Tom was asleep. His brow was creased as his chest rose and fell softly. He would have looked vaguely peaceful had it not been that his wand was held loosely in his grip.
Harry was almost tempted to slip back under the covers despite his current inability to sleep. Instead he remained silent and still as he watched Tom from his perch on the window sill.
The last year already felt like a twisted memory and the thought that Tom had, even for a part, not been with him, was such an alien concept that Harry struggled to think on it.
Without thinking of Riddle, of course.
Harry turned back to the single piece of the diary held tightly in his bandaged hands. Fresh words lingered on the page. They were so bold that they must have been written only seconds ago.
Yes, I found her.
Harry's head was ringing. Riddle had found Nagini after all this time. Or rather, Voldemort had been pleased enough with his new body to reward his soul.
Harry itched to reach for a quill, to write back while Riddle's attention was guaranteed, but he couldn't force himself to move.
The room danced in Harry's ebbing shadow as it cut fiercely into every corner. It plunged everything into cold as it skimmed over Riddle's soul, which was so faint compared to Tom's, the diary page only held remnants of a fracture after all, but it was so similar as if Riddle was in part there himself.
Tom was stirring, disturbed by Harry's distress, his hand reaching out to find the empty space beside him. When he found it vacant, his eyes blinked open as he squinted through the darkness.
"Harry-" Tom mumbled.
"You should get some more sleep," Harry said quietly. "It's not morning yet."
But Tom was already rubbing his eyes as he stifled a yawn.
"How long have you been awake?"
Harry shrugged, his eyes drifting to look out of the window. The moonlight offered only a thin outline of the grounds that Harry could see nothing but his link to Lyra.
Tom slipped out of bed, his bare feet flinching against the unexpected chill of the floor as he made his way over to Harry.
Harry let Tom tuck his arms tightly around him as he placed his head on Harry's shoulder. It was if Tom was clinging to the little warmth left in the room despite Harry having none. They remained in silence for a moment while Tom's gentle breathing stole Harry's attention.
"You were thinking about him again," Tom murmured.
Harry tensed but he didn't deny it. If anything the single diary page which he had just stuffed in his pajama pocket was burning.
"Why do you say that?" Harry asked.
Tom's voice was so quiet in the darkness, and there was nothing to hide the ache in his own voice.
"You were with Riddle for weeks, bonded in the most intimate way," Tom whispered as his fingers scratched into Harry's decayed skin. "You shared your deepest secrets, gave him your most precious-"
Harry twisted round to see Tom staring at him.
"I didn't want to-"
"But you did, you gave him your soul." The bitterness and pure jealously was clear enough that Harry didn't even dare to contest it. But Tom didn't look angry, if anything his whole demeanor shifted as he moved Harry back to lean against his shoulder.
"Harry-" Tom started, "You know you can talk to me about what happened?"
Harry's throat went dry and he made to move away, only Tom's other arm wound tight around his waist.
"Stay-" Tom started.
"I don't want to talk about it," Harry said as he turned his head away. "Anyway I'm fine-"
But the cold was creeping over the window, freezing the glass panes and blocking out the moonlight. If anything it was Tom who shrunk back, the chill effecting him too, but he pushed on as his own voice faltered.
"I-I just don't want to find out tomorrow."
"From Occulumency?"
Tom nodded as his own fingers clung into Harry, as if he would disappear in a single moment.
"You cared for him didn't you?" Tom pressed.
"I-"
"It's okay, Harry-"
Harry froze up. It wasn't okay. Harry tore himself away from Tom as he moved off the window sill.
"I didn't, I don't-"
Why was it so hard. But Tom's composure held despite Harry's distress. He closed the gap between them.
"You haven't mentioned Riddle since the first time-" Tom said. "You were hurting then-"
Harry didn't move, he stayed rigidly still in the middle of the dormitory.
Tom entwined one hand in Harry's, while the other pressed against Harry's ashen face, he traced his fingers so gently over Harry's scar before brushing back his fringe.
"Harry, talk to me."
Harry genuinely didn't know if it was Tom's own desires tugging at his soul, wishing for Harry to share what he'd kept locked away, or if it was Harry's own desperation that he just wanted to unload his growing guilt.
It couldn't get any worse than this.
"Do you ever think about your dæmon?" Harry asked.
Tom looked genuinely surprised, so much so that his grip lessoned.
"Nagini?"
Harry nodded.
"I mean, in passing but not really-" Tom trailed off.
"Nagini is to Riddle what I am to you," Harry said. "I just- I knew all along that was his intention, that Riddle was just using me to get back what he lost- of course he was going to choose her-"
Tom's expression darkened instantly, and his eyes glowered something deadly. Even his wand, which was tucked in his pocket seemed to sense his anger as it spat out black sparks.
"If you are trying to excuse his actions-" Tom hissed.
But Tom had entirely missed the point.
"I knew you wouldn't understand," Harry snapped as he shoved Tom away.
"Wait, Harry I-"
But Harry had already crossed the room and slammed the bathroom door shut, locking it behind him. He expected Tom to bang on the door or at least open it with his wand, but Harry was left in cold lingering silence as he stared at his half decayed face in the mirror.
It was a harsh reminder of Riddle's decision, that when compared to Lord Voldemort's true soul, nothing was more important despite whatever Harry could convince himself otherwise.
Harry pulled out the parchment piece feeling worse than he had before, but Riddle's words had already vanished.
By the next morning Harry was dreading Occulumency even more.
Tom sat opposite him at the empty Gryffindor table, with one hand he was eating his breakfast while with the other he had propped up a book.
It was only when Harry pushed his uneaten breakfast away did Tom look up.
"You need to eat something," Tom said quietly.
Harry stared at their usual selection of fruit, cereals and pumpkin juice but he didn't make any movement to take anything else.
