"Potter!"
Harry jerked, his hand slipping from his cheek as his elbow fell off the edge of his desk.
"Wha-"
A wand tapped sharply in front of him as the skewed image of an angry Professor McGonagall blinked into view.
"Mr Potter, if my classes are so invigorating perhaps you'd like to spend some time in detention?"
Harry scrambled backwards as he pushed his glasses back into place.
Term had started three weeks ago and Harry was already struggling to adjust into any routine. It didn't help that he'd already landed himself in multiple detentions and lost Gryffindor at least twenty house points.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" Harry hissed at Tom as the class began packing up their bags.
Tom who was finishing copying down McGonagall's notes didn't even look up.
"I thought you needed some sleep."
Harry flushed at this and he scrabbled to gather his own books and his wand which he'd somehow managed to knock onto the floor.
"I don't need sleep," Harry fumed.
Tom sighed and set down his own quill as he shifted his entire focus onto Harry. Harry jerked his eyes down as he swiped Tom's ink and parchment to shove into his bag.
"Your nightmares have been getting worse," Tom said.
"No they haven't-"
"You haven't even looked at me today!"
Harry stiffened but this ended any conversation. Without another word, Harry swung his bag over his back and marched after his fellow classmates.
Not that Harry got very far, Tom caught up with him a few steps into the corridor.
"Harry, wait-"
Tom's hand curled gently around Harry's wrist, tugging him to a stop.
The corridor was already emptying, the last few stragglers were eager to get back to their common rooms. Harry and Tom were left alone and Harry shifted on his feet, glancing in the direction of the staircase.
Tom's movements were deliberate and slow, obvious so that Harry knew exactly what he was doing as his fingers traced up Harry's arm and neck. Harry didn't resist, but his heart was thumping and his chest had started to tighten. Tom's fingers reached out to comb themselves into Harry's hair.
"It's okay, Harry," Tom said.
Harry jerked backwards, clammy hand knocking Tom's own away.
"I just can't Tom-" Harry said. "Please-"
Tom closed any distance between them in an instant, hand moving quickly this time as he slide it under Harry's chin and pulled Harry's terrified eyes up to his own level. Harry froze on the spot, like a rabbit caught in headlights as he stared into Tom's softened sad eyes.
"I'm not going to hurt you," Tom said.
Harry almost believed him.
"I'm trying, Tom," Harry whispered as he lowered his head. "I-I just want to go back to how we were at the end of summer." It wasn't even a question but it was still pleading and desperate.
Tom had been nothing but supportive for weeks, he'd been there in every capacity that Harry had needed ever since they'd returned to Hogwarts. But now Harry had come crashing down, he couldn't move on, his nightmares wouldn't let him.
Tom ducked so that he was peering up at Harry, head tilted as he gently brushed Harry's fringe back so he could see him clearly.
"Do you trust me?"
"I-" Harry started, but his voice froze up, his own head clamming up as his eyes betrayed what Tom had known all along.
Tom smiled sadly and he withdraw his hand.
"It's okay, Harry."
And Harry found himself almost wanting to lie, just so everything could go back to normal. But if only it was that simple, if only he could forget.
Of course, Tom knew this, he could read Harry so perfectly. So it was very slowly, that Tom's armed wrapped around Harry, entwining him into a tight hug. Harry melted into him. All anxieties and doubts left him in an instant as he fell into Tom's embrace.
"H-how are you doing that?" Harry gasped as his own fingers weaved into Tom's shirt, tugging him closer.
"The same way I was manipulating you in first year," Tom said quietly, voice so soft. "You're emotionally compromised without Lyra, you're broken and so very responsive to anything I wish of you."
The want to hang onto Tom and never let go was so overwhelming.
"Why haven't you done this before?" Harry asked as he burrowed his head into Tom's shoulder. It would have been so easy and Harry could have stayed like this forever, without a care in the world.
Tom was quiet, his hands weaving through Harry's hair as he hummed.
"Because I'm manipulating your emotions, Harry."
As if to prove his point, Tom stepped back suddenly and Harry found his own inhibitions flooding back.
His own fears, his own terrors but at the same time a longing desperation for more, that if he had Tom than nothing could go wrong.
Harry found his voice and it was stiff as he stared at Tom coldly.
"You've been letting me suffer when you could have done something all along?"
Tom's expression was so serious and he ran his own hand along Harry's arm, but this time there was no warmth, no instant relief.
"I can't stop your nightmares, Harry," Tom said.
"You could have helped afterwards," Harry snapped and he shoved Tom back hard.
Tom stumbled, his shirt creasing as he steadied himself, eyes shooting up to lock onto Harry.
"For mine or for your benefit?" Tom said, his voice holding calm. "Toying with your emotions is wrong, it stops you from being you. I don't want to change you, Harry, even though I could. If I wanted, I could mould you to whatever I desire."
"So you want to leave me broken?" Harry said. "Just so you can wallow in your own self guilt."
Tom closed the gap between them, arms either side of Harry against the wall so that he had no space to move.
"How are you supposed to heal?" Tom said. "If you pretend like it never happened? You said it yourself, you want things back to normal. How would you have felt if I had taken that decision from you? If I made you stop feeling how you actually should?"
Harry shut his mouth, finger's curling into Tom's shirt, not sure whether he wanted to push him away again or pull him close and never let him go.
"It wouldn't have fixed us, Harry. It would have been against your natural instinct-" Tom trailed off.
Harry took a steadying breath. His own thoughts now more confused than ever. He would never forgive Tom, not completely. But Harry craved normality, craved Tom more than he had let himself admit it in these last few weeks. Was he just tired of it all, or was Harry stronger than his nightmares, could he really move on.
