Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or make money from this.
As Tom entered the bedroom, his eyes were immediately pulled to the lump in the bed. 'He's here...' he released a breath he hadn't noticed he had been holding. A small part of him had wondered if his boy would have moved back into the room he had forced him in when Tom couldn't remember him. He was glad that small part had been wrong. Quietly, he picked up his night clothes and disappeared to the bathroom. Quickly, he preformed his evening routine before walking back to his room. Harry hadn't moved and carefully not to wake him, Tom crawled beside him. Facing the other's back, sleep claimed him eventually.
-THTH-
Hearing someone shuffle around the room woke Harry up and sleepy he raised his head to see Dopper standing beside him with a tray full of breakfast. His eyes immediately got caught by the jewellery box in the middle. "Master, would you like to wake Master up?" The house-elf whispered and the youngster wondered how Tom couldn't have been woken up by the elf, if even he did. His answer got given to him as he rolled around. The older teen was lying on his back with his hands resting on his stomach.
'He's so awake,' Harry shook his head with one corner of his lips raised. Leaning closer he brought his mouth to the other's ear. "Open your eyes, birthday boy," he said in a tone that dripped of naughtiness and watched how eyelids flew upwards showing brown orbs. Dopper skipped to the other side of the bed as Tom sat up. "Happy birthday," Harry smiled and got eyed by the other.
"Happy birthday, Master." Dopper dared and actually froze until the future Dark Lord gave it a nod. Then it got back into action and put the plateau with food on its master's legs. The elf gave a small bow before it disappeared from the room. Tom still hadn't said a word and eyed every inch of the plateau to end up at the ring box standing on top of the plates. Slowly, his hand rose and picked up the box before carefully opening it. His eyes widened as he saw the ring appear and Harry was staring in expectance at the other's face. Tom picked up the ring from its container and blinked at it almost like he expected it to disappear at any moment. The youngster's heart skipped a beat when he noted the other reading the inscription.
'Always yours,' he repeated the words in his head and the other turned towards him.
"Thank you, it's gorgeous," Tom still free hand rose and his fingers gently touched the skin under Harry's chin. Slowly, the appendixes led the youngster's face closer to the older teen and their lips sealed into a gentle kiss. Like he couldn't resist temptation, Tom's tongue licked his upper lip before pulling back. "Let's eat," the future Dark Lord said and moved the plateau in between them. He picked up a piece of apple and held it to the youngster's lips. Harry accepted it without hesitation and couldn't help but lean his body closer the other when Tom retreated his hand.
"Anything special planned today?" His voice came out huskier than he meant and brown eyes flashed to him.
"Just work." Clicking with his tongue, the youngster shook his head before giving the other a playful look.
"You're not working on your birthday!" he stated while feeding Tom his own piece of apple and the future Dark Lord made certain to lick the youngster's fingers before they could retreat. Harry reacted by smiling teasingly and cut himself a piece of omelette.
"They're organizing a birthday party." Tom's eyes were glued to the other's lips and the youngster raised his eyebrows.
"And when were you going to tell me?" Just like that the brown eyes moved away from Harry and the older teen got up from the bed.
"I didn't think you wanted to come."
"Of course, I want to come!" The youngster called out as he followed the other's example.
"Wouldn't you like a break from the political world?" Brown eyes glanced at him as Harry stepped around the bed.
"Well yeah, but I also know it's a part of our lives and isn't it important everybody thinks things are peachy between us?"
"I would have figures out something," Tom answered deflecting and the other frowned.