"I'd rather a dæmon," Harry mumbled, but this didn't go unheard by Tom whose attention was drawn completely from his book as he raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Harry shrugged. "Food is just so...bland."
"And you can stop eating it as soon as you have a sustainable source of souls," Tom said. "Until then you're going to have to embrace your human side for subsistence."
Harry slumped, staring bitterly at a pile of pancakes, before he suddenly perked up.
"You said Voldemort would let me have all the souls I want-"
Tom looked torn between amusement and frustration.
"Technically Voldemort doesn't have an unlimited amount of souls to give you," Tom said.
"Well he's got more than one," Harry said grinned.
Tom blinked at this.
"I'm only a piece," he said. "Same as Riddle. We don't count as a whole."
Harry shrugged.
"What about Nagini?"
There was a sudden ripple of emotion across their bond and Harry paused, his own confusion now mixed with something that he couldn't place.
"You can't have more than one soul, Harry," Tom said quietly.
"I have you and Lyra," Harry said.
A sad smile tugged onto Tom's lips.
"You know that's not the same."
Harry shrugged as he swung his legs over the bench. His dead eye had been watching for dæmons all morning but had yet to see so much of a glisten.
"I guess, anyway it looks like Snape's not coming, do you want to go down to the lake-"
"Potter!"
Harry jumped as he twisted around to see a furious looking Snape standing at the entrance to the Great Hall.
"Where's your dæmon?" Harry blurted out.
But Snape didn't deem this worthy of an answer as he marched up between the house table, his wand in hand as he glared at them.
"As impressive as it is that you can still be late when you are the soul occupant of this castle is beyond me, Potter."
"I didn't think you were here," Harry bit out as he looked again for Laraine. When she didn't appear, Harry looked to Tom with a frown.
"You're lucky term time hasn't started," Snape sneered. "Or perhaps Gryffindor will be starting the year on negative house points-"
"It was my fault, Professor," Tom interrupted, his disturbingly fake smile on his lips. "I was too engrossed in my book, Legilimency is just as interesting as Occulumency is it not?"
Tom's fingers trailed over the spine as he locked his eyes purposely with Snape's.
Snape's lips were dangerously thin as he chose not to comment, instead he turned robes swiveling around him as he marched back the way he had come.
"Why isn't Laraine with him?" Harry hissed as soon as Snape was out of earshot.
Tom shrugged, a little all too innocently as he shoved some food into Harry's hand.
Snape's office was a shadowy room with shelves bearing hundreds of glass jars in which slimy bits of animals and plants were suspended in a variety of different coloured potions.
Snape was standing just in front the fireplace, his hands clasp behind his back.
"You know why you are here?" Snape asked.
Both Harry and Tom's attention was drawn towards the familiar shallow basin which sat upon the desk.
The basin was tainted black despite the numerous memories swirling within its depths. Harry only needed a single glance before he knew exactly which memory was rotten.
Harry nodded stiffly.
"At the moment everyone is clutching onto what's left of your humanity," Snape explained. "Occulumency, is a branch of magic which seals the mind against magical intrusion and influence. Theoretically, you will be able to shut down your primal instinct to hunt dæmons. Now, stand closer, Potter."
Harry didn't move, if anything he took a slight step closer to Tom. This was all happening quicker than he was comfortable.
"I am about to attempt to break into your mind," Snape said softly. "You in turn need to empty your thoughts, let go of all emotions and desires. Now, Legilimens-"
Snape had struck before Harry was ready, before he had even begun to summon any force of resistance, but it didn't matter anyway.
Tom was lightening fast, his own wand blocking Snape's curse before firing back one of his own.
Snape's wand jerked again it turn but Tom was completely in control, his own spell twisting as Snape's wand flew out of grip and into Tom's own.
Snape had a moment where his expression was priceless, his eyes were bulging slightly before Tom struck.
"Legilimens," Tom hissed.
Snape staggered as the curse struck him.
Tom looked deadly, his wand turning sharply as Snape's eyes stayed disturbingly still, almost as if they had glossed over, but Tom offered him no mercy.
"Tom-" Harry started. It looked like Snape was trying to pull away, to break contact, but his composure remained disturbingly calm under Tom's attack.
And then finally Tom relented and he lowered his wand an odd expression on his face.
"It was worth a shot," Tom said but he sounded almost disappointed. Instead he turned to scan Snape's rows of potions. "Is there any reason you don't keep veritaserum readily available?"
Snape's face was white, his lips pressed so tightly together as he glared at Tom. But Tom didn't raise his wand again, instead he tossed Snape's wand down at his feet.
Snape moved silently and slowly to collect it as his long robes fell around him. Tom gaze was now lingered on the blackened pensieve as if wondering what else could be hidden within.
"By all means," Snape spat, his face twisted in a nasty scowl. "If you think I've even put any of my memories in there."
Tom ignored Snape's thunderous expression as he inspected the swirling basin. Perhaps it would reveal the secrets that Tom was hunting, but he made no move to find out. Not when that particular memory was in there.
"Are you satisfied?" Snape hissed, his own fury seeming so out of place against Tom's calm.
"Completely," Tom flashed a daring smile.
"You are fortunate given the circumstances," Snape hissed, his nostrils flaring. "If you had been anyone else-"
"It's a good job I'm not just anyone," Tom said, oh so sweetly. "Shall we try again? Harry wasn't ready last time."
For a moment, Harry thought that Snape would try and curse Tom and return the favour but the professor was satisfied to turn his fury to Harry instead.
"Legilimens," Snape hissed. But this time Tom didn't raise his wand and this time it was all the more intrusive as Harry had no way of protesting.
They were ten, and Harry was sitting at the back of the classroom as his teacher scolded him for talking in class...they were in first year and Harry was standing by Tom's side as Dumbledore held out the portkey for them to take...they were in the decrepit shack and Tom was prying his hand away from Harry as he came to a halt beside Quirrell as the guillotine stood proud in the background.
