Hello! I'm back with another chapter!

Thank you to my AMAZING alpha and friend MissRissa for always being there and encouraging me! This story would be nothing without you and I really do appreciate and love you for all you do xo

This chapter is the end of year one and the beginning of year two! As they get older they will be doing more, so if you think there's not much description in these first few chapters don't worry there will be more soon!

I'm hoping to have another chapter out this month as per my goal with some of my writing buddies! This goal is to have two to three chapters of our current WIP out before October! Here's the first! Thanks ladies for being pushy with our goals! You know who you are ;)

Hope you enjoy x

June 20, 1939

Tom stepped back through the brick wall to the world he hated. There standing on the other side was Mrs Cole scowling at him, "Come on boy. I don't have all day to wait around for the likes of you."

"Yes, Mrs Cole," Tom said dejectedly walking along with her to the orphanage van. Placing his trunk in the back he followed it, knowing Mrs Cole wouldn't want him to be in the front with her. The other kids could sit up front but not Tom.

Tom was the exception to everything in her eyes. She was kind to everyone else, she cared if they had clean clothes and she made sure they slept well. Even if she had to sit with them until they fell asleep. Tom was treated like crap from the beginning of his toddler years when the accidental magic outbursts started.

Having gotten away and come back, Tom wasn't looking forward to the coming months. When he got back to the orphanage he was made to take his own trunk and dragging it up the stairs he watched as all of the kids watched him pass with wild-eyed stares. He would be scared of him too if he had done what he had done to them; to himself. Glaring at them as he passed they ran back into their rooms, and he was left to walk the stairs in peace.

Flopping down onto the bed he didn't even bother unpacking his trunk, what was the point. He couldn't use any of it besides the parchment during the holidays anyway. He hoped the children and the staff here wouldn't notice the owl that he had gotten off the Nott's that would be flying in soon. He was a tawny owl, and they had set him loose and told him where to go, and his cage was seated in Tom's trunk.

That was his only saving grace, he would still get to write to Hermione, Theodore and Aldrich. Writing a quick letter that he had arrived safe, he waited for the owl to fly through the open window and attached both letters to the talon. One to Hermione and Theodore and the other to Aldrich.

Laying back down, he tried to sleep but the whispers from outside his door carrying in kept him from calming down, and the uncomfortable bed kept him from relaxing enough to drift off. He wished now Hogwarts would let him stay there over the holidays. He wouldn't get in the way, and it beat being shoved back into the muggle world after finding his place in the world.

The next morning he woke to find the owl back in its cage and two letters waiting for him;

Dear Tom,

We are glad you got there safe but wish you were here, mother sends her love and father says that he's going to post a package in the next couple of days with some Wizarding snacks, so you don't miss out on any this summer! Maybe we can meet up in Diagon Alley when we get our books list and talk to Headmaster Dippet and Mrs Cole about you staying here until school goes back!

Can't wait for your reply,

Hermione and Theodore

Tom smiled, meeting them in Diagon Alley when they got their letters would be amazing and then to go stay with them and see their house and family again would make his holidays. He knew this time would be harder to know there was something better.

He opened Aldrich's letter and read;

Hey Tom!

I'm so glad you got there safe, it's a bummer you can't stay with one of us, but I get it. I know I usually meet the Nott Family in Diagon Alley so maybe you can join us this time? Hopefully, the orphanage doesn't treat you too badly.

Talk to you soon.

Aldrich.

Tom smiled that all three of his friends thought to invite him along to Diagon Alley and that they all would prefer him to stay with him. Having those letters brightened up his day and packing his belongings away seemed a little bit less depressing than before. The bell rang throughout the orphanage for breakfast, and he slowly meandered his way down the stairs after the others. He couldn't wait until his package came from the Nott's.

June 27, 1939

Tom had a terrible week, the kids and adults in the orphanage had treated him like dirt, and he had barely had anything to eat after one of the little brats told Mrs Cole he had done something to them. He hadn't. He knew he couldn't. But that didn't stop her from believing the little brat, and his punishment was one meal a day and a cup of water.

