Riddle was hissing.
Harry listened as Riddle's unnatural echo filled their surroundings. It was all Harry could do as he waited blind, a single piece of black cloth tied around his eyes.
Whatever response, or lack of, Riddle seemed satisfied enough.
"Take my hand," Riddle instructed.
Harry obeyed as Riddle's slipped his own into Harry's, pulling him forward with a gentle tug.
"Surely if the basilisk appears he's going to eat me anyway?" Harry said as his feet crunched into the bones which littered the floor.
"Slytherin won't kill you," Riddle said, but he had still insisted on the blindfold all the same. Harry kept his hand firmly clamped in Riddle's, tensing at the smallest of sounds. Riddle didn't seem to mind it. It was as if they were simply walking through the corridors of Hogwarts above and occasionally meeting a passage which could potentially have a giant serpent within.
Riddle seemed to stop at random intervals which only aided in Harry's growing uncertainty.
"When you said the basilisk is temperamental-"
"I can't guarantee he'll listen to me," Riddle answered, "No, it's better we avoid him if we can."
And then Riddle was hissing again, only this time there was a rumble, the floor vibrating as something heavy moved in front of them. Harry was met with fresh, cold air on his face, displacing the stale of the tunnel.
Harry took a wary step back.
Riddle squeezed Harry's hand in response before letting go, his fingers teasing through his hair as Harry's blindfold fell away.
They were standing on one of the steep banks which lined the castle, the entrance to the pipe hidden by trees and foliage as the lake stretched out before them. It was snowing and Harry raised his hand, blinking back the bright light. He'd lost track of all time in the Chamber and from the look of it weeks had passed since Riddle had destroyed the mirror and taken him.
Harry took a deep breath relishing the air. But this did little to settle his growing doubt, the uncertainty of not knowing what was ahead, although it wasn't just Harry who seemed anxious to step away from the castle's protections.
"What are you waiting for?" Harry asked.
Riddle who stood a few paces back into the pipe looked up, his gaze shadowed as he twirled Harry's wand absently between his fingers.
"She might not even be there," he said quietly.
"Voldemort met Quirrell in Albania," Harry said, pushing away the enormity of where Riddle wanted to go. "And you said it yourself, it's where Voldemort fled when he lost his body, you know Nagini would have stayed with him."
It was only the smallest of nods that told Harry Riddle had acknowledged him. He was silent for a moment, gazing out into the swirl of snow.
"And if she is there no longer?" Riddle said.
"At least you know where to start," Harry said bitterly, thinking of Lyra. Not to forget, Harry was going in the complete opposite direction of Tom.
But Riddle was still hesitant. It was odd that now, after all of his extreme, manic actions that doubt was setting in.
"Come on," Harry said, raising his own hand to offer it to Riddle again.
There was a twinge of something, and Harry felt the diary flutter against his chest where he had it hidden.
Finally, Riddle stepped forwards, walking past and out into the snow as he ignored Harry's outstretched hand.
"I can see why he chose you," Riddle muttered.
Harry was left standing there, unsure whether it was the chill of the blistery cold weather or the sudden uneasy feeling that was overcoming him.
Rufus Scrimgeour stood on a small wooden platform in the centre of the auditorium. His dæmon sat proudly at the base of the Fountain of Magical Brethren, her tail flicked back and forth as she watched a number of bird dæmons circle high above the crowd below.
Around the edge of the room, aurors stood between the gilded fireplaces, dressed in their long red robes as witches, wizards and their dæmons waited.
"I would like to thank you all for attending this morning-" Scrimgeour started his voice carrying through the silence.
At the far end of the hall, away from any prying eyes stood Lucius Malfoy, listening carefully as he brushed one hand down the smooth feathers on Chandraki's head.
"Hogwarts will remain closed until further notice-" Scrimgeour continued.
Another wizard sidled up next to Lucius, his jackdaw dæmon perched on his shoulder, her distinctive silvery feathers on the back of her head glistening in every camera flash.
"The boy must be dead," Amycus Carrow said.
Lucius barely glanced at him, while Chandraki blinked her beady peahen eyes at the jackdaw.
"Our Lord believes otherwise," Lucius replied softly.
Amycus only nodded as he raised an eyebrow.
"And the Minister?"
"Will be out of office if he ever gives up on Potter."
Scrimgeour cleared his throat, his tabby now prowling around his feet.