'That's just not like him. He always has a solution.' "I hope something good, because just one picture of me at Harold's could have ruined that." The future Dark Lord grimaced as his eyes betrayed he had considered that. "Good thing I'm here then," the youngster bypassed the other and sent him a teasing glance before disappearing towards the bathroom. Tom quietly followed him and quickly joined him in the shower. Their skin connected whenever they bumped into each other and while they didn't seek the connection, they also didn't avoid it. Harry lingered under the water with his eyes glued to Tom as the older teen got out of the shower and dried himself before taking his toothbrush from its cup. Closing his eyes, the youngster enjoyed the stream of warm water a moment longer before closing the tap. As he opened the shower door again a gush of cold air blew against him and without the protection of warm water Goose bumps formed on his skin for a minute. "So, when does this party start?" Harry's eyes landed on Tom to find him rinsing his mouth while eyeing the other's wet body. He couldn't deny he loved the attention.
"A reception will be held around four o'clock, we'll eat around six and afterwards we'll continue with a party." The youngster frowned.
"That sounds really formal."
"That was the idea," the future Dark Lord answered as he looked himself over in the mirror before turning towards the other again. By now Harry had dried himself and was getting dressed.
"You should have fun on your birthday, not appease the public!"
"I'm always appeasing the public," Tom smiled coldly and turned around to have access to his clothes. Completely intentional, he dropped the towel around his waist in his turn and a smirk formed on his lips as he noted blue eyes zooming in on the newly exposed skin. Harry's eyes flashed from the older teen's hip to his face.
'He's the same.' A smile passed by on his face. They were both checking each other out, very openly might he add and both liking it. "I get that, I just think that at least you deserve one day you can just be yourself and forget about everyone else." Tom closed his pants before turning and leaning towards him to press a kiss on his lips.
"And that's why I have you." Harry gave him a confused look. "You're the only one I can be myself around." The confusion made place for understanding.
"The same counts for me," the youngster pressed their foreheads together. "You are actually the only one who know who I really am," he ignored the small voice that said Dumbledore also knew, "and what I really look like."
"Abraxas knows," the other retorted the last and Harry suppressed the urge to roll his eyes.
"Don't ruin the moment. Abraxas might know my real appearance and that I'm a Gryffindor, also a Gryffindor," he corrected himself as they both straightened, "but that's it," he wrapped his arms around the other's shoulders and gave him a close-mouthed kiss. "But we're getting side-tracked, so I have you to myself until four?" Tom nodded with a blank expression but his eyes betrayed his curiosity. "Then what do you think of a visit to our future house?" The birthday boy nodded his okay. "Great than let's continue getting ready." With a last naughty look, Harry retreated his arms and took Tom's place before the sink. A couple of minutes later they stood in their room again and the birthday boy walked straight to his nightstand. The youngster followed him and noted the jewellery box on the wooden surface. Tom picked it up and opened it but then hesitated. An idea came to Harry and he circled the other with his arms before picking up the ring. "Which hand would you like?" he whispered huskily in the future Dark Lord's ear. Tom raised his left hand and with great care the ring got slid around the ring finger. "Right where it belongs," he whispered content and felt the other lean backwards in his embrace.
"Yes." The youngster couldn't suppress a smile when he noted a faint blush on Tom's cheeks.
-THTH-
"It's coming along nicely, isn't it?" Harry stated as he looked at the bare stone construction before him.
"Yes," Tom agreed, "probably another week or so and they can start on the roof."
"Shall we enter?" The youngster asked in a gallant way and the other looked at him from the corner of his eyes.
"You're acting like a fool," the future Dark Lord stated and the youngster immediately had a radiating smile on his face.
"A fool in love that is." The older teen stared at him for a moment before abruptly leading him inside their house-in-building. "It's so spacious," Harry mumbled more to himself and Tom smiled before linked their hands. The youngster gave him a sideways smile back and they strolled through the empty rooms.
"The staircase will come here," the older teen said at a certain point and the other turned his body to the space he indicated.
"It would be fun if we could get upstairs." Tom immediately pulled his wand into the open and aimed at the hole in the ceiling. A spell left his lips and blue eyes blinked at the ladder that appeared.
"You know a spell to create ladders?" Harry asked with an odd look directed at the other.
"You never know when it could come in handy," Tom shrugged.
"Are you going to escape through a window or something anytime soon?" The youngster asked sarcastic and the future Dark Lord gave him a mysterious smile.
