination. Harry should have expected it really, but it still stung when he noticed the huge body lying on the ground.

Hagrid had found the unicorn and he had moved it to just on the edge of the forest.

"It's best buried," Hagrid explained. "The creatures won't like it much otherwise, and it's best not teh disturb the forest."

Harry stared at the unicorn. It was still perfectly preserved, aside where Quirrell had sliced it, the unicorn looked like it could be sleeping.

It made Harry's stomach churn.

There was already a huge hole dug out beside it with tree roots weaving out from the mud.

"We'll bury this one and then we'll head into the forest," Hagrid said.

"Can't the horn and hairs be salvaged for other uses?" Harry asked.

"Nah, this unicorn has suffered enough. It'll be no use now, see?" Hagrid pointed towards the mane. Sure enough the hairs which had been beautifully white were now a dull grey. The horn too was already starting to wither.

Hagrid bent down and heaved the creature onto his shoulder and leveraged it into the grave. He then began shovelling while Ilaria turned and began kicking dirt with her powerful back legs.

There was a spare spade stuck in the ground. Tom didn't offer any help as Harry picked it up. Not that Harry managed to make much of a contribution. Just as he was starting to get the hang of it, Hagrid was already tapping the final layers of dirt on the mound.

They stood back and Hagrid sniffed causing Tom to roll his eyes. They remained in silence for a few moments until Hagrid broke the silence.

"Did yeh see what hurt it?" Hagrid asked.

Harry's heart twisted but he couldn't force his voice to cooperate. Fortunately, Hagrid took his silence as a no.

Hagrid put a large hand on Harry's shoulder which made him to sag slightly.

"It's not yer fault, Harry."

Harry only nodded his head silently. He knew this. It was Voldemort's and Tom's to some extent. Tom could have done more to stop it instead of restraining Harry.

"It takes a dark creature to take down a unicorn," Hagrid said.

If this was meant to make Harry feel better it didn't.

"It's not the only unicorn that's been attacked," Hagrid continued. "I found some more tracks last night."

Harry's gaze snapped to Hagrid's.

"That would have been Harry and I when we left the forest," Tom said. "We probably splattered blood everywhere."

Hagrid shook his head.

"Not unless yeh ran in deeper. That's where we're goin'."

Quirrell had killed more unicorn's. Surely one was already horrific enough.

"We'll split up so we can cover more ground," Ilaria said. "And if you find one, shoot up green sparks." Harry nodded. He was keen to get away from Ilaria's sharp teeth.

"An' if yeh get in trouble, send up red sparks, an' we'll come an' find yeh – so, be careful, let's go," Hagrid added.

The forest was louder, more alive than before, as the howls of creatures called to each other. Harry walked ahead of Tom a their footsteps retraced the same path from the previous night.

A little way into the forest they reached a fork in the earth path, Hagrid and Ilaria took the left path and Harry and Tom took the right.

They walked in silence. It was twenty minutes in when the light began to fade. The trees knotted together above them, sheltering what little light the moon had to offer.

Harry really hoped Quirrell wasn't in the forest tonight. He didn't know what he'd do if Voldemort tried to get Tom to drink blood again. But something told him that lack of silence was indication that Voldemort wasn't stalking the forest.

Tom was still following quietly and Harry was glad for he was in no mood to listen to Tom's excuses. If Tom couldn't see a problem in Voldemort killing and drinking unicorn blood then there was little Harry would be able to convince him of.

Instead, Harry turned his attention to the other problem he had.

"What did you put in that letter to Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

Behind him, Tom remained silent as they walked. They stepped over a dozen more tree roots before Harry got an answer.

"I only asked if you could stay with school friends for the holiday," Tom said.

"You didn't," Harry said, as he glanced over his shoulder. "You asked if I could go and stay with the Malfoy's? That's what Voldemort would want isn't it? For one of his Death Eaters to keep an eye on us."