"We can assure the public that the reports regarding our departments priorities are unfounded as we have adequate resources in place for locating both Sirius Black and Harry Potter. However, we would ask that each individual remain vigilant and that they should not approach Black under any circumstance-"
"Interesting that," Amycus mused as his dæmon cawed. "How did Black escape from Azkaban anyway?"
"That's a question our Lord is very interested in," Lucius said, eyes lingering on a witch and her dæmon who hurried past and into a nearby fireplace. "Of course, there is no doubt in the reason for Black's escape."
"Ah," Amycus said. "Scrimgeour's hoping to find Black who will lead them to the boy?"
Lucius Malfoy shook his head before he sneered.
"They have no idea where either Potter or Black are, Hogwarts or otherwise, they've been desperate enough to involve the muggle authorities. Not that the Minister would ever admit to that."
Amycus looked like he had something unpleasant under his nose.
"And our target?"
Lucius cast Amycus a very wary look at that statement and even Chandraki ruffled her feathers.
"Will be taking Potter one place only."
Harry was standing on a small remote platform somewhere in the Scottish Highlands. It must have been late morning, but the sun was still dim and the clouds hung low around the hills.
Harry pulled his coat tighter around himself, the chill of the wind cutting straight to his bones.
"Just one fire-"
"No."
Harry glared at Riddle as the distant sound of train echoed down the valley.
"I still think we should apparate or use a portkey-"
"No magic. I already told you."
Harry stuffed his hands into his coat.
"Right."
Riddle had been unusually quiet these last few days, he'd been on edge ever since they had left the boundary of the school, and yet despite this Harry had found Riddle's attention on him unwavering.
"So if Nagini was Vold-"
Riddle was so fast as he clamped his hand over Harry's mouth.
"Do you never listen," Riddle snapped. "Never refer to the Dark Lord by his name, not outside of Hogwarts, ever."
Harry yanked Riddle's hand away.
"I'm not calling him Dark Lord," Harry retorted.
"Fine," Riddle said. "Call him Tom."
That earned Riddle a glare.
"That is his name, is my name too," Riddle added lightly.
Harry wrinkled his nose.
"I'm not calling you Tom either."
"Fine."
And then Riddle was silent again with only the sound of the train rumbling across the tracks as it approached.
It was small with two carriages and half a dozen muggles inside. A muggle conductor appeared at the far end of the platform.
Riddle caught Harry's arm, delaying him from boarding. He had that look in his eye again.
"I won't forget this, Harry."
And that desperation, so intoxicating that Harry fumbled. Harry tried to speak, but all he managed to do was sink forwards, Riddle catching him by the shoulders.
Riddle smiled for the briefest of moments, before he reached forwards to pulled Harry's hood up over his head.
"Keep me close," Riddle instructed. "And remember to do exactly as I told you."
Harry nodded mutely. He was almost on the train, one foot still on the platform when he stopped. There was just enough time for him to catch sight of something transparent before a swirl of snow blocked his view.
Harry thought Riddle must have seen it too for he grabbed him by the scruff of his clothes, pushing Harry into the carriage.
"What did you see?"
"I-" Harry spun around, twisting to see past Riddle.
"Harry!" Riddle snapped, shaking Harry abruptly by his shoulders.
"T-That was a dæmon," Harry said, still trying to squint out into the snow. "But it was all wispy, like it was only half there."
Maybe it was the snow, a trick of the light, but Harry had been sure.
"Sit in the corner, next to the window," Riddle instructed, all but hauling Harry into a seat as he pulled out Harry's wand.
"Stay here," Riddle added as the train started to pull away. "I'm going to check the other carriage."
Harry was left alone, sitting numbly as he stared out the gloomy window.
Riddle was back two minutes later.
"There's a family of muggles and an old man with a mangy dog."
Riddle didn't pocket Harry's wand though, instead he sat down on the other seat.
"Why was that dæmon like that?" Harry whispered, just to be sure that a muggle sitting a couple of seats down didn't hear him.
"Are you sure it was wispy?" Riddle asked.
Harry nodded.
"It sounds like you saw a dæmon who has had prolonged exposure to a dementor," Riddle answered.
Harry's stomach lurched as Riddle glanced at him.
"Dementors can continuously feed from dæmons," Riddle continued. "It's not very well understood, but if you leave a dæmon too close to a dementor for long periods of time they start to wither and fade; if the dementor doesn't devour them whole that is."
