Chapter 3

November 12, 1932

Harry woke up slowly, lazily snuggling into his warm bed. He yawned a bit, opening his eyes. He started awake, sitting up, staring at the pretty blue magic. Oh yeah. Tom. Harry giggled a little bit at his paranoia, studying the magic a bit closer.

It was so pretty! It made up Tom's form in a very dense array of lines that reminded Harry of threads that ran along his arms and curled around in his chest. Funnily enough, the lines seemed to be thinnest around Tom's head. For some reason, that observation just seemed right to Harry. His parents had always said that magic was governed by the heart, not the mind.

Harry frowned. His parents were gone. Even after quite a few days (Harry had lost count of the days in the hospital) that fact made him very sad. His dad wouldn't transfigure funny things for his amusement anymore. His mum wouldn't give him crushingly strong hugs anymore. Harry felt tears coming, so he rubbed madly at his eyes. He needed to distract himself from bad thoughts. Crying wasn't a good idea now. They were gone forever, no matter how Harry loathed to admit it.

Harry reached out a hand and poked Tom's face. To Harry's shock, Tom burst into a sitting position after a second, his magic forming claws instead of relaxing in soft coils like it was just a moment before. After a second, where Tom was most likely staring at Harry, Tom relaxed, magic included, although Harry noted that it still looked a little agitated.

"Why'd you do that?" Tom asked, voice blurry with sleep. "I could've hit you."

"I was bored," Harry replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "I don't know what you're supposed to do here."

"Oh well," Tom said, rubbing at his eyes. "First, breakfast."

Harry was instantly interested. "Oh, it's been a while since I've eaten," Harry said longingly.

"Oh yeah," Tom said sheepishly. "We missed dinner yesterday. I didn't want to interrupt you."

"Well," Harry said thoughtfully, "I would've missed dinner too if I could learn about magic."

"We'll miss breakfast if we don't hurry," Tom said, although Harry could hear the suppressed excitement in Tom's voice. Tom got up from the bed and walked away. Harry listened to the rustling noises as Tom stuck his hands into something. Probably a dresser of some sort.

Tom came back, thrusting something scratchy into Harry's arms. "You'll be getting new clothes later, so I guess you can wear mine now."

"Oh," Harry said, "thanks." Harry pulled at the clothes and ascertained that he was holding a very ragged shirt and a pair of rather warm trousers. He shrugged and started to undress.

"I'm sorry about that shirt."

"Huh?" Harry asked.

"The shirt. It's a bit old, but I haven't retrieved my laundry today."

"That's fine," Harry said. He thought that he couldn't really complain very much, if that was all that Tom had to offer. He didn't want to be rude. His parents made sure he had good manners...no Harry, stop thinking about them.

Harry finished pulling on the clothing, watching as Tom also finished pulling something on. "Hmmm…" Harry said contemplatively.

"What is it?" Tom asked.

"Well," Harry said, "I can see your magic through your clothing like it's not even there. But, when you were looking for the clothes over there," motioned Harry in the direction of the dresser, "I couldn't see the magic on your arms when you were looking for clothes."

"Oh, that's interesting!" Tom said excitedly. "Maybe you can't see through wood? Is it too thick? Or maybe clothing is just too close to the skin?"

"We could try it out?" Harry offered. "It would be interesting to see what I can see through."

Tom grinned. Harry noticed with a start that he could tell how Tom's face was moving by watching the threads there. He didn't believe he could notice that before, but perhaps now he was more used to seeing people's magic. Or maybe his magic-sight improved overnight like last time. If that was really what happened, the change wasn't as extraordinary. But that made Harry happier anyway. At least he'd be able to see Tom's facial expressions now.

"After breakfast, though," Tom said. "Let's go." Tom grabbed hold of Harry's arm and started dragging him in the direction of the door. Harry noticed with interest that his feet didn't hurt so much anymore.

