Light streamed into the room.
Harry drew a single breath and his stomach twisted as the Death Eaters came across Harry and Tom's empty bed. At once, three wands spread out to the surrounding room.
"Where is the boy?" a gruff voice said, wand jabbing towards the only other closed door. It slammed open to reveal an empty bathroom.
One of the others stepped closer to the bed. He placed his hand to sense still warm covers.
"They haven't gone far," he said. "Not two minutes."
Underneath the cloak Tom was gripping their wand so tightly. His eyes darting between the three Death Eaters.
"We can't take them-" Harry said as he attempted to hedge towards the open door but Tom remained rigid, while his free hand wrapped tightly around Harry's wrist.
"Wait," Tom hissed.
One of the Death Eaters kicked the bed sharply and pointed his wand downwards as if expecting to find them hiding underneath.
"They're not here," the gruff one said as he balanced his wand on his palm. It hovered for a second before it started spinning wildly. "Or anywhere, for that matter."
"It'll be Malfoy's enchantments, but don't worry it's not like they can escape. Our Lord saw to that."
Harry glanced at Tom.
"Tom, let's just go-"
Tom still had his wand raised and was itching to attack. But it didn't matter anyway. The Death Eaters were already forming another plan.
"Clear the grounds first, force them back into the manor if necessary."
"Either that or lock down each room one by one."
"They're children, they can't be that hard to find-"
It was only when the last of the three stepped out the room did Tom finally move. He stepped tentatively forwards.
"Come on," Tom said as he made sure the cloak was completely covering their ankles.
The hallway was dark and lit only by a few flickering candles. Harry guessed it was Dobby's efforts, but still every footstep seemed to send creaks throughout the manor.
The portraits stared down at them unseeing but no mummer of Harry and Tom's movements seemed to echo back down the hallway.
"Why would the Malfoy's take us to see Quidditch and then decide to attack us in the night?" Harry said.
"Public appearance," Tom muttered. "If we suddenly disappear after being outside the Malfoy's home-"
"That doesn't make any sense," Harry said. "We came back here."
"Someone could have put a portkey in our pocket, or someone close to the Malfoy's could have broken into their home and taken us. The Malfoy's don't have to have an explanation. As long as there is some line of investigation the Ministry can follow."
"But it was Draco who suggested Quidditch?"
"Yes," Tom said. "But I think that was just coincidence-"
There was a loud crack and Harry jumped back. Tom's wand shot up.
Dobby was standing there, eyes glossing straight over them as he fidgeted from side to side.
"Harry Potter!" Dobby squeaked.
Harry yanked the cloak off as Tom pressed their wand straight into Dobby's forehead. Dobby squeaked loudly and Harry winced and glanced down the hall.
"Take us away from here," Tom demanded.
Dobby didn't seem to be listening as his wide eyes crossed over to focus on the tip of Tom's wand.
"Now!"
Dobby jumped backwards as sparks spat out of the wand. He shook his head viciously.
"Dobby please!" Harry said, yanking Tom's wand down. "We need to leave."
Dobby eyes unfocused as his hands pressed over his large ears.
"I can't, sir. Master has forbidden it."
Tom swore.
"Malfoy doesn't need to know-" Harry started.
"He can't disobey a direct order." Tom interrupted. "He's no use to us."
Harry's heart sunk, Tom's panic filtering into his own.
"What about commands from Draco?" Harry said. But Dobby only shook his head harder as it rattled back and forth.
"Surely there's a loop hole?" Harry said. "Something that Malfoy wouldn't have thought of?"
"Voldemort is in control," Tom said as Dobby squeaked. "He'll have covered every escape."
Still though, it was worth a shot. Harry crouched down so he was level with Dobby.
"Dobby, can you take a message to someone?"
The elf just shook his head.
"What about if we used the broomsticks in the shed?"
Dobby bit his lip almost drawing blood. Harry's heart sunk, their options were disappearing thick and fast.