Harry turned to look back out the train window, unsure if he wanted to see the wispy dæmon again.
"Azkaban?" Harry asked quietly.
Riddle nodded once before he tilted his head, watching Harry intently.
"What animal was it?"
"I don't know," Harry said. "I only caught a glimpse of something, I could hardly see because of the snow. It was definitely a dæmon though."
There was a pause, and at first Harry thought Riddle didn't believe him.
"There is a chance it was a Death Eater," Riddle said at last.
Harry hands gripped his seat as he spun around to look back out the murky window.
"Then Vold-" he stopped as Riddle hissed at him. "Fine, You Know Who, already knows where we are?"
Riddle for what ever reason remained silent and Harry looked back out of the window, but there was no sight of the wispy dæmon again.
There were Muggles everywhere. The loud buzz of St Pancras was deafening when compared to the silence of the Chamber or the steady clatter of the train.
Harry was sitting on a bench on the lower level, watching as people weaved in and out amongst themselves.
"It's a shame you're not older," Riddle said, watching a couple of muggles stared in Harry's direction. "You draw too much attention."
Harry glanced at Riddle with a frown.
"I thought you were staying in the diary?" Harry said.
"I wanted to check on you," Riddle said as he made to ruffle Harry's hair.
Harry battered him away, which to the surrounding muggles must have look like he was swatting a fly.
"Muggles don't have dæmons, I'm fine," Harry said. "Anyway, I'm far more noticeable when you're sitting next to me. Can't you at least wait until we're on the train?"
But Riddle didn't answer, he was looking back in the direction of the two muggles, who were now talking amongst themselves, one had pulled out a newspaper and was pointing out something to the other.
"What's wrong?"
"People keep looking in your direction," Riddle said.
"People always stare at me," Harry shrugged.
"Witches and Wizards stare at you," Riddle said. "Not muggles."
"You're being paranoid," Harry said. "Anyway, the train will be leaving soon."
Harry reached out, tugging on Riddle's sleeve, hating how his heart rate suddenly started racing painfully fast in his chest.
"Really, I'll be fine."
Riddle's eyes narrowed, seeing through Harry's thin smile. He gripped Harry's chin painfully, tilting his head left and right. Harry didn't respond, as he forced himself to remain perfectly still.
Riddle's mouth curled into a smile, but his eyes were nothing but hostile.
"You did promise, Harry," Riddle warned, a hard edge to his voice.
"I know-" Harry wetted his lips, "I just need a minute."
"If you ever betray me," Riddle said, his horrible smile lingering. "I will ensure the Dark Lord offers you no mercy."
And then Riddle was gone, and Harry was left alone, suddenly very aware that Riddle knew what he was potentially about to do.
This was Harry's one chance, his last opportunity before committing himself completely to Riddle.
Harry sat dithering on the seat, sickness rising. In two minutes he was expected to board the train, and in a few hours or so, he would be a whole country away, where the ministry would struggle to catch up straight away.
But there was still the fact that the Ministry might never give Tom back to him. Harry clenched his eyes shut, he couldn't bare the thought.
He never wanted to return to 's, with its sterilised room and the endless constant hunger and if the Ministry decided, then Harry was sure that was where he would end up.
However, if Harry stayed with Riddle, he still had a chance, if Harry could convince Riddle not to take him to Voldemort then Riddle could even help him find Lyra. And with Lyra, Harry would be able to flee, he'd be able to go back to Hogwarts and free Tom.
It was the best shot he had.
Harry stood, only to stop abruptly.
A man was standing only a few meters away, watching him. He was poorly dressed, and it looked like he hadn't washed in days. And then Harry saw the dæmon again, she was barely visible, like a flicker of something not quite there, caught in the station lights, standing just behind the man.
Harry couldn't help but stare, the dogs fur was matted and she was thin and wiry, she looked half starved and far more terrifying up close.
How had they been followed, Riddle had been diligent enough.
"Harry-" The man's voice was scratchy, as if he wasn't used to talking.
Harry tensed, reaching to where Riddle's diary was hidden.
In a split second, Harry darted to the right, skirting around another bench only to come face to face with a snarling dæmon.
The man lunged forward, grabbing Harry's shoulder as he yanked him back, his other hand flying to cover Harry's mouth to stifle his protest.