Tom shifted so that they were only inches apart, yet their bond was normal, nothing like the flux of distorting emotions that Tom was capable of.
"If I can make it stop hurting, I will," Tom said quietly. "But only under one condition, and you have to answer honestly."
Harry couldn't speak. He could have Tom back, like really have Tom back, and not even his nightmares would stop that, not anymore. All he had to do was start trusting again.
"Hey, Potter!"
Harry flinched as he jumped away from Tom.
A smile flicked automatically onto Harry's face. He ignored Tom's burning gaze towards the interruption.
"So its Potter now?" Harry said as he called down the corridor.
Draco Malfoy was walking towards them a large beaming smile on his face. Adara was balanced on his shoulder and she squeaked happy as they approached.
Draco placed his hands on his waist and puffed out his chest.
"Well we're rivals now," he announced.
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't think Wood had told anyone yet?" he said.
"Oh, come on, its obvious," Draco said as he battered his hand. "I watched the Gryffindor try-outs and you were the best by far. Not to forget, Wood looked like Christmas had come early, his dæmon nearly fell out of the sky."
Harry ran his hand through his hair as he glanced at Tom.
Tom however offered nothing to the conversation as he watched Draco with cold eyes. Adara seemed to notice as she shifted uncomfortably on Draco's shoulder.
"Anyway, I thought Flint wanted to keep your position secret?" Harry said.
Draco nodded and a grin split onto his face.
"But it's no fun if I can't brag about it, and it's not as if you haven't seen me fly before. Speaking of which, do you want a game?" Draco said. "Father's just brought me a new broom to celebrate and I thought you might want to try it out?"
Before Harry would have jumped at the opportunity for a distraction but now Harry just bit his lip.
"Sure," Tom said.
Harry spun round, mouth falling open, but Tom didn't offer anything but his cold indifference.
"You've got our first match coming up in November," Tom said. "You'll need all the practice you can get if you're going to beat Draco."
Draco beamed at this but Adara's eyes were wide, alarmed as she tried to decipher Tom.
"Are you coming then, Harry?" Draco asked.
Harry shifted on his feet before he relented with a nod.
Draco placed a hand on Adara, smiling as he made his way back down the corridor.
"You hate flying?" Harry muttered to Tom as they followed.
Tom shrugged.
"I want to borrow Draco's wand again."
"You could have just said," Harry said with a frown. "Draco would do anything if you told him to."
Tom shook his head as he pulled Harry''s hand into his own.
"I know but I think I need to make it up to him, Draco's father was furious when Draco told him he'd lost it."
Hallo'ween was approaching and with it Harry was starting to get the hang of some of the more technical aspects of magic.
The worst class by far however had been Defence Against the Dark Arts. At least in potions, Snape would spend most of the time ignoring them. Professor Lockhart, Quirrell's replacement, on the other hand, always found ways to drag Harry up to the front to help re-enact his adventures or Lockhart found ways to add Tom into his conversations. Fortunately, today was the latter.
"Oh, I could take on He Who Must Not be Named," Lockhart was boasting with a wink towards Harry. "If any of you indeed feel threatened, fear not, I will assist."
Tom was livid, teeth clenched together as Harry, Ron and Sephronia attempted to sniffle their laugher.
"You'll need more than Lockhart to save you," Tom hissed.
This only caused them to laugh harder.
"You Know Who defeated by a guinea pig," Sephronia said before quickly darting behind Ron's leg as Tom made a grab for Harry's wand.
Lockhart however was currently making a complicated flourishing motion with his wand and didn't notice.
Lockhart's dæmon, a chubby guinea pig called Minnie was attempting to balance precariously on the edge of his desk as part of Lockhart's re-enactment, only she nearly slipped off and Lockhart had to catch her.
Hermione had been beside herself at this but Ramiron had remained still eyeing the small guinea pig with much less enthusiasm. Sephronia seemed to notice as she then proceeded to act out Minnie's fall from the desk which had Ramiron flicking his tale in amusement.
"Okay, I've done all my homework, so why are we doing more studying?" Harry muttered as he kicked a stone into the lake.
Tom glanced over to Hermione as she made her way across the grass towards them.
The air was cold and crisp and the autumn afternoons were starting to get darker.
"Just because Scrimgeour doesn't like me practising magic doesn't mean I can't learn," Tom said.
Harry rolled his eyes and slumped onto the grass.
"Well you better be careful."
"Hmm?" Tom said.
"Associating with muggleborns," Harry said. "You'll destroy your reputation."
Tom only glanced at him with a smile as Hermione and Ramiron approached.
"I got that book out the library," Hermione presented proudly, "The one from the restricted section."
Tom leaned forward to take it from her eagerly.
"Who signed it out for you?" he questioned as he flicked through the pages.
Hermione blushed and averted her eyes and mumbled something quietly. Ramiron rolled his eyes at this before he burrowed his face into her school bag.
"Although, you better be careful if you actually want to try some of those spells," Hermione added. "I thought the ministry were keeping an eye on Harry's wand, and this book is in the restricted section for a reason."
"Don't worry about that," Tom said as he turned another page. "I've got it covered."
Hermione gave Tom a stern look before she noticed Ramiron's tail swinging out her bag.
"Oh, Harry, I almost forgot, I know you don't read the paper but I thought you ought to see this," Hermione ducked down, pulling her otter out as she produced a rolled up Daily Prophet.