"Yes, it's what Voldemort would prefer, but I had no input into the ministry's decision," Tom said. "Lucius Malfoy is influential and he showed an interest in your safety during the trial, it makes sense the ministry would choose him to look after us."

In all honestly, Harry was a little conflicted. Of course, he didn't see quite eye to eye with Draco, and yes he'd rather stay with Ron or Hermione, but to think he wouldn't be under Dumbledore's care in the summer was still something of a relief.

Although, that was something else which was still confusing in itself. Dumbledore's reaction last night still hadn't been explained.

Dumbledore had only given them detention. He hadn't even told Scrimgeour about the unicorn and Scrimgeour certainly wouldn't have missed an opportunity to lock them up. Harry's wand was also meant to be subjected to random inspections and the ministry hadn't even done it once yet.

Nothing was making sense.

Maybe Voldemort had assured their safety in more ways the intended if Dumbledore and the Ministry didn't have the will to separate them again. Which if true, meant there was no reason for Harry to satisfy the whims of the Dark Lord. Voldemort had been security initially but now everything had changed.

"I know what you're thinking," Tom's voice called from behind.

Harry didn't reply as he concentrated on his footing. The ground was already beginning to deteriorate, tree roots and thorns wound along the forest floor. Harry was surprised neither he or Tom had fallen in their escape last night.

"You think we would be better off if we told the Ministry about Voldemort," Tom continued. "You think Dumbledore would let us stay at Hogwarts."

It was just a lucky guess. Harry ducked under a tree branch and twisted round to look at Tom. Tom paused on the other side of the tree.

"And you don't," Harry said. It wasn't a question.

Tom tilted his head and his hands gripped the branch between them as he lent forwards.

"Voldemort is the only way we can stay together," Tom said.

"So you say," Harry said. "But the Ministry are finally leaving us alone, and you keep jeopardising-"

"Have you so easily forgotten?" Tom voice was suddenly sharp, his gaze cold. "They put me to trial, wanted to severe us and destroy me."

"I haven't forgotten," Harry bit out as he fists clenched. "But I don't want this either."

Harry gestured back in the direction of the buried unicorn. Why did Tom still not get it. Voldemort was nothing but poison.

Harry had expected Tom to be angry, so he was surprised when Tom stepped back as he crossed his arms.

"Okay then, we tell them, then what? Do you really think the ministry can hold Voldemort? Do you think he won't be able to take us by force?" Tom said.

Harry didn't reply to this. He hadn't thought about that and Tom knew it. Tom was watching him carefully now, his eyebrows raised as he waiting expectantly. When Harry remained silent, Tom continued his expression softening slightly.

"My only objective is to keep you safe, Harry," Tom said.

Somewhere in the distance something howled. It gave Harry an excuse to look away from Tom as he scanned their surroundings. Harry wished he could believe Tom, but each lie was like a sharp knife twisting inside Harry's gut.

Tom moved suddenly and he ducked under the branch so they were only inches apart.

"Scrimgeour made it very clear he was quite happy to lock us up regardless," Tom said. "Do you think he needs a reason? Public support or not, it will only be so long before they act."

Harry could feel Tom's breath on his face as he turned away.

"But he won't have a reason to if he knows you're separate from Voldemort!" Harry said.

Tom only smiled sadly at this as he tugged Harry back round to look at him.

"I am still a part of Voldemort's soul, Harry. They won't forget that. The Ministry offer us nothing but uncertainty and I will not put our connection at risk. Not after what happened with the guillotine."

Tom gripped Harry's chin to ensure he had Harry's complete attention.

"If we betrayed Voldemort, he would show you no mercy," Tom whispered.

"I'm not afraid" Harry said.

"No," Tom admitted, his sad smile lingering. "But I am. I know what he is capable of and I will not put you to harm."

Harry looked away again which caused Tom's hand to fall to his side. He wished he had Lyra. Everything would be easier then. The lingering pain would stop and he would finally be able to think straight.

"We don't have many options left, Harry," Tom's voice was so soft.

