Disclaimer: if Tom Riddle (Christian Coulson) and Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliff) belonged to me I'd be too busy toying with them to write this fic so… no, unfortunately for me (and them) they don't.

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Chapter 6: we need to talk.

... But when he woke up, Harry found himself all alone inside the large bed… Tom was gone…

… Harry looked around the room frantically. He calmed down when he saw the familiar shape of the young man looking outside the window. His naked, well-built back was facing the little boy. He was only wearing the bottom half of a striped pyjama. He was holding his right wrist in his left hand, in the back of his waist. It was sunny outside. Since it was summer now, it was a little harder to tell exactly what time of the day it was just by looking at the amount of sun-rays coming through the window. This was unfortunate for Harry who was really starting to worry about how much time he had already spent away from Hogwarts.

But before taking care of that, the boy knew there were far more pressing matters at hand right now: namely, a boy called Tom. The other guy wasn't turning around. Harry knew he needed to speak but he was so clueless as to what he should say exactly. They were so many thoughts rushing through his head that he feared he would go crazy. Fortunately, there was one question that was more important to him than all the others: he really wanted to know how much time had passed since he had disappeared from the chamber. That meant he at least knew where to start the conversation. This reassured him a little bit. Just a little bit.

"To... Tom?"

His voice was so hesitant and weak that he barely recognized the sound of it. Seeing no reaction from the older boy, he figured he had not been heard. He gathered up all of the Gryffindor courage he had left and spoke louder and on a more affirmative tone this time.

"Tom."

The Slytherin was so surprised by the boy's voice that he nearly jumped. He turned around quickly to meet Harry's gaze which was just about as confused as his own. Tom let out a sigh of relief and smiled.

"Harry... I... you startled me..."

"I'm sorry."

Harry stared at Tom with eyes full of sincerity. The young man urgently replied:

"N-No, no, don-don't apologies for that, it's okay... really... I'm just glad you're finally awake."

Tom felt an ache in his chest. He didn't want that kid apologizing for anything right now. His strongest belief at the moment was that this boy didn't need to feel guilty about anything. Hearing him apologies only reminded the teen how much he could never apologies enough himself for what he had done to him. Yet, he was so happy to see the Gryffindor doing better again that he couldn't help but smile once more. Harry looked up at him and smiled back which only made Tom's grin grow wider.

"I slept for a while there, huh?"

"Just for about ten hours."

Tom kept on smiling like an idiot but Harry was baffled to hear that he had slept for so long, especially since he didn't sleep very much usually. Seeing the worry in the boy's gaze, the older one quickly went on.

"But it's okay! Hell, it's normal that you've slept that much after what... well... you needed to rest so... I'm glad that you did."

They both kept staring at each other in such an awkward way. They were both just as puzzled about this whole mess. They were both so lost. Harry spoke again.

"Wha-What time is it?"

"It's about four thirty in the afternoon."

"Oh... thank you."

"It's nothing."

They just stayed like that for a about a good two minutes, both too scared and confused about everything to get pass the awkwardness of it all. Finally, Harry sighed and spoke, unable to bear with the silence any longer.

"Can we just... talk already?"

Tom was surprised by Harry's willingness to actually have this conversation. Fact is; he really wasn't as brave himself, and so he tried playing dumb at first.

"What do you mean? Isn't that what we're doing right now, you know-"

"Tom... please. Don't be like this. We are going to have to discuss what happened at some point, so... look; can't we just get over it and speak openly about the giant elephant in the room right now? I mean-"

"I know what you mean."

Tom closed his eyes; unable to face what was to come but still ready to accept its inevitability. Harry looked at him with understanding and empathy. He smiled softly.

"I know you do... and I know... I know it's-"

"Not easy?"

"Yeah... to say the least... but like I said, don't worry... I get it."

Harry placed himself on the left side of the bed so as to leave some space. He gazed up at Tom with a calm and inviting expression and put his hand on the empty space beside him on the bed. The older boy was completely puzzled by Harry's peaceful reaction and apparent kindness towards him.

"Come here..."

"Harry I-"

"Please Tom... sit with me."

