Slughorn's visit had confirmed the doubt of the members of Wool's about Harry being a freak as they got to know Harry would be attending the same school as Tom. The initial outcry of Billy and his gang against Harry's staying at Wool's was dismissed by Mrs. Cole because as the head of orphanage she knew better than others that she couldn't deny her responsibility. Also she had received the verbal assurance from Slughorn which she did from Dumbledore back in Tom's time and was a little relieved that she had to bear his presence only during summer same as Tom. Hence she only advised to ignore them which she followed herself. But as a result of all these Hannah had started avoiding Harry. Harry knew his friend was hurt and really felt guilty about it. But he couldn't find her alone to talk and clear her misunderstanding. Besides, Tom had extended time of his daily training session. It seemed to Harry as if through him Riddle was desperate to prove his guiding ability. So Harry had to have general idea of his syllabus. However Harry admits this was necessary because the curriculum was quite different from his time. It might not be updated in 90's but there were more vast and detailed and there were some critical spells as well of which the easier methods hadn't been discovered in this time. So naturally Harry used to have a little time left. But he didn't give up on talking to Hannah and kept waiting for a suitable opportunity.
Finally ten days prior to 1st September in one afternoon Harry succeed to find Hannah when Tom was away to return his books to library. Hannah was studying in the backyard away from the noise that other children made. Seeing her engrossed in her lessons Harry sat beside her quietly. Noticing his presence Hannah flinched and started collecting her books to leave.
"Hannah please wait, we need to talk." Harry requested
"But I don't want to talk to you." Hannah snapped and turned her back to Harry.
Harry couldn't help but held Hannah's hand stopping her from leaving. "No Hannah, you can't ignore your friend like this." He said desperately, if not today he wouldn't get another chance to clear Hannah's misunderstanding.
"That's what I thought Harry that we were friends, but you never considered me as your friend otherwise you would never have lied to me. You are just like Riddle, you can't be anyone's friend" Hanna's voice trembled in the last part. She jerked her hand free and stepped to leave. But Harry blocked her path.
"No I am not like Riddle." Harry almost screamed. No he can't allow his only friend people to consider him in the same line with Tom. He took a deep breath to compose himself seeing Hannah's shocked reaction. He had to try to talk without making her scared.
"Look Hannah I know you have right to get upset with me. But please try to understand my situation. You are the only one in whole orphanage who had not made fun of me, had been kind to me, didn't hesitate to go against Billy to be my friend, I was afraid if I said the truth you wouldn't want to be my friend anymore. See what just happened now. You people are so scared of Riddle how would have I made you believe that there are differences between us? Hannah, we both might have same kind of abilities but that doesn't make us same. Please believe me Hannah you have nothing to fear about me I can never hurt you."
Harry paused to take breath and looked at Hannah. Her expression did soften yet she didn't say anything.
"Okay" Harry sighed. "If you have decided to not to be my friend anymore, I won't bother you from now. Friendship can't be forced. Also I had got at least someone beside me" He gestured at the baby owl inside the cage he was holding. He had brought the cage with him to get some free air for the bird as Mrs. Cole made it clear that inside orphanage the strange pet must remain caged and confided in Room no. 27 only. This was the only time he could let the chic free for sometimes.
"Unlike any human he won't turn his back to me." Saying this Harry stepped away from Hannah and sat on the ground. He opened the cage and the owl chick crawled on his stretched arm. He offered the owl treat and the chick takes it from his fingers.
"Good boy" Harry pet the bird's head and he fluttered his wings. The bird had already started familiarizing with his owner.
"What's its name?" Harry noticed Hannah sitting beside him. Her expression bordered between curiosity and anxiety.
"I didn't decide yet. Why don't you suggest one?" Harry held the owl up towards Hannah. She hesitantly scooted closer to observe it.
"mmm, let me think, can we call it Hamish?" Hannah seemed so excited about the bird that she didn't care about remaining upset with Harry anymore. Harry felt relieved, that's the positive effect pets do have on people.
"Hamish? Was there any special reason behind choosing the name?" Harry wondered. Neither of them was Scottish after all.
"See the bird belongs to you and I am naming it, both of our name start with H, so it is only logical this bird's name starts with H too. Besides, he is white as snow that reminds me description of snowy Scottish Highlands, so got a Scottish name. If you are not okay we can think of anything else."