No, this wasn't right.
Harry didn't want to see, didn't want to remember Tom's deception. He was stronger than this, he hadn't had any nightmares in months.
Tom was smiling at him as he rapt Harry's own wand against his metal prison. There was no way out, no escape.
Harry screamed, his hands covering his ears as he closed his eyes. This wasn't his Tom.
It happened suddenly. Harry was released from his memories. The burning pain in his throat disappeared almost as if it had never been there as Harry was left shaking and desperate for something to hold onto.
The room was coated in ice. The hundreds of glass bottles had frosted over and even Tom who had been holding Harry's hand in his was not spared. Snape however, was unaffected as he merely flicked his wand causing a small fire to erupt under the nearby cauldron.
"You actually have to try, Potter," Snape sneered.
"I don't see the point in any of this," Harry snapped, thinking back to when Tom had attempted Occulumency under Voldemort's instruction. "Why would I want to shut Tom out?"
Snape looked at them both for a moment, his cold gaze lingering a little too uncomfortably on Tom before he answered.
"What do you mean, Potter? You're supposed to dispel all desires, not shut your dæmon out."
"So why is it that anytime a piece of Voldemort's soul shuts me out I'm left on my own?" Harry countered angrily.
Snape sneered at this, his lip curling rather nastily.
"The Dark Lord is a master of Occulumency. Are you telling me that the pieces of his soul are capable of making such an amateur mistake?"
"Riddle's was intentional," Tom said coolly as he crossed his arms and glared at Snape. "And it was my first attempt to be fair, I didn't want to try again."
"But you want to learn now?" Harry snapped.
"Under supervision," Tom acknowledged. "I don't plan on separating myself from you again."
Snape stepped closer, peering at the both of them as he placed a single finger to his lips. He was silent for a moment, his brow creased in genuine confusion as he tapped his wand against his leg. Finally, he raised it and pointed it at Tom.
"I have a theory but to prove it I'm going to attempt to break into your mind, I want you to block it."
Surprisingly, Tom nodded as he lowered his own wand, his own expression steeling over into something unreadable.
"Legilimens," Snape hissed.
This time Snape's curse hit Tom, and Harry could only watch as Tom remained perfectly still with his eyes unnervingly blank, just like Snape's had been. His body relaxed in its entirety as if Snape was not attempting to break into his mind.
And that's when it happened. The same small burst of excruciating emptiness, only this time Harry lost all sight as his world plunged into dark. There was nothing, just for a single moment and it passed before Harry lost all reason.
Tom was by his side in a moment, arms wrapping around Harry's shoulders as his sight came flooded back.
"Okay?" Tom pressed as his fingers gently traced over Harry's decayed skin to push back his fringe.
Harry nodded thickly, as his own withered hand dug fiercely into Tom's. If Tom tried that again-
"Your technique is flawless," Snape interrupted as he spoke to Tom. "Which means Potter shouldn't have been effected," his piercing gaze settled back onto Harry.
Harry glared back at him. It wasn't his fault that it wasn't working properly.
"That is enough for today," Snape declared suddenly and he turned his back on them as he approached the swirling memories in the basin. "I want to see you Thursday 6 o'clock and this time don't be late."
Harry grabbed Tom, more than willing to get out of Snape's office as quickly as possible. It was just when they were at the door that Snape turned, calling over his shoulder.
"You are to both rid yourself of desire ever night before you sleep; empty your minds, make them blank and calm, you understand?"
Tom shot Snape a dark look at that but he chose not to comment as he pulled Harry out of the room.
They weren't halfway down the corridor from Snape's office when Harry halted, spinning to face Tom.
"Why did you do that?" Harry demanded. "Potions class was already unbearable without you cursing Snape."
Tom battered his hand.
"Snape hates you anyway."
"So don't give him any more of a reason," Harry snapped. "He's probably going to go straight to Dumbledore, and that'll get Scrimgeour all worked up-"
"Snape's a Death Eater, Harry."
Harry stopped, it felt like he'd been drenched in ice as he stared at Tom.
"I-what?"
Snape had always been nasty enough. And it made sense, the fact that Snape can separate himself from Laraine.
"Which means Voldemort will already know you survived," Tom said, but it was more to himself as his gaze steeled over.
"Right," Harry said thickly as his own hand reached automatically for Riddle's diary page concealed in his pocket.
"I think it's safe to say Snape's doing what Voldemort wants," Tom continued as if Harry hadn't spoken at all. "If I'd have pulled that stunt any other time, I'm fairly sure he'd have kicked us out of his office and refused to help again."
"Did you see anything?" Harry asked genuinely interested.
Tom shook his head.
"Snape is a master of Legilimency, strong enough to withhold his true intentions from Voldemort himself."
"So he's hiding his true intentions from Dumbledore?" Harry said.
"Oh, Dumbledore knows," Tom said. "Which makes Snape all the more dangerous because I don't know who's side he's on."
"Does it matter, isn't everyone our enemry?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Tom acknowledged slowly. "But I don't like it, specially if Voldemort is getting a look into your mind and seeing how your recovery is progressing-"
Tom trailed off and didn't speak for awhile, instead he flashed Harry an unconvincing smile.
"Come on, we've got our first lesson with Professor Lupin this afternoon and there's something I want to look up in the library first."
"Again?" Harry asked.
"I was petrified for months, I don't want to be behind. Speaking of which, you should really start on those books McGonagall left for you."
"I'm trying to learn not to eat dæmons and I'm expected to do homework as well," Harry muttered as he trailed after Tom.
Tom must have poured through half a dozen books while Harry attempted to get his head around second year transfiguration.