"Tom!" Harry complained. "Slow down."

"Sorry," Tom said, not sounding even the tiniest bit sorry. "Can't be late."

Harry sighed, but nevertheless allowed himself to be dragged. Tom opened the door and pulled Harry through into the hallway. There, Tom paused for a second. Harry used that moment to rub his feet against the floor. To his surprise, they did hurt a lot less. Harry assumed that Tom must have helped with them, and Harry himself just didn't notice. More proof that Tom was a good person.

"Who's that?" an unfamiliar voice asked. Harry jerked a bit with surprise.

"Poor new kid. Stuck with creepy Tom." said another voice.

"Hey, new kid! If you know what's good for you, you'd stay away from the freak," the first voice said.

Harry watched as Tom's magic grew agitated again. The claws of magic looped out from Tom's body, slid forward through the air a foot, and then merged back with Tom's main body of magic. It looked rather angry. Harry was struck with a thought. Was this related to accidental magic?

"But Tom's nice," Harry said, trying to sound innocent. For some reason, he felt that maybe that would diffuse the situation somewhat. Tom was getting very mad, and the other orphans might act rashly. Also, accidental magic in front of muggles was never a good idea.

"So you think," the second voice said.

"He's evil. He'll kill you and then cut you up and look at your insides!" the first voice said.

Harry noted that Tom seemed to stiffen a little, magic stilling. Was there some truth in that accusation? No matter. Harry would find out later what that jab was about.

"He's been nice so far," Harry said. "He's showing me where to get breakfast."

"He'll throw you down the stairs!" the first voice insisted, and Harry started as a cold hand grabbed onto his other arm, tugging insistently.

"I know you have to share a room with him, but it's okay. We'll help you out," the first voice said. It could have sounded reassuring if not for the bitter note of fear Harry could detect hiding in the voice.

"No thank you," Harry said, trying to shake the arm free. "I'll judge for myself."

That was the wrong thing to say.

The hand let go of him suddenly. "He's gotten to you already?" the second voice asked, fearful.

"It's too late now," the first voice echoed. "Let's get away from these freaks, John."

"Okay," John said. Harry could hear his footsteps draw away. A second pair of footsteps soon started to follow, before nearing Harry. He stumbled as someone knocked their shoulder into him, falling into Tom. Harry fell on top of Tom, who was still suspiciously silent. The footsteps left.

"Tom?" Harry asked. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Tom said absently, shoving at Harry. "You're heavy."

"Sorry," Harry said, rolling off of him. "Are you hurt?"

"No," Tom said shortly, getting up. Harry watched him carefully. His magic was still. It was as if Tom was in shock.

"What happened?" Harry asked cautiously. "Why did you freeze like that? Even your magic stopped moving."

Tom was silent as he pulled Harry off of the floor.

He was silent the whole way down to the first floor, aside from a muttered comment, "stairs," after Harry tripped the first time they went down the steps. He led Harry along quietly to the dining room, settling him down at a chair before leaving "to get us food." Harry watched as his magic flashed in and out of sight, seeing the outlines of many tables and chairs. He waited patiently, fiddling with his hands again. After a few minutes passed, Harry jerked as he heard someone sit down.

"Hello there!" said a cheerful voice. "I'm Alyssa."

"Hello," Harry replied cautiously. "My name is Harry."

"Martha told me about you already," Alyssa said flippantly. "So, is it true?"

"What's true?" Harry asked. Alyssa sounded like a gossip.

"Are you really," Alyssa whispered, leaning closer, "blind?"

Harry sighed. Was it so hard to believe? He had a feeling this wouldn't be the very first time someone asked him that question. "Yes," he said, trying to keep his annoyance out of his tone.

"So, you can't see how many fingers I'm holding up?" Alyssa asked excitedly.

"Obviously not," Harry replied, struggling to sound normal. It wouldn't do to aggravate any more orphans, especially since they were going to be sharing living space.