Harry bit down hard, but the man didn't even flinch, as his other hand move to Harry's throat, his grip tightening. Harry scrabbled, kicking outwards, but the man was unrelenting as spots danced in Harry's vision.
Then the man's next sentence caused Harry's world to come to a screaming halt.
"I can find your dæmon-"
Harry froze, snapping back as his lungs screamed for air. The man knowing he had Harry's attention, loosened his hand just enough so Harry could breath.
"L-let go of me," Harry coughed.
And the man did, warily so as his dæmon moved around agitated and impatient.
Harry rubbed his throat as his eyes watered.
"W-Why would you do that?"
"I-"
A hand enclosed on Harry's shoulder.
The man withdrew immediately, as if he'd been burnt, his dæmon flickered once before she growled.
"I-" The man's eyes were wide, his mouth gaping as he stared at Riddle. "I thought-"
The man looked more terrifying then before as his hollowed eyes darted between Harry and Riddle.
"You look older than your picture," he bit out at last.
Harry couldn't help it, the sheer thought was ridiculous.
"He's not Tom," he said indignantly.
The dæmon prowled forward, her presence slipping in and out of focus, so that Harry wasn't quite sure what he was looking at.
"I told you he was an imposter," her voice was just as dry, disorientating almost.
The look on Harry's face must have been confirmation enough as the man's eyes snapped to Riddle.
But Riddle's fingers had already tightened on Harry's shoulder as he tugged Harry behind him.
"Very clever, Black," Riddle said, eyeing up the dæmon with interest. "Does the Ministry know you're an animagis?"
The dog snarled, teeth snapping, but the man ignored her.
"No," Black snapped. "So what are you meant to be then?"
Riddle smirked, as he tilted his head.
"I'm the only thing keeping Harry whole. He stays with me."
"For now," Black growled, eyeing the wand that Riddle had slipped out, but the man seemed set on Harry, for he turned to him again, expression desperate as he braved a step closer. His dæmon did the same, coming to sniff at Harry's clothes.
"Harry-"
"Don't touch him," Riddle hissed, glaring down at the dæmon. "Or are you trying to trigger Potter?"
"Min-" Black started, he looked visibly unsettled as his dæmon retreated as if scolded, Black's hand gripped into her matted fur.
It took a moment, and a squeeze on Harry's shoulders to realise that Riddle was talking about.
"I-"
Black's dæmon was a wisp, igniting no fierce desire that Harry had hungered for. The horror must have shown on Harry's face.
"Although, I guess a withered dæmon is barely desirable," Riddle said. "Even to one who is lacking-"
A scream interrupted Riddle's, there was a commotion behind Black, but Harry could barely see amongst the footfall. A couple of muggle policemen were looking in their direction, a distressed commuter gesturing towards Black.
Black looked unconcerned, but it was his dæmon who suddenly growled, back arching as her sharp teeth became visible. Riddle seemed just as unsettled, for he raised Harry's wand.
But Riddle wasn't looking at the muggles. Instead his attention was pointed in another direction entirely as Harry felt Riddle's desperation flair.
Four men had stepped out from the crowd. They were each dressed in muggle attire, their suits sharp and would have been inconspicuous had it not been for one feature.
They were masked.
Black's dæmon barked, but there were no dæmons for her attention, so instead she was left circling in front of Harry.
"Don't make this difficult, Black," one of the death eaters started. "We'll take the boy and if you come quietly, Mintaka may not be fed to the dementors."
Black's dæmon crouched down, her ears flattening as she whined. Black gritted his teeth, but his face had drained of what little colour it had left.
Behind them, the muggle policemen were heading in their direction, the larger one on his radio.
Riddle lent down, breath catching in Harry's ear.
"Run."
It was the smallest of whispers, but Mintaka's ears perked up. Black must have heard it to for he shifted in front of Harry.
The closest Death Eater laughed, but none of them had drawn their wands. Instead, they all took a step closer, hemming Harry, Riddle, Black and his dæmon against the bench.
"Come here, Potter."
Harry didn't move.
The Death Eaters seemed just as reluctant to use magic as Riddle, and Black seemed to have realised this too.
"That's the thing about the trace," Black said suddenly, his mouth twisting into a lopsided grin. He looked even more delusional when he was smiling. "One single nasty curse and ever auror will be here quicker than a niffler can sniff out gold."
"You'll go straight back to Azkaban, Black," the near of the Death Eaters warned, but Harry could hear the sudden uncertainty in his voice.