The photograph was yet again the old one of Harry and Tom taken from first year and it had the large title Ministry of Magic Inquiry Still Ongoing, written above it.
Tom distracted from his book rested his chin on Harry's shoulder as he peered at the article.
"How long do these things take?" Harry asked. It was strange to think it had been nearly a year ago when the Ministry had tried to separate them.
"Months, years," Tom replied. "It's a full on investigation, although I don't particularly like that statement."
Tom pointed at a line in the paper.
"In the coming months, the full implications of Mr Potter's current well being will be investigated," Harry read. "Which means what?"
Hermione pulled Ramiron tighter in her arms.
"It means they'll properly have your health analysed by some healers to see if the Ministry has caused you any lasting damage," she said.
Harry frowned.
"So what do they want to know, the fact that I can't sleep?"
Hermione pursed her lips as Tom pulled the paper from Harry's hands to read it thoroughly.
"You're not still having nightmares are you?" Hermione said. "I thought they'd stopped after Quirrell had left?"
Harry shrugged.
"They're not that bad anymore, honest," he muttered.
Harry ignored Tom's sharp eyes which snapped to him.
It was dark.
Harry twisted around, eyes empty from any surrounding stimulus. He tried to take a step forwards but his legs were stiff and uncooperative and his arms were restricted, bound tight behind his back by some unknown force.
"Tom-"
It happened in an instant.
The shroud of darkness dissipated and Harry found himself drenched in stone cold fear.
Tom was standing just a few paces away and he wasn't alone.
Lyra was hanging limp in his grip. Only Tom was holding her so delicately as if she was the most precious thing in the world. Lyra's body was broken, faded and drained of all life. Her fur was no longer soft. Instead it was matted and covered in ash as she withered in Tom's arms.
Tom was also deadly pale, lifeless and dull, and completely unresponsive as Harry called out his name again.
Instead, something else entirely was focused on Harry. Something suffocatingly dark and with sharp red eyes. The shadow shifted and Harry flinched back, eyes darting around in desperation as his own body remained immobile. It was alive and so full of such hateful determination.
And then Harry's vision was fading again, hiding Tom and Lyra from view as Harry's mind scrabbled, scratched to stay connected. To feel his soul.
The shadow retaliated as it lashed out towards the pair but Tom had no wand to defend himself. He could only cradle Lyra and take small steps backwards as Tom moved further and further away from Harry.
"No!" Harry cried, pulling against his restraints. "Don't go, come back."
But Tom didn't hear him.
He was fading into the distance, into the darkness, taking Lyra with him as his footsteps grew quieter with every step.
Harry jolted up, sputtering and gasping.
"Harry-"
Tom was by his side, hand pressed firm against his burning scar, the other planted on his chest as Harry took deep breaths.
"D-don't go," Harry choked and he scrambled around in an attempt to grab hold of Tom.
But Harry was disoriented, his thoughts incoherent as all he knew was Lyra drained and dying. That Tom was leaving Harry alone to face the darkness.
Harry twisted in his bed covers as he pushed himself back against the headboard. He pulled his knees up against his chest as his hands gripped his hair tightly.
Tom shifted to crouch in front of Harry, hand moving back to press against Harry's scar.
His other hand he waved in front of Harry's vacant eyes.
"Harry, I'm here. Talk to me."
The shadow, cold in the darkness only watched.
Harry swallowed as he slowly locked his eyes with Tom's.
"Don't leave me with him-" Harry whispered.
"There was someone else in your dream?" Tom's voice was sharp, expression bristled with concern and he moved his other hand to lace into Harry's own, pulling it gently away from Harry's head. "Voldemort?"
Harry shook his head, sickness rising in his throat.
"Riddle?"
Harry jerked back, eyes shutting as he nodded once.
Tom's grip had gone rigid and his eyes simmered in fury.
But Harry could only gasp and splutter as he clung onto Tom like a lifeline.
"T-Tom, I need air," Harry gasped.
And Tom responded at once. His anger dispersed as he shifted his arm so it slotted under Harry's shoulder.
"Come on," Tom said. But Harry's legs wouldn't cooperate. He was drained just like Lyra had been.
Tom tightened his hold and locked his arm securely so that Harry was steady as Tom pulled Harry down the steps to the common room below.
The fire had long since burnt down to its coals and the common room was glowing in a warm orange light.
It should have been long since empty.
But someone was already there. Standing in the shadows.
Harry jerked away, his overwhelming desire to flee taking hold.
Tom drew their wand and flicked it sharply as light illuminated the room of red and gold.
Ginny Weasley was standing alone in the middle of the room. She had a single black book clutched tightly in her arms.
If anything Tom's nails dug in, his pace quickening as he pulled Harry past Ginny without saying a single word. Likewise, Ginny just stood in silence with her eyes distant, almost like she hadn't even noticed they were there.
"What was that about?" Harry mumbled as his head spun.
"Don't think on it, Harry," Tom said. His voice was oddly firm and he never broke pace as they exited the common room.
The castle was eerily quiet and Tom made little effort to quieten their footsteps. Most of the portraits were sleeping but occasionally one would peer down angrily at them as they made their way through the dark corridors.
It was only when they exited down the large front steps did Harry find any strength again. The stars blanketed the nights sky and the moon was hidden just behind the castle, casting long shadows across the lawn.
Harry drew breath and felt a rush of bitterly cold air flood into his lungs.
Tom led him down to the edge of the lake before he settled down next to Harry. He didn't say a word.
Harry drew his knees up and pressed his palms into his forehead, relishing in the night air. Harry almost wished Tom would lean across and take all his worries away. To make Harry forget that there was anything other than Tom in the world.