That much was true. Harry bit his lip as his heart began to pound horribly fast.

"Will it always be like this?" Harry said.

Now Tom tilted his head, his brow creasing.

"Like what?"

"You bending to Voldemort's every whim?" Harry asked.

Tom sighed heavily this time but he didn't answer the question.

"I didn't know we were going into the forest, Harry. Quirrell wanted you in detention, that's all I was told to do. It's not like it's a big deal."

Again, the simmering resentment that Tom hadn't told him began to surface. Harry's initial shock had faded. He was going to push Tom away but Tom seemed to anticipate this. His hands coiled into the front of Harry's shirt as Tom gripped it tightly so Harry couldn't force himself away.

"If we obey Voldemort, no one will harm us again," Tom said.

Harry nodded, his stomach twisted but still the silence stretched. He knew what he had to do, but the words were so much harder to say.

"I cant do this anymore, you have to choose."

"I have to choose?" Tom repeated softly, but his eyes were suddenly so cold.

Harry took a deep breath.

"Between me and Voldemort. I don't want to share you Tom."

Harry's tried to swallow his panic but the doubt was overwhelming. It didn't help when Tom's expression steeled over and he didn't say a word. Tom's grip remained tight, offering them no space apart.

Harry wanted to ignore the pain which flooded through him, but he held himself steady as his head spun.

"If you chose Voldemort, just tell me-"

The look that Tom gave him. The pure anger that coursed through him shook Harry to the core as Tom moved away from Harry in an instant. Tom's nails dug into Harry's skin ever so briefly as he shoved him away.

"Oh come on," Harry snapped and he grabbed Tom's wrist to twist him around. "It's not like you've given me any reason to think otherwise."

Tom glared at Harry but he didn't deny it. Harry refused to back down as a sour taste began to build in his mouth. He couldn't live without Tom, but Harry couldn't live with Voldemort either.

"You were going to drink it's blood!" Harry repeated. "You started learning Occulumency to shut me out, you don't even tell me anything anymore. Why should I think that you care about me at all?"

Tom ripped his arm out of Harry's grip as he turned back to face him.

"I started learning Occulumency for you-" Tom started.

"Stop it," Harry snarled. "Just stop lying. Voldemort wanted you to study Occulumency, you just messed up and I found out. It's the same with the unicorn, Voldemort didn't expect I'd run."

Harry drew a shaky breath.

"I can't do this anymore, Tom. Voldemort is changing you, and I don't like it."

"I am Voldemort," Tom said, his voice barely a whisper above his anger.

"No you're not," Harry said. "You're Tom. You're my Tom. You aren't that...that thing, that face on the back of someone's head, barely living and powerless. Voldemort is evil and I don't want help from him or the Ministry. I just want it to be us again, Tom. Why can't you see that? Why do you have to choose him?"

Tom was silent. Their connection buzzing with emotions. Harry felt sick to the stomach as he waited for Tom to do something, to say anything.

Instead Tom remained deadly still as he glared at Harry.

"You promised me you'd remember," Tom said, but his voice was hardly controlled. If anything, his voice wavered.

Tom stepped forwards, but he halted, hand only inches from Harry's as if he wanted to reach out and take Harry's own.

It was just for a second and then Tom's expression twisted back into one of anger. Tom shoved past Harry and walked further into the forest.

Harry was left alone, feeling numb as his anger changed into confusion. What was he supposed to remember?

Tom was waiting in a small clearing. Another unicorn was lying stretched out. It was just like the first, so perfectly preserved aside from the gaping wound from where Quirrell had clearly killed it.

Harry took his wand out of his pocket and pointed it upwards. Green sparks erupted and rocketed high above the tree line. It probably wouldn't take long for Hagrid and Ilaria to navigate their way through the forest.

"The Philosopher's Stone," Tom said.

Harry blinked, not quite sure what he was meant to get out of that. All of Tom's anger seemed to have dissipated as quickly as it had come. At Harry's puzzled look, Tom sighed.