"That's all I'm required by law to give you so don't even think you'll be getting anymore you horrible child." She had said the afternoon after he had returned.

He had been writing to Hermione, Theodore and Aldrich for a few days after that but then their tales of the adventures they had been on got to be too depressing, so the letters started to stack up on his dresser; unopened and unanswered.

The sound of the other orphans playing outside ground on his last nerve. One of those little turds had gotten him grounded and ruined the best part of his miserable day, and that was getting outside in the sun. He could usually get away with sneaking out and going exploring around London.

He had actually found the Ministry of Magic the other day and smiled that they were so close. But then the grounding started, and he was only allowed to leave his room at dinner time and then straight back to it.

He missed the freedom he had at Hogwarts, he missed his friends and housemates, and he especially missed his and Hermione's ritual of going to the library every day.

It was depressing sitting in his room looking at the grey walls and bedding. He couldn't wait for his letter so he could get out and hopefully go and spend the rest of the holidays with the Notts.

July 4, 1939

Hermione sat in the window seat in the family library looking over the horizon as the sun rose in the distance and her eyes feeling like sandpaper. This was the third night in a row she hadn't slept. She had sat in this window seat watching out for Tom's owl or their owl with a reply from him. It had been a week, and she was worried.

Theodore and Aldrich hadn't been worried at first until a week went by and still no one had heard from him. With the way, he had clung to them and promised he would write and then suddenly stopped? It wasn't right.

Theodore came and sat with his sister, "Still not sleeping?" He questioned.

"No, I'm so worried Theo." She whispered.

"I know. I am too." He stated, placing his hand comfortingly on her shoulder.

Leaning her head on his hand; tears started to roll down her cheeks, "What if they've done something to him? What if they took his stuff?"

"Then we do something." Her brother said.

"Really? You think there's something wrong too?" Hermione sat up slightly.

"I do. But…"

"But what Theodore." Hermione interrupted him scowling.

"We wait."

"For?"

"Just in case he's been away with the orphanage, you know they take them places. He told us." Theodore reasoned.

"I don't think we should wait. He stopped writing all of a sudden." Hermione said.

"A week. Wait a week, and then I'll go with you to mum and dad." Theo said holding his arms open for her.

"Okay. A week and if he still hasn't sent us anything we go to mum and dad." Hermione said leaning into her brother's warm embrace.

"Let's write him a letter saying if he doesn't write in a week we will go to mum and dad, so he knows we are really worried," Theo said squeezing tight to give some of his calmness to her.

"I'll write to Aldrich too. To get him to write to Tom saying the same." Hermione said jumping up and grabbed two bits of parchment, scribbling a quick letter to both and using hers and Theo's owls to allow them to only have one location to go to.

One week. That was all she was waiting.

July 7, 1939

Hermione had now not slept for over a week and a half, she had lasted three days after her brother's decision to wait a week, and then her anxiety had amped up, and she couldn't take it anymore.

She still hadn't heard from Tom, and the longer he went without replying worried her more. Every second that ticked by without a reply was one more second she was on edge.

Walking to her mother's rose garden, she wandered through and found her mother sipping tea and looking at the sunset.

"What is wrong my darling Hermione? I can feel the waves of anxiety flying off you from here." Her mother stated.

"Tom," Hermione said walking to sit by her mother.

"What about that darling boy?" Another question and another second ticked by.

"Mum.. he hasn't written back in almost two weeks," Hermione said, a lump building in her throat as she spoke.

"Oh dear. And what had he been saying before he stopped writing?" Her mother spoke quietly.

"He was so down mum. He didn't want to be there, and everyone was treating him like a freak." Hermione rambled.

"Okay Hermione, I am going to write to him, and we will wait…"

Hermione interrupted at that, "Mum I've waited almost two weeks."

Holding her hand up, her mother continued. "Now. I know you have waited patiently, but there is a process I must take now. Do you recall what orphanage he is in?"

Shaking her head, "No I only know it is somewhere around the centre of London."