"That's cool!" Alyssa exclaimed. "I have to tell the others!" She pushed the chair back, probably getting up, before sitting back down again with a plop. "Actually," she said, "there was something else."

"Oh?" Harry asked.

"Is it true that you're rooming with Tom?" Alyssa asked with a tone of horror and excitement. "John and Robert told me that you said that he was okay. Is he really?"

Before Harry could reply, a familiar voice cut in. "Yes, he's rooming with me."

Harry jerked. He hadn't even noticed Tom come closer, which was odd since Tom's magic was stretching at least a foot out from his body again.

"Here's your food, Harry," Tom said coldly, turning towards Alyssa. "That's my spot."

"Of course!" Alyssa said hurriedly. Harry heard the chair jerk, so he assumed that Alyssa ran away.

"Was that necessary?" Harry asked. Tom just looked mulish.

"Did you like her company?" Tom asked, almost angrily.

"Not particularly, but if you scare everyone it's no wonder that nobody seems to like you."

"Shut up," Tom said, beginning to eat. Harry felt in front of him carefully, locating a fork. He began to stab at his plate, humming happily when he found something.

Breakfast went slowly, with Harry making a bit of a mess of himself trying to eat eggs until Tom huffed and cut them into small pieces, despite Harry's protestations. Eventually, Tom grabbed their plates and left to put them away. Alyssa ran up again, plopping herself into Tom's chair.

"You know," Alyssa said contemplatively, "maybe he is alright."

"Huh?" Harry asked.

"I saw him cut your food for you."

Harry flushed. "I was perfectly capable of eating without any help."

"How?" Alyssa asked. "I don't get it."

Harry huffed, searching out Tom's magic. Alyssa was rather annoying. As his eyes focused on Tom's magic, which was drawing nearer, snapping furiously, he heard the chair rattle again.

"Thanks," Harry said before Tom could snap at him again. "She was being annoying."

"Of course she was," Tom said. "Let's go back to our room."

"Okay," Harry said slowly, "but only if you tell me what happened in the hallway."

Harry crossed his arms, staring at Tom searchingly. Tom appeared very uncomfortable for a few moments before he threw his hands up and sighed. "Okay, you pest."

Harry beamed at him. grabbing onto Tom's arm. "Lead on, valiant knight!"

Tom snorted a bit, but obliged.

Soon, they were back in their room. Martha had finally brought up a ratty cot. Harry sat on it, shifting uncomfortably as something seemed to poke him. Tom's face was filled with disbelief.

"They're giving you that?" Tom asked incredulously. "That cot is ancient."

"I guess they don't have much else?" Harry said.

"That's just terrible. Get off of that." Tom commanded. Tom got up and pulled Harry off of the cot. "We're getting rid of that."

"If you don't mind me asking," Harry said, "how exactly are you going to do that?"

"There will be an accident," Tom said simply.

Harry raised his eyebrows but stayed silent. Tom pulled Harry down next to him on his bed, settling himself crosslegged across from Harry.

"So," Tom said. "You wanted to know."

"Well, yes," Harry said. "We're friends, right? Friends know everything about each other."

Tom gave a weak smile. "Yeah."

Harry waited for Tom to begin speaking. His fingers began searching out the ends of the ragged shirt for another thread to play with. After a few tense moments went by, Tom started.

"I was curious, one day." Tom glanced at Harry before fixing his gaze on his feet. "I wanted to know what was inside us. I knew there was blood because when Billy punches me, that comes out. But I didn't know what was really inside. And Mrs. Cole forbid me from going to the library and I had to know!"

Harry watched as Tom bit his lip. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. He honestly wouldn't be too surprised. With how Tom's magic defaulted into claws half the time, it wasn't much of a stretch to imagine Tom committing some violent act.

"So," Harry asked cautiously, "what did you cut open?"

Tom froze, staring at him. "How did you know?"