"I don't get it," Tom said and he pressed his finger into his temple. "We are of no use to Voldemort now, not while the Ministry has the guillotine. Voldemort's priorities should be gathering his followers and restoring his body. We are the least of his current problems."
Dobby had started hopping back and forth, and if anything his eyes had grown wider.
"Voldemort would secure you," Harry said. "Isn't that reason enough?"
Tom battered his hand and shook his head.
"I'm safe wherever I am, if it's the Ministry or Hogwarts. Without a body or his most deadly support Voldemort is nothing, whether he has me safe or not. There's always next summer or the next-"
"But last year-"
"Last year the Ministry didn't know Voldemort and I are different beings. Everything has changed, don't you see? Voldemort is more vulnerable than ever. So why is he doing this now, why not wait?"
Harry shook his head, but Dobby gave a very loud squeak at this, head lolling on his neck. Tom rounded on the elf in an instant, wand once again pressed between his eyes.
"What do you know?"
Harry had expected the elf to panic again, to bang his head against the wall even, so he was very surprised when Dobby fell completely still.
"The Dark Lord has found a way, sir," Dobby whispered.
Complete terror pulsed through Harry.
"How?" Tom said.
Dobby's wide eyes drifted across to Harry. For a moment Tom's eyes only fell on Harry, brow knitting together as Harry pointed at himself.
Dobby gave a single nod.
Harry remained silent, heart hammering from their shared distress. Voldemort had only shown interest in him as far as Tom was concerned. How could Harry give Voldemort back his body.
"He can't have him," Tom snarled as his wand free hand slotted into Harry's own. Tom began moving quickly down the corridor.
"Wait," Harry dug in his heels as Tom jolted to a halt.
Dobby was still standing there unmoving, his eyes unseeing. Tom was reluctant to stop, or to let go of Harry for that matter.
"Dobby, he's here isn't he? In the manor?" Harry asked.
For a moment, Dobby didn't respond and Harry had one fleeting moment of hope before the elf nodded once.
A chill ran down Harry's spine as he remembered those intense red eyes on that horribly disfigured face.
"Don't think on it, we'll get out," Tom said as he heaved the cloak back over Harry's shoulders, although Tom wouldn't quite meet Harry's gaze. "Come on, let's keep moving."
They left Dobby standing in the corridor, his eyes still brimming with tears.
Harry and Tom jumped at almost every creak or lack of noise for that matter. Despite being hidden, it didn't help that Harry was convinced he kept feeling Voldemort breathing down his neck.
Tom led the way, wand in hand and confident in every footstep. It was only when Tom moved to open a door to their right did Harry pull his hand out of Tom's.
"I don't think this is a good idea-" Harry started, but Tom had already pushed it open to reveal a much fancier bedroom than their own.
It was decorated from top to bottom in Slytherin green and had a number of large quidditch posters attached to the walls. Draco was fast asleep with Adara curled up on his pillow.
"Tom, don't-" Harry whispered as Tom stepped out from underneath the cloak.
"He's not going to do anything," Tom said and he aimed his wand at the bed.
The bed lurched, jutting up with a sharp but silent bump. Draco shot up, swearing as he blinked rapidly, eyes adjusting to the dark room. Adara was up quicker, hissing and spitting at the interruption.
"What the-" Draco faulted as soon as his saw Tom's wand pointing straight in his face. He pulled a disgruntled face as he scowled at them both. "You seriously couldn't wait until morning?"
Not noticing the complete confusion that had crossed both Harry and Tom's faces, Draco stumbled off his bed. Still disorientated from sleep, Draco fumbled around before retrieving a small brown package from his bedside table.
"Happy Birthday," Draco yawned as he shoved it into Harry's hand. Adara looked even less enthusiastic than Draco, as she settled down on the pillow once more.
Harry stared at it. After the quidditch match yesterday, he hadn't expected to get a gift as well.