"No. Hamish is fine." Harry said hurriedly. "I liked it very much." No doubt Hannah's logic was quite appropriate. Also Hedwig's name was started with H too and so is of Hogwarts', his final destination which is located in Scotland only.
"Hello Hamish, I am Hannah your new friend." Hannah nervously touched his head, the bird hooted as if approving of his name and Hannah both.
"So we are friends again, right?" Harry looked at Hannah expectantly.
"On one condition, you would have to tell me everything about your school syllabus." Harry smiled in relief at Hannah's words. After all Hannah was just an innocent child, she couldn't help but being curious. And there was no harm to share tiny bits of information without exposing any big secrets of their world
"I promise, so friends?" Harry stretched his hand and Hannah shook it.
"Yes friends ."
After that day the friendship again resumed between Harry and Hannah. When Harry used to be away for his training with Tom, Hannah used to take care of Hamish. Not only that, she started to help with his schoolwork too. She might not understand everything but she was quick to memorize and thus helped Harry to revise and practice his lessons. These new developments of course annoyed Tom. But being convinced that Hannah wouldn't pose any real threat to him he didn't oppose the situation. Also Harry made it sure not to disobey Tom in any matter so that he remained pleased with him. He didn't want any more trouble before leaving for Hogwarts.
Three days prior to their departure as Harry came back after his training session Hannah came running to him,
"Harry, I can't find Hamish anywhere." Hannah's voice trembled.
"What?" Harry almost choked in anxiety "But you were taking care of him weren't you?"
"Yes Harry, I just went for a bath leaving him for a while and I swear no one was in my room then and my door was closed but when I returned he was gone." She started sobbing.
"Did you ask anyone? What about your roommates?" Harry realized panic was spreading inside him.
"No Harry, I only bring him whenever my roomies are away in the playground. But now I searched everywhere in the building and backyard but he is nowhere nor his cage could be found. This is all but my fault Harry. I should have been more responsible." Hannah sat on the floor wallowing uncontrollably. Harry didn't know how to react. He sensed something bad would happen if he didn't find Hamish soon.
"Do you have any idea, who could take him? Because the poor thing still can't fly well. It is out of question that he would escape on his own." Harry said, trying his best to stay calm.
"I have seen your owl." Harry turned to see Denis Bishop standing. He though avoided Harry but didn't seem to get nervous around him anymore, probably seeing Hannah and him in talking terms again.
"I saw Anna coming to room and taking the owl out." He continued.
"You saw her? And yet didn't ask her anything?" Hannah's sob-stricken tone sounded little angry.
"I asked and she told that you asked her to take the bird for a stroll as you were occupied. Now she is your roommate, how would I know she was lying?" Denis sounded hurt.
Harry felt a panic was spreading through him. Anna was part of Billy's gang and one of the few members who had personal grudge against Tom, as once Riddle had burnt her most favorite doll, so naturally she hates Harry too. That means his owl is now in the hand of Billy the bully. Thankfully Tom hadn't returned yet. After Harry's training session Tom usually practiced himself for a couple of hours more. So Harry had to find Hamish before Tom came back, because if he came to know that Harry lost his owl because of his muggle friend Harry shuddered to imagine the reaction Riddle would have.
"Hannah we need to find Billy now, I am sure Anna took my bird to him." Hannah nodded at Harry.
"But Billy and his friends are not at wool's now." She said confusedly.
"There is an incomplete factory building just few hundred meters away" Denis said, "I have seen Billy and his gang often hanging out there."
"Then I need to go there now, give me the location." Harry asked urgently
"I know where it is, let's go" Hannah started running and Harry followed.
The factory building was in a secluded place there was a little jungle around the structure. When Harry and Hannah reached there it was already dark outside. They saw little flames coming out of the building and ran following it. As they came nearer they heard the laughter of Billy and his friends along with the screech of Hamish. Now Harry could see Hamish helplessly fluttering his wings inside his cage. Near the cage one of Billy's friends David was making a fire. Except Billy and David there were three or four older men of 20's who were obviously not members of Wool's.
"Oh so the younger freak is here." Billy remarked noticing Harry's presence. "Very good, now you would see what I would do to those who dare to challenge me. Get him guys, he is all your." As soon as Billy said that two of the older guys held Harry down. Harry tried to fight them but they were way bigger and stronger. Another guy went for Hannah who cried aloud.
