A/N: THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS! I LOVE YOU ALL!
but you all might hate me by the end of this hides in fear of flames and rocks
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
When the Clock Defies the Time
Chapter Seven: Trust
Harry waited out the rest of the day, and the next. Soon, one week became two, and then two became three. Finally, he had found himself lost in time for over a month. He impatiently waited, hoping that deep in the back of his mind, the potion would wear off and he would fade away, back to his time. But when that hope was denied truth, he resolved to adapt. He spent his time listening and watching, finding out what he could, when he could. He figured out who was who, what was what. And he found himself coming to a bitter conclusion.
The school had yet to change. Society in the castle was still the same, oblate a few decades.
Other than that, he focused on his relationships. He had fast bonded with Romulus and Selred, shocked about the latter of the two. He had expected Selred to be discontent with his presence and overall sardonic, but he was in fact a complete opposite. He was arrogant, like the other Slytherin boys, but he was also intelligent, and witty. Romulus was like Sirius in every manner. Fun loving, good-naturedly, loyal and always up to tricks. But Harry would notice how the two would go off together, normal enough as it were, he still gathered a different perspective.
He and Tom, on the other hand, was another story entirely. After their last tryst, both became reserved and naïve, unsure of what to do, or if it were right to do anything at all. Tom treated him as he treated his other "friends", though Harry thought he alone could have that description. So many people flocked to Tom, eager to have a taste of the young man's power. He was very popular, and handsome, but in the same way, he was not. Often times Harry found him alone in the library studying and ancient text, and when Harry would ask, Tom would simply close the book, smile a coy smile, and give him a simple, believable excuse.
But Harry knew people enough to differ the truth from a lie.
And now, Harry lay in bed, unable to sleep for he was engrossed with nostalgia and poignant thoughts. He missed his home, his friends, and his surrogate family. Now would be the time when Mrs. Weasley would be sending him a letter telling him he was free to come to the burrow, and offer he never dismissed on his own accord.
Tears of regret threatened to escape as he thought about how things were without him. He was not sure if time elapsed in the future as it did now, in the late 40's…
"The 40's!" he gasped out, hands balling up in the blankets.
Never in his life did he think he would even think about what once was, let alone now. Brief thoughts flashed through his head. The Muggles were having a bitter world war right now. Were wizards involved? He thought not.
The random thought brought a small snicker out of Harry. Even now, his still pubescent ways lingered. He had always been prone to asking odd sorts of questions, though he had managed to hinder it as the years progressed.
He fell silent when the main door to the small flat opened. It slid slowly shut, and Harry held his breath out of habit. The soft falling of feet was then heard, the rustle of robes being tossed aside, and then…the bedroom door opened.
"Harry? Harry, are you awake?"
It was only Tom. Harry sighed, and rolled over, feigning near-sleep; "Nearly," he mumbled, sitting up on one elbow. "Why?"
Tom was lost for a moment. Harry was shirtless, bathed in the light of a red lamp. In the darkness, he was almost ethereal.
"Er," Tom quickly looked away; "I… I think I might have found something that concerns your arrival."
There eyes met, and Harry sat up; "Really?" he inquired, trying to hold back a childlike cry of joy.
"Um, yes," Tom said, producing a book from behind his back. "May I?" me motioned to he bed.
Harry nodded and Tom sat down on the bed; "We need decent light," he muttered, reaching over and pulling the red shade off of the sconce. The golden light bathed them anew, and then Tom continued; "You see, I found it a mystery as to how you came through the mirror, and through time…" he opened the book, flipping through the pages; "So, when I was not occupied with… other things… I devoted my time to finding a solution. And finally, I came across this…"
Harry looked; "Temporis tractus, addo reverses?" he read allowed, passing Tom a look of inquiry; "A bit long for a potion, wouldn't you agree?"
"Well, you see," Tom said in a very eccentric manner, scratching behind his ear in a moment of thought; "There in lays its quality. It proves itself complex, and therefore, would follow my theory of your predicament. I assume that it was cruel prank, what brought you here?"
"Yeah," Harry said with a hint of bitterness.
"By people who undauntedly loathe you, would wish you dead?"
Harry's eyes narrowed; "Your point?"