So, Harry was almost begging as he whispered.
"I can't do this anymore, Tom."
Tom was so still beside him as he watched the water ripple in front of them.
"Your nightmares stopped after we left the Malfoy's," Tom said quietly.
"Not for long," Harry said.
"No, they started again when term began," Tom said.
Harry titled his head up away from his knees, eyes blinking open. This was certainly true. They'd had one whole month to themselves at Hogwarts, one month where Harry didn't have to watch Lyra and Tom become distorted in his dreams.
Tom rubbed his eyes and through Harry's own distress and apprehension, he could feel Tom's distraught confusion.
"Your nightmares only occur under certain circumstances," Tom said. "They always relate to Voldemort's presence. It was the same after the guillotine and they stopped after Quirrell left Hogwarts."
Fear shot through Harry and he spun around in the starlight. Hogwarts sat, towering behind them, casting long shadows across the lawn. But only the empty expanse of grass was there and there was no apparent unfriendly red eyes watching them.
Harry swallowed and his voice was less than confident.
"Voldemort's not in the castle?"
"No," Tom said and he took Harry's hand and squeezed it tightly. Harry relaxed instantly at this as Tom's reassurance ran through him. "Voldemort isn't, but he wasn't always in Malfoy manor."
It took Harry a moment to grasp the full realisation of Tom's statement. Harry felt the dread consume him, a dry chill fueling his understanding as his mind flashed back to the shadowy figure lingering just out of sight.
"You think Riddle's here?" Harry choked.
"I don't think, I know," Tom said darkly. "I think it was his presence which was causing you discomfort at Malfoy Manor and I think it's the same again now."
Harry stiffened. Why was Riddle at Hogwarts and how did he get away from Malfoy manor when Voldemort had been adamant he had to stay put.
"Voldemort wants your blood to rebuild his body, remember?" Tom said softly, answering Harry's unspoken question. "Riddle knew this, that's why he helped you escape. It was his way out of the manor. He convinced Voldemort to let him go so he can bring you back."
Everything was fitting horribly into place now.
"Only Riddle has his own intentions?" Harry said.
Tom nodded and now it was Harry shuffling closer to Tom.
"How did Riddle get into the castle?" Harry asked.
Tom shook his head and looked down. He drummed his fingers against Harry's palm in a cool soothing rhythm.
"I don't know. Riddle said he wasn't bound to anything living, so it could be anything, as long as it anchors his soul."
"But that's-" Harry's voice died on his throat. So lonely.
"Don't you dare feel sorry for him," Tom hissed.
Harry locked his jaw set but he didn't say another word.
Tom pulled out a tuft of grass and ran the small green blades between his fingers. Harry looked up and caught Tom's gaze properly for the first time since they'd left the castle.
Unlike his nightmares, Tom's eyes weren't cold and cruel. They were full of terror.
The dormitory was empty by the time Harry and Tom left the next morning. Harry hadn't managed to recover any sleep, the very thought that Riddle was hiding just out of sight was enough to keep him lying awake.
Harry and Tom made their way down to the Great Hall only to find it full of an angry buzzing noise.
Harry caught a number of people with tears stained down their faces and their dæmons clutched tightly in their arms.
"What happened?" Harry asked as he came to sit down next to Hermione. His eyes fixed on a couple of auror's standing up by the teacher's table.
Even Ramiron looked disturbed as he brushed against Hermione's arm. Ron who was sitting next to her lent down to shift a pining Sephronia into his lap.
"One of the Slytherin's died last night," Hermione said.
"What? Who?" Harry asked.
"Apparently it was a fifth year, Zoe Westwark," Hermione said. "Her dæmon was a rooster."
Harry looked to Tom but there was no recognition of the name.
"What happened?" Tom said.
"It was a potions accident apparently," Ramiron squeaked.
"I bet it was Snape," Sephronia added. "He probably poisoned them because she didn't hand their homework in on time."
"Ron!" Hermione gasped. "You can't say that, it was an accident."
Ron shrugged, patting Sephronia on the head as he nodded towards Tom.
"We don't know that yet, and it's either going to be Snape or Tom. I don't know anyone else evil enough, do you?" Ron said.
Hermione spluttered but Ron had a horrible point. Scrimgeour would be the first person to accuse Tom. Harry glanced back to the auror's, almost expecting to see the bushy tail of Nala heading their way.
Tom however, hadn't been paying attention. Instead his focus was on someone else entirely.
"Are you okay?" Tom asked.
"Of course I am-" Harry started, and then he realised Tom wasn't talking to him.
Ginny Weasley was sitting a couple of spaces down the table and she was completely ashen faced. Her dæmon, Galian, also looked very distressed and he nudged her gently. This seemed to bring some life back to her as Ginny's hazel eyes widened and a smile split onto her face.
"Oh, hello Tom."
Tom's expression soured in return and he only watched Ginny with cold resentment.
Ginny however didn't seem to notice as her fingers traced through Galian's mane. She practically beamed at Tom as her whole demeanour lightened.
She shifted forwards and opened her mouth to say something when they were interrupted by someone towering over their shoulders.
"Mr Potter, Miss Weasley, if you could both come with me," Professor McGonagall said.
Harry's stomach plummeted as Ron and Hermione shared concerned glances. Galian seemed particularly disturbed as he ducked his face to nudge into Ginny again.
Ginny paused, face draining of all colour as Tom lent back and crossed his arms, eyes flicking briefly to the couple of auror's who were still standing up by the teachers table.
"Sorry Professor?"