Back shrugged and even Mintaka waved her tail once.
"Worth it."
"Do you even have a wand," the black haired Death Eater asked.
"No," Black grinned, as he strolled back and forth in front of Harry. "All I have to do is get one of you to use yours."
Riddle's grip on Harry's shoulder was hurting now, his nails digging in.
"That's not going to happen."
"Are you sure about that?" Black smiled.
Black vanished, his dæmon solidifying as dæmon and man became one. Both the Death Eaters and muggles started confused, as a solid dog appeared, lunging, teeth snarling as he went for one of the Death Eater's necks.
"Now!" Riddle urged.
Harry didn't look back.
He dodged past the muggle police as Harry heard a gurgled scream before a yelp and a glimpse of a bright red curse which lit up the station behind him.
Loud cracks echoed throughout the air, some nearby muggles screamed, but in all the commotion Harry hurtled past people standing on the elevator, knocking bags aside. He was halfway down the upper level when the first spell fired over his head.
Harry launched himself over the ticket barrier, catching the attention of a couple of station attendants. One yelled out, the other breaking chase as Harry pressed on, weaving in and out the passengers who had alighted from a train which had just stopped at the platform.
Another curse narrowly missed Harry's head as he ducked, sheltering behind a couple of information boards.
"Riddle!" Harry hissed, breath catching as his lungs burned.
And Riddle was there, pulling Harry close, his wand flicking as he twisted on the spot.
Nothing happened.
Riddle tried again, the anger flaring between them as he cursed.
"There's-" Harry gasped, "There's no way out?"
Riddle didn't respond, his forehead pressed against Harry's, his eyes shut momentarily as the diary pulsed against Harry's chest.
"Riddle-"
"Move," Riddle snapped, his wand striking upwards.
Only Harry couldn't, as a tremendous boom shattered the boards he was behind sending glass and wooden debris raining down on Riddle's shield as muggles fled.
Harry spun around, catching sight of the path behind him.
Aurors were littered throughout the station, curses exchanging with at least a dozen Death Eaters. There was no sign of Black or his dæmon and what few muggles remained had scattered, sheltering in shop fronts as they watched on in confused horror.
Riddle jerked him back around, pulling Harry's shirt by the collar.
"Keep running," Riddle hissed as he fired a curse towards the nearest auror. "Try to blend in with the muggles. Just get to somewhere I can apparate."
The underground would be suicide and Harry knew there was no hope in making it across the road to Kings Cross and platform 9 ¾.
"But-"
"Harry!" Riddle hissed, shoving him back towards the Death Eaters, aurors and panicked crowds. "Do as I tell you, I'm the only one who can help-"
That wasn't true. If Black could find Lyra-
A stray curse exploded overhead.
There was just enough time for Harry to flatten himself to the ground as an intense heat rolled above, setting alight the overhead screens. One fell, scattering flaming debris, forcing Harry to roll to the side as he plummeted, landing hard onto the empty tracks. Harry scrambled up, shoulder aching as his knees scraping across the rails. His fingers scratched at the brick wall in an attempt to pull himself back up.
A jack rabbit appeared above Harry. Harry froze as the dæmon hopped aside to reveal a familiar auror. Harry reached out. He was just about to grab hold of Tonks' outstretched hand when Riddle reappeared.
His curse was fierce, but Tonks was just as quick, her own wand twisting as a shield erupted in front of her but Riddle was already targeting her dæmon causing her to forfeit her position.
But that had left Harry horribly in the open, stranded on the empty tracks as a couple of Death Eaters appeared on either side of him.
Riddle flicked his wand, steps carving out of the platform wall as he hoisted Harry up, just as a purple curse came flying towards Harry's head.
A dæmon leapt forwards, appearing out of no where, and Harry watched in horror as the lynx collapsed with a piercing whine, allowing Harry to clamber back up onto the burning platform.
It was chaos.
The aurors and Death Eaters were duelling at speeds that Harry could barely keep track of and his options of escape were disappearing thick and fast.
Harry flung himself into the emptying train, dashing between confused and panicked muggles. One man called out, but Harry wasn't listening, he only wanted to get as far away from the Death Eater's as possible.
He hurtled into another carriage, just as Harry caught a fleeting blurred glimpse of a mask. Only Riddle was ready, cutting them down, just as Harry slammed into a muggle.