"Okay, I will do my research on orphanages in and around the centre of London and go from there. Give me three days, and we will get searching. But Hermione I have to do my research so be patient." Mrs Nott said.

"Why do you have to research, mum?" Hermione asked.

"Because what if I only look at face value for the ones that are right in the forefront and he's in one that's on a side street? Let me do my bit. You try and get some sleep in the meantime." She said, pulling Hermione into a hug and pushed her off back toward the manor to get some sleep and send her brother out to help in search of names of orphanages.

Turning back for a second Hermione said, "Thank you, mum. For listening."

"Anytime my darling girl, I will never let any of your anxieties sit unexplored."

Hermione felt slightly better now that an adult knew what was happening as well.

July 10, 1939

Three days for the Nott Family felt like years gone by, still nothing from Tom. Mrs Nott looked over the names of all the orphanages around the area he was and sighed. This was going to be a long week, but they were finding him this week. She couldn't watch her daughter go through this stress anymore, and since she had found out he wasn't replying anymore she had aged several years. He was like another son to her, and she couldn't help but think the worst.

If anyone had done anything to him, they would face the wrath of her and her husband. No one messed with their family and got away with it.

"Hermione, Theodore and Aldrich! Time to go, let's get started. The sooner we get going the sooner we find him." She shouted up the stairs.

Once Aldrich and his parents had heard that Tom wasn't replying to the Nott's either they had asked to join in on the search as well. Aldrich had come to stay with them until they had at least found him and maybe after so he could see his friend was okay.

None of their children should be going through this kind of worry at such a young age, but it was all apart of being friends with an orphan that had no ties. They wouldn't change anything though and hopefully by the end of this week; Mrs Nott will convince the Ministry and Headmaster Dippet to let him stay with them instead of going back to the orphanage.

The four left the manor and taking the Portkey they travelled to London and started their search, crossing orphanages off the list as they went.

Too many were being crossed off and turning up nothing. The more orphanages they looked at, the more they got disappointed.

Mrs Nott told them not to give up. They would find him but as they returned to the manor later that night, tired and worn down; she frowned. Her children and the boy she loved like one of her own looked defeated.

"Aunty Astraea, we will be able to find him, won't we? He's okay right?" Aldrich asked timidly when she had moved to sit in the study to look over the maps of where he was supposed to be.

"Definitely my boy, we will find him, and when we do, he's not going back without a damn good fight from me." She spoke to him, holding her arms open for her best friends son she embraced him giving him and herself; the comfort they both so needed.

It had been a hard day.

July 15, 1939

Hermione dragged her feet along behind her mother, brother and Aldrich. It had been five long days of searching, and they had only six orphanages left on the list. The children were beginning to lose hope, but their mother kept going. The more they came up empty, the more determined she became.

Coming up to the next orphanage on their list; Wool's Orphanage it said on the wrought iron gates. Something bubbled up in Hermione's throat, and she couldn't help but perk up and become excited. It was as if something was pulling her inside. This was it. He was here, they had found it.

"Mum, this is it: isn't it?" Hermione said.

"I feel it too, sweet girl. We've found him." Astraea said with a smile.

Walking up to the door they knocked and were greeted by an older stern-faced lady. "How may I help you?"

"Hi, I'm Astraea Nott, these are my children Hermione and Theodore and their friend and my nephew Aldrich, and we were wondering if you had a child by the name of Tom Riddle here." She said gesturing to the children and inside.

"May I ask how you know this child before I release any information?" The lady said, still not introducing herself.

"He is family," Hermione stated coldly.

"May I ask what your name is, Madam?" Mrs Nott questioned her.

"Mrs Cole." She said, "why are you here?"

"Tom hasn't written to us in a few weeks, and we have searched nearly every orphanage looking for him." Mrs Nott said in a clipped tone. "Now you are going to move out of my way, and I'm going to find the boy and take him with me."

Hermione looked at her mother in awe; it was no wonder she got what she wanted. The power that she exuded from her very core.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let him go. He has been signed into my care I can't let him leave." The older woman said standing fast in the middle of the doorway.