"I guessed," Harry said, smiling. "But really, tell me."

Tom looked at Harry searchingly for a little while, as if gauging Harry's reaction. "Well," Tom began slowly, "there was a rat in my room that kept trying to bite me."

"That's gross!" Harry exclaimed. "Rats are just icky!"

"Yeah, I know," Tom said with relish. "I killed it with a knife I stole from the kitchens. And then it was just there, you know? I cut it open to look inside. Robert saw me, I think, when he was calling everyone to dinner."

"Oh," Harry said. "Did you learn anything?"

"Well," Tom said contemplatively, "everything's really bloody inside. No wonder we bleed whenever we cut ourselves."

"That's kind of gross," Harry said, poking at his leg.

"Yeah, I didn't try that again," Tom said. "I read about anatomy when I got to go to the library again. I still have a book about it, I think."

"Oh, really?" Harry asked. "Could you read to me?"

"I don't have time to read it out loud to you!" Tom protested. "Can't you read yourself?"

"No," Harry said, looking at Tom pointedly.

"Oh. Sorry," Tom said, looking sheepish.

"How am I supposed to learn anything if I can't read? I want to know anatomy too!" Harry pushed. "Also, maybe reading out loud will help you remember things?"

Tom was quiet for a minute, magic spiraling in the confines of his skin. If Harry squinted, it almost looked like the magic was shaped like a question mark. But that could be wishful thinking, Harry reminded himself. Why would magic make shapes like that? Another thing to investigate. Tom suddenly straightened, and slid off the bed.

"Alright," Tom said with a sigh. "I'll read to you. But no falling asleep on me! And if you don't listen and actually pay attention, then I won't read to you anymore."

"Deal!" Harry said cheerfully. He watched as Tom walked over to another corner of the room and opened a door of some sort. After examining the parts of Tom's magic that was blocked, Harry decided that it must be a wardrobe of some sort. Tom shuffled in there for a minute before returning, sitting at the head of the bed, leaning next to the wall.

Harry moved closer, settling himself next to Tom, as Tom began to read out loud a fairly dry text about human anatomy. Despite the subject manner not being as interesting as Quidditch or his mum's lessons in beginning Charm theory, Harry found that he was riveted. The fact that Tom was actually reading out loud to him just made him feel warm inside.

They sat that way the rest of the morning, Tom's voice droning on and on about blood vessels, Harry listening quietly. Tom wouldn't know this detail until much later, but eventually he would have trouble reading without reading things out loud, and would have to make do with whispering under his breath when Harry wasn't around. Harry would find that he would never remember things quite as well if Tom wasn't the one reading to him.


A few hours later, Tom put his book down. "Harry," he croaked, "I don't think I can read out loud that long."

"Oh," Harry said, waking up from a slight daze. "Okay, let's play a game."

"What game?" Tom asked cautiously. "Nobody ever wanted to play with me, so I don't think I know very many."

"That's horrible!" Harry exclaimed. "I know a lot! I used to play with Lucretia. I can teach you."

"Really?" Tom asked, crossing his arms. "Tell me about them."

"Well, I used to love playing Dragontamer! But we don't have enough people to make that fun. Oh, I also liked to play Aurors. And sometimes we would play Werewolf Hunt, although that always made Mum mad."

"Why?" Tom inquired.

"She said it was mean to werewolves, so she would call it Hide and Seek instead."

"Oh, I know that game!" Tom said. "Sometimes Billy and Amy gather everyone to play it, although they like looking for me to hit me. I'm always better than them, though."

"I wouldn't hit you," Harry said. "Would you want to play that?"

"Sure," Tom agreed, smiling a bit. "Do you want to play outside? It's a bit cold but there's a bit of plants to hide behind in the courtyard."

"Sure!" Harry said cheerfully. "But," he said, fingering his shirt, "I don't think I'm dressed for it. Mum always cast a Warming Charm on me before I went out…"

"Oh, I forgot!" Tom said, looking furious. "I was going to get my laundry."