"Who knows, maybe I'll need a break from you ripping my clothes of my body at some point," the older teen teased and Harry gave him a confident smirk.
"Like that's ever going to happen." A genuine smile lightened Tom's face.
"You're right; I could never get tired of you."
"Oh, I wasn't talking about that," Harry looked at him playfully, "you're the one ripping clothes in the heat of the moment."
"Oh yeah," the other slowly answered in a teasing manner. Laughter slipped through the youngster's lips and he leaned against the other before releasing him.
"Come on, I want to see the master bedroom," he walked to the ladder and tested the first step before climbing it. The future Dark Lord followed his example and once upstairs grabbed hold of Harry's hand again. They had to be careful as here and there parts of the floor were still missing. The youngster had been leading at first but after almost misstepping, Tom had taken over without consent. Harry had just rolled his eyes before following. At least in the bedroom all pieces of the floor had been laid out and after deciding it was safe the older teen had released the other, who once again rolled his eyes. 'He's overreacting,' Harry's feet carried him around the room and made him take a quick peek inside the dressing and the bathroom. His tour ended at the glassless window and he took in the scenery. He could sense the future Dark Lord's presence behind him and expected the arms before they wrapped around him. "It's beautiful," he sighed leaning in the other's embrace, "so peacefully," he entwined their hands and a smile graced his face as he felt the ring. Tom pressed a kiss to the back of his head and for a moment he could pretend everything was perfect. Then his eyes fell on a pointy roof. "What's that?" he questioned as he rose to the ball of his feet. "The older teen followed the line of his vision.
"That would be the new Malfoy's residence," he answered and the youngster briskly turned his head ninety degrees so the other could see his frown.
"So what, even in his free time Abraxas has to be close to you?" Brown eyes glanced at him.
"He knows not to bother us at home without a good reason." Harry turned completely now to get better access to the other's face. He needed to take in every little reaction.
"Great, he won't interrupt us when we're in the middle of having sex," he said sarcastic and saw the future Dark Lord cringe at his direct word choice. "You seriously want him that close?" he asked seriously.
"Why not? Now we at least know our neighbours." The youngster watched his face thoughtfully to see if he was hiding something before shaking his head. "The Blacks are building a mansion south from us," Tom added gasoline to the fire and Harry actually stared at him in shock.
"Walburga?" A nod confirmed his suspicion. "Why are your followers building their houses around ours?" The youngster asked all business like as he took a step backwards, bumping against the window frame.
"I don't believe it's odd for my followers – as you put it – to want to be close to me."
"Maybe, do all rich purebloods build mansions when their kids are getting married?" Harry decided to lighten the mood again, but he knew he was missing something, something important.
"Some do, Abraxas doesn't even know this mansion is actually for him."
"He doesn't?" The youngster asked surprised and wondered if he had been too quick to judge. The older teen shook his head negatively. "Wait, Abraxas is getting married."
"I thought you had already come to that conclusion," Tom gave him an odd look.
"I was talking about the Blacks. I didn't know Abraxas was getting married. Shouldn't I be aware of that, if I'm his 'cousin'?" Harry suddenly speculated.
"He hasn't been introduced to the girl yet," the other retorted calmly.
"Oh yeah," the youngster frowned, "purebloods don't marry out of love." Feeling the mood had been completely spoiled, he moved past the other and continued until he found a window frame aiming the south. His eyes searched the horizon but he couldn't find any evidence of a house-in-building.
"We have a large garden," Tom said from behind him.
"So, our domain is large enough that Walburga can't keep an eye on us?" The youngster glanced backwards to see the other nod.
"We'll have our privacy," the future Dark Lord reassured him as he laid his hands on the shoulders in front of him. He gave them a short massage before slipping downwards and grabbing hold of Harry's hand once again. "I'll show you the border." The youngster raised his eyebrows in surprise but let the other pull him back to the ladder.