Tom was so overwhelmed. Harry's attitude was beyond incomprehension to him. Neither hatred nor coldness emanated from him. He just seemed so relaxed and at ease. He should have been mad or desperately sad like he had been when Tom had found him earlier. That was normal. That made sense. Even thought he hated to see the boy like that, these were the kind of emotions that he knew and that he could easily deal with. After all, they had always been so much part of his life. Still, the young man thought he'd rather have to cope with this intense friendliness and genuine serenity, than with that awful and devastated sight he had been confronted with earlier.

The teen slowly moved forward until he reached the bed. He was so thankful to see that, while he had been in the bathroom preparing his potion, the boy had apparently put his underwear back on. Tom carefully upped on the mattress and sat with his back against the board. He looked at his feet then closed his eyes and took a deep breath in. However, the second he opened his eyelids and turned his head to look at the one sitting beside him, he found himself internally panicked by the proximity he now shared with the boy. Indeed, the closeness of their two bodies was so stressful for him that he quickly averted his gaze. He looked everywhere around the room until he found a chair. He felt so relief when he spotted it. He rapidly turned towards Harry, trying his very best to avoid looking at the boy's naked torso.

"You know what? I think it would be much better for me to be able to talk to you... you know... face-to-face. Let me get that chair so I can sit in front of you."

The young man practically ran out of the bed and went to get the furniture. He positioned it toward the bed and sat silently on it. He bowed his head, looked down on the ground and took a minute to collect his thoughts before gazing up to see a smiling Harry looking back at him. The boy seemed very amused at his reaction. He was. In fact, Harry thought the Slytherin's show of uncomfortable vulnerability and shyness made him look rather sweet... endearing even, and... almost kind of... cute. It was such a complete "180" from his usual composure and iciness. Tom felt compelled to ask: "what are you smirking at?" to the boy in a harsh, menacing voice.

He felt attacked by Harry's unhidden amusement at his expense. It made him feel ridiculed and the fact that he was a susceptible person to begin with did nothing to help. Tom was a proud, self-obsessed queen at heart. He had always known that. However, two things held him back in that moment. For one thing, he knew he couldn't just snap at the kid like that after everything that had happened. It just wasn't right. They boy had suffered enough at his hands and for Tom to realize that about someone was definitely a first. That guy never knew when to stop once he was cranked up. At least, he was aware of that too about himself.

The other reason was that, deep down, Tom knew that Harry was not laughing at him in a superior or malicious way... like Tom himself would normally have. He was just having fun because of the situation itself, so the Slytherin let it slide down his back and actually felt really proud of himself for doing so. He was in fact becoming less irritable and more blissful by the minute thanks to this boy's sole presence. It made him feel so good to know that he actually was becoming a different... and dare he say it... better person because of Harry. "Never heard something so cheesy", was what Tom said to himself at that moment. And yet... that's just the way it felt. More importantly, it felt good. It felt damn good in fact. Tom liked feeling like this. He liked the way Harry made him feel: simple as that.

"I'm glad to see you smile."

They both stared at each other for a couple of minutes after that one. It was impossible to know who was more baffled; Harry for hearing it or Tom for saying it. The older boy could not believe he had said those words. Although he meant it, he would have never allowed this sentence to escape his lips in normal times. Usually, he was far too in control of himself to let something so bold get pass him. Plus, he had to admit that he never thought he would have the balls to say something like that. Was this also because of this boy? Tom wondered. Nonetheless, he knew he had said it and now he had to make a choice. It was a surprisingly easy one to make actually. Tom just didn't have the courage to try and pretend anymore and he knew the boy had heard him, so he might as well just get on with it and own up to it like a man. The indisputable truth was that: what he said was purely and simply a heartfelt affirmation.

"What... did you say?"

Harry was more incredulous than ever. To hear Riddle say that he was sorry for what he had done was one thing, but for him to actually say that he basically cared for his well-being was just off the wall. And yet, Harry detected no lies in the young man's voice and Tom himself didn't seem inclined to deny what had just been said.

"You heard me right... I am glad to see you smile... in fact; it makes me a lot happier to see you like this... especially, compared to the way I saw you... earlier."

Harry closed his eyes. Remembering the state he had been in previously wasn't easy for him. He felt ashamed of how defenceless and pathetic he must have seemed.

"Yeah... about that... I'm so-"

"Don't say you're sorry!"

