Hush Little Baby
Chapter Seven
The guard put down his issue of the Daily Prophet and looked up into the eyes of Harry Potter.
"Good morning," Harry began. "I would like to go across please." He motioned to the prison across the sea.
The guard shook his head. "Sorry, no can do. Authorized personnel only."
Harry scowled. "I said I would like to go across please." This time he pulled back his hair to reveal his scar. He hated to do it, but he'd use his fame for Tom's sake.
The guard gulped. "Mr. Potter, forgive me, of course you may go across. Just board the ferry please. Anything for the Savior of the Wizarding World."
Harry rolled his eyes and boarded the ferry. The chill of the dementors across the waters was already piercing him. He couldn't even imagine how frightened Tom must have been having to spend the night here. The poor boy. What state would Harry would find him in?
The two aurors from last night met Harry at the entrance.
"Mr. Potter, we weren't expecting you." Maxfield said.
"I'm here to see my son." Harry stated plainly. "Take me to him please."
Maxfield opened his mouth to protest but Pickering beat him to it. "Of course we'll take you to him. This way, Mr. Potter." Pickering led the way down the winding halls. "You know, I don't like this any more than you do, Mr. Potter. But I can only follow my orders."
Harry sighed. "I understand, the only one at fault here is the minister. But I have something here that will make all the difference in the world.
They stopped in front of the cell belonging to Tom Riddle. Tom had long since exhausted his tears and lay fast asleep, curled in a ball under the barred window with a thumb in his mouth.
Pickering grinned sadly. "I tell you, the tyke can sure cry. You've probably noticed the acoustics in this place is awesome. You could hear him all the way to the entrance." Pickering told Harry. "Kept on for hours, didn't quit 'til about two a.m. Not that I blame him, poor kid."
Harry said nothing as he silently glided towards the child. Gently he lifted Tom into his arms. "Oh, Tom, I am so sorry."
Tom stirred and opened his eyes. "Daddy! Daddy come to save me!" The water works started all over. "Daddy!" Tom latched his arms around Harry's neck and cried
Harry could only rock Baby Tom. "It's alright, Tom, that's right, I'm here now. And I'm going to get you out of here," he declared.
A shadow covered them. "Awww, now I wish I'd brought my camera."
Harry snapped his gaze up to look at the Minister. "You creep, locking a CHILD, a BABY up in this horrid place!" Harry wished he could use more colorful, but he had no desire to teach Tom any of those.
Scrimgeour grinned. "I read that article this morning. Very touching indeed. Unfortunately, we of the wizengamot spent the entire night pouring over this terrible case and have already decided his fate." Scrimgeour sounded awful smug about it. "I have come to take him to the ministry, you might as well come along."
Harry stood, Tom in his arms. "Of course I'm coming."
Scrimgeour frowned. He could only imagine what the other witches and wizards would think to see this. "Pickering, you carry the brat!" he ordered.
Pickering shrugged. "He looks fine in Mr. Potter's hand, sir. If I take him, he'll simply cry again. I had to put up with it until two in the morning." He winked at Harry.
Drawing tighter Tom closer to him, Harry replied. "Tom stays with me." His tone left NO room for argument.
Scrimgeour could only grumble. "Fine, let's just go."
AN: Another short chapter, but another coming tonight as well.