"I will give you one last moment to move out of my way and then if you still haven't I'm going to have to push through." Her mother said.

"I'm sorry. I can't. If you try and enter, I will call the police." The woman said folding her arms.

"Try me," Astraea said as she pushed past.

Gliding up the stairs they started to sing out, "Tom, Tom which room is Tom Riddle in."

A shaking little boy about a year younger than Hermione pointed to the next floor and said: "the only room up there."

The group rushed up the stairs, bursting through the doors they found a sleeping Tom, he had lost weight by the looks of his loose clothing.

Hermione walked over to him while Astraea started to pack his belongings. "Come on Tom, wake up. We are here to take you home."

"Are you really here, this time?" He whimpered.

"Yes, my sweet boy we are really here," Astraea said smiling over her shoulder as she shoved his belongings into his trunk. "Let's take you home."

Tom stood slowly and moved to Mrs Nott hugging her with tears running down his cheeks. "Thank you."

Once they packed all of his stuff, they walked back down the stairs and pushed past Mrs Cole who was standing guard and said to their backs, "I've called the police."

"Good on you. They can try and find me." Astraea Nott said and then continued with the children to an alley and stood around the port key.

"Ready?" All nodding they placed their hands on the bag, and she said as she tapped it, "Portus."

A tug behind the navel and they were home. Showing Tom to the children's wing and to the bedroom they had set up for him a week before they let him settle in.

Hermione, Theodore and Aldrich all stayed with him, not daring to leave lest it is a dream that they had rescued him.

July 16, 1939

Mrs Nott sat in her study with her husband, both with a whiskey tumbler in hand; staring off into space. "What do we do?" She asked quietly.

"We keep him here," Theodore said, looking at his wife for the first time in hours. They had been sitting in the study away from the children to try and figure out what to do.

A burst of green flames in the fireplace and the Avery's were stepping through, "And with us. He's family now." Mrs Avery said hearing the tail end of the conversation.

"Are you sure, Annalise? I thought you only wanted the one child." Astraea said, concerned that they felt they had to do this.

"Not by choice. We will help!" Annalise said.

"So we are in this together then," Theodore said, looking around at the others.

"In it together. The next step is to talk to Headmaster Dippet." Astraea said. "Tomorrow good for everyone?"

Nods came from all, and Astraea Nott went to the fireplace throwing some floo powder down, "Headmaster of Hogwarts Office" poking her head through she found Armando Dippet sitting at his desk with a look of shock on his face; probably wasn't expecting her.

"Astraea, what a pleasure, what can I do for you?" He spoke as he knelt down on the floor.

"Myself, Theodore, Annalise and Nicholas have something we wish to talk to you about tomorrow," Astraea stated.

"This wouldn't happen to have anything to do with Tom Riddle disappearing from the orphanage, would it?" Headmaster Dippet said knowingly.

"Actually it would. However, we will explain more tomorrow. In person." She said, not willing to take no for an answer on this matter.

"Okay, tomorrow at one okay?" He asked.

"That will be fine. See you then." Astraea said and then pulled back through. "It's done, tomorrow at one."

"Let's go and find the kids and see what they are up to." Theodore Senior said standing. Walking through the manor as one, they knew they were making the right decision.

July 17, 1939

The Avery's and Nott's sat in the den with their children, "Mum, why are we here so early?" Aldrich asked.

"We are here to talk about what is going to happen later and why you will stay here while we go to Hogwarts," Astraea answered her children's friend.

"What do you mean? Why are you going to Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.

"We don't like the situation that Tom has been put in, and we are going to work at getting him out of it." Her father stated.

"Is that why you only brought us in here?" Theodore spoke up.

"Yes. We wanted to ask all of you what you thought about Tom coming to live with our families." Annalise said with a smile.

"What do you mean 'our families'?" Aldrich asked.

"Well. What we thought so he didn't feel like he was a burden to one of us that he lives with both families, he switches between the houses." Nicholas stated.

"I'm fine with it," Hermione said quickly.

Both Theo and Aldrich nodded in agreement, and their parents turned to the other Nott children.