Tom was frowning in irritation, but he calmed down when he saw the shock and fear in the boy's face.

"Please... please, stop saying that. Don't apologies for anything. You did nothing wrong. I did!"

"Tom, I-"

"Please... let me finish. I... I... I... raped you... Harry."

Harry felt pain clutching his heart as he watched the boy opposite to him look in his direction with such guilt-stricken eyes. It was so painful to watch for him.

"So... if anyone is going to apologize between the two of us... ever again... it's going to be me."

"Tom, I-"

"You don't have to say anything Harry. I don't ask for your forgiveness nor do I deserve it. I just want you to know how... truly sorry I am. I swear. I really am... I'm so... so sorry..."

Harry just wanted to say something. Anything to make him stop but he was too shocked to even move an inch.

"I know it doesn't mean anything to you. I know there's nothing I can do. I know what I did was just... way too much. I know it's too late and too lame of an apology. I know I can never-"

"Tom, please stop, I forgive you!"

Harry just blurted it out with his eyes shut close. Tom froze solid as those words went through his mind. He couldn't believe it. He refused to believe it.

"What?"

"You heard me... I said I forgive you."

"But Harry, I-"

"No! I really mean it, I forgive you, Tom! I forgive you for the words. I forgive you for the pain. I forgive you for what you stole from me. I forgive you for hurting me. I forgive the bruises. I forgive the blood. I forgive all that you have done and said to me... I forgive you... Tom."

Harry stared at him with a fearless determination and Tom felt the tears rising up again. He spoke in a shaky, hardly-contained voice. He was almost weeping.

"Harry... you can't, I... I raped you! Damn it! Didn't you hear me? I said I took your virginity without your consent; I stole a part of you that you'll never be able to get back! And you... you're just going to... you can't just... I said you can't!"

Harry frowned.

"It's not your call to make, Tom. I'm the only one who gets to decide who I forgive and that's that. It's not your place to tell me anything."

Tom couldn't hold it anymore. Harry was actually angry that he didn't want him to forgive what he had done. It was like the world was upside-down. Nothing made sense to him anymore. Harry was not supposed to forgive him. People didn't forgive. People hated you the minute you screwed up. People beat you up if you so much as pumped into them by accident. That was reality. Why was Harry so bizarre? Why was he so forgiving? That was not natural. That was not normal. Even if he had been on his knees, begging, Tom would have never expected a reaction like this. For crying out loud, he did not deserve to be forgiven! How could Harry be so blind as to not see that?

"But... but... it doesn't... you... I can't... why?"

Seeing the confusion in his opposite, Harry's angry face melted into caring concern once again. Tom could not hold back anymore. He began sobbing uncontrollably, putting his face into his hands. Harry was overthrown by this display of tears. Even after last night, it still felt so unusual coming from the normally icy teen. Harry held out his hand and pressed it firmly on the older guy's shoulder to give him some sort of comfort. Tom could never tell him how great it felt to feel his touch. Once again, the Slytherin was mesmerized by Harry's kindness. After all he had put him through. Why was the boy so good to him? Why was he so good to everyone? Why was he so good? And why wasn't Tom that way too? He didn't know why, but because of that boy he wanted to be.

"It's alright Tom... It's going to be alright... I'm here."

The kid talked to him with such confidence and compassion that Tom was almost ready to believe him. He wanted to believe him so badly. But he still did not understand this generosity and sweetness that came from him. And what Tom could not understand, he could not believe; he could not trust. And yet, he trusted Harry. As puzzling, complex and difficult to figure out as this boy was, he was the very first person Tom had ever truly trusted. Without boundaries, without fears he believed in this young man. If he could only understand his behaviour though; it would be a plus indeed. But there was only one way to do that. He had to talk to him. He had to keep pushing their discussion further, no matter how much everything the little guy said affected him.

"Wh...Why?"

Tom managed to articulate with an extreme difficultly. He raised his head and looked up at Harry who seemed confused once again.

"Why what? What are you saying Tom?"

"Why are you so... nice?"

Harry looked at him strangely; like the answer to his question was so oblivious.

"Well... you're clearly having a hard time here. How could I not try and make you feel better."

"But after-"

"Will you stop? I said I forgave you already, didn't I?"

"Yes, but why? !"

"Because I know-!"