Tom coughed again; "My point is that this potion can have two effects. One is that, after having come into contact with the potion, you touch a flat, reflective surface, like a mirror, or water, and you are thereby transported through said surface to a time of sequential importance. And another is that the potion causes you to digress physically, from the age when you come into contact with the concoction, all the way down until you are nothing more than a passing thought," he stared at the book smugly; "Quite a way to go, I must admit."
Harry glanced at his hand. "I could have died?" he asked, shocked.
"Yes, but only if it had been the intent of the person who created the potion," Tom explained; "See, you can add ingredients, take some out and replace them. Originally, the potion is simply Temporis tractus, but addo reverses is added to complete the time-travel bit," he looked at Harry; "I hope that this might have helped, incase you were trying to find a way to return…"
Harry stared at Tom, bewildered. Was he trying to please Harry? Perhaps he wanted something… Harry searched the deep, crimson tented pools, but found only sincerity and honesty…
Then again, Tom Riddle was a trickster and a man blessed with parley abilities. He could woo Satan if he wanted.
Mix the chemicals right dear, mix the chemicals right.
Yeah the margin of error is slight.
Mix the chemicals right dear, mix the chemicals right.
Yeah you know that you could save my life.
"It's wonderful news, Tom, really," Harry said, "Thanks. I was heading down a dead end myself!" he added with a light laugh.
Tom smirked; "Well, I just assumed that it would be helpful," he said, closing the book slowly. His fingers splayed over the beaten cover, and for a moment, he was silent. Then, he looked at Harry; "May I ask you a question, get an honest answer, and then have your promise you will not repeat it to a soul?"
Harry blinked. That was a lot to take in; "I suppose," he said slowly; "What question?"
Tom looked away for a moment; "What do you know of Hocruxes?"
Deep within, he had expected the question, anticipated it even, but when it was brought up, Harry was at a loss as to what to do. He looked about, searching for something; "Well," he said, eyes finally befalling Tom; "I know that it takes a human sacrifice, and it also takes part of the spell caster's soul."
Tom nodded, looking down; "Highly forbidden, I imagine," he commented.
"Highly forbidden indeed," Harry agreed.
Mix the chemicals right dear, mix the chemicals right.
Yeah you know there's a fine line between.
Mix the chemicals right dear, mix the chemicals right.
'Cause I know what betrayal can mean.
For a time, tense silence occupied them. Harry did not know what to say next, Tom did not want to talk at all. The Slytherin looked at his counterpart. Harry's brow was furrowed as he stared at the bed sheets, deep in thought. He looked too serious, too old, too tired. Certainly not the disheveled, curious Harry Tom had grown close to.
What was he thinking? Bonding of this sort was something Tom had forbidden himself to ever experience. But he could not help it. Without sex, and his duties as Harry' Guide, Tom had been exposed to another Harry. A smart, cunning, heartrending version of the Adonis he longed to sleep with.
Harry's gaze softened, his hand relaxed, and he looked up at Tom with a confused sort of look in his eyes; "Tom…" he said quietly.
"Hmm?" Tom hummed, looking at him expectantly.
"I…" Harry began, and then he stopped.
"What was that?" Tom asked, leaning down; "Didn't hear you…"
"I…" Harry whispered, but then he could speak no more for Tom had closed the gap in a frenzy of need and lust.
His lips crashed against Harry's and sent the young man to his back. Tom swiped the book away and began to ravage the other boy's mouth, and Harry let him. Tom had such a way with his tongue and lips, he could not resist…
When Air beckoned, they separated; "Tom, wait," Harry said as Tom began to kiss his exposed neck and collarbone.
"What is it?" Tom breathed, breath ghosting over the olive skin and fresh red marks. His eyes flicked upward at Harry, waiting though impatient.
"We… we can't, Tom," Harry said; "It's too risky…"
"Risky you say, risky you want," Tom said in an eccentric manner, beginning to kiss here and there once more.
But Harry drew himself from the animalistic need. Pulling Tom up to where their eyes met, the Slytherin saw naught but seriousness; "No one can know save us, Tom," Harry whispered; "No one."
Tom knew he implied the future he had yet to know. Swallowing a knot in his throat, he nodded.