"What do you want Billy, why did you take my owl?" Harry screamed.
"Revenge" Billy roared. "Now you freaks would know how it feels to lose something dear to you. Riddle had my rabbit hanged from rafter and now will make him eat his owl's roast. You freaks would like that won't you?"
To Harry's horrified eyes David lifted the cage and hanged it over the fire. Hamish screeched helplessly as the flames were reaching to the cage.
"And no freaky business now, you little shit, otherwise I would roast the bird alive." Warned Billy just as Harry was concentrating to summon his wand-less spell.
"Billy please there is no need to be so cruel, why are you targeting that poor creature?" Harry begged, beside him Hannah was crying while still struggling against her captor.
"You should have said that to your older freak. But sad you are not going to be back at Wool's." Billy gestures to the guys holding them "Their boss would love to meet you."
Now Harry noticed the guys well. They indeed looked like outlaws. That means the rumors he had heard about Billy having connection to antisocial were true.
"Finally I am going to get rid of you", Billy turned to David. "David you would take Hannah to Wool's and it is up to you and Anna to make sure she keeps her mouth shut." Billy instructed.
"Actually would be better if you let us take her too. Boss would be even more pleased to get a pretty little girl" said the guy who was holding Hannah.
"No we can't do that" Billy said nervously, "I just want to get rid of this little freak. I don't want to be a part of human trafficking. Apart from that it would be harder to explain Mrs. Cole about her disappearance than Harry's which could be referred as his freakish whims."
"Think about it Billy, it will be hard to keep her mouth shut. One day or another she could spill the truth and get you in trouble." One of the men who were holding Harry spoke. "Also you are going to get paid for, that means you can always start a new life outside your orphanage. And also you can turn everyone's suspicion against that older boy and get rid of him too."
Billy seemed thoughtful for a moment but before he said anything a cold voice tuned.
"Nice plan, but unfortunately won't work"
Harry turned his head to see Tom standing behind wearing the same stony expression. Seeing him Harry felt the relieved and worried in the same time knowing as much a pissed off Riddle was bad news for Billy and the criminals it was not good news for Harry either. However Tom's presence did make Billy and David nervous.
"Don't try to get closer Tom." Billy tried his best to wear a brave face. "Or else I would roast your pet before your eyes."
"Oh would you?" Tom cocked his head with an amused smile.
Harry noticed Tom's eyes were fixed on David who was still holding Hamish's cage. Suddenly the flames of the fire he just made caught the edge of his shirt. With a yelp he threw the cage away and started rolling on the floor to extinguish the fire. Using the momentary diversion Harry unleashed his magic against his captors throwing them off, training with Tom had Harry enlightened how to use magic to get people electrified for few seconds without using wand. In the meantime Hannah bit her captor's hand and ran to collect the cage of Hamish. In all these Billy stood frozen. From fear or confusion or from Tom's wandless spell Harry couldn't figure it out.
"Girl, get back to your orphanage and ask madam to inform police about illegal activities going on here." Tom instructed Hannah. Who nodded and ran back without wasting time. In the meantime the three men circled Tom with knife and rod.
"Stay where you are Harry." Harry knew better than not to follow Tom's order.
"Is not him the one that made your life miserable Billy?" One of the guys mouthed. "Why not to end his story here?"
"I knew it Billy, that thick head of yours couldn't come up with anything original other than the poor imitation of Hollywood movies." Tom chuckled bemusedly.
With a wave of Tom's hand the arms flew away from the guys' hands. They stepped away from him at once with a mixed expression confusion and fear in their eyes.
"That is what wrong with you." Billy said with a rebellious desperation seeing situation getting against him. "You know Tom what is your problem? You are nothing without your freakish powers. If you consider yourself strong why do you need that? For once face me like a man. Would you dare to?"
Harry swallowed. He knew what Billy wanted to do. To hurt Tom's ego, so that he could bring him down. And Tom did have a fragile ego. For the first time Harry wished Tom not to fall prey of his ego.
"All right" Tom replied after thinking a while. "I am not using any extraordinary ability of mine from now onwards, but it doesn't feel right to fight you when there are older and stronger people around." He gestured to the older guys.
"Let's get him before Police arrive." The guys held Tom together.
"That's what I want too" Tom smirked.