Einaris snarled at this, back raising as he hissed at Tom. Harry looked between the two already dreading what was to come.
"Now, Potter. Or I will deduct fifty points from Gryffindor," McGonagall said.
Harry grabbed Tom's hand and shot him a look to be quiet as Ron mouthed indignantly, 'fifty points'.
Ginny bit her lip as she chanced another glance at Tom.
Professor McGonagall lead them to a back room just off from the Great Hall where they were greeted by Professor Snape, Professor Sprout, a Hufflepuff and two Slytherin's. Surprisingly, the auror's weren't present.
The students were all older and their dæmons, a duck, a turkey and a small monkey were making themselves as small as possible. Einaris, Laraine and Professor Sprouts dæmon, a large bumblebee were all watching them carefully.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and gave them all a stern look.
"You were all out of bed last night."
No one said anything.
"I want to know your exact whereabouts," Professor McGonagall continued. "And there will be severe consequences to anyone who lies."
Still everyone remained tight lipped.
Professor Snape turned on one of his students.
"Ogden, explain now," Snape snapped. Laraine screeched once and batted her wings which caused Ogden's turkey to bristle her feathers and take a step behind Ogden's leg.
"I was in the Library with Davis', sir," Ogden said as he nodded across to his classmate. "We forgot we had homework due in the morning for Professor Flitwick."
"And you dormitory wasn't sufficient enough?" Snape said.
"We didn't have the correct references available, sir. I can assure you it will not happen again," Ogden said.
Davis muttered something similar, but his monkey was fidgeting something terrible.
Snape nodded.
"Detention, tonight. My office, 6 o'clock sharp."
Both Slytherin's nodded as their dæmons skirted around their ankles.
"And Miss Noble," Professor Sprout asked her Hufflepuff student. "Why were you outside of your dormitory?"
Her Hufflepuff blushed and Harry was sure she muttered something about the Ravenclaw common room. Her duck had buried its head under his wing.
Professor Sprout looked flustered herself as her bee flew around her head.
"Any relationship you have with Mr Jackson should be outside of curfew and you should certainly not visiting his dormitory."
"Sorry Professor," she muttered as she blushed furiously hard.
"I expect to see you tonight for detention, you can help me collect some more pus from the Bubotuber."
Miss Noble looked less than pleased as her duck quacked.
McGonagall's mouth had tightened as she focused on her own students. Harry shuffled and Tom gripped his hand.
"Miss Weasley?"
"I forgot the password," Ginny started as she entwined her hand into Galian's mane. "I went to try and find a teacher but I got lost."
"And where exactly was this, Miss Weasley?" McGonagall asked.
Ginny looked visibly panicked now as she looked to the other students for help.
"I-I think it was the first floor, no maybe the third."
"That's a long way away from your common room," Snape said, as Galian neighed.
"Well I-I was lost."
Harry couldn't help but feel a ping of sympathy towards Ginny, Snape was bad at the best of times.
Fortunately for Ginny, her interrogation was interrupted.
"I thought it was an accident?" Tom said quietly.
Everyone turned to stare at him at this.
"Wait, this is to do with that Slytherin, you think one of us did her in?" the Hufflepuff said and her duck quacked loudly.
It happened simultaneously, every set of eyes fixed on Tom.
"No, Miss Noble. We are merely trying to establish if any of you saw anything," McGonagall said calmly as Einaris prowled around the smaller dæmons, while avoiding Galian's large hooves.
"But there was evidence of fowl play?" Tom pressed.
"We'll be the ones asking the questions," Snape snapped. "Speaking of which, where were you Potter?"
"Outside," Harry said through gritted teeth. "I couldn't sleep."
Snape sneered at this.
"And what do you think gives you the right to wonder freely around the castle, just because you can't get your precious-"
But Harry had stopped listening. He could see Tom holding Lyra who was lying unmoving, with the shadow lingering just out of reach.
Tom reached out but Harry flinched away.
Everybody noticed.
"Mr Potter," McGonagall said sharply. "Is there something you wish to share?"
Harry opened his mouth but he couldn't find his voice.
"Mr Potter?"
"Harry's fine," Tom lied. "We just needed some fresh air. It gets a bit claustrophobic inside the castle after all."
But they weren't convincing anyone. Now the other students had drawn their dæmons away from Tom, suspicious glances shooting in their direction.
McGonagall looked less than impressed and Laraine fluttered across to Einaris to whisper something in his ear.
McGonagall's face had suddenly drained of all colour as she cleared her throat.
"Miss Weasley, you will be polishing the silver in the trophy room tonight with Mr Filch, and Potter, you will be helping Professor Lockhart answer his fan mail," said McGonagall.
"Is that all professor?" Tom's voice was so sharp as the teachers and students didn't take their eyes off them.
Snape looked particularly unimpressed.
"Morning classes have been cancelled, and you will each lose thirty house points," Snape said.
No one protested.
Tom pulled Harry out at once, ignoring the burning gazes on their backs.
The rest of the day was torture. Despite no classes being on in the morning, everywhere Harry and Tom went people were whispering furiously behind their backs, clutching their own dæmons in their arms as they hurried away. Even the Gryffindor common room had been suffocating and Harry had found it almost a relief to be heading off to his detention with Lockhart that evening.
Fortunately, they didn't see the auror's again, although Harry was still expecting Scrimgeour to haul them out of Hogwarts for questioning.
For now though, Harry and Tom were left to sit in front of a large pile of letters as Lockhart handed them yet another envelope.
"I am Lord Voldemort. I don't answer fan mail," Tom hissed.