"If that is what you wish, Harry," he whispered.
Will I trust you; will I trust you to carry me through?
I will trust you, 'cause I know what a promise can do.
Harry nodded, and soon their resumed with their endeavor of need.
"Quick, dear! They're here!"
"I know, I know! Hurry, up the stairs and find a place for you to hide!"
"But, but James…"
"No, Lily! Go!"
The scream, how she had pleaded… it meant nothing, nothing at all to that horrid green light. And then the sudden feeling of cold, cold all around. He was scared, what was happening? Where was daddy? And mama, why was she not moving? He tugged at her hair, crawled to her hand, and looked up to hear the most malevolent laughter.
"And now," the figure, his nightmare, dark and omniscient.
"You, boy."
Steadily, his wand rose, it glowed, it flashed.
Green, green everywhere. Everywhere!
…Mama?
Tom gasped as his eyes snapped open. He sat up, breathing heavily, hand on his chest. It had been so vivid, so real. What had brought about such a dream as that? He was at a loss. It was certainly not a memory of his own.
Tom glanced down at Harry, who lay slumbering, unawares. At the sight, Tom calmed, and this allowed him to think. The woman's scream still rang in his head, like a banshee's, and the man… his face…
He looked like Otto Potter. He looked like Harry…
Tom leaned down, brushing Harry's hair back to reveal the candid scar. He was tempted to touch it, but then, before he did, his hand shied away. Something told him, deep inside, that it was not in his favor to do so. Still, the temptation…
Letting out a frustrated groan, Tom settled back down beside Harry, taking the other young man in his arms. He would worry no more, or much later than now. He needed sleep.
But the woman's scream echoed in his head, and he could find no solace.
Finally, Harry had finished his final class. He slipped away from Tom and the others, professing a need to go to the library. He assumed he had an hour, or two, tops, before the Slytherin Prince sent out a search party. He quickly left the castle and down through the garden he cut through into a small patch of forests. He stopped briefly at a clearing, bittersweet memory overwhelming him. Shaking his head he carried on, and soon found himself at the rocky shore of the lake.
He found a proverbial flower and sat down on a rock that seemed detached from the mainland. He jumped to it, nearly fell, but steadied and all was well. He noticed other rocks around him, and this made him smile. With a sigh, he tossed the flower in the water, and waited.
He waited, and waited. Harry stared intently at the water, head jerking up at every odd sound. At one moment, he felt the object of scrutiny and curiosity. He had then looked about and readied himself for the attack, but had never again felt the unknown presence. Relenting, Harry huffed and sat back.
Finally, Gillani appeared, at first a fine grey mist below the water, become clearer as she rose to the surface. She gasped as she breached the surface, wiped her hair from her face, and then looked over at Harry. She swam over with a small smile and found a rock to rest against, folding her arms and resting her chin, staring at the young wizard intently.
Has your stay improved? She quipped.
Harry nodded; "Yes, oblate a little awkward," he replied.
Gillani nodded; What troubles you?
How could she tell? Harry sighed, not wanting to really know, and said; "I'm still confused about how I'm going to get out of this mess."
Don't worry about that, Gillani chided gently. These things, they tend to end themselves in ways you wouldn't expect.
Harry took a moment for her words to sink in; "I suppose that's true," he said, looking down; "I'm beginning to miss the people I love."
Gillani looked at him sympathetically. This disheartens me so, she said, for I know of such longing. She blinked then, long, provoking; You though, you will be strong and survive.
"Well, of course," Harry said with a small halfhearted laugh. "I must."
Exactly, Gillani said with a small smile.
Harry looked at her, and could not help but smile back. But the mermaid's smile was the first to fade. What really troubles you? She asked.
Harry sighed; "The man I am meant to kill is quickly becoming too close to me."
Gillani stared at him. As in… love? She asked slowly, and Harry shrugged.
"More fixation, not as serious as love," he shivered; "Love is far too dangerous."
Gillani nodded. Males may love other males in your society? She asked, her curiosity peaked.
Harry nodded; "But now, in this time, laws are against such a love," he said; "In my time though, it is widely accepted."
Again, that simple nod. You must feel awkward! She said, smiling. It must be hard, for you and this other man.