Only, the man looked barely winded, and his face wasn't terrified like the others. Instead his expression split into something very unpleasant, his grin crooked as his nails dug into Harry's arm.
Riddle jabbed Harry's wand forwards, but the Death Eater was ready, shoving Harry in front causing Riddle to deflect his curse upwards.
The light grazed Harry's shoulder, and he hissed, clothes scorching as his skin ruptured. But it was enough to allow the Death Eater to press his fingers onto the black skull on his arm.
He twisted on the spot.
"NO-" Harry yelled, but his feet were ripped from the ground, his stomach lurching as the station rushed out of view.
Harry landed hard, his knees buckling as the Death Eater held him tightly in his grip.
They were no longer in St Pancras, in fact, they probably weren't even in London.
They were in an old house, wall paper peeling from the wall. It would have reminded Harry of the shrieking shack had it not been for the grandeur of what had clearly once been a splendid room, its large windows now dusted and the portraits had been burnt out and all that remained were large ornate frames.
A few metres away stood Riddle, with two Death Eaters between them, but that didn't matter. Harry still had Riddle's diary, their souls linked so completely.
Harry kicked out, but the Death Eater merely flicked his wand and Harry was left breathless, his lungs compressing as he clutched at his throat for air. Only Harry could still breath, just the sensation was gone, and all that remained was the associated panic of drowning, the fact that each breath felt useless, and there was nothing he could do.
"Careful," a familiar voice warned.
The Death Eater lifted his wand, his curse releasing as he hauled Harry's limp body up from the floor. Harry staggered as he gulped down hurried fresh breaths of air. Harry turned to see the Death Eater who had offered his reprieve.
Lucius Malfoy had removed his own mask, his wand scanning over Harry. He looked distinctly unimpressed.
"I seem to recall the agreement was alive and unharmed?" Lucius said lightly.
Riddle moved his hand, dismissing the other Death Eater as he placed his cool fingers against Harry's forehead.
Harry melted, head fuzzy as he blinked, he reached out to cling onto Riddle's robes as his vision shifted in and out of view.
"It's fine," Riddle said. "Potter's stable enough."
Only, Harry didn't feel fine. Riddle's pure fury was buzzing through him, like a swarm of bees, each with a deadly sting.
"How long has Black been out of Azkaban?" Riddle said quietly.
"Long enough," Lucius answered. In turn, one of Riddle's hands tightened painfully around Harry's wrist.
"Fortunately, Black's interference didn't cause further repercussions," Lucius continued coolly, "It would have been disastrous if he had managed to get his hands on the boy."
"How fortunate," Riddle's said. He drew Harry's wand causing some of the other Death Eaters to shuffle.
Lucius Malfoy didn't even flinch, he merely eyed the wand with a cool indifference.
"You helped Potter escape my home?" Lucius asked.
Riddle smirked, his eyes so furiously dangerous.
"I hardly have to answer to you," Riddle said.
"No," Lucius conceded, dipping his head. "Not to me."
Harry knew it was coming, but that still couldn't prepare him for the crippling pain which exploded in his scar. And the hissing, so hideous and intrusive, that Harry wanted nothing more than to clamp his hands over his ears and shut out Voldemort's soul.
Quirrell was right there, at the entrance of the room, his turban removed and Voldemor's hideous twisted face on view.
Riddle had the nerve to smirk, his eyes dancing with such daring as he lowered his own head. He hissed something back, before switching back to English.
"Tom is perfectly safe, isn't that right, Harry?" Riddle said.
Not that Harry could have managed a coherent sentence, as he fumbled for Riddle's diary, as if having the pages open would somehow ease the cursed pain.
"Get out."
The command came from Quirrell's mouth, but it was clearly not his own.
"Don't take him too far," Riddle called to a Death Eater as they stooped down to pick Harry up.
"Don't-" Harry mumbled. He wasn't even sure if anyone heard, his head lolling back.
Riddle was watching him, his own eyes unreadable.
"I-" Harry started, if only he could get Riddle to act, to step in and offer Harry some sought of relief.
However, a hiss from Voldemort stole Riddle's gaze and Harry was flooded with such an onslaught of emotions, thick and fast like nothing he had even experienced from Riddle, not since his desperate longing for Nagini was revealed. Riddle and Voldemort seemed to hold each others undivided attention, if only for the briefest of moments before Riddle nodded once.