-THTH-
As they walked outside, the future Dark Lord released his hand and instead wrapped his arm around the other's waist. Harry glanced at him, but that was it. He couldn't deny that he liked the other's body flush against his. Then his mind flashed back to the Christmas' party and he had to suppress a shudder. 'At least he didn't kill him,' he tried to reassure himself, but he wondered if driving someone insane was any better. Neville and his parents were the next persons entering his mind. 'No, it's just as bad!' Once more he glanced at the other and was now even more determinate to show his worth. 'When I'm done, he'll never hurt a soul again!' he promised himself, but couldn't help but wonder if he could really succeed. They entered the wood around their house and Harry quickly figured out that walking through it wasn't going to be easy.
"As you can see, it's really dense," the older teen stated, which appealed to the youngster.
"Walburga won't be entering from here," he mumbled and felt Tom's hand slide from his side to his back where it started rubbing circles. Harry let out a sigh and closed his eyes for a moment, just enjoying the other's touch. 'I won't let anyone come between us!' he promised himself. 'Not even Tom himself!' His eyelids raised a little and he stared at the other through his lashes.
-THTH-
The clock billowed four o'clock and Harry took a last deep breath. 'Time to play the perfect boyfriend,' he told himself as Tom held out his hand towards him. They were standing before the door that led to the living room in Spave's mansion. Behind it the guests would be waiting. 'Why are these parties always here?' he wondered while accepting the hand. The other smiled at him before facing the door and pushing it open. Words of congratulations got yelled and they got firstly greeted by Spave. The man pulled both of them into a hug and Harry helped him sit down afterwards under the future Dark Lord's watchful eyes. The youngster gave him a blameworthy look underlined with a smile to keep up appearance. Next, they got surrounded by the rest of the group who seemed to throw themselves at Tom.
"Your boyfriend's popular." Harry turned his head in surprise to find Tristan standing beside him.
"It's his birthday after all," the youngster answered turning his attention back to Tom.
"I hope you don't get unwell tonight."
"I feel fine, don't worry," he refused to look at the other man.
"Good to hear that, I wouldn't want you to find your way back in Mr Potter's arms." Blue eyes briskly turned to Tristan, who was studying his face intently.
"I've never been in Harold's arms," he hissed while glaring at him. People were starting to look at them and Tom popped up on his other side.
"Tristan," the future Dark Lord greeted while wrapping his arm around the youngster's waist.
"Happy birthday, Tom," Tristan smiled without taking his eyes from Harry.
"I'm might get jealous if you keep looking at my boyfriend like that," Tom succeeded in pulling his rival's attention to him.
"No need for that. You don't have to worry... about me." His smile clearly held a hidden message and whispers were already starting to float around them.
"He doesn't have to worry about anyone," Harry wrapped his arms around Tom's neck and sweetly kissed his cheek. Whispers about how cute they were together surpassed the rumours of adultery.
"Glad to see that. I had to admit I was worried about the gossip," Tristan turned the situation to his hand.
"Don't be, we are great," the future Dark Lord said with a charming smile on his face. "Now, if you would excuse us," he steered the youngster away from his rival.
"Thank you," Harry whispered and Tom pressed a kiss to his forehead.
"You were doing well on your own." The youngster gave him a half smile.
"Yet, you come and save me."
"Always." The half smile turned into a complete one.
-THTH-
For the next hours Tom made certain Harry was by his side and Tristan far away from them. He didn't like how the man seemed intent on verbally attacking his boy whenever he got close to him. During dinner he had a break as his rival was seated on the other side of the table and he started to get excited with the prospect of what was coming next. He had a surprise for his boy. When they moved to the ballroom he placed the two of them facing the door with the excuse they would have great vision on who arrived. He only had to wait ten minutes until his surprise came walking in. "Ignatius, Alex?" Harry called out astonished and pulled Tom – as the other was still wrapped around him – towards his friends.
"Happy birthday, my Lord," Alex greeted Tom first and got a handshake as reaction.
"I'm glad you could come."