"Oh, thanks, I'll open it later," Harry said as he stuffed it into his pocket.
"Wait, so you wake me up and you're not even going to open it now?" Draco said, as he attempted to rub the sleep from his eyes.
It was Tom who answered, as he held out his free hand expectantly.
"Actually, we came for something else. I need your wand," Tom said.
In an instant, Draco tied eyes widened as Adara jolted awake properly this time.
"My wand?"
Harry hedged closer to Draco's bay window, down below shadows of the mansion cast across the grass. A number of lights were spread out across the grounds.
"Tom, stop terrorising Draco, we're not meant to be using magic outside of school anyway," Harry said.
Tom rounded on him instead.
"Harry, if Death Eaters come through those doors, do you think you can fight them?"
Of course he couldn't. Wand or no wand. Tom knew that.
Harry shook his head.
"Well you're going to have to, and I will do my best to cover you, but we might need to fight."
Adara had shrunk to a small ball, as Draco took a single step back.
"Harry, what's going on-"
They didn't have much time left. Harry glanced out the window again before he sighed.
"Fine."
Tom turned back to Draco which caused Adara to move off the bed and retreat underneath his feet.
"It's my wand-" Draco started. "I can't-"
But he fell silent at Tom's fierce look.
"You'll get it back."
But Draco never got to reply as there was a loud knock at Draco's door.
All of them froze.
Tom leveled his wand at Draco's head as Harry rushed to retrieve the cloak to haul it back over them.
"Not a word," Tom hissed.
Draco shook his head as he dived back into bed. He barely had time to throw the covers over himself when his bedroom door opened.
Fortunately, this intruder wasn't wearing any Death Eater robes and he was followed by a familiar peahen.
"Mmm," Draco said and he rubbed his eyes as Adara raised her head and yawned.
"Draco, I hope I didn't wake you?" Lucius Malfoy said as light instantly flooded the room.
Beady peahen eyes scanned right over the spot where Harry and Tom remained hidden. Draco rolled over to pull Adara closer. He didn't say anything.
"He's done this before," Harry whispered.
"Shh."
Lucius Malfoy wasn't watching his son. His own eyes were following his dæmons as he scanned over the bedroom.
"Harry and Tom haven't been here have they?" he asked.
There was silence.
"Draco?"
"No," Draco mumbled.
Unfortunately, Chandraki gave a single shrill call.
"Draco," Lucius said, voice suddenly stern. "Do not lie to me."
Draco pulled himself up, rubbing his eyes as he shielded them from the light.
"Fine, they were here," Draco said causing Harry's heart to skip a beat. "But we were just discussing the match, I mean did you see that move Horton's dæmon-"
"How long ago, Draco?"
Draco huffed.
"I've been asleep, I don't know."
Harry would have laughed at the expression Lucius Malfoy was pulling if the situation hadn't been so dire. Adara remained curled up, basically asleep, which was no doubt to hide away from Chandraki.
"Draco, this is important," Lucius Malfoy said.
"Well it was past midnight," Draco said as he stifled a yawn. "I gave Harry his birthday present."
"And where did they go then?"
Draco lay back down, pulling the covers so they were right over his head.
"I don't know-" And this time Draco's voice sounded totally guilty.
"Draco," Lucius Malfoy repeated. "Do not make-"
"Fine," Draco said sitting up suddenly, throwing the covers back as he crossed his arms. Adara too looked much more awake as she hissed towards Chandraki.
"Harry wanted to go flying. I said he could use my broom."
The knot in Harry's stomach unravelled almost as quickly as it had formed. Draco was a genius. And this time, Lucius Malfoy seemed to buy it.
"I'm going to lock you in, Draco," he said.
Draco only mumbled in response as Chandraki ruffled her feathers, neck craning to to sweep her gaze over the room one last time. They were plunged into darkness as the door clicked shut.