"The Philosopher's stone," Tom repeated. "That's what is hidden on the third floor and is what Voldemort is after. It's also where Voldemort suspects the mirror has been moved to."

Harry's heart leapt at this but at the same time a sour taste formed in his mouth.

"How long have you known that?" Harry said.

Tom didn't even look at him.

"Does it matter?" he said.

Of course it mattered.

"It was also incidentally why Quirrell was in Diagon Alley on your birthday and why Hagrid didn't want me going down to vault 713. That was where the stone was hidden before it was moved to Hogwarts."

Before, Harry would have given anything for Tom to speak to him like this. To trust him unconditionally. Harry didn't even feel angry, instead he was just hollow, like Tom was only appeasing him. Tom should have told him to begin with.

Tom seemed to be thinking the same thing, his response was unemotional as he continued.

"Quirrell also let the troll in on Hallo'ween which was why he was so furious with you. We interrupted his initial attempt to retrieve the stone."

"Why does Voldemort even want the stone?" Harry asked.

Tom sighed.

"I don't know, Harry."

At Harry's furious glare, Tom relented.

"The Philosopher's stone is also known as the elixir of life. It will give Voldemort a body of his own."

This alone was chilling enough. No wonder Voldemort was still in the castle. Harry couldn't think of anything worse. Harry could remember the fear from the Wizengamot. If they would go to such lengths to destroy Tom, Voldemort alone must have been terrifying.

"Quirrell hasn't yet found a way past the creature guarding the entrance," Tom said. "The stone is safe for now."

Instant relief flooded Harry but it was short lived.

"If Quirrell retrieved the stone Voldemort would leave the castle," Tom added.

Harry couldn't help but feel guilty. The mirror would be found. Except there was one issue remaining.

"And what would we do?" Harry asked.

Tom didn't look at him, perhaps he knew Harry's reaction.

"We would leave."

Harry took a shaky breath Now that they had settled back into school and the Ministry had more of less left Harry and Tom alone, Harry didn't really want to leave. Hogwarts had become his home and it was frightening to think Tom and Voldemort would be together constantly.

"There was a time when you didn't want to return to Hogwarts," Tom said quietly.

That wasn't fair and Tom knew it. Harry had nearly lost Tom, had lost Lyra. He had been in no state to think clearly. He had only wanted to run.

"If we left you could look for Lyra," Tom added, he was watching Harry intently now as his eyes swept over every reaction.

"Or Lyra wouldn't know where to find me," Harry said numbly.

The sound of crashing interrupted them as Ilaria came bursting through the foliage, Hagrid was right on her heels.

Ilaria at once snapped her gaze to Tom, before she approached the unicorn cautiously. She gave it a quick sniff before shaking her head towards Hagrid.

At Harry's fallen face, Hagrid placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Come on, that's enough," Hagrid said. In one movement Hagrid bent down and positioned the dead creature over his shoulder and set off back in the direction of the castle.

Harry and Tom followed silently. They made good time and it wasn't long before they made it make onto the edge of the Hogwart's grounds.

Harry guessed they would bury the unicorn straight away, so he was surprised when Hagrid set the creature down and steered them into his cabin.

Hagrid's cabin was small considering the size of him but it was certainly homely. There was a large bed tucked in the corned and a fire which had just burnt down.

Harry waited awkwardly as Hagrid stoked the fire and encouraged it back to life. Hagrid then set about heating a large kettle. Harry shot a quick glance in Tom's direction.

What were they supposed to do now? If things had been complicated before, now Harry was even more confused. He had the conformation that Tom had been lying to him, but that only made Harry feel worse.

Ilaria was still watching Tom as Hagrid poured the tea. He handed it to Harry with a smile.

When Harry didn't return it, Hagrid continued, seemingly to figure why Harry was upset.

"Dumbledore's not that bad, Harry," Hagrid said as he took a swig of something that smelled stronger then tea. "Yeh detentions will be over before yeh know it."