"Surprisingly, not really," Harry said; "No one has caught on. But… it's moved so fast. We went from locking eyes to locking… other things…" he blushed and averted his gaze.
Gillani's smile grew and she covered her mouth as she giggled. Well, is this a bad thing?
"It… could be," Harry said, looking at her again; "It could be fake."
Or ill-fated, Gillani mused, averting her gaze to prove a point.
Harry frowned; "You'll find fate a tender matter when it comes to me," he said lowly.
Fate should be a tender subject for anyone, Gillani said, looking back at him; Everyone should respect fate.
"I don't," Harry said; "I loathe it. Fate can burn for all I care."
His dark words rang wit truth and bitter memory. Gillani was taken aback at first, but she nodded. You have such a right to say so, she said, but that does not spare you from Fate.
Harry was about to reply, but he stopped when he heard his name being called; "Gillani, quickly, go!" he said urgently, getting up too fast and slipping.
"Tomelson? Oy, Tomelsooooooooooooooooooooooon!"
Gillani reached out and Harry felt himself suspended in midair. Gillani moved her hand, ushering him to the land, and then with a lingering wink, she disappeared into the murky depths of the lake.
Harry dusted himself off professionally, just in time to see Romulus and Selred running over; "we've been looking everywhere!" Romulus said exasperatedly when they reached Harry; "Come on, we've got to show you something!"
"What?" Harry asked, and Selred clarified.
"Well, you see," he said professionally; "We've a little gathering we want you to be a part of. And, it will call for skipping dinner, but there will be food there."
"So come on, 'Guest of Honor'!" Romulus said, grabbing Harry's wrist and dragging him as he began to run off.
Selred easily kept up with them. "Why are we running?" Harry asked.
"Cuz we're late, that's why!" Romulus replied.
"You just want the food," Selred muttered dryly, and Romulus mimicked him like a small child would another.
They arrived on the seventh floor out of breath. Harry bent over to catch a breath of air, not paying attention to his surroundings. When Harry stood straight again, he realized they were at the foot of a staircase that spiraled upward to the top of a tower.
"Um, were to?" Harry asked, but he found himself alone. Looking again he saw that Selred and Romulus were already making their way up to the top of the tower. Grumbling, Harry followed, taking his dear time as he was weary from the run.
"Should we do this? I mean, perhaps we should give this more time…"
"No, we're doing it."
"But, he's not even been here a whole semester!"
"So? Aldrich has a point, and besides Romulus, Tomelson just doesn't sit well with me."
"I don't agree with you there. Seems like a fine chap to me!"
"Everyone's a 'fine chap' to you, Romulus. You don't know what a stranger is. I wonder what he was doing out at the lake…" Selred muttered to his companion as they mounted the steps.
"The same thing we were doing out at the lake," Romulus replied with a sly grin.
Selred punched the other's shoulder and frowned; "Hush about that!" he chastised; "I'm serious."
Romulus shrugged; "Probably getting fresh air," he said.
"Didn't you smell what was on the air?" Selred asked.
"That sweet, marine smell?" Romulus replied, and Selred nodded; "Yeah, but…" it suddenly dawned on him; "You don't think…?"
"I do," Selred said; "Quick, we're almost there."
They grew quiet as they reached the door at the top of the stairs. IT would lead out to a parapet. They turned and waited for Harry to join them.
"Okay," Harry said, looking form one to the other; "What now?"
"What you are about to witness cannot in any way be repeated to anyone outside of this time," Selred said, regardless of Harry's question.
"Witness? What…?"
"Should you at any time decide to repeat what you are about to witness, you will be disemboweled on the spot…"
"Wait, what? Disemboweled!" Harry asked, but already Selred had cast a spell and Harry was sent to his knees as he shivered spastically. Mortified, he rose when it was over, and gave Selred a heated glare.
Romulus coughed; "Harry Tomelson," he said, his hand on the door knob; "We welcome you to The Order of the Serpentine Inquisition Number Thirty and Four."
And the Door was opened, and Harry was blinded by a bright light, dragged forward by strangers' hands...
TBC
A/n: told you. I'm evil, of this i'm well aware. But next chapter will be nice and juicy and full of twists and explanations!