No one moved for a good minute, not until they heard the steady pace of footsteps leading away from the door. Harry tiptoed out from underneath the cloak to press his head up against Draco's door.
"Thanks," Harry said as Tom's wand lit up the room.
Adara shifted onto Draco's shoulder as he sat up, barely stifling another yawn as he stretched.
"So you're leaving, right?" Draco said.
"Looks like it," Harry said.
Tom tapped their wand against his leg, as he fixed Draco with a very hard stare.
"Your wand," Tom repeated, hand held out.
Draco sighed, as Adara jumped off his shoulder to duck her head under Draco's pillow.
"Just promise me I'll get it back before Hogwarts? Father will kill me if he thought I'd lost it."
Adara skipped across the floor, before she dropped it at Tom's feet. Tom knelt down to pick it up. He weighed it in his hands as he inspected it.
"Hawthorn wood with unicorn hair," Draco said as he puffed up his chest.
Harry glanced between them. Draco really needed to quit obeying everything Tom wanted, it was bad enough that he didn't question what they were up to. It would only go to Tom's head.
Tom seemed happy enough, as he pocketed Draco's own wand and passed Harry's own wand back to him.
Draco beamed and he still seemed eager to impress.
"You should use the floo then," Draco said. "That's probably the easiest way."
Harry blinked.
"Excuse me?" Tom said.
"The fireplace in the dining room," Draco said. "Use the floo powder on the mantle piece."
Harry and Tom looked at each other, still none the wiser. Draco gave them a funny look before he smirked.
"Wow, growing up with muggles must really have sucked. Just throw the floo powder in the fire and say your destination."
"And we can go anywhere?" Tom asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The floo network is managed by the ministry. Everyone is connected up," Draco answered.
Harry smiled but Tom's expression only darkened.
"It won't work," Tom said. "That'll be the reason we travelled by portkey yesterday."
"But we only need to find the floo powder, right?" Harry said.
Tom shook his head.
"It'll have been shut off ever since we got here."
"It can't have," Tom's brow creased as Harry continued. "If its shut off it'll surely draw attention to the ministry. I'm guessing if someone wanted to visit them they don't want it blocked? I mean it's not great, but it's worth a try at least."
Tom looked unconvinced as he shook his head and crossed his arms.
"I suppose it's the best option we have," he relented with a final sigh. "We'll start looking downstairs."
Harry slipped the cloak back over his head as Tom unlocked the door with one flick of Draco's wand. He peered his head round the door to check if the corridor was clear. Lucius Malfoy had gone.
"Don't lose my wand," Draco whispered as he shut his bedroom door behind them.
Harry and Tom's journey down to the dining room was quiet. They didn't see a single Death Eater and Lucius Malfoy didn't reappear. The corridors were lit in candlelight and a number of portraits were grumbling at the disturbance.
Harry was trying to ignore the horrible thought stirring in the back of his head. The floo powder was really a long shot and they both knew it.
At least Voldemort didn't have the guillotine. Harry would barely be able to hold his resolve if he knew that was waiting for him.
"I don't like this one bit," Tom said after they reached the bottom of the main staircase. "It's too quiet."
"That's not a bad thing-"
And then Harry's scar erupted.
Tom reacted on instinct as he clamped his hand over Harry's mouth. Harry screamed, his eyes rolling back into his head as he collapsed back into Tom's grip.
"Harry-" Tom started. But it was burning so fiercely, Harry kicked back as he struggled.
"Clear your head, now!" Tom said.
There was the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Harry, please," Tom said.
Their nearest exit, aside from straight out into the expanse of the grounds, was a single large door leading off to the right.
"Tom, what's-" but Harry's voice slipped into another groan.
It wasn't locked.
Tom paused on the threshold, but the footsteps were only getting louder. It was a large ballroom type room, much longer and grander than the Malfoy's dining room. A handsome, ornate mantelpiece stood with a gilded mirror frame on top. And much like the rest of the manor it was lined with even more portraits.