Harry gripped his scolding mug. He watched the steam rising from the cup.

Harry wished it was true. It would make everything so much easier if he could go to Dumbledore. He could keep Tom away from Voldemort then. But Tom was right. Harry could never forget what Dumbledore had tried to do.

"That's easy for you to say," he muttered.

"Nah, it's not," Hagrid replied.

Harry looked up surprised.

Ilaria too looked away from Tom for the first time. Instead she bared her teeth and growled towards Hagrid.

Hagrid pattered Ilaria, but this did little to settle her.

"People make mistakes, Harry," Hagrid said. "I know it's hurting yeh, but Dumbledore is usually right."

"He's not right," Harry bit out automatically.

Hagrid only smiled sadly.

"Dæmons are dangerous, Harry. Yeh can't always trust them."

Ilaria actually snarled and Hagrid battered her on the head gently.

"Calm down," he said.

Harry was left staring.

The only time he'd ever seen a dæmon side against their human was with Neville and Cyrilla. She had ignored Neville in potions that one time. To see that it was more normal for a person to disagree with their dæmon was an odd rush of comfort.

"Hagrid?"

"Come on, we better get yeh back up teh the castle."

Harry was reeling with more questions, but they fell on deaf ears as Hagrid piled up a dozen rock cakes for him.

It turned out that Hagrid did a lot of work around the Hogwarts grounds and as the Easter holidays progressed, Harry actually found himself enjoying his detentions. Hagrid hadn't taken them into the forest again, but instead had started showing them around the grounds. The only task Harry hadn't particularly enjoyed was when they had cleaned out the owlery. He hadn't been able to get the smell of dropping off him for at least a couple of days.

Harry had also explained that the Dursley's were no longer his guardians to Ron and Hermione and understandably, they had both been surprised.

"Hopefully I'll still be able to come and visit in the holidays. I don't think I could spend a whole summer with Draco," Harry said.

This had cheered up Ron who had then told him about the ghoul that lived in the attic above his room. Harry had also wanted to speak to Draco again, but it seemed the Slytherin had gone home for the holidays.

The one thing that still wasn't right was Tom. When in company they acted normal enough, but everything was fake. Their interactions were stiff and meaningless. It was like they'd forgotten how things used to be. Tom would spend most of his time with his head in a book which left Harry to either do his homework or play a game of chess with Ron.

Harry still hadn't figured out what he was supposed to remember and it didn't help that Harry could feel Lyra's absence only growing again. Since the mirror, he'd settled slightly but now Harry's foundations were starting to disintegrate. Harry had refused to turn to Tom and Harry was sure Tom was aware. Harry would catch Tom watching him, but if Harry said anything Tom would just turn away without an answer.

The Philosopher's stone had also been playing on Harry's mind. Harry had spent hours thinking back to his and Tom's conversation in the forest as he wondered how long the stone would remain safe. Harry wasn't sure what he would do if Voldemort actually got his hands on it.

His immediate reaction was to run, but Harry knew Tom would not allow it. Which left Harry just hoping that Voldemort would never find the stone.

As expected though, the Easter holidays came to a close far too quickly and with students returning to the castle the whispers and angry mutterings of the Gryffindor's returned.

What Harry was now dreading most though was Defence Against the Dark Arts as he still hadn't seen Quirrell since that night in the forest.

"Defence is this way, Harry," Hermione said as they left transfiguration class.

"I know," Harry replied. "I'm not going. I don't feel well."

Hermione's brow wasn't the only one that creased. Tom stepped close and pushed back Harry's fringe.

"You're not burning up," Tom said.

Harry battered his hand away as they made their way away from Hermione.

"You can't avoid Voldemort forever," Tom said.

"I can try," Harry muttered.

Of course, Harry's luck didn't last for long.

It was evening, when Harry was just about to head out into the grounds to meet Hagrid for his detention when Einaris appeared. McGonagall wasn't that far behind.