His parchment was still a foot shorter than it needed to be and he dropped his quill dejectedly.
"You'll catch up," Tom said without looking up from his book.
"How am I meant to learn when I'm not allowed a wand?" Harry said. "You could just let me borrow yours-"
Tom withdrew it from his pocket and twirled it idly between his fingers.
"I could."
Harry eyed it carefully, and he resisted the urge to snatch it from Tom's hand.
"Just one spell, I'll give it back," Harry said. "It's not like there are any dæmons around."
Tom stared at him for a moment before he placed the wand on the table. He pushed it gently in Harry's direction. It rolled across the table before it stopped only inches away.
"I-"
Harry faulted. He hadn't actually expected Tom to comply, if Scrimgeour knew- Harry reached out eagerly, his withered hand curling around the thin piece of wood as he waved it once.
A tremendous boom ricocheted throughout the room as books and parchment exploded outwards. Harry and Tom had nowhere to hide as books crashed down on their heads. Several of the bookshelves had cracked, their wood splintering as they collapsed in on themselves.
It was only the walls of the library itself that had been spared as several distant books began screaming loudly.
"What happened?" Tom demanded as he ducked under the broken table, just so that he could close any distance between Harry and himself.
Harry dropped the wand, his withered hands were scorched as a black blood like substance seeped across his palms.
"It doesn't like me," Harry snapped.
Tom scooped down to pick the wand up which now lying innocently on top of the mess. Tom's brow creased as he held it up to the candlelight.
"Did the Ministry tamper with it?" Harry said. "I know they don't want me to have a wand yet but that's a bit extreme-"
Tom flicked the wand, it worked perfectly as a single book revealed itself from the huge pile. It soared over and Tom caught it.
"I don't think so," he said.
The cover was a deep blue velvet with a single golden title - Basics of Wand Making.
Again, Tom flicked the wand and it had no problem obeying as the book rifled through half a dozen pages before stopping on a section titled Wand Cores.
Tom held it up, ignoring Harry's impatient gaze.
"The suitability of a wand to perform dark magic depends, at least partly, on its core, dragon heartstring, phoenix father and rougarou hair have a reputation for being suitable for it, while it's hard to perform dark magic with unicorn hair wands," Tom read.
"I wasn't trying to perform dark magic," Harry argued as he jabbed his hand at the wand. "What core is your wand anyway?"
"Unicorn, the Ministry wouldn't want to make it easy for me," Tom said. "And it wouldn't matter what spell you attempted, you're a dark creature. It makes sense that this wand rejects you completely."
"Why isn't it the same for you?" Harry said as his dead eye roamed over Tom's missing form. "You're not exactly pure."
Harry hadn't expected Tom's expression to shift at this, Harry almost wouldn't have caught it if it hadn't been for the flutter of emotion that scratched between them.
"No, I'm not," Tom agreed. "I'm a fractured soul from a dark wizard, for all extents and purposes I shouldn't be capable, however, my magic is Voldemort's which isn't strictly dark in itself. Which must mean something else entirely-"
Tom trailed off, his own sadness now apparent as he stared at Harry.
"What?" Harry pressed. It was horrible that look and Harry could only wait for Tom's conclusion.
"Your magic is corrupted," Tom said softly. "And you can't control it."
It was instantaneous. The atmosphere shifted as cold began to creep across the library and the pile of books. Tom slipped, his own expression faltering as he grasp hold of the table.
"Harry-"
"What do you mean corrupted?" Harry asked as glared at the wand held in Tom's hand. "It's just your stupid wand, if I had my own back-"
His voice stopped but it wasn't for lack of words. If anything, a disturbed grin flicked back onto Harry's own lips as his world brightened with that same precious light.
In turn Tom was coming back into himself but he couldn't see the beauty that Harry could. Instead Tom was only left staring at the chaotic scene around them, with the hundreds of library books frozen in ice. He didn't bother to raise his wand and put anything back in place.
"Lupin?" Tom asked warily.
Harry only nodded, his own want so fierce across their bond.
"Come on," Tom said as he threaded his own hand in Harry's. "Let's get this over with."
Professor Lupin was wearing an extremely shabby set of wizards robes which had been darned in several places. Not that Harry cared, even his conversation with Tom was already less interesting then the mesmerising dæmon in the room.
The same golden dust clung to Lupin's skin as the giant wolfs particles danced around him. Harry tugged against his restraints, itching to claim this soul as his hollow breath consumed all things good.
Lupin's face momentarily drained of all colour and he placed both of his palms against his warn desk. He shut his eyes and he took a single shaky breath.
Harry grinned as the dust coiled towards him, it was so refreshing having a dæmon, particularly as one as strong as this so close.
"Harry, enough."
Tom's voice was sharp, but his grip was soft as he squeezed Harry's hand. Harry sighed, almost as if he was bored as his dead eye slipped away from Niamh. Lupin struggled to regain his composure as he curled his fingers into his dæmon's fur. But whatever comfort he could draw was little, for as he spoke his voice remained quiet and croaky.
"My name if Professor Remus Lupin and as well as being your new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dumbledore has asked me to assist in your rehabilitation," Lupin wiped his hand over his face before he surveyed them both. "I understand that you are aware of my condition?"
A grin split onto Harry's face as he leant closer towards Niamh.
"You hunt dæmons."
It wasn't a question, but Harry was expecting a response all the same.
Lupin nodded, perhaps because it was easier than talking.
"To some extent. Werewolves prominently prey on dæmons but of course they will kill anything that crosses their path."
He walked around his desk and pulled out a small vial which looked to be filled with faint blue smoke.
"Fortunately, there is now the wolfsbane potion. It's an amazingly complex concoction which means that even when I am forced to inhabit Niamh's body, I will remain in control however," and here Lupin's expression soured, his green eyes looking more yellowy. "I did not always have that luxury."