Harry got the impression that Tom didn't like forgetting things much.

"It's okay," Harry tried to reassure, but Tom would have none of it.

"Just wait here," Tom commanded, getting up. "I'll grab it real quick, and I'll nick you some gloves since I only have one pair."

"Thanks...wait a second!" Harry protested, getting up as well. "If you steal gloves for me, then someone else won't have any!"

"That would be their problem, though, wouldn't it?" Tom said flippantly. "They should've hid it better."

"Still!" Harry protested. "Stealing is wrong!"

"No it's not," Tom spat. "When everyone else has more than you, I'm sure it's only fair that you even out the advantage. Do you want to freeze your fingers so bad that they'll fall off?"

Harry paled. "Would that really happen?" he asked fearfully, rubbing his hands together.

"Yes," Tom said venomously. "It will. So, you'll take the gloves."

"Okay," Harry said, biting back his protestations. It would be so convenient to have a wand so that they could cast Warming Charms! No wonder his mum always insisted on them when he went outside to play. But Harry was attached to his fingers, and if everyone else really did have more than him, then maybe it was okay? Just this once? For some reason, Harry was finding it hard to apply his mum's talks on doing what was right to this situation.

"Good," Tom said, walking to the door. "Remember, you are more important than anyone else."

"Okay," Harry repeated, feeling his fingers very carefully as he watched Tom's magic disappear through the doorway. What Tom was saying did make sense in some way. He was new to the orphanage, so he hadn't really received much at all. Which reminded Harry...what kind of place was this? He'd been here a day, and he'd only received a horrible cot that Tom promised to get rid of, and not much else. The food wasn't particularly good, nor particularly plentiful, but it was enough. But clothes! And nobody noticed Harry's injuries. In fact, only Tom did! Harry didn't really notice at the time, but he was sure that Tom was the one who fixed them. It was as if the adults in the orphanage were somewhere else entirely!

Harry started to regret being left at this orphanage (maybe he could have found an alternative to new parents?) before he realized that he would have never met Tom. And Tom was so lonely, surrounded by muggles all the time! And it was nice to make a new friend, especially one that seemed to be nice about Harry's sorta-blindness. Harry doubted that he could have convinced Lucretia to read to him. He probably could convince Minerva to read to him, but she would sound so exasperated having to read to a "little kid" that it wouldn't be worth it. Harry wasn't that little!

Harry continued looking around Tom's - wait no, his and Tom's - room. Maybe it would be a good idea to get acquainted with it. He got up and walked slowly over to where he remembered seeing Tom look for the book. Harry ran his hands over the wood, feeling numerous scratches and a few chips. He suspected that the wardrobe must be very old, since Tom didn't seem like the kind of person to be careless with his things. Harry carefully opened it, sticking his hand inside. He felt clothes and more clothes, as well as a few shelves filled with some small, interestingly shaped items. Harry pulled one of the items closer, and ghosted his fingers over the surface. It was long and sharp, and it was rather cold at one end. Was this the knife Tom had used on the rat? Harry put it aside.

Hm, what was this? Harry thought that he felt a zipper of some sort. He pulled at it, and the box opened. Inside, Harry felt some pencils and pens. Feeling a little bit deeper, he felt a pad of paper. Was Tom an artist, perhaps? Harry decided that he would ask Tom about it later.

Finished with his investigation (it was not snooping since the room was now theirs!) Harry padded back to the bed and plopped down. Just in time, too, as Harry noticed the blue of Tom's magic a few seconds before Tom walked through the doorway.

"I found some gloves," Tom said, throwing something at Harry. Harry tried to catch it, but was hit in the face instead. Huffing in irritation, Harry pulled the gloves off of his face and stroked them with his fingers. They felt woolen and warm.