"We're honoured to have received your invitation," Ignatius answered as he also got a handshake. Parkinson's eyes glanced downwards for a moment before settling on Harry with a smirk underneath them.
"Please," Tom turned to his boy, who dazzlingly smiled back, "join your friends." The youngster's smile seemed to brighten even more and a lovely kiss was pressed on the older teen's lips.
"Thank you," Harry whispered only for his ears before leaving the other's personal space. "Let's get ourselves something to drink," he turned to his friends, who gladly followed him.
"That was the right move to make," Abraxas took the space before Tom, whose eyes were still plastered on his boy's retreating back.
"They will keep him away from unwanted attention," the future Dark Lord turned to the blond.
"Glad you also could come."
"You know me, I wouldn't miss a party!" Malfoy smiled brightly and glanced sideways to his parents. "And everyone is expecting me to join the group anyway," he shrugged, making Tom smirk at him.
"We knew it would only be a matter of time."
"Yes, as you grow in power, the people are starting to see me as compromised, which I technically am," the blond smirked back.
"Then I suggest you start to make a name for yourself in the group." Abraxas accepted the hidden order and scanned the crowd. Zooming in on his prey, he put an attractive smile on his lips and nodded to the future Dark Lord before moving away from him. Tom took one step and the next couple already appeared before him. 'This is going to be a long night,' he smiled charmingly. He could get rid of them after ten minutes and moved to the bar. Gathering his beverage that the bartender put down before him without a word, he moved to a dark corner to catch a break. Sipping from his glass, his eyes scanned to room to stop on his boy. A smile tugged at his lips as he noted how relaxed Harry looked. 'He's having fun.'
"...Marvolo Remus." His boy's name suddenly pulled his attention and he turned his eyes to find Tristan talking to another teenager.
'Alistair, Tristan's cousin,' he remembered the moment his rival had introduced his family member. Alistair was more than eager to join the group after his graduation.
"He's gorgeous," Alistair breathed and Tom had to smirk.
'And entirely mine!'
"Great, you have the same taste as Tom," Tristan huffed and his cousin briskly turned to him.
"He's the boyfriend?" Tom's rival nodded.
"Pity." The future Dark Lord frowned as Alistair's eyes were once more trained on Harry.
-THTH-
"So, how did our Lord react?" Ignatius asked while wiggling his eyebrows. Harry just gave him a confused look, even if he could guess what his friend was talking about. "The ring!" Alex's interest was also piqued.
"Yes, how did he like your present?"
"He loved it," the youngster couldn't keep the smile from his face. "I got him to blush." Laughter slipped from between his lips at the expressions that appeared on his friends' faces. Then someone bumped into him from behind.
"Apologies," the man said as Harry whipped his head around to find a teenager around his age. "Let me buy you a drink as apology."
"The drinks are free," the youngster joked and a smile bloomed on the teen's face.
"You got me there. I'm Alistair," Alistair raised his hand and Harry shot him an intrigued look.
"Marvolo," he said as he turned to the man and shook the offered hand.
"Are you part of the group or acquainted with a member?" Alistair didn't release his hand.
"Acquainted." A finger started to caress his wrist and the look in the man's eye told Harry he already knew the answer.
"Any future plans of joining? Because I would definitely join if you're a member." The youngster raised an eyebrow.
'He's hitting on me, even with the knowledge that I'm with Tom. It can't be he doesn't know?!' "Not really, I'm here to support my boyfriend."
"Lucky man." Not a glint of surprise passed Alistair's face.
'He knows!' "He is, just as I am. Who do you know in the group?" Harry changed the subject while pulling his hand free with force.
"My cousin, I'm more than grateful to him for getting me an invitation."
"You seem eager enough to join with or without my presence," the youngster joked and a glint of possessiveness flashed through Alistair's eyes.
"Your presence would be icing on the cake."
"Such flattering words to someone you don't even know," Harry couldn't help but play along. He knew Tom must be watching them and wondered when he would show up.