Despite exploring all of the manor, Harry had no recollection of ever being in here. As soon as Tom had dragged him inside, he moved his hand onto Harry's burning forehead.
"You need to concentrate," Tom said. "Clear your mind, don't let Voldemort find you."
"Stop it," Harry said deliriously as he attempted to push Tom away. Everything felt fuzzy, as if his eyes were shifting to another perspective entirely.
Tom's comfort felt so foreign, like the hum of Voldemort was overwhelming and intrusive.
"There's no way out is there?" Harry mumbled.
Tom's expression tightened.
"I won't let him take you."
The footsteps were ricocheting in Harry's head, as if it was Harry himself walking towards the room, hand opening the door. It opened from both perspectives, and thankfully this was enough to pull Harry back into his own head.
Quirrell was alone.
Harry and Tom watched, scar still fierce as Quirrell stepped across the room, hands crossed behind his back as he paused in front of the unlit fireplace.
They couldn't move.
Voldemort spoke suddenly, his voice hissing.
"Riddle, a word."
For one horrible moment, Harry thought he meant Tom. Tom's mouth had fallen open, confusion rippling between their bond.
And then their was the distinct sound of footsteps coming from right behind them. Tom jolted, head turning as Harry felt sickness rise up from his stomach.
They hadn't been alone.
Yet, if this hadn't been gut wrenching enough. The person stepped just inches past them, so close that Harry could feel the hem of their cloak snag slightly.
He was tall, handsome and so achingly familiar, and if Harry hadn't known any better he'd have been convinced he was deluded.
It was Tom.
Or at least there was a horrible degree of similarity.
This Tom was a few years older and he was completely translucent, just like any other dæmon. He came to a stop a few feet in front of Quirrell. Quirrell raised his hands to his turban. Harry hissed, but it was muffled once again from Tom's hand tight over his mouth.
Voldemort's gruesome twisted face was just as horrific, his skin still stretched and his horrible pupil red eyes pierced straight through Harry's soul.
Riddle's head dipped into a very subtle nod.
"My Lord, if I could be so bold. Perhaps another-" his voice was deeper than Tom's but there was no mistaking the same tone, the same expression, the same everything.
And then Voldemort was hissing causing a fresh wave of searing pain through Harry's head.
"It has to be the boy."
Riddle nodded, but not before his eyes swept directly over where Harry and Tom were hiding.
"You believe they're still in the manor?"
Harry's breath all but left his chest. Riddle knew they were here.
"The boy is close, I can feel his fear," Voldemort hissed.
"Perhaps. At least they can't escape," Riddle crossed his arms and a small smirk graced his lips. "At least not without help."
Harry wanted to run, but his legs wouldn't cooperate. Not when Tom's grip had tightened, his own heart beating fiercely against Harry. This wasn't possible.
Voldemort's red eyes narrowed and Quirrell took a definite step backwards so that Voldemort was closer.
"What are you implying?" Voldemort hissed.
Riddle dipped his head again.
"Tom is part of you, My Lord and more than capable of outsmarting your Death Eaters. It would not surprise me if my brother has managed to find a way to get Potter out. Therefore perhaps another-"
Voldemort's red eyes were so intense, a horrible snarl twisting on his lipless face.
"Only Potter's blood will suffice, only his blood will rebuild my body stronger than before-"
Tom jarred forwards, hand white as sparks threatened to spit from Draco's wand. He wasn't the only one who acted quickly, as his counterpart took a step closer to Voldemort, his voice slightly raised.
"My Lord, I meant no offence. I'm merely suggesting that you should not delay. If you let me-" Riddle said.
"You will remain here, as we have discussed previously," Voldemort hissed. "Do you understand?"
Riddle leaned back and rested his arm on top of one of the armchair which surrounded the fireplace.
"Completely."
And this time his voice was colder.
