Harry never waited this much eagerly for any of his birthdays as much he was waiting now. This July seemed to be the longest month he had ever experienced. Every day he checks the calendar twice or thrice to count the days left, every night he hopes to see Dumbledore arriving to rescue him in the very next morning. Sometimes he wonders how could be ministry of magic so oblivious about a time traveler. Couldn't they have detect anything? But it is also possible that their system back in forties was not as updated as his own time. His impatience hadn't gone unnoticed by Tom either. One evening seeing Harry checking the calendar for nth time he was compelled to comment-
"Calm down Harry, as much as I share your eagerness for getting rid of Wool's, you must understand that our world is not like a dreamland of fairy tales, there are real dangers and people you want to keep distance from." Riddle mentioned nonchalantly
Harry no longer feels like laughing at the irony of the greatest danger for theirs world was warning him about dangers as his life itself has become an irony. However he knows there are some truth in what Tom was saying. Some of the ancestor of death eaters and earliest associates of Voldemort was strolling in Slytherin dungeon. May be obsession with the pureblood superiority is more intense in the forties. But Harry didn't have to worry about that, because he knows as soon as he meets Dumbledore he would find a way to send him back to his time. Rest is up to him to decide what to do to stop Riddle and probably helping him to change for good. Though Harry was no sure for the last part but he had trust on the wisdom of Dumbledore.
"And not only the students, there are also some teachers you have to be careful of," Tom continues, "like the assistant head-master Albas Dumbledore."
Harry noticed Riddle's face contorted with a suppressed rage as he utters the name. He remembers Dumbledore never trusted Tom and Tom knew all the act of his being perfect student couldn't full him. Harry sighs, he had to be extra careful to not let Tom have any idea of what he thinks of the man he despises most.
Harry turns to Tom who had turned his concentration towards the book in his hand. Harry frowned a little. The title of the book suggested it was not anything related to magic, but something about History of the Great Britain?
"Why are you reading a muggle history book?" asked an amused Harry as it was something unthinkable to him,
"Because I am not about to get my fourth year study books till the owl arrives with letter a week prior to the session, and I am not allowed to bring books from school library. So I had no other option than peeking in muggle libraries. Besides muggles are less insufferable in the form of printed materials than their living breathing self." Tom shrugged.
So Tom Riddle was an avid reader, so much so he couldn't resist books written by muggles? That was certainly something new. Harry couldn't help but sit beside Riddle and peek in. It was a chapter about court politics of English nobles. Harry couldn't try to look for longer. He always considered politics as boring stuff. Besides his experience with ministry of magic didn't leave a good impact about politicians, but why the hell Riddle is studying about muggle politics?
"You are still young to understand politics Harry, rather I can get some good story books for you if you want." Tom smirks ruffling Harry's hair. Harry pouts. Playing with his hair had become a favourite hobby for Riddle, oh how much more he hates this teen dark lord for that. He really gets pissed off when Tom behaves as if he was a toddler. If only he knew that Harry was an adult
"I am not a child Tom, stop behaving as if I am one" Harry tries to get up but Tom pulled him back. Harry
"Oh are not you? Your naivety prove otherwise" " Tom teased again making Harry groan. Tom likes to pull his leg whenever he is in a lighter mood. Harry knew Voldemort could become sarcastic, but he didn't think light fun was in his character. Or was there a slightest change in Tom's behavior around him? Harry doesn't want to think. While it was true that a humorous mood could keep this psychopath away from his destructive schemes for a while, Harry did not want to be a subject for the same.
"You are saying this because I don't despise muggles like you?" snapped an annoyed Harry. "Because I don't think all muggles are bad unlike you. Like you just mentioned there are every kind of wizards, same goes for muggle, that doesn't make me naïve or a child." Harry blurts out and the smile disappeared from Tom's face. Harry cursed himself under breath seeing Tom's face wearing its stony expression back.
"Do you think you know the muggles at all Potter?" the cold voice sent chills to Harry's spine. His shoulder pained under Tom's tight clasp. His face was inches apart from Harry's. The icy glance of those dark orbs were paralyzing him. With all will power Harry tries not to avert his eyes or not showing any sign of fear but he didn't know how much he was successful. After a moment or two Tom's expression was composed and he let go of Harry. Harry quickly massaged his shoulder and took a deep breath to calm himself down.
"You might like to read this one then" Harry saw Tom offering him a book, which he accepted silently trying not to meet his eyes. He reads the title "The History of Mysterious Cults and Witchcraft in British isle".
"This book would give you a fairly good idea of what the muggles do think about us or what they would like to do to us." Tom stated. "If you think yourself all grown up you surely would have the courage to read it." Riddle's tone was challenging.
Harry nods and leaves the room almost running. He needed some time away from Riddle. This young dark lord terrifies him in the way old Voldemort never did.
"Silly boy" Tom thinks. Harry didn't need to ruin his mood bringing disgusting muggles into discussion. Tom didn't want to scare the boy who with his bird nest, ridiculous glasses and stupid empathetic antics was capable of lightening Tom's mood which no one in Hogwarts ever could. Tom generally enjoys seeing people are afraid of him, But it was not a very good sight while those emerald eyes were terrified of him. But Harry needs to know his limit too. Besides he needs to stop projecting his muggle friendly behavior that could spoil Tom's reputation in Hogwarts. He needs to know the real face of those filthy creatures.