"A successful way of getting to know someone." The youngster couldn't help but laugh.
"We'll see."
"I-." A hand carrying a cup of wine appeared between them as Harry felt an arm wrap around his waist.
"Meeting interesting people?" Tom asked while looking Alistair over with a disdainful glance.
"You expect anything else on your party?" The youngster accepted the cup and sipped from it. Wine lingered on his upper lip and his tongue swept over it in one quick movement. He didn't miss Alistair zooming in on his lips and how his eyes darkened with lust. Tom also didn't miss it and a growl escaped from deep within his throat.
"There are always people who don't belong," he openly glared at the man before turning to Ignatius and Alex, who had quietly taken in the whole conversation. "I apologize for stealing MY boyfriend away," he emphasized on the 'my' and glanced at Alistair as the word left his lips. Harry could only roll his eyes while his friends quickly nodded. "Excuse me!" The future Dark Lord hissed at Alistair and manoeuvred the youngster away from him. Harry gave his friends a look, which got answered with naughty smiles.
"Saving me again?" The youngster said with a chuckle, making the other glance at him. Tom visually relaxed a little and moved the two of them towards the bar.
-THTH-
"Alistair's Tristan's cousin," Tom said in the end to break the silence that had settled between them. Harry looked up from inspecting his cup of wine with a surprised expression. 'He didn't know.' Relief washed over the future Dark Lord and he raised one of his boy's hands to press a kiss to its knuckles.
"That explains his sudden interest," Harry answered in a voice that held a hint of disappointment, which Tom chose to ignore.
"Misplaced interest," he huffed instead and his boy gave him a small smile.
"Jealous?" The youngster teased while letting his fingers entwine with the other's. The future Dark Lord grumbled in response, not wanting to admit to the jealous fire running through his veins. "Like I said before, you have nothing to worry about," Harry sweetly kissed him on the lips and Tom felt the fire die down a little. "You know what this party is missing." His boy sudden announced and the older teen raised his eyebrows in wonder. "Music," Harry eyed Tom with a seductive look, "to dance too."
"We could set up a dance floor in the middle of the ballroom," the future Dark Lord's mind immediately started working in overdrive. "Spave has a gramophone we could use," he walked away from the youngster to the private quarters that were off-limit to the public. His boy followed him and he heard the door close behind him, leaving the two of them alone.
"Should we be in here?" Harry asked and a glance backwards told Tom he was eyeing the politician's office.
"I've been in here multiple of times," he answered as he moved to the turntable standing on a small table in one of the corners of the office. With a wave of his wand, he picked it up and pointed to the shelves with records beside it. "Find some you like."
"You do realize I don't know the least about the music of this time." His boy said from beside him.
"Meaning if you know it, it must be ageless," Tom smirked sideways and received a smile back.
"Fine, let's see," the youngster kneeled down and skimmed with his finger over the covers of the records. The older teen could see the moment his attention got pulled and one of the covers got raised above its companions. "A little Frank Sinatra never killed anyone." His boy turned to look at him with a playful grin on his lips.
"He has potential," Tom agreed and wondered what the man would bring in the years to come. Leaning over the shelves himself, he picked an album of Perry Como and one of Vaughn Monroe. 'The guests will like those.' With his wand moving the gramophone, he nodded with his head to the door. Harry followed him and Abraxas together with one of the politicians helped him set the turntable on a small dresser. Next he held out his hand for the Frank Sinatra record, which his boy gladly gave. He started the recording and now held out his hand for the youngster to take. The youngster laid his hand in his with a playful smile on his lips. With one swift movement, he pulled his boy against him and wrapped his free arm around the other's waist. Their joined hand got held just a little lower then shoulder height. Again supporting whispers of their love surfaced as they twirled around. They had the first song for themselves and Tom pressed their lips together when the last notes filled the room. High pitched voices called out how adorable they were, but both ignored them. They were in a world of their own. Other couples joined them on the dance floor and Harry started to move their bodies again, when Spave's nurse showed up beside them.