Harry had no clue what was going on before him. Had Tom gone crazy or what? He might be strong but those guys were way bigger and stronger than him. He didn't think ego had blinded Voldemort from this early stage of life. He just prayed Hannah to come back with help as soon as possible.
As the guys tried to drag Tom out, he swiftly swept one's leg and elbowed on another's stomach freeing himself. One of the guys lodged a punch which Tom swiftly dodged, the guy got imbalanced as his punch mate with air and no sooner Tom kicked his guts. The guys now attacked Tom together. Harry couldn't believe what he was seeing. Without using his magic Tom was taking three older men with muggle fight techniques? Didn't Tom hate everything about muggles. Why would he learn martial arts then? And Tom's moves tell he had already mastered at it. He was flawlessly avoiding all the punches and kicks and not missing and perfectly landing counterattacks on his opponents. It didn't take long for the guys dropping on the floor before him one by one, bleeding and crying in pain. Harry was sure they had one or more broken bones too.
"You were saying?" With the signature smugness he looked at a horrified Billy. David had already fled from the scene. But Billy seemed unable to move.
"I have answered you disgusting creatures in your way. Now it is my turn to show you mine." The cold voice ranged dangerously.
Billy tried to say something but was unable to, as if his tongue also has been frozen. Harry now noticed the atmosphere surrounding them was getting colder. He understood Tom was using his magic to freeze Billy. So neither he could move nor could talk with his endless effort. His face was getting paler as if the blood was sucked out of him.
"So Stubbs, what were you talking about revenge? Think you forgot what happened when you called me son of a prostitute. Then let me remind you again."
So that was the reason why Tom killed Billy's rabbit? Harry had always thought strangling and hanging a cute rabbit was a relentless cruelty from Tom's end, not that he doesn't think that now. But now he could see there was enough reason for Tom's anger.
Yet Harry couldn't let Tom to make any permanent damage to Billy no matter how sadistically cruel Stubbs himself was to want to roast an owl chick, one wrong step from Tom will near him towards becoming Voldemort earlier than it was destined. And Harry wouldn't have anything to do then. He could see Billy's body had been started to whiten. If Tom kept going either Billy's heart would stop working or he would be paralyzed for life.
"Tom please let him go." Harry had to say that.
"I didn't ask your opinion, did I?" Tom sneered. "You haven't asked me before befriending that crybaby Rees and landing yourself into trouble. Had Barbara not noticed about your leaving for this little adventure and informed me in time you were going to end up into some criminal's web leaving an owl roast for me. So now keep your mouth shut and let me do my work."
"No Tom, please listen to me." In an attempt to divert Tom's attention towards Billy Harry stood between them. "Tom if something unusual happened to Billy, Mrs. Cole would obviously write to your headmaster. Just think about it Tom what would teachers do if they know about your display of power? Would they approve of it?" Harry pleaded.
Tom frowned at Harry. Harry no doubt talked quite maturely for his age earlier too, but today he surely had made a good point. But he didn't get Harry's reasons to stop him from punishing that asshole. Was it only from ground of compassions or there were some other reasons. But he slowly lifted his magical chore. Billy dropped on his knees before him as soon as he did.
"Now, you got to know your position, Stubbs. Now get lost, and keep your mouth shut about what you have seen here, and ask David to do the same." Tom commanded and Billy ran for his life while stumbling and dropping like a mouse that got freed from Cat's clutch.
"What about them?" Harry indicated towards the criminals lying on the floor.
"Don't worry about them, they won't remember anything for a while or even if they do Police is not going to believe them." And then Harry felt Tom's vile grip on his wrist and grasped. "However you would have to worry about yourself."
Tom dragged Harry all along without a word ignoring Harry's painful cry and pleas to let him go and threw onto his bed locking the door. Harry's hands felt numb by the time they reached to room no. 27. Entering his Room Tom just threw Harry on his bed along with cage of Hamish locking his door.
"Now until we are reaching Hogwarts you are not going out of this room. And if you even think of trying I will tie you up to your bed." The icy tone sent chills to Harry's bone.
There was no doubt this sane younger Voldemort was much more terrifying than his older insane version. If that was his punishment for a minor mistake than Harry wouldn't even want to think what Riddle would do if he comes to know Harry's truth. Now only Hogwarts could save him from this misery.