Harry froze solid. He could not believe what he had almost revealed. Tom looked at him questionably.

"What? What is it you know?"

"I don't, I... I..."

"Harry."

Tom's glare had gone from sad to fierce-looking in a matter of seconds. He was clearly not going to back down until he got his answer. He was definitively not in the mood to kid around with this. Harry closed his eyes and let out a defeated sigh.

"Before I tell you... just promise me you won't get mad..."

"Harry-"

"Mad like before... I mean."

Tom's suddenly serious mood was softened by the worry that transpired through Harry's voice.

"Harry I-"

"Please just-"

"I promise Harry. You don't have to worry about that anymore. Never again. I promise you."

Harry slowly opened his eyes and the face he was met with reassure him of Tom's sincerity.

"I saw... something... a sort of... vision I guess."

Tom gulped. Harry averted his gaze.

"A... vision, you say?"

"Yes and... I saw... you. I saw you in that vision. Or rather, a younger version of you. I... I think what I saw was your past... and it was..."

"Horrible? Painful? Heart-Wrenching?"

The boy was caught up by those words. It was like Tom had been able to read his mind right then and there. He looked back at Tom and realized that there was a complete empathy in his eyes; something Harry had not anticipated to see there.

"Yes... that's it. Wait... Tom how-?"

"Because I saw the same thing. Only... with you."

Harry's expression widened; his face became pale and he almost gasped.

"You... You mean."

Tom nodded. Harry looked away once again. He felt deep shame. Shame over who he was, who he was reminded to be: a poor little reject orphan boy. Shame over how pitiful and helpless he must have seemed to the other boy. He did not realize that Tom felt the exact same way. He had not seen that Tom had turned his head away at the exact same instant he had, for the very same reason.

"You know what I mean."

Harry could not hold the little tears. Furthermore, he was too mentally and physically tired to even try.

"You know... I never told anybody. I mean... I told them about the general stuff like the cupboard under the stairs but... not about... the other stuff, you know? Nothing about..."

"The really important stuff."

Harry was so shocked again by Riddle's ability to know exactly what he had to say.

"Yeah..."

"I get it."

Harry nodded, and then blushed a little bit.

"I know you do. You read me like I'm an open book."

Tom was most surprised in his turn by that one sentence. He did not at all expect that kind of bold declaration from the boy. But it was the assertiveness of his statement that was even more shocking. Tom would have thought someone who knew him like Harry did would have used caution with that kind of "compliment". However, what was more bothersome to Tom was that he did not know if it was a good or a bad thing. Was he being amazing or just annoying to the kid? Did Harry mean: "Nobody understands me like you do" or "Nobody keeps me from finishing my own sentences like you do"?

"That's... very... special... to hear that from you. Don't you think you're being a little... generous?"

Tom spoke in a cunning attempt to clarify things. Harry shook his head slightly.

"Not at all. It's true... nobody ever got me like that."

The young man could not help but smile internally. It felt good somehow to know that the boy felt close to him in a way and that he felt like Tom could relate to him. And the Slytherin really did relate. He had felt the same pain. He knew what it felt like; going through the motion, knowing nobody will ever be able to even imagine what kind of sorrow you have to live with, let alone understand it. He knew the hatred and more importantly; the shame. It is that sentiment that you are weaker and lesser than everyone else around you because you've been a downright victim. But at the same time, the last thing you want is people's sympathy. Nobody wants what, in the end, is really just pity. Because: knowing somebody feels bad for you only makes you feel even worse.

And when somebody dares to say that "they understand", you just want to knock them out, even more so if they are your friends. Because they can't, they just can't understand what it is. Nevertheless, Tom felt more hopeful than ever knowing the boy understood him. With him it was different, because Harry really did understand what it was like to be "that" person. Tom knew he would never have to draw him a picture. Even better: he knew they barely had to talk between themselves to communicate their thoughts regarding their respective pasts. More than hope, Riddle felt pure joy and an indescribable amount of gratitude and humility towards Harry. He was grateful for the words and humble towards the feelings. The boy was so genuinely kind and honest. In such a way that it inspired much respect on the Slytherin's part. And for somebody like him; to actually have respect for someone, that definitely wasn't an everyday business. Tom smiled warmly.