"Arte has made his desire known to be taken to his bed." Tom nodded at her and pulled his boy close for a quick kiss and a promise of rapid return before releasing him. Harry gave him an approving look and the future Dark Lord turned his back on him to face his responsibilities.
-THTH-
Harry watched Tom disappear in the crowd and sighed. "Can I have this dance?" Alistair suddenly appeared beside him and the youngster gave him a thoughtful look.
"Is this some ploy of Tristan?" The other man laughed to his surprise.
"No, just look at him," he turned his head ninety degree and blue charmed eyes followed his line of vision to find a fuming Tristan. "He's furious," Alistair turned back to him with a smirk on his lips. "So," he held out his hand, "can I have this dance?" Harry rolled his eyes but gave in.
"Fine, until Tom gets back." The other took a firm hold on his hand and pulled him close. They dance to the song without saying a word. Every time the youngster's eyes passed Tristan, he found the teenager glaring at him. "What's going on with your cousin?" he had to ask and the other turned his head to glance at his cousin.
"He doesn't like me getting close to you."
"Am I such a bad influence?" Harry chuckled and Alistair's eyes promptly focused on him. A sudden spin made Harry a little dizzy and before he could catch up with the situation, the other had him dipped backwards. In a rapid movement he got raised again and their bodies smashed against each other with their lips only a centimetre apart.
"You might be just what I need." Harry immediately pushed Alistair away as he himself stepped backwards.
"I'm already spoken for," he said and turned around to get stopped by a hand on his bicep.
"And I wouldn't have it otherwise." The youngster glanced at the other while trying to pull himself free. "Only with another embracer." With impressive speed, a hand wrapped around Alistair's, clenching his nails deep into the skin and brutally pulled the hand from Harry's arm.
"Your touch is clearly unwanted," Tom hissed while his eyes promised death if the man ever touched what's his again.
"Apologies, I just didn't want to leave with bad water between us," Alistair gave a small bow to the future Dark Lord, while sending a heated look to Harry through his lashes. Then he left and Tom turned to look at the youngster.
"You shouldn't have accepted his company," the older teen said accusing and Harry's heart dropped a little.
"I thought I could get something on Tristan from him," he whispered as he pressed himself against the other. This wasn't what he had intended. Who could have guessed that Alistair would turn a question about Tristan in an opportunity? Tom's features softened and he guided him to the bar where their drinks were already waiting on them.
"Stay away from the both of them. They are not to be trusted." The youngster just smiled and sipped from his drink.
"Here's the birthday boy!" Sebastian suddenly appeared beside them. "I must say the music's a good choice." Tom plastered his charming smile on his face and turned his attention on the old man. Harry smiled politely at Sebastian as the future Dark Lord's arm kept him plastered against the older teen, putting him in the circle of conversation. As he took another sip, he couldn't help himself and glanced sideways. His eyes immediately found Alistair's, who clearly choose staring at him over listening to his raving cousin.
'His attention could come in use,' Harry reasoned and turned back to listen to the old man. Both Tom and he glanced at each other at the same time and the youngster couldn't help but smile and lean closer to the other. They stayed like that until Abraxas suddenly interrupted them with the announcement that the New Year would start in five minutes. Tom excused them to Sebastian and moved both of them to the gramophone. Brusquely the music was cut off and everyone's attention settled on the future Dark Lord.
"I apologize for the interruption but it's about five to twelve. It's about time we move to the garden." Enthusiastic murmurs filled the air and Tom pulled Harry towards the backdoor where Abraxas was waiting on them with their robes in hand. After dressing themselves against the cold, they stepped outside and the youngster grabbed the other's hand. Tom gave him a smile as reaction and manoeuvred him in front of him, back against chest. A smile pulled at Harry's lips as the other's arms wrapped around him and he entwined their fingers. Absentminded he caressed the ring on Tom's finger as the first fireworks were released in the sky.
R&R