That earned another flash of pain through Harry's scar.
"Well I assume you called me out to see if they've been here?" Riddle asked. At Quirrell's curt nod, Riddle sighed. "I believe my brother avoids this room, he has never set foot here."
This seemed to satisfy Voldemort as Quirrell began placing the turban carefully back on his head.
"And you cannot detect the boys location?" Quirrell asked as Voldemort's gruesome face disappeared from view.
"No, it is blocked," Riddle replied curtly.
Harry frowned as Tom shared a quick glance with him.
"If you can tempt them in here, call me at once," Voldemort hissed.
Harry glanced towards the only exit which Quirrell had just started to move towards. Tom shook his head.
"He'll lock us in," Harry hissed.
It happened at once, Quirrell paused, head turning sharply with wand already in hand. Tom's counterpart was just as fast, taking a single step to the side so that he stood directly between them and Voldemort.
"Apologises, My Lord," Riddle started at once. "You said to entice them in, I'm sure you don't mind if I stretch my limitations."
Harry couldn't breathe.
Voldemort hissed something, but Harry didn't understand as Riddle hissed back, hand gesturing upwards.
Quirrell nodded once and stepped out of the room. Harry's scar went immediately from a horrible burning to a soft numbness.
And then Riddle's eyes were focused exactly on where they were standing. He didn't say anything at first, head tilting to the side as a thin smirk crossed his face.
"You can remove that cloak now."
It was a soft command but still a command none the less.
Harry wanted to do anything but. It was just wrong. How could Voldemort's soul be split any further. Tom held his wand straight as he let go of Harry for the first time, he took a careful step forwards, the cloak falling from their shoulders.
His counterpart only raised an eyebrow, as he remained leaning against the armchair, eyes sweeping over Harry and Tom in their night clothes.
They really did look identical. Although Harry didn't need them standing near each other to know that. He knew Tom by heart.
"You're like me?" Tom said, his own voice was surprisingly steady considering the tension running between them.
Riddle nodded, eyes glistening.
"Obviously."
"But you're not attached to anyone?" Tom said quickly.
Riddle's expression darkened, and Harry was instantly reminded of Tom's face from behind the bars from the guillotine. It was nothing but cruel.
"I'm attached to our Lord, as are you," Riddle said coolly. "However, you seem to need reminding of that fact."
Tom's fist tightened but this didn't seem to phase his counterpart as he only drummed his fingers on top of the chair.
"Are you going to attack me?" Riddle was grinning now, eyes alight with amusement.
He flickered.
Tom levelled his wand, unsure how to react.
"Why didn't you tell Voldemort we were here? What do you want?" Tom said.
Riddle tilted his head as he focused completely on Harry.
"I want Harry."
Harry was sure his heart skipped a beat. Tom however didn't hesitate, a curse hissing on his lips as he stepped directly in front of him. Riddle didn't even move as Tom's curse went straight through him.
"You misunderstand, I don't mean in the immediate future or indefinitely," Riddle said plainly.
"Because that's so much better," Tom snapped.
Harry's scar twinged, and for a sudden horrible moment he thought Voldemort had returned. Riddle crossed his arms and gave Tom a very sharp look.
"You are fortunate. You are bound to a living being, you are ground and whole," he smiled suddenly at Harry, just like Tom always did. "Although Harry isn't exactly whole at the moment," Riddle added.
It was horrible how he kept using Harry's name, like he knew Harry completely.
"That doesn't affect anything, the answer still no," Tom hissed.
"We never do like to share our things," Riddle said and this time he held up his hands. "I'm merely asking to borrow him, when the time comes."
Tom was shaking, every ounce of possessiveness coursing through Harry's very being.
"Borrow me for what?" Harry said. Why couldn't Riddle look more like Voldemort.
"As Tom so dutifully noted, aside from our Lord, I am not bound to a living person," Riddle said.
"And you want me?" Harry said, sickness rising.
