Hogwarts Culture Club was turned down by the headmaster. His reasonings were his own, and would not confide in with the four hopeful first years. So instead they were forced to accept that they were alone.
Halloween night was the most excitement, however.
"TROLL IN THE DUNGEONS! TROLL IN THE DUNGEON!" Quirrell burst through the Great Hall doors. All eyes turned as silence filled the Great Hall.
"Thought you should know." And the man promptly fainted.
Pathetic. This is the best they can afford for Defense Against the Dark Arts? Tom scoffed.
Harry and Malfoy followed their prefects. Although it didn't make sense if the troll was in the dungeons, the Slytherin Common Room just happened to be within the same vicinity.
Still somehow they made it to the Common Room just fine. And everyone spent the next hour anxiously waiting for some sort of news. News of the troll having dealt with.
At one point Snape limped his way into the Common Room with news that the troll had been taken care of, and is no longer a threat. With his anxieties soothed Harry retired to his bed.
The next day he learned that Hermione had run to the girls bathroom crying because of Ron. Neville got word and he dragged Ron along and the two boys ran to her rescue. By some miracle they used a simple levitation charm to swing the troll's own club against its master to knock it out.
This act of bravery costed Gryffindor fifty points, but they earned ten points each for "sheer dumb luck" as Professor McGonagall called it. So all in all Gryffindor only lost twenty points overall.
This however brought a bit of fame to the two boys, and Hermione by association. And for the whole of November the four was reduced to two. Harry felt just as bitter towards the whole ordeal as Malfoy was, however he didn't show it.
Before they all knew it, Christmas was drawing to a close. Around this time Hermione and Neville were too focused doing their own thing. Harry didn't care, although Malfoy would still steer glares and snide comments. Harry stopped trying to correct his behavior so therefore it continued.
"What will you do for Christmas?" Malfoy asked one day.
"I'm not spending it at home." Harry was sure of it. The idea of returning home with the Dursley's for the holidays was appalling.
"What's it like? Living with your relatives?" Malfoy inquired, catching on there was more going on.
"They despise magic. I'm not going to indulge much else." Harry sighed. This was the first time he ever felt vulnerable, and Malfoy saw the tip of the iceberg.
It hit the other boy then to look into the finer details. He noticed with horror that all of Harry's clothes were overly too big, passed down perhaps? Yes, some of them were too worn out. Then he began to wonder just how thin was this small boy?
To be fair, most eleven year olds weren't so tall. However Harry stood on the smaller side. He barely came up to Malfoy's eyes. And Malfoy was barely average height for his age. He never thought of any of these things before, having no idea what signs to look for.
"Would you like to spend Christmas with me?" Malfoy offered.
"What?" Harry had been lost in his own thoughts that he had a double take at the invitation.
"Come now, Potter. You heard me." Malfoy snickered.
He means for you to spend Christmas with him and his family.
Harry blinked. It had been a while since heard Tom's voice. It took him a lot to not react then and there and make a fool of himself.
Will it be safe? His father was a Death Eater. Harry was apprehensive.
I would be careful in the Malfoy Manor. While the boy has pure intentions, I cannot say for sure about his father.
"I'm not entirely sure if that's allowed. I mean, won't I need a signature from my aunt and uncle's permission?" Harry was grateful for the offer, but he had a sml recollection about the rules here.
"Oh, right. They won't sign anything, will they?" Malfoy's face dropped at the mention of them. "What if we forge their signatures?"
"And what are you two planning?" Snape's voice interrupted, startling both boys.
"Nothing." Harry quickly lied.
"Christmas plans." Malfoy half lied.
Snape stared them down with dark eyes. He didn't buy the nothing part one bit. Even so he couldn't press the matter without any solid proof. Slowly he left them alone. He walked away stiffly, his robes flowing like a dark shadow.
"Your godfather is scary." Harry admitted.
"That's his charm." Malfoy snorted.
Traitorous bastard is what he is. Tom hissed.
Tom? Just who where you before you bonded with me? For the first time Harry asked the question that had been bothering him since he was sorted into Slytherin.
I was a Death Eater, Harry. Before I was betrayed.
Harry's face paled at the admission. Malfoy must have noticed, for he asked what was wrong. Harry quickly excused himself and quickly made his way to the nearest bathroom. Funnily enough he found a private one down a hallway he could have sworn wasn't there all year. Either way it was perfect to serve his purpose.
Harry locked the bathroom door and stood before the mirror. He had used this trick before a couple times, mostly out of curiosity in what Tom looked like. And staring back at him was the handsome features of the man, his red brown eyes met his gaze without hesitation.
"Why didn't you tell me this before now!?" Harry didn't care whether he could be heard or not.
I knew you would react this way. I assure you, some of my views have changed since that time.
"How did we bond together? Who are you?" Harry sensed something was amiss. Not all the details were given.
In due time, darling.
"You will tell me now!" Harry didn't understand what possessed him to act this way.
He felt betrayed. Then again he should have seen all the signs. The mention of the Dark Lord while everyone else called him You-Know-Who. The known Death Eaters. The push for Slytherin.
And Harry was played like a puppet.
Darling, I never intended for it to be like this. Please forgive me? Tom had always been honest. Harry had been to blind until now to not ask the bigger questions, always trusting in the mysterious voice in his head.
"No! Go away! Leave me alone!" Harry shook his head.
Harry... Tom's voice wavered.
"I SAID GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" Harry shouted at the top of his lungs and bolted out of the bathroom. He didn't stop until he was in his own bed, curtains drawn and a charm to ward out any noises from within and he sobbed.
For the first time in years Harry felt Tom's presence leave. It felt wrong. Leaving behind an emptiness he never thought he would ever feel. This was worse than Hermione and Neville moving onto greater things without him. Worse than Malfoy being unable to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas.
Harry felt lonely.