Harry leant forwards caught on every word.
"Did you ever get one?" Harry asked eagerly.
Lupin blinked, but he couldn't hide his true fear as Harry could taste his soul. This was much more fun than Snape's lessons where Harry couldn't touch him.
"I was very fortunate that I never did any lasting damage to a dæmon," Lupin said at last.
The words were so carefully chosen that Tom couldn't help but raise his eyebrows at this. Harry crossed his arms, disappointed.
"That doesn't count," he muttered.
"However, I would ask for your discretion in this matter," Lupin continued. "A lot of parents won't be too happy to know that a werewolf is teaching their children."
"I'm sure they'll have more prominent concerns," Tom said bitterly as he glanced over Harry.
But Harry wasn't listening, he was staring at Niamh as his dead eye darted back and forth over her humongous form. In turn she scratched her long sharp claws into the stone floor and she snarled, showing her deadly set of teeth. How could anyone not notice?
"Harry-"
Harry snapped around to look back at Tom who was pulling Harry's chained hands into his own.
"It's perfectly alright," Lupin said hoarsely, but he looked more unsettled if anything as he wrung his hands together. "Alastor Moody mentioned that Harry was rather taken with Niamh. More so than other dæmons in fact. Of course I didn't want to believe it at first, but with Harry's unwavering attentiveness and the fact that he can see what is hidden-"
Now that caught Harry's attention as he stared between the werewolf and Lupin. Was there something this dæmon was hiding from him. If anything Harry's breath was harrowing, as he dared to breath in her light.
Lupin staggered again, his own wand clenched so tightly in his shaking palm, but he didn't raise it.
But it was Tom who looked visibly stunned, his own eyes raking over Niamh before he turned to Harry.
"You can see the werewolf?"
Harry nodded once as his dead eye skirted back over Niamh. Could he claim her before her razor sharp teeth could kill him. Instead he stayed cautiously still as he itched to try.
"D-dementors are known for their poor eyesight," Lupin said. His voice was tight and his breath fogged up before him. "T-they can only see dæmons after all, anything else is blind to them, which means Harry has been relying on his undamaged eye for normal sight for anything that isn't a dæmon-"
Tom's expression sharpened at this.
"What are you implying?"
Lupin nodded at Harry.
"Harry's perception of Niamh is different. It's just like when I had transformed. I had the urge to hunt and kill dæmon's. However, I found mechanisms for staying my monstrous tendencies. Certain stimulus for example, I just had to find out what worked for me. It'll be the same for Harry-"
"Get to your point," Tom said coolly.
But this time Lupin's words were only for Harry and his voice practically broke as he took half a step towards him.
"You are still human," Lupin said firmly. "Very much so in fact from what I've seen, and the way Scrimgeour was actively encouraging you to behave just for the promise of a soul is an insult to what is still left of you."
"She wasn't even worth it," Harry muttered.
Tom crossed his arms, eyeing Lupin up as if he wasn't sure what to make of him.
"Fortunately, this gives us a good head start," Lupin croaked with a small smile despite the chill that was overcoming him.
It was Tom who frowned at this, unaffected from Harry's growing desires as he curled his fingers around Harry's wrist, just encase Harry decided to move.
"What?"
"Harry needs to stop looking at dæmons with his demented eye," Lupin said as he slumped back against the wall as Niamh light pulled towards Harry.
But the golden dust made her so perfect.
"Why?" Harry said his voice hard. He craved her very essence, he didn't want to resist her temptation, why should he settle for anything less than Lupin's very soul.
Niamh was strong though, she edged herself in front of Lupin as she snarled, but she in turn didn't dare approach Harry with his deadly breath.
Tom didn't step between them, he'd made that mistake of coming between Harry and his prey before. Instead he ran his hand down Harry's arm, just enough to catch his attention.
"Can you even stop looking?" Tom asked.
Harry didn't even bother to cover his own hand against his dead eye.
"Nothing blocks dæmons out."
Tom shifted closer, his head tilted and his voice so quiet that Lupin would not be able to hear.
"You look at me with your normal eye," Tom said quietly. "You wouldn't be able to see me otherwise."
Harry frowned at this, sure enough Tom remained a void in the darkness, blocking any other light which was possible.
"So?" Harry said. "Why does that change anything?"
Harry could see through any other material, his own hand even, but Tom was absent of light. Tom looked back to Lupin's slumped and trembling form.
"Can I try something?" Tom asked as he inched his hand up to Harry's face.
Lupin's eyes were basically shut and even Niamh had become subdued, there was no way Lupin could interrupt as Tom turned Harry to face him as he placed his hand gently over Harry's dead eye.
It was instantaneous, Niamh's light vanished in a swirl of colour as warmth shot into the room.
Harry could see dæmons through anything, his own hand even, but Tom was really something else entirely. It wasn't possible.
"Okay?" Tom asked.
"I think so-"
Harry twisted ever so slowly towards Lupin's dæmon while Tom kept his palm pressed against Harry's eye.
It was not what Harry expected to see.
A normal wolf stood in Naimh's place. She was no longer towering up to the height of Lupin's shoulder, instead she was at least a third of the height. Her snout shrunken and not nearly as fierce, in fact her deadly teeth, although still sharp, looked nothing in comparison. Not only that, but she was transparent and nothing of the bright light which Harry desired. How had he not noticed before.
Daemons were so flat compared to their true light.
"You see what dæmons can only sense," a heavy voice spoke.
"I-what?"
Lupin seemed to have recovered slightly as he propped himself back up. Even he was absent of the small dust which had previously clung to his skin. Lupin took an unsteady step towards his desk and pulled out a bar of chocolate which he snapped and placed a couple of pieces into his mouth.