Tereus looked at his sister and nodded, "Of course, mum and dad! Hermione and Theodore see him as family, so we do too."

"Good. That will make it easier to convince the ministry and the headmaster with the knowledge that all of the children in the houses don't mind Tom coming to stay." Astraea said.

"Okay, kids. Go back to bed for a bit, we have to be at Hogwarts in an hour and just wanted to let you know what we were going to do." Annalise said.

The five children stood, hugged their parents and left the room.

"So we now have to figure out how to tell Tom after the meeting." Theodore Snr stated.

They talked right up until it was time to leave and then placing their travelling cloaks on they apparated out of the manor and to the front gates. A united front instead of going through the fireplace single line was what they needed today.

July 17, 1939

The walk to the Headmasters office was a long one, but a short time. It gave the four adults time to collect themselves and all get under the same roof; with what was expected from the meeting.

"Diaspora" was spoken, and the gryphon sprung to life. Walking up the stairs, they knocked and waited. When there was no response from within, Astraea knocked again only waiting a second before opening the door and walking in.

"Headmaster Dippet!" She called out.

Footsteps coming down the large staircase signalled his entrance, "Hello, Sorry I was late coming down I lost track of time."

"That is okay. Now let's get this meeting started." Annalise Avery said, sternly.

"Take a seat." Dippet said, gesturing to the four placed chairs in front of his desk, "Now I know this has to do with Tom but what can I do for you?"

"We are not allowing him to go back to that orphanage, he had been shoved away in his room and not given much to eat," Astraea said in a deadly tone. "It was clear the manager of the orphanage did not care one bit for the boy."

"You know I can't do that. He's been placed in their care by his mother." The headmaster replied.

"He. Will. Not. Be. Going. Back." Annalise said pointing and jabbing her finger at him between each word, emphasising their point.

"I'm sorry. There is no wriggle room in this situation, ladies. Please try and understand my predicament." Astraea scowled as he finished talking and looked at her husband and two friends.

"You try and understand where we are coming from. The boy has been abused and neglected; he has never experienced anything remotely close to love until we took him under our wing." Astraea said, sadness dripping from her every word. "The poor boy couldn't even stand being touched at the beginning of his first year. Now we understand that we would be taking all of his care and needs underway. Moreover, we don't mind doing this."

"Our children don't mind doing this," Annalise added.

Headmaster Dippet shook his head, "You don't understand."

"No, Headmaster. It is you who doesn't understand." Theodore Snr said.

"Tom is staying with us, and we will not take no for an answer," Nicholas said, slamming his hand down on the desk.

"He is our family now. And he will remain with us." Astraea said.

"I don't see how I can let this happen," Dippet said.

"We will adopt him officially if we have to," Theodore said.

"We know what we are undertaking," Astraea said, and the others nodded.

"I'll check in with the Ministry now and see a course of action if you don't mind waiting I won't be long," Dippet said standing.

"We will wait," Astraea said, moving around in the chair getting comfortable.

The headmaster stood and moved over to his Floo network and went through.

"He will find a rude shock if he tries saying we aren't taking him home," Annalise said, determined not to step back.

Nodding they all waited the hour it took for the headmaster, the fireplace turned green, and he came back with a ministry official.

"Hello, Misters Nott and Avery and Missus' Nott and Avery." The ministry official spoke, "I understand that you would like to adopt a ward of the Ministry?"

"We do, Tom Riddle," Astraea said for them all.

"Ah yes, he was in a Muggle orphanage, and you took him, am I correct?"

"Yes, he was being mistreated, and we don't allow our own to be mistreated," Annalise said.

"Well, I can summon the correct paperwork and have his care signed over within the hour, if that suits you guys?" He questioned.

"That would be perfect. Thank you." Nicholas said.

Waving his wand, the ministry official pulled four scrolls of parchment out of thin air and gave them to sign with their wands.

"All done, we now will file these, and within the next month he will officially be signed over into your care." He said.

"Thank you, Mister…" Theodore said, trailing off waiting for a name.