Harry snorted which caused ink to splash all over Gladys Gudgeon's address.
"Now now, boys," Lockhart chided. Lockhart seemed not to have caught what Tom had said as he smiled with his dizzying white teeth and continued with his latest story about village he'd saved from a werewolf.
Harry was convinced he'd received the worst detention by far, even spending time down in the dungeons with Snape seemed more appealing than this right now.
Lockhart's guinea pig was currently parading up and down a small line of freshly written letters. She'd pressed her feet into a small dish of ink that Lockhart had set down as she marked small imprints of ink on each letter.
"My readers absolutely adore Minnie," Lockhart explained as his dæmon squeaked. "Veronica Smethley always insists that she gets Minnie's signature. She has a small rabbit called Basil who is very fond of her."
Tom was scribbling away and Harry peered over Lockhart's letter to Victoria Smethley to see Tom adding something about busting boils.
Unfortunately, the novel of writing a few offensive comments when Lockhart wasn't looking quickly lost any entertainment and Harry and Tom found themselves drifting into a stupor as Lockhart rambled on.
So when a spike of confusion shot through Harry a few hours later, Harry nearly knocked the ink bottle off the desk.
Tom had stiffened. His quill was frozen over his parchment as his eyes darted to Lockhart. Tom was still a moment before he scanned the room with a silent frown.
Distracted Tom titled his head to the side.
"Tom-" Harry started.
"Shh," Tom whispered with a sharp gesture of his hand.
"What's that boys?" Lockhart said. Minnie stopped with her paws in the ink.
"Nothing, Professor," Harry said as chanced an odd look at Tom.
Tom didn't respond and now it was Harry on the receiving end of a puzzled frown.
"Well would you look at that. We've been here nearly four hours! I'd never have believed it – the time's flown hasn't it?" Lockhart said as Minnie jumped onto one last letter.
Harry didn't answer.
It was late when they finally stepped out of Lockhart's office and Harry and Tom found themselves walking through a silent and dark castle.
"What was that about?" Harry asked as they passed a portrait of a knight sleeping in his frame.
Tom took a moment to answer.
"You didn't hear it then?"
Harry shook his head.
Tom sighed as they took the route back to the main staircases via the first floor stairs.
"Someone was calling my name."
Harry frowned.
"Voldemort?"
Tom jerked his head at this.
"No, they were saying my name. Tom Riddle. I could hear it so clearly, I thought it was Lockhart at first, it was that close," Tom said.
If that didn't sound ominous enough.
"Why would someone be calling your name?" Harry asked.
Tom however, never got a chance to answer.
They rounded a corner and ran straight into a flustered looking Ginny Weasley. Right next to her was Galian and he had his head bowed as if ready to charge.
Ginny let out a loud squeak and her hands immediately flew to rub at her tear stained face.
Harry couldn't help it. It slipped out of his mouth so easily.
"H-have you been fighting?"
If anything more tears prickled at Ginny's eyes and she shook her head furiously.
"W-we haven't! I-it was just Filch," she wiped her eyes hurriedly on her sleeve, "You know how his detentions can be-"
"Oh," Harry suddenly felt very stupid. Of course no one else fought with their dæmons. "Well it can't have been worse than Lockhart, I think I nearly lost the will to-"
But Harry trailed off, Ginny was very clearly not paying attention as her focus drifted solely across to Tom.
Ginny's tear stained face split into a weak smile as she hurriedly dried her eyes.
Harry wasn't the only one to notice as Tom's expression cooled. Galian however, was less than impressed as he ducked his head suddenly, hoofs pouring the carpet as he neighed.
There was barely any warning.
Galian charged straight at Tom. Alarmed Harry and Ginny both reacted at once.
Harry lunged forwards to grab Tom. Harry yanked Tom's collar to pull him backwards as Ginny threw her hands into Galian's mane.
"Galian!" Ginny cried. "Don't-"
But he was too strong and Ginny could do nothing as her horse charged towards straight them.
Harry fumbled for his wand but Galian was on them in seconds. His head lowered as he butted into Harry.
Harry's lungs emptied and his chest made a distinctive cracking sound. He was knocked clean off his feet as Galian tumbled forwards, no momentum lost as Harry's head slammed back into Tom's as they landed in a jumbled heap.
Harry's chest burnt and every breath was sharp, tight and stinging as he winced. He blinked, head ringing as Tom staggered out from under him.
Tom's hands were shaking as he dipped into Harry's pocket.
"Stay still," Tom whispered and he leveled Harry's wand straight at his bruised chest.
Tom mumbled something but Harry's vision was shifting in and out of focus, the pain excruciatingly unrelenting.
There was another loud crunch and Harry cried out causing Tom to wave his wand again.
"Shh, I've got you."
Sure enough, the pain was numbing and each breath no longer burned. Instead an odd tingling feeling was spreading out from the wand tip as Harry's vision blinked back into focus. But despite Harry's cracked ribs he by far hadn't faired worse.
Ginny had collapsed on the floor and she was sobbing uncontrollably. Galian was paralysed beside Harry and Tom.
"Ginny, I'm so sorry," Harry stuttered as he attempted to pull himself up.
Tom gripped Harry's shoulder to hold him firmly as he glared towards Ginny with such cold resentment.
Ginny stumbled onto her knees, tears streaming down her face as she fumbled with her school bag. Harry could understand her discomfort, he and Galian had touched. It was forbidden, nothing was worse, not even broken bones.
Galian however, was back by her side in a moment, hoof stomping down fiercely on her bag which just narrowly missed her fingers.