"Daemons shy away from Niamh, they know that she is wrong and far more dangerous and deadly then she appears, and yet they cannot justify their actions because they can not see her true form. You can however-"
But it all made such twisted sense.
Sephronia had known Tom was wrong from the moment they met, but how could she have known that he wasn't a dæmon. And even in Riddle's memories, other dæmons had cowered from Nagini because they reacted subconsciously to her true threat. Would Harry be able to see something else, would he see the true nature of Voldemort's soul which was hidden to him now.
"I believe that a great deal of your desire for dæmons comes from your visual stimuli," Lupin croaked. "It was the same for me, as a werewolf I had such capabilities to smell and hunt dæmons, but as soon as their weren't any dæmons around my desires lessoned and I was somewhat tame. From what I've heard, you're relatively your own self when you're just around Tom. Which now makes a lot of sense-"
"What do you mean?"
Lupin nodded to them both as his eyes trailed over Tom's hand which still rested over Harry's dead eye.
"You can't see Tom," Lupin said.
"What's it to you?" Harry said, his voice suddenly cold.
Lupin held his hands up which were shaking slightly.
"It helps me understand, I just find it unusual that Tom is able to block out your visual stimuli completely though when nothing else will, which implies-"
"Implies what exactly?" Tom said coolly. His own wand was raised now, and Harry thought that this time Lupin would suffer the same fate as Snape.
"I told you so."
Harry twitched at the unfamiliar voice as Naimh prowled in front of Lupin. Her voice was lighter than he expected, and it didn't suit the nature of the beast inside of her.
"Tom isn't normal," Niamh said. "And if Harry can see me as I am, then what of Tom's true form-"
It happened so suddenly, Tom removed his hand from Harry's eye if only to better his position with his wand.
Niamh small transparent wolf form vanished in an instant, replaced by her mesmerising golden dust. It was instantaneous and Harry lost all reason. Harry lunged forwards, his darkness desperate for what should have been his. Tom had no time to even react to Niamh as his soul focus turned to Harry.
Not that it would have mattered, for Lupin had already acted. His want cutting down as Niamh's tempting form vanished as she became protected in her terrible cold light. Harry withdrew as if his withered hands were burning.
Tom stepped in front of him.
"Enough."
Lupin lowered his wand and Niamh flicked back into her more appealing state.
Harry made towards her but Tom curled his fingers tightly around Harry's wrist, holding him carefully in place with his soothingly hum.
"You were saying?" Tom tested.
But Niamh only growled in return and Lupin entwined his finger's into her mane.
"I think that is enough for today," Lupin said. "For now, I believe this has been a very promising start."
They walked briskly through the castle as rain lashed against the hundreds of windows. Tom pulled his cloak around himself as he attempted to hold off the growing chill in the drafty corridors, besides him Harry remained in just a long sleeved shirt, undisturbed from the sudden drop of temperature in the castle.
It was already a few days after Snape and Lupin's first lessons and Harry and Tom had already been visited in the early hours of the morning by a very grumpy auror. Harry hadn't expected to see Scrimgeour so soon but his presence however, had soon become clear enough.
"I don't want you to do it," Harry said as he walked after Tom. "What difference is it going to make, you should've just refused."
"It doesn't make any difference," Tom said offhandedly. "But it's a small price to pay to keep you safe."
Harry fixed Tom with a hard stare which only made Tom smile as they waited for the giant staircase to move.
"I was prepared to drink unicorn blood for you, Harry. A simple statement isn't anything comparable."
"I don't care," Harry said. "You shouldn't have to be there."
Tom stopped and spun around to take Harry's hands in his own. He ran his thumb over Harry's new layer of bandages.
"It's not like I'm swearing loyalty to anyone, I just have to make an appearance-"
"But why?" Harry stressed.
"It makes the Ministry more credible," Tom said. "If I can confirm that the Dark Lord is a separate entity to myself, that he has returned-"
"No," Harry interrupted. "Why would you care if people believed the Ministry? You're just doing it to piss off Voldemort."
Tom didn't deny it as a slight smile tugged at his lips as he stepped onto the now stationary staircase.
"I don't like it," Harry said as he followed. "The Ministry will think we're happy to cooperate."
"So what if they do?" Tom shrugged. "Let them believe it, the more relaxed they are around us the better."
"I don't think they're every going to be relaxed around us," Harry said bitterly.
"Around you, no," Tom agreed. "But they are already foolish enough to believe I am less of their enemy than Voldemort. If anything I should encourage this."
At Harry's dejected look Tom squeezed Harry's hand, staying his chilling influence.
"One day, I promise," Tom said.
Harry didn't comment on this, but his lips twitched slightly.
Tom now turned his attention back away from Harry as they approached their destination.
"Is there anyone you recognise?" Tom asked.
Harry eyes scanning over the dæmons in the Great Hall.
"Gracia, Nala, Itzel and Amabel are all there," Harry said as he eyed over the other half a dozen that he didn't recognise. "Oh, and Corin."
"Fudge, Scrimgeour, Moody and Kingsley," Tom ticked off on his fingers, before he frowned. "Who's is Corin?"
"Tonks, the Jack Rabbit," Harry said. "But the others I don' know, they'll be the reporters I guess."
"Dumbledore's probably there too," Tom added. "But no Fawkes."
"Shame," Harry muttered. "Although there's a bird that's not attached to anyone it looks like a crow or something."
"Another Death Eater?" Tom asked.
Harry shrugged.
"I guess so."
"Does the Ministry know you can spot Death Eaters?" Tom asked.
Harry shook his head.
"They know I can see dæmons but not their links which tie them to each other."
Tom shot him a sideways glance at this as they reached the bottom of the grand staircase.
"Good."
Scrimgeour and Snape were waiting for them in the Entrance Hall. Of course Harry had already known Laraine wouldn't be present but it didn't stop his disappointment, at least Nala was there to play with.