"Divan Macnair, sir. I'm so glad we could help you." He said. "Now I'll go and get these filed. You guys enjoy the rest of your afternoon."

"Thank you, Divan," Astraea said, watching him step back through the floo. "Now that this is taken care of. We will be going home and telling Tom the good news."

"Have a good afternoon ladies and gentlemen." Headmaster Dippet said bowing his head to them slightly. "See you next term."

Nodding, the four stepped through the Floo.

"Tom, Hermione, Theodore, Aldrich, Tereus, and Penelope! Please come into the den." Theodore Snr shouted.

Footsteps blared through the house.

"What's up mum and dad?" Hermione asked.

"Sit down; Tom come here," Astraea said with a smile spread across her features. Her eyes were smiling in excitement as well.

"What's wrong? Do I have to go back to the orphanage? Why did you go and see the Headmaster?" Tom fired one question after the other, nervousness showing through his whole being.

"We want to say you never have to go back to the orphanage again," Nicholas said, beaming at Tom.

"What do you mean?" Tom asked.

"We mean, son, that we," gesturing at all four of the adults Theodore Snr said, "we have decided that we are going to take over your care. You will get to choose where you live, but all four of us are your legal guardians now."

Tom stood there in shock, "You're joking?"

"We aren't, my boy. You are home." Astraea said, a slight hitch in her voice. Holding her arms open to him, Tom walked and hugged her.

"Why?" He said.

"Because you are family. And family stick together." Annalise said smiling.

"Now we are going to go to Diagon Alley and have dinner in celebration. We will also get you new clothes while we are there." Astraea said.

The whole family, Nott's and Avery's, got ready and floo'd through to Sidha Evena, one of the newest and high-class Wizarding restaurants, being seated straight away they celebrated their new official addition to the family.

Tom couldn't believe that it was real, he was waiting for someone to stop and tell him it was all a dream; and he had to return to the orphanage.

August 15, 1939

Tom sat at the family dining table, he had been here for a month and couldn't be happier. Getting to spend time with his friends; and not have to worry about going back to the orphanage, was the best news he had been told since he got told he was a wizard.

A sound at the window brought the family's attention to a tawny brown owl; a thick bunch of letters in its talons.

Opening the window, Hermione pulled the letters and started handing them to Theo and Tom. Holding onto her own. Hogwarts letters had come, and the list made Tom frown, how was he going to get this; last time the orphanage paid for his stuff. How was he going to get his stuff?

Looking around at the others he shrugged. He'd figure it out.

"Finish your breakfast, and we will get ready. The Avery's will have gotten their letter by now, and we will meet them." Astraea said.

The children ran upstairs, and by the time they came back down, all dressed in their good clothes; Mrs Nott was standing smiling by the fireplace.

"They are at the Leaky Cauldron waiting for us."

The children quickly passed through the floo and met their friend on the other side, all wanting to go to different stores but having to wait for their parents.

Tom stood frowning as he talked to his friends, still thinking about how he was going to afford all of their supplies.

"Tom, come here love," Annalise said.

"Yes, Mrs Avery?" Tom asked walking over to the parents.

"What's wrong, my boy?" She asked.

"I.. I don't know how I'm going to be able to afford my school supplies. Last year the orphanage paid for it." Tom said, frowning.

"Tom, when we decided that you would stay with us that meant we were taking all of your needs into account; we will be paying for your school supplies," Astraea said.

"Really?" Tom said, hoping that they weren't going to back out of this. He finally had a family.

"Really!" Annalise said smiling. "Now go and enjoy your butterbeer and we will get going soon."

Tom walked back over to Hermione, Theodore and Aldrich; a bounce back in his gait.

Drinking their butterbeer together, Tom became excited about shopping for his school supplies with his family.

"Okay, kids. Let's go." Annalise said gesturing before the back of the dingy pub. Jumping up they followed their mothers out and into Diagon Alley deciding to get new robes first.

This year for Tom was going to be better. He wouldn't be in cheap clothing, and he wouldn't have secondhand books.

He felt peace for the first time in a while.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed xo