"Not exactly," Riddle replied, although that didn't exactly reassue Harry's thoughts. "I merely want to use you for a time being, until I can obtain what I am looking for. I'm sure you of all people appreciate how it feels to be incomplete."
Harry's mind flew back to Lyra and her always lingering absence. Harry was empty, incomplete and he would remain so until she returned.
"In exchange for what?" Harry said.
"Harry, no-" Tom started, both anger and despair flaring.
But Riddle took a single step forwards, ignoring his counterpart as he surveyed Harry.
"I can get you out of here."
Tom snapped round at that.
"Tom-" Harry started. If anything this sounded worth it.
"I'll do it," Tom said at once.
Riddle actually laughed at this.
"No, it has to be Harry. Your form is worthless to me."
So it was okay for Tom to do it, but not Harry. Harry clenched his fists, scar stabbing. Tom always made the decisions and what other options did they have.
"Okay," Harry said. "When?"
Riddle smiled, brightly this time.
"The time is irrelevant, I will find you."
If that wasn't ominous enough.
"Harry, you can't trust him," Tom said, pulling Harry close so he could hiss under his breath. "He'll hurt you-"
"Well doesn't that sound familiar," Harry snapped as he pulled himself away.
Tom bristled, eyes full of hurt.
"The cost is too high," he argued.
"Higher than what, than putting me in that guillotine? Cause go on Tom, I'd love to hear what could be worse than that?" Harry said.
Tom flinched, finger's withdrawing from Harry as if scolded.
"You did what you thought was right for me and paid the consequences. Why is it any different for me?"
"Because you don't know what the consequences will be," Tom said, his voice had dropped to a whisper now, eyes pouring into Harry's, pleading with him to understand.
Harry spared a look Riddle who was watching their exchange with rapt attention.
"You'd do anything to get me out of here," Harry said quietly.
Tom nodded, jaw tightening.
"Anything, you know that."
"So why is it different for me?" Harry said.
Tom opened his mouth to this before he shut it quickly and looked away.
"Voldemort will show you no mercy. Not after what you have done," Harry added. "Plus it'll only be temporally and we can get out of here."
"But-"
Harry gave Tom a very hard stare. Tom shifted, he reached out to grip Harry's arm.
"Harry, please-"
Harry glared at him. "Well unless you have a better idea? I don't fancy our chances staying here."
Tom's desperation was overwhelming.
"Voldemort can't have you," Tom whispered before he gestured to Riddle, he looked ready to try and curse him again. "And that includes him."
Harry glanced at Riddle who only flashed a familiar smile back. Harry's burning scar was a constant reminder that they were running out of time.
"I already agreed," Harry said. "I'm not going back on it now."
Tom's shoulder's sagged but he didn't say a word. He didn't have any right to object.
"Good," Riddle said, almost business like as he stepped away from the chair for the first time.
He made to make his way closer to Harry but Tom deliberately moved in front of him.
"Why would you prevent Voldemort from regaining his body anyway?" Tom snapped.
Riddle didn't answer, instead he raised the hand that had been drumming on the chair.
Harry and Tom jumped as a fire erupted right behind where Quirrell had been standing. It was red for a moment before it flickered into a bright green flame illuminating the room with a odd glow.
It didn't look like Riddle had used any floo powder.
"Go on then, you should leave now," Riddle nodded towards the fire. "While you still can."
Harry swallowed, he hoped this was worth it.
Tom didn't hang around, his hand curling around Harry's wrist in a rush to separate him and Riddle.
They stepped onto the hearth as the flames stretched out towards them. Harry flinched but they merely licked around them painlessly.
"Until we are better acquainted then, Harry," Riddle flashed Harry another very deliberate smile.
Harry coughed, lungs already flooding with soot and ash as Tom held him close.
It happened instantly, Harry and Tom's feet whizzed from beneath them as they went hurtling into the fireplace.