Tom concentrated on his books. Although in term of political strategies there were a little difference in both the worlds.
Harry silently entered into the room in midnight, making sure Tom was asleep. He didn't want to face that mental at night, so he was helping Hannah in her homework again. And intentionally delayed dinner to join the maid in washing dishes. He was not ready to enter into room till Tom was awake after the little display of horror.
Harry noticed the book Tom had offered earlier was left on his bed. He sighed and picked it up. It was obviously written by a muggle author. But why Tom would find it challenging to read a muggle write up? Not that wizards didn't write about hostility between muggles and wizards or history of witch hunts. What new can be there in a muggle book? He opened the book. His anger was coming back. He was always up for any challenge Voldemort has offered. He was not to back out now. He can't let Tom Riddle to intimidate him like this. He needs to show what he was capable of. He puts the torchlight on and starts reading.
The book was about the different cults to exhibit magical prowess since the Pre-Roman era. There was incidents of confrontation and hostility between magical and non-magical people. The book was written from muggle perspective. And in every line it was screaming the hatred and disgust towards wizards, mentioning how much vile creatures they were. Author portrayed as if wizards were not human but monsters. No brutal punishment was enough to wipe their existence of. Every kind of cruelty of justified against them. There were gory details of the incidents of witch hunt, and how the execution of magical people was a form of entertainment for the muggles. As he progresses it started to get difficult to go through. But Harry was determined to finish the challenge. He turns over the pages after pages ignoring shaking of his hands.
Tom woke up by a sound in his room. Rubbing his eyes he turns to the bed next to him from where the sound was coming. It was sound of sobbing. Harry was sitting clutching his knees, shuddering like a leaf in wind, the book he had given was open beside him along with the lightened torchlight. In a moment the whole matter was cleared to Tom. He gets up and reaches to other bed. Sitting beside Harry he glances at the book. In torchlight the chapter shows a description of the public execution of a wizard family in the year 1650. The man was beheaded and his body was left to be eaten by vultures and the pregnant woman was burnt alive. Her plea to save her child was met with laughter from the gathered viewers. Tom set the book aside and touched Harry's shoulder. Harry slowly turns to him. Green eyes were glimmering with water. His tiny body was still shaking like a feather.
"Now you know what muggles do think about us Harry?" though the question seemed sarcastic but Tom's asked it politely as he placed his hand on Harry's head. The boy had got more than enough lesson tonight, he didn't want to be rude anymore. Tom's soft voice and touch made Harry losing last of his control, he broke into tears placing his chin on knees. He has reached the end of his enduring limit. He thought he had seen enough hostility in life, but this kind of monstrosity that too by muggles were beyond his imagination.
Tom grimaced seeing Harry's break down. Crying was a human weakness. And a powerful wizard as Harry giving in to such weakness was such a waste. But he needs to handle him carefully now, he can't afford to break him anymore or his potential will be lost. Tom lifted Harry's face holding his chin and removed his specs. Then he wiped Harry's tears and pushed him onto the bed.
"You don't need to read the book anymore Harry. Now try to sleep. Itis already 2.30 a.m. in the morning, you need to get up early." He smoothed Harry's hair again. Harry got hold of his hand and clutched it with both of his small palms.
"Will you stay with me for a while please?" The green eyes were literally begging.
"All right" Tom sighs. It was strange to put someone into sleep like that but if that makes Harry further listening to him then there was no harm in it.
Harry closes his eyes clutching Tom's hand. In that moment it didn't matter who Tom Riddle was. It only mattered that his presence helped Harry to assure he was not alone.
Tom waited till Harry dozed off before returning to his bed. It didn't feel so bad helping someone for the first time after all.
The rest of the days prior to 31st July were eventless. Billy and his gang didn't cause any drama, neither Mrs. Cole had been harsh to him. Surprisingly Tom didn't make any sarcastic remarks for him. They didn't talk about that night's event anymore. But it gave Harry a lot to think about. Not that he stopped talking to Hannah or Tom stopped him again. But he somehow could see Tom's point. Muggles are capable to be as much as nasty as wizards with added advantage they many times in numbers. He now has a lot to discuss with Dumbledore.
Finally the much awaited birthday of him arrived. Hannah was the first wish him with a white lily which brought tear in Harry's eye, obviously Hannah didn't get the reason of which. Some other children who seeing Hannah dared to talk to Harry wished him too. He was spared from household chores today. Even Tom didn't call him for daily training either. Harry didn't expect Tom will greet him, so it was enough coming from him. As the moments passed Harry's impatience grew, in anxiety he skipped his lunch. All his concentration was at the door. Dumbledore could reach in any moment now.
At last Mrs Colle called his name saying he had a visitor, and Harry ran downstairs. But he had to stop midway seeing the visitor. The visitor was indeed from Hogwarts, but not the much awaited assistant head master, rather a potion master he will encounter decades after.
Professor Horace Slughorn!