"You know... I think you don't realize that the only reason I get you so well... is because you get me so well... and I don't deserve it. I don't deserve that kind of compliment. And I definitely don't deserve your kindness or your compassion either."

Harry looked extremely concerned.

"Tom, don't-"

"It's true, okay! Stop trying to defend me, that's just another thing I don't deserve... and you know that... better than anyone else as a matter of fact, Harry."

The boy's face went from concern to a wide smiled and he couldn't help but scuff. Tom looked at him confusedly. In fact, it was a bit insulting to see someone laugh at him, so unapologetically like that. Even thought he tried to remain calm so as to not scare Harry again, he just couldn't help himself. He had to ask;

"What is it? What's so funny?"

Harry put his hands up in defence.

"No it's not what you think. I'm not laughing at you, it's just... well... you called me Harry."

Tom didn't understand.

"Well... yes. Isn't that your name?"

Harry looked at him with an amused expression.

"Well, you usually call me Potter."

Realization hit Tom in the face like a truck. Harry went on.

"I know you do it by disdain for me."

Tom felt so ashamed in that instant that he had to look down but Harry quickly continued.

"Don't feel bad! I usually call you by your first name for the same reason. I know you hate being called Tom... and that's why I do it."

It was Tom's turn to chuckle. He couldn't help but fully agree with the kid.

"You're right. I usually hate it when people call me by that name... it reminds me of my father..."

Tom looked intensely sombre as he spoke that last bit and Harry understood more than ever the length of bad feelings that Tom had for his dad. This went far beyond simple muggle-hatred. Harry could just tell that there was far more to it, and he was determined to learn more about it in the future. Tom carried on.

"... yet... I don't know what it is, but... coming from you... it's not half as unpleasant."

"I know what you mean. My name feels good in your mouth too."

Harry stopped right there. He could not believe he had just said that. He could not believe he had meant it so much either. Both he and Tom looked each other in the eyes, shocked beyond beliefs by what they had just admitted to one another. Then, they simultaneously turned their heads to the side, blushing furiously. Harry spoke first.

"Huh... anyway... I guess all I'm saying is that... I like that you are using my first name now... you know... cause it makes me feel more like you are talking to me as an equal rather than an inferior, like when you call me Potter and stuff... you know?"

Tom answered in a very rapid debit.

"Ye-Yeah... I totally understand."

"Good."

"Great."

It took some more minutes of breath-in, breath-out on both parts before these boys were actually able to turn their heads to face each other again. When they made eye contact once more, they found themselves completely speechless. They just stood there, silent and motionless. After a while of deep starring, Harry found the courage to keep going with what he had really wanted to talk about all along.

"Just for the record... I don't agree with you."

Tom looked even more puzzled then ever but before he could inquire what Harry meant by that, the boy pursued.

"I think you do deserve it. You deserve my kindness. You deserve my forgiveness. You've been through enough. We both have. I think it would only be fair for me to give you a break. You say you are sorry... and I believe you, so... I accept your apologies and I am ready to move on with this."

Tom looked exasperated and he was ready to cut Harry just then.

"Harry-"

"Don't interrupt me, please. I'm not done just yet."

Tom simply sighted and nodded.

"Do not misunderstand me... I will never forget what you did to me."

Tom almost gasped.

"I will never forget how much you hurt me... ever. Even if I wanted to, I can't. You left a permanent mark on me. You scarred me... inside. I can never wash this away..."

Although hurt, Tom was almost relieve to hear the boy say that. It was the first time the boy's words made sense to him. Feelings like resentment and pain, he could deal with.

"... But I don't want to hold it against you anymore."

Of course, Harry had to strike back again with is incomprehensible sweetness and mercy.

"I don't want to look at you and only see that night. I want to be able to put the past behind us... as much as possible. I want to be able to see you for who I know you truly are. And I know you are not the same person that you were last night. I just know it."

Tom didn't understand the boy at all anymore. None of this made any sense to him. Why was the boy so determined to make him feel better about himself instead of using this opportunity he was giving Harry to bring him down? The emotions were too strong for Riddle again. He let his head fall in desperation towards the grown and took his face in between his hands, trying to fight the beginning of a treacherous and powerful headache.

"But... how can you..."