The cat hissed, his back arching, but she stayed obediently by Scrimgeour's side.
Scrimgeour cleared his throat when they arrived, while Snape already had his wand out as his dark eyes watched Harry cautiously.
"Ready?" Scrimgeour asked gruffly.
Tom nodded, whilst Harry watched Nala.
"Just don't say anything about Potter," Scrimgeour said. "If anyone asks you directly, you're to say only that he's safe and in the Ministry's care. Do you understand?"
Tom nodded, as he slipped his hand out of Harry's.
"Perfectly."
Scrimgeour opened his mouth, it looked like he wanted to say something else, instead he shut it again and only nodded, beckoning Tom to follow him.
"Don't go too far," Tom warned as Harry was left with a dæmonless Snape.
"Have fun," Harry muttered as he stared longingly at the assortment of dæmons.
Snape had been insufferable. He'd already knocked Harry out a couple of times, firstly because Harry was not cooperating and had ended up frosting the room over a dozen times as he screamed at Snape and secondly because Harry had attempted on more than once occasion to rip the door apart just to get to the dæmons.
It didn't help that Tom was right on the other side. Harry wanted him back now, he didn't like being alone with Snape hissing at him to clear his mind. Not after everything that had happened.
Tom's emotions had been relatively stable, his own control impeccable as he was forced to contest with Harry's own erratic actions. Harry knew he wouldn't be making it easier for Tom, but right now he just didn't care.
He wanted dæmons, he wanted Tom, and Snape was getting more and more furious with him when Harry didn't even try settling.
It truly felt like an age before the door opened and Tom appeared. He looked oddly tired as he blinked at the sudden temperature drop in the room.
Harry was by his side in an instant.
"How did it go?" Harry pressed.
But Tom didn't bother answering at first, if anything he just slotted his arms around Harry's waist as he rested his chin on his shoulder.
"Fine," Tom said. "Rita Skeeter was there but I couldn't see her dæmon."
Harry's dead eye roamed back to where the dozen or so guests were now mingling in the next room. The dæmons had now split into groups. The Minister was currently talking to whoever the unattached crow dæmon belonged to.
There was still a few unidentified dæmons but they weren't inconspicuous. Then Harry saw it, a link which was just as strong as the others, but the creature was so small that they were barely visible. Harry couldn't make out what animal it was from this distance.
"September 1st," Tom said suddenly, jolting Harry from his thoughts.
Harry frowned, his head tilting as he waited.
Tom sighed, and he didn't look very happy.
"That's when the dementors will start guarding Hogwarts, when term starts," Tom said. "It's also your deadline for proving to the Ministry you're stable enough."
"Right," Harry said. That only left them a few weeks at best. He didn't want to think what would happen otherwise.
"We should move on then," Snape said.
Harry jumped, he'd forgotten the professor was there.
"You want to do Occulumency now?" Harry asked.
"You've been failing to clear your mind for over two hours, Potter," Snape snapped, his own patience had clearly been pushed to his limit. "I would like to attempt to make some progress now that Tom has returned, you might actually be able to achieve something."
Harry glared at him, but Tom only nodded. Snape stood, as he gestured for them to follow.
Harry stared longingly back at the dæmons still lingering in the hall, but Tom pulled his hand, as they made their way back down into the dungeons.
The pensieve was still resting on Snape's desk and a large selection of the once previously present potions were now missing. Only a few bottles remained.
"You destroyed most of my stock," Snape's expression was fierce when he noticed Harry looking. "I would have you make the entire batch again but I actually need someone who has the slight competency at potions to do it."
Harry was going to retort but Tom squeezed his hand, as he shot him a look as if not to bother.
Snape waved his wand and two chairs dragged themselves across the stone floor. They stopped, facing each other but only a few spaces apart.
"Sit," Snape instructed.
Harry and Tom opposite each other, they were so close that their knees were almost touching.
"Professor Lupin informed me you made some progress regarding what triggers you," Snape said.
"So I don't need Occulumency if Tom can do it for me," Harry said. Besides he didn't want to stop looking at dæmons.
Snape sneered at this.
"Whatever means Tom has found of stabilising yourself is weak. You need to create a block against your own desires, Potter. Hide them from even yourself," Snape said. "You are fortunate enough that you have something more direct to work towards, for a beginner it will mean you do not have to master the whole subject."
At Harry's lack of reaction Tom squeezed his hand.
"Basically, you need to learn to shut out your demented eye," Tom clarified. "Teach yourself not to look instead of disarming your desire for dæmons completely."
"Right," Harry said bitterly.
Snape prowled around them, his own wand raised as if ready to attack at a single moment.
"Most witches and wizards do not have any trouble shutting out their minds while keeping their dæmon's connection in tact. As Tom's technique is perfect, I can only assume that it is because he is not your true soul which is causing complications."
Harry bristled at this.
"So you're saying that even if I learn Occulumency, there's still a chance I'll block out Tom?"
"Potentially," Snape agreed. "However, I believe there is still a way...you both have to do it together. Now, take each others hands."
Tom linked his fingers lightly in Harry's withered own. They had barely a second to prepare.
"Legilimens."
Harry had barely blinked as their memories swarmed.
They were five, watching Dudley tear into his huge pile of Christmas presents while Tom tried to sneak one of the presents away for Harry to open later...they were nine and locked in their cupboard tangled up with each other as Uncle Vernon hammered on their cupboard door...they were sitting under a tree in the Dursley's garden and Tom was throwing a stone to scare off one of Mrs Figg's cats...they were in the guillotine, locked and separated in the small metal cages and the blade was rising higher and higher-
No.
It was Tom, his mind slamming down, closing off in an instant, but he didn't separate them. Instead, his wand was cutting down, shutting off Snape's curse with one of his own.