"Not tonight, Mr Potter. You'll be with Professor Quirrell this evening, he has requested your assistance in his office."

Harry's heart sunk.

"Can't I go and help Hagrid again?"

McGonagall and Einaris gave him a funny look.

"I think not, Mr Potter. You are serving detention. It is only fitting that you don't get a say in the matter."

Harry's scar was unusually painless as he stepped into Quirrell's office. It seemed Professor Quirrell wasn't there yet.

Tom lent on Quirrell's desk and examined the few objects which sat upon it.

"Can't we just make a break for it?" Harry asked. Maybe they would be able to get to Hogsmede before Voldemort would realise they'd left.

Tom smiled, almost fondly, but he shook his head.

And then Quirrell appeared. Harry's scar burned and he fell grasping his forehead. Tom remained by the desk. He didn't move Harry's aid as he only watched Quirrell enter.

It was so much worse then normal and Harry could feel every ounce of fury from Voldemort pulse through him.

"Explain yourself," Quirrell hissed.

Harry opened his mouth as he struggled to think straight.

"It was necessary," Tom said.

Harry was still crouching as he looked between his hands. He was stunned to see Quirrell advancing on Tom, his wand raised.

Still Tom remained by the desk, unflinching.

Harry realised what was happening only seconds before Quirrell acted, but it was too late. Harry was still on the floor, grasping his scar. He wouldn't reach Tom in time.

"No, don't-"

Harry jumped forwards.

And then for the second time Quirrell was touching Tom.

Harry collapsed, his breath dissipating as he gasped for air. It was just like after the troll. Intrusive and wrong in every sense of the word.

But this time Quirrell wasn't letting go. Harry ached for it to end and for Tom to return to him.

"If you cannot be trusted-" Quirrell started.

"You can trust me," Tom interrupted his voice sharp.

"There was no reason for the boy to know," Quirrell said.

"I can only stall for so long, Harry won't stay quiet for long-"

Harry's head throbbed as Tom's voice faded. Harry clutched at his scar as he tried to concentrate but his vision shifted to black.

"-out of options. You need to act now."

Harry groaned as sickness rose in his throat.

"I do not yet have the way through-"

"Then you have to decide. What is more important, me or the stone?" Tom's voice was clearer now but still everything was disjointed.

And then almost as quickly as it had started, the feeling stopped. Quirrell had released Tom.

Harry could hear footsteps now but he couldn't bring himself to reach out.

Tom knelt down by Harry's side and gently positioned Harry's misplaced glasses back on his face. Not that it helped, the room was still spinning.

"You won't say anything," Tom said. "Will you, Harry?"

Harry couldn't find his voice as Tom gripped Harry's arm and pulled him up roughly. Harry clung to Tom as his body shook with tremors.

What was he to keep quiet? It took Harry a moment to understand. The stone. Tom wasn't supposed to have told him about the stone. But then, how did Voldemort know? Had he been watching them?

At Harry's lack of response, Tom looked up and started to hiss quickly in parseltongue.

And then Voldemort was hissing.

Harry didn't know if Quirrell could understand but from the sharp pulse that shot through Tom, Harry assumed it could not be good.

Tom dipped his head low.

"Tomorrow," Tom whispered.

Tom's grip tightened around Harry, all but pulling him out of the room. Harry was trembling, but he forced his legs to move as Tom held him tightly. His scar was clearing now but that did little to clear the confusion.

"Tom-?"

Tom kept walking but he didn't speak.

"Tom, stop."

But Tom kept on walking.

"What happens tomorrow? Tom?"

But Tom wouldn't even look at him as fear spiked between them.

Harry grabbed Tom and spun him round. Harry staggered from the amount of effort it took.

"Tom, damn it. Tell me."

Tom turned, and Harry could see the shadows under Tom eyes. Tom looked tired, exhausted even. Why hadn't Harry noticed before.

Tom's smile however was chilling.

"Just a change of plans, Harry."

Chapter 15 updated May 2018