"Simply put; I've had enough: enough of the pain, enough of the hatred. I am sick and tired of it all. In a way, I am doing this more for myself than I am doing it for you. I do not feel anymore anger or desire for revenge towards you and let me tell you: I feel so much better that way. The fact is; I just don't like the way I feel when I'm mad or hateful... towards anybody. I feel like its eating me up inside and I don't like what it makes me do... or what it makes other people do."

Tom looked up at him knowingly.

"Again, don't misunderstand me. Part of the reason why I forgive you so willingly is because I realise how we both said and did horrible things that night. I was unfair to you. I never actually thought of you and Voldemort as the same person. His sins are his own, not yours. I accused you, knowing that in my heart. I did it with the very clear intention to hurt you; to make you feel bad and guilty and I succeeded. I don't care what happened before; anyway you put it, my motives were mean and selfish. It was uncalled for and I was wrong to do it. So if you were able forgive me for that... I guess it's only normal for me to forgive you in return. The way I see it, we were both wrong and we both apologies. Let's just bury the hatchet."

Again with this nonsense and heroic forgiveness; Tom could not take it anymore. This boy was too righteous for his own good. And knowing that he had dirtied such a pure soul only made him feel even more like a monster. It only increased his incomprehension. The mixed feelings of guilt and confusion made it hard to retain the tears from falling again. How could the boy even compare what Tom had done to him with what the Gryffindor had said to him? Even worse, how could he even think for a second that Tom still held him accountable for that?

"But..."

"Don't think for a second that I don't realize that what you... did to me... was far more of a nightmare than whatever I put you through... I do, believe me... but here's the thing: you went through the same nightmare in your childhood and... it might not make a difference to you but... it makes a whole world of difference to me. Especially... after the way you apologized."

Tom looked up at the boy with a strange sentiment of hope. Harry saw it in his eyes, so he decided that he was going to be fully honest with him, no matter what.

"I'm not going to lie... earlier... I felt... great when you... hugged me... and like I said before... I liked the way you said my name... like you were talking to an equal... like you understood me... and you did; you do... you do understand me, I know that now. And after seeing those visions... I felt the same way I know you did when you saw the ones about me... and that's when I knew... no matter what had happened... I had forgiven you. That was it. I could not be mad at you anymore and you know what? It feels indescribably amazing to not be... so angry... anymore. In fact, I just know that I don't ever want to feel like that, ever again. So let's just... move on and be done with all of this. Let us finally put an end to this vicious circle once and for all. That's all I really want... don't you?"

That's it; now the boy even cared about his opinion! Tom never thought for a second he would have had a say in this. For him, it made absolutely no sense that Harry cared so much about his opinion. Harry should have just thought about himself and not worry a bit about him. That was only rational. That was logical to him. That's what Tom would have done in his place. But the boy cared so much. And that didn't make any sense either! Why did he care at all to begin with? Why! The Slytherin just could not hold it in anymore. He started crying uncontrollably once more. He was barely able to not fall to his knees. Harry was completely shocked. He did not know what to do. How was he supposed to react?

And just then... like it was most natural thing to do... he just got up... walked over to the chair in front of him... bend over the crying boy sitting in it... and embraced him, literally. Harry took Tom in his arms and lowered his head onto Tom's until he was as close to the teen's body as he could be. Although a little surprised by his own courage at first, Harry became more assertive as he kept hugging the older boy. He had been a little nervous at first but it was like a force beyond his control had urged him to do something quickly to comfort the one sitting in front of him. Hugging just happened to be the best way Harry knew how to comfort others. As for Tom, although he was a bit taken aback by the sudden weight around him, at this point he was just so totally lost with the "how" and the "why" that he didn't care to question anything anymore.

Right now, he just wanted to enjoy the reassuring feeling and the warmth that were coming from the body surrounding his own. Harry's care and softness were so greatly appreciated in fact that Tom did not lose one more second pondering what to do. He just listened to his guts and threw his arms around the boy's waist. He then brought Harry even closer to him and buried his face into the boy's naked chest. He tightened his grip as much as he could while trying not to suffocate Harry. It felt so good to have him so near. He never wanted it to end. And even though Harry had been a little taken by surprise when Tom suddenly hugged him back, he felt the same way. He started stroking Tom's amazingly soft hair delicately and whispering gently to him.