"Galian, no!"
She attempted to push Galian away as she scrambled with her bag once more. But Galian was wild and he ducked his head, like he was going to try and charge at Tom again.
Tom stood and held their wand drawn. His expression was deadly. Harry scrambled up and clutched onto the wall as his head swayed. Tom paused, only to grab a hold of Harry's arm to steady him but he didn't lower their wand. Instead he looked down at Ginny with a horrible pitying look.
"You've been neglecting your dæmon," Tom said coldly.
"Tom-" Harry started.
Ginny who was still panicked with her school bag stilled as if Tom was the only thing that mattered.
"I have not-" Ginny started.
"Liar," Tom said coldly.
Ginny looked genuinely hurt. Galian had paused as he watched Tom cautiously, unsure by this interaction.
Tom's mouth twisted into a cold smirk.
"Whatever you think I am, you're deluded," Tom said. "I've seen you watching me, I can and will only offer you nothing. You are worthless to me-"
"Tom, stop it," Harry said. Ginny's eyes were welling up again as she stumbled to her feet and clutched her bag tightly to her chest. It was amazing a teacher hadn't appeared from all the commotion they were causing.
Ginny opened her mouth as if to say something but decided better as she closed it. She grabbed her school bag and pulled it close to her chest before she tore away in the direction of the first floor stairs.
Tom made to follow.
"Wasn't that enough?" Harry snapped and he grabbed Tom's arms to haul him back. Only this caused Harry's head to spin.
Tom bristled as he immediate turned to steady Harry.
"She needed to hear it," Tom said as his fingers began tracing gently over Harry's bruises.
"Why? That was just brutal."
Tom flicked their wand again but Harry felt little relief as his legs wobbled.
"Ginny isn't focused on Galian and you think I'm being cruel to tell her to stop?" Tom said.
Harry hadn't seen it like this but that didn't really win Tom any favours.
"I guess you're familiar with that, aren't you?" Harry spat. He would have pushed Tom away again but from Harry's tight gasps and dizzying vision, all he could do was cling to Tom.
Tom's face twisted from anger to hurt. But he didn't deny it.
"Yes, alright. Something has come between Ginny and her dæmon," Tom relented.
"And that something is you?" Harry said. The way Galian had been acting sure implied as much.
Tom didn't respond at first, instead he moved to shift his arm under Harry to support his weight.
"That something is Voldemort."
Harry froze, understanding so crystal clear.
"Riddle?"
The corridor was dimmer now so Harry could only just notice Tom's darkening expression. There were shadows under his eyes as he nodded sharply.
"There is a presence around her and it's only growing stronger as Galian grows weaker."
"But Galian seems strong enough?" Harry said as he rubbed his burning chest.
Tom nodded and what he said next chilled Harry to the bone.
"Galian wasn't with her last night. Ginny was alone."
Horror trickled into Harry but his own memory was confusing. He'd remembered Tom dragging him out of bed and walking past Ginny in the common room, but how could he have missed the absence of Galian.
"You don't watch dæmons as much as I do," Tom said softly. "It's not really what humans do."
"But Galian had to be there?" Harry said. It was impossible.
It was wrong in every sense.
Harry craved Lyra more than anything but to think if Ginny had possibly been momentarily on her own.
"I don't think she's suffering," Tom said lightly at Harry's apparent discomfort.
"But you think this presence around her is Riddle?" Harry said.
"Well it certainly feels like him," Tom said quietly. "Haven't you noticed?"
Harry shook his head.
"But how did Ginny and Galian get tied up with him? Why would Riddle not come straight to us? I already said I'd help him," Harry said.
"I don't know," Tom said after a pause.
"So what do we do, do we speak to Riddle?"
Tom shook his head firmly at this.
"Not yet, the longer we can avoid him the better, come on," he started to move Harry gently in the direction of the stairs.
Harry gritted his teeth as he bit his lip hard.
"But we can't leave Ginny with him, not if Riddle is hurting Galian?"
"There is nothing we can do for her yet," Tom said. "First off, let's get you to the hospital wing and then tomorrow I want to have a proper look through that book from the restricted section again-"
Tom's voice trailed off, silencing in a moment.
"Tom?"
"Shh," Tom said. "I can hear it."
"The voice?" Harry said and his eyes flicked across warily to Tom. "It's not Riddle is it?"
"No," Tom shook his head firmly at this. "That much I'm certain. His presence is overwhelmingly obvious to distinguish, this is different."
But Tom remained tense as his hand tightened around Harry.
"I-I don't think it's far, it sounds like it's just beneath us."
Harry could tell Tom was itching to investigate and his eyes scanned over Harry one more time.
"I'm fine, really-" Harry started as his vision spun. "You've numbed most of the pain, the hospital wing can wait five minutes."
Tom gave him a funny look before he finally relented, mostly because he knew Harry was curious as well.
"Come on, I think it's this way," Tom said.
Tom lead them downstairs, only nodding sharply when Harry asked if he could still hear the voice.
It didn't take long to reach their destination despite Harry's dizzying head.
It was a bathroom.
"Why are there mirrors on the wall?" Harry asked.
And it wasn't just the usual mirrors that surrounded the sinks. Dozens more littered the room, tall elaborate and engraved with shimmering runes. They reminded Harry almost of the grandeur of the mirror of erised but these had no Lyra hiding beneath their surface.
The room was littered in their reflections and Harry could see his pale faces looking back at him.
Tom's hand moved out of Harry's as he stepped closer to press his hand up against the glass. Harry leant against one of the sinks and massaged his own chest.