Snape didn't look unperturbed however, he seemed oddly satisfied with Tom as his cool gaze drifted to Harry.
"You actually have to contribute, Potter," Snape sneered.
"I'm trying," Harry snapped. "I still don't know what I'm supposed to be doing-"
Tom squeezed his hand gently.
"Just follow my lead, relax okay?"
But Harry didn't want to see the guillotine again, he already visited it enough in his nightmares.
"Again."
Snape was readying his own wand, giving Harry no chance to prepare.
"Legilimens."
They were seven and Harry was leaning on Tom's shoulder as their primary school teacher wrote down something on the blackboard...it was a year ago and Harry was standing next to Draco as they cheered at the Falcon and Magpie Quidditch match...and then everything shifted.
It was as if a blanket had descended, had enclosed Harry and Tom as the memories shifted. But this wasn't like before, where Snape's office suddenly materialised before them. Instead, the room was morphing to white, a location that was painfully familiar.
St Mungo's and the Mirror of Erised with the reflection so clear as Tom cradled Lyra tightly to his chest...and then Riddle was knelt before Harry as he pressed the diary into Harry's hands. Riddle's handsome smile urging Harry to write as he threaded his fingers through Harry's hair.
No.
But Riddle was already tugging Harry into his arms as he murmured something softly in Harry's ear.
No.
Harry wanted it to stop, he didn't want Tom to see. Ice crept across Harry's own view, it was slow at first before snapping across the memory.
Harry burnt with embarrassment as Snape's office came rushing back.
Several of the remaining potion bottles had exploded, their substances suspended in frozen bursts above their heads.
But Harry sought out Tom first, only to be pulled back to Snape who was standing uncomfortably close.
"For a beginner, that was not completely awful," Snape said. "Particularly after your abysmal control this afternoon. But you let me get in to deep. You lost control. However, it appears Tom managed to shut me out while keeping you in, Potter."
Harry was barely listening as he tried to steal a glance at Tom, who was very purposely looking the other way. This is what he'd feared.
Snape raised his wand again.
"Again."
Harry slammed his eyes shut, but this time Tom made no movement to link their hands back together. Harry couldn't let Tom see that again.
But Snape was already raising his wand, slashing it forwards as Harry was sunk back into his memories.
It truly felt like an age before Snape finally stopped. Harry was shaking, his own body felt so weak as Tom was forced to watch Riddle's hands claiming Harry as if he was his own soul.
"I want you back here same time on Wednesday. We will continue then."
Snape's words washed in and out of Harry's ears as his head spun. For the first time, Harry was relieved that the dæmons above had now vanished, it was oddly eerie how void the castle now looked, but at least they wouldn't distract him.
Tom stood abruptly and walked right past him, not waiting for Harry to catch up as he made his way out of Snape's office.
Harry stepped into the common room, his own throat uncomfortably tight.
Tom hadn't said a word the whole way, if anything he'd started to hang back, his eyes unfocussed as he automatically placed one foot in front of the other.
"Tom, I-" Harry started. He should have listened and tried harder to talk the other day. Of course it wasn't fair on Tom, Harry had been with Riddle for so long, it was unreasonable to expect Tom to be okay with it, let alone to witness Harry's own betrayal first hand.
"Riddle was the only thing I had left," Harry blurted out. "With you and Lyra gone I had to, even though I didn't want to-"
Tom looked up, his eyebrows knitting together. He looked tired, more exhausted than Harry had remembered, but that didn't stop the sudden delirious smile that burst onto Tom's face.
"Tom-" Harry faltered. "A...are you okay?"
"I saw her," Tom breathed, as he presented his own hands before him. "She was right there in my arms-"
Tom wasn't making any sense. He was practically beaming from ear to ear, and Harry couldn't remember the last time he'd known Tom to be so genuinely happy.
"What are you-"
And then Harry remembered. Riddle wasn't the only thing revealed in his memories.
"You saw Lyra?"
Tom nodded, his eyes shinning as he threw his arms around Harry, pulling him down into one of the large squashy sofa's. Tom's breath washed over Harry's, but it wasn't distracting, Tom's happiness was too strong that even Harry's instincts were lessoned.
"It's like I'm seeing you," Tom said as his smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Seeing your soul, she's perfect-"
Harry looked down, his own expression falling as he stared at his broken link to Lyra and the light spilling from his absent heart But Tom caught his chin, pulling Harry's gaze back up to his own.
"You'll get her back, Harry," Tom said softly. "If you can master Occulumency then nothing is stopping you, you know where she is, we can find her-"
Harry wound his own hands into Tom's, locking their fingers tightly together. Tom looked so pale in comparison to Harry's blackened dead skin.
If he had a heart it would have ached, why was their future so uncertain.
"And if I do get Lyra back," Harry asked. "What will the Ministry do with you?"
But Tom was undeterred as he shrugged.
"Someone's got to keep you in check, anyway, the Ministry know I'm not going to return to Voldemort, not while I have you."
Harry sat back, his shoulder's sagging as he pulled ever so slightly away from Tom.
"That's why you did what Scrimgeour wanted," Harry said. "You want them to trust you."
Hot anger washed through Harry and suddenly his hands were clenched, curled in Tom's shirt.
"It's not fair," Harry snapped. "I won't let them take you. I'll destroy anyone who so much as touches you."
Tom shook his head, his eyes alight with sad amusement as he pulled his arms tight around Harry.
"You need Lyra back, Harry. Don't worry about what the Ministry will do to me, we'll jump that hurdle when we get to it."
Harry nodded thickly, the other issue still handing heavily in his mind. He knew they should discuss Riddle, should do it now while it was fresh, while Harry had the courage to tell Tom everything, but Tom was still caught up with Lyra, his own smile so genuine as he held Harry close that Harry couldn't bring himself to speak.