"It's okay Tom... I'm here, it's okay... I'm here..."

Tom answered between sobs;

"Please... don't go."

"I'm not going to... I'm not going anywhere. I promise I'm going to stay right here... I'm not leaving you Tom."

Tom calmed down and progressively stopped crying as Harry kept stroking his hair. Harry smiled.

"Are you feeling better?"

Tom looked up to him with a small curving of the lips. His smile was only a bit weak because he was so tired from crying so much. He nodded.

"Yes... thank you."

Harry's smile became even brighter.

"You're welcome."

And they stayed like this, in each other's arms for what could seem like an eternity for some bystander, but really felt like mere seconds to the both of them. Tom eventually loosened his embrace around Harry and the boy took it as a sign that he was ready to talk again. He went to sit back down on the bed. He kept intensely staring at the young man in front of him, waiting patiently for Tom to rebuild his composure. The Slytherin closed his eyes and lowered his head. His beautiful dark hair fell down upon his face like a cascade, hiding his face. As he started rearranging the thoughts in his head, Tom smirked.

"What are you smiling about?" Harry inquired.

Tom looked up at him and he scoffed loudly.

"Huh! Nothing... it's just..."

Harry looked at him inquisitively.

"Yes...?"

"Well... you must think I'm pretty pathetic is all."

Tom laughed but Harry didn't understand.

"Why?"

"Well... the way I just sat there and cried like a baby in your arms... so ridiculous, right? I mean... to think I'm the one who needed comfort from you! It's just... laughable isn't it?"

"Tom, don't say that."

Tom looked away in shame.

"It's true, okay! ? In the end... I'm really just... so pathetic! ... Right?"

Harry looked sadly at the young man. Tom almost gasped when he felt Harry's hand touch his own gently. The older boy looked at the younger one with a weird mixed of questioning and gratitude in his dark orbs.

"That's not the way I see it."

Harry smile softly to the teen who smiled back at him and started stroking his fingers playfully. And to his surprise, the boy didn't pull back his hand and instead kept beaming at him.

"Then how... how do you see it?"

"I think it actually takes a great deal more courage to let your guard down in front of someone than to simply close yourself up and completely detach from your own feelings. I don't see your tears as being a proof of weakness but rather... just a proof that you are in fact... human. And I got to say... I rather like this side of you."

Tom was blow away once again. He closed his eyes and lightly shook his head. Was there no limit to this boy's kindness?

"Why are you... like this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you so... good... to me? I mean... even after what I did to you?"

Harry was caught by surprise. And yet, somehow he actually knew the answer to that one.

"Because... I'm not your victim Tom."

Tom was unsure why but that answer just hit him in the chest like a really well-aimed "stupefy" spell.

"Wh-what...?"

"I refuse to be your victim. I make the decision not to be... In fact, I think I made that decision long ago."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... I could have decided to be the victim... a very long time ago. I mean... look at me. I'm the little orphan kid... the one that not even his relatives wanted... and everybody looks at me like I'm the famous hero and whatnot... like I should be so dam proud of me, like I should be so happy with my wonderful life... well guess what, they don't know a bloody thing! If they did I just bet they wouldn't envy me so much. I bet they would start to think twice before wishing they were me. And they do... oh they do... that is when they're not so obliviously jealous of me... like that stupid Malfoy. Like I'm anything to be jealous of! I'm not a hero. I'm just some lucky or rather not so lucky guy who, after discovering a year ago that all his life growing up had been nothing but a lie, got thrown into a world he knew nothing of and-and for what? Only to learn that the most powerful and dangerous dark wizard of all time was the one who killed his parents and that this bastard wants nothing more now than to find and kill him... and I'm just freaking twelve for god sake!"

"Harry..."

"I don't give a dam what anybody says or thinks... I don't care if I sound like a whiny baby when I talk about it all... which I try not to... even though it eats me up inside sometimes... because I just know people don't want to hear about stuff like that... not from me anyway. They don't want to hear complaints from the famous Harry Potter of all people... and even if they did... like my friends... I bloody well know they wouldn't begin to understand... and yet they would try to sympathize and it would just kill me more deep down because I love them and I know they're just trying to help and all but... anyway... I don't care because... because I think... I think it's pretty darn fair for me to complain about stuff like that... because