"I heard it," Tom said. "It was here, the voice was right here, it was calling my name."
And then something slipped over Harry's eyes.
Darkness.
Harry grabbed at his face, but there was no cloth, only the lack of light.
"Tom-" Harry gasped.
He reached out automatically and grasped blindly at the emptiness.
"Harry?"
Relief poured into Harry at the comfort of Tom's voice alone. And although his terror was growing, the speed of which it was growing diminished.
"I-I can't see, I can't-"
Maybe it had been Galian, maybe when Harry had knocked his head something had gone horribly wrong. Harry fumbled forwards desperate to grab hold of Tom.
"What happened?" Tom started but his voice fell horribly quiet and his approaching footsteps halted.
Something was moving. Something heavy and large.
"Harry, don't move-"
And then Tom's voice stopped in a moment, swallowed into the darkness. It felt like ice was clawing at Harry's heart. But this was different from the tingling sensation of the curse Tom had used earlier.
This was wrong. This was so very very wrong.
Harry scrabbled forwards but the shock was intense. Rippling through Harry as it tore him apart.
"Tom-"
And in less than a heart beat, without any warning, their connection shattered.
Harry collapsed, lungs emptying as he screamed. But barely any sound came out. His lungs were still bruised, tight and suffocating as his soul writhed in anguish, desperate to find something to hold onto.
There was hissing, eerie and disturbing, but Harry barely noticed. Locked in his own self turmoil as everything broke apart.
"No, no, no, no!" Harry cried. He stumbled blind as his hands traced over the bathroom's titled floor.
Harry knew this feeling. He could never forget. The consuming lingering emptiness, only growing with every gasp of air, in every ounce of ruthless understanding.
Only Tom could fill it, but Tom wasn't there. Harry couldn't breathe. Every fiber of his being was crying out, but the void only growing.
And it wasn't stopping.
"What a pity."
That voice.
Harry's soul latched hold as it grabbed onto that one small ounce of familiarity. It was almost soothing if it weren't for Harry's soul shattering emptiness.
Harry twisted round. His pupils darted back and forth, with every movement numb, slow, muted.
"Take it off," Harry said as he scrabbled at his face.
The voice tutted before a sharp pain ricocheted up Harry's arm.
Harry hissed, but it was nothing compared to the lack of Tom. The absence which would ground his own soul. Harry was barely hanging onto reality as the weak connection faltered.
"Take it off," Harry repeated.
There were footsteps, loud and deliberate. Harry drew backwards on the floor. He clutched his arm while each breath remained without oxygen.
The blackness shifted as quickly as it had appeared and Harry blinked rapidly at the sudden influx of light. He raised his hands to shield his gaze as he focused on the figure which stood before him.
Harry's heart twisted. His soul leaping out in an attempt to reconnect to what he had lost.
"T-Tom?"
But it wasn't. It took Harry a moment to adjust and realise that he was still alone. With barely an anchor to stable his aching heart. Instead there was this presence, wrong in every sense. Like Tom, but not. It was like an angry buzzing was flooding into Harry's senses, suffocating but empty and without substance.
"You."
Riddle smiled and it wasn't a particularly nice smile. It was mocking, condescending and his eyes gleamed with a sense of horrible satisfaction.
Riddle was holding a wand, but it was hanging limply at his side. He knew Harry was no threat. Tom wasn't there to defend him.
"Hello," Riddle said softly. His hand reached out to linger just above Harry's forehead.
Harry's soul twisted, desperate to lean in, to sink into Riddle. But at the same time it was repulsed, twisted and falling. He wanted out. He only wanted Tom.
Harry swayed closer and Riddle only smiled in response.
And then Harry noticed someone slightly behind Riddle.
Ginny Weasley was standing there, a black book clasped tightly to her chest as she watched with vacant eyes. Galian was no where in sight.
This distraction was weak however and Harry's soul still burnt as the emptiness continued in relentless pain.
Harry was broken. Soulless.
"Where is Tom?" Harry gasped.
Riddle smiled, teeth sharp as he looked over Harry's shoulder.
Harry was too afraid, but his desperation was overwhelming, unrelenting. Was Tom gone like Lyra. Or was he really just standing right behind him, suffering the same nothingness as Harry.
He was neither and Harry's soul ached, splintering at the cruel realisation of Tom's fate.
Harry's voice broke, tears welling in his eyes.
"T-Tom-"
Tom was stone. Cold and unmoving.
There was no heart beat, no rush of affection or any other piece of emotion.
Nothing.
"Tom-"
It was like Tom wasn't there at all. He was a perfect statue with wide open eyes. His mouth was parted slightly and he had one arm solid, half reaching out in Harry's direction as their wand trapped tightly in his hand.
Tom was an imprint of everything Harry wanted but lacking in any kind of substance. It wasn't like the familiar ache of loss from Lyra, this was different.
Their bond was severed, just like the guillotine had always intended.
Harry's eyes burnt as tears crept down his face. The shock was still fresh, ricocheting through his every being. Harry attempted to crawl forwards, to reach out, as if being closer to Tom would somehow help.
Harry didn't get very far.
Riddle tapped the wand sharply on Harry's shoulder. A curse ripped down Harry's arm in a stinging pain. Harry hissed as he fell onto his hands and knees. His soul still thirsted for more, unsatisfied with whatever link he had with Riddle.
"Ginny, help-"
But Ginny didn't move, she remained standing silently, eyes unfocused as she clutched the black book tight in her arms.
Riddle leveled his wand straight at Harry's head.
And Harry wished for death.
"Obliviate."