"Here," Tom said, still sounding a bit cold. Harry started as Tom pulled a hat on Harry's head. "I also have an extra scarf," Tom said, dropping it onto Harry's lap. Harry smiled a bit as Tom walked over to the dresser and started putting clothes inside it from the box he brought in.

"Thanks," Harry said, feeling very warm.

"It's nothing," Tom said dismissively. "Martha wanted me to tell you that she'll be coming by in a few hours to look for clothes that the others don't fit anymore, and if that's not enough, she'll take you shopping."

Finally, Harry thought. "Okay. But let's go and play hide and seek first, okay?"

"Sure," Tom said. "I'm ready."

Tom led Harry outside into the courtyard. "I'll count to thirty while you hide," Tom said.

Harry grinned. "Make it twenty!"

Tom raised an eyebrow. "Alright then. One…two...three…"

Harry ran off in a random direction, shouting behind him, "keep your eyes closed!" Harry raced toward where he remembered the gate of the orphanage to be. He slammed into the wall with a grunt, and began running sideways along it, running a hand across the rough, stone surface. He crashed into someone else who yelled "hey, watch where yer goin'!" but kept running. Harry's time was running out. He could hear that Tom was on fifteen. Harry stuck out his left hand and the second it hit a tree, Harry skidded to a stop and flopped onto the ground.

The ground was obnoxiously cold and icy. Harry scanned the courtyard, watching as Tom's distinctive blue magic began whirling around him, making that curious, question mark shape over and over again. Tom spun around and began walking in the direction that Harry had started to run in.

Harry sniggered a bit. He was sure that he ran fast enough that Tom would take some time to find him. As Harry watched, however, Tom glanced in his direction and started walking toward him.

No! Harry was sure he hid behind a plant of some sort. He should be fairly hidden. Tom had barely started searching! Harry sighed in resignation as Tom walked up to him and kicked him in the side.

"Found you," Tom said gleefully. "Get up before you freeze half to death."

"Aw!" Harry whined. "How did you find me so fast?"

"Well," Tom said, laughing, "I could see you easily."

Harry frowned. "I hid behind a tree."

Tom raised his eyebrows at Harry. "It's wintertime. Do you expect trees to have enough leaves to hide you?"

Harry tried sitting up before plunking himself back down onto the icy ground. "I give up," Harry said. "You win."

"Not yet," Tom said. "You have to try finding me as well."

Harry looked at him dubiously. "You expect me to find you? I can't see, you know."

"You can see my magic, can't you?" Tom said. "I think that evens it out."

Harry made a noise of understanding. "Then watch as I beat you!"

"Not likely," Tom sniffed.

"I will," Harry insisted. "I'm counting now. One...two...three…"

Harry closed his eyes, catching a glimpse of Tom running away, magic swirling out in excitement. He continued counting to twenty, although he was unsure that he counted at a consistent rate. It wasn't cheating if he speeded up by accident, right?

"Twenty!" Harry called out happily. "I'm going to find you, Tom!"

Harry scanned the area in front of him for a glimpse of blue. On the first scan, he didn't notice anything, but on his second look he thought he saw some excited blue threads of magic coiling out from behind something. Harry smirked. He was so going to find Tom. Faster than Tom found him, anyway!

Harry started walking towards where he saw Tom's magic, hand out in front to make sure he didn't hit anything. As he halved the distance between him and Tom, he heard jogging footsteps approach from his left.

"Hey, you!" called out a high-pitched voice. "Stop!"

Harry slowed to a halt, irritated. This wouldn't count as part of Harry's searching time, surely? "What is it?" Harry asked.

"Are you really playing a game with Tom?"

Again with the incredulous tone? "Yes," Harry snapped. "And you are?"

"Amy Benson," Amy said. "I almost couldn't believe it when I heard from Robert!"

"Well, it's true," Harry snapped. "Now, I was busy."

Harry set off toward Tom, growling a bit when the blue magic was nowhere to be seen. Tom must have seen him approach and moved. Sneaky, cheating bastard! Harry mentally apologized to his parents, wherever they were now, for swearing.

Aha! As Harry's hand hit an old barrel half embedded in the ground, he caught a glimpse of Tom a few feet away, hiding underneath something. As Harry stomped over to Tom, he kicked at the object Tom was hiding under. It rang under his foot, like metal.

"Hey!" Tom said, pulling himself out from underneath it. "That was mean!"

"Sorry," Harry said. "I was irritated."

"Yeah, that's Amy," Tom spat, glaring behind Harry. "She's always really mean. She thinks that just because she's two years older she can order everyone around, me included."

"I see," Harry said, before bursting into laughter. Tom looked at him, confused, before sighing and hitting his forehead. "That was a terrible joke," Tom said.

"I know," Harry said, "but it was oddly funny."

"Anyways," Tom said, "don't kick the metal slide when I'm hiding under it, okay?"

"Sure," Harry agreed. "I'm not promising anything about when Amy's underneath it, though."

Tom smiled proudly at Harry. "That's perfectly alright."

"So," Harry said, looking behind him into the darkness before focusing on the dancing of Tom's magic, "wanna play again?"

They ended up spending the whole morning and a good part of the afternoon playing all sorts of variations on hide and seek. Harry was horrible at hiding, no matter how hard he tried. Even after getting the location of everything in the courtyard, he still couldn't hide well enough to keep Tom from finding him almost instantly. If Harry didn't know better, he would think Tom was an owl, with his finding-Harry skills!

Tom didn't do much better. His hiding places got distinctly more ridiculous and impossible, but his excitement in finding "the perfect place to hide" caused his magic to dance feet away from his actual body, making finding him easy for Harry. Despite how quick the game always ended, Tom and Harry nevertheless continued playing it, if only to tease each other about how terrible they were at hiding.

Eventually, it was time for lunch. As Harry and Tom trooped inside behind all the other kids who were playing outside, shaking ice out of their clothing, Martha spoke up.

"Harry dear, after lunch meet me here, okay? We'll look for some clothes for ya."

"Sure, ma'am," Harry said, shooting a look at Tom. While Tom's face was blank, his magic roiled about him in irritation. Harry wondered why Tom didn't like her. Besides being forgetful, Martha seemed nicer than Mrs. Cole.

"Alright, dearie," Martha said. "Have a nice lunch! And be nice, Tom," she said, pointing a finger.

That answered Harry's question.

Harry elbowed Tom in the side, and he muttered "yes, Martha."

Martha then left them to enter the dining room. Harry pulled at Tom's arm.

"Come on, I'm hungry!" Harry said. Tom seemed to snap out of his daze (was this a recurring issue for him?) and began to lead Harry to their table.

Harry smiled a little bit as Tom fetched them both food. They proceeded to enjoy a small, yet rather filling lunch, teasing each other all the while.

Harry thought afterwards that this was what it must be like to have a sibling.


And that was Chapter 3! I had so much trouble finding a place to break it off. After a few more chapters that go day by day, listing important events as Harry settles in and meets the other orphans, I'll begin doing minor time-skips to put in important scenes. In my head, I'm planning this fic to continue at least through Hogwarts, although I haven't planned many things for it yet. I'm open to suggestions for their Hogwarts adventures!

Right now, they're five, although Tom is actually almost six. I know they talk and act a little too mature for their age; it's partially me being lazy, since I have a lot of things to fit in, and it has to be set early enough that Tom wouldn't be extremely suspicious of anyone new. I also have a headcanon that during the Middle Ages, where persecution for magic was high, kids with high maturity levels at a young age would have less frivolous displays of magic and would therefore survive more often. If that lame explanation isn't enough for you, then too bad. ;D

Next chapter will most likely cover Harry getting clothing and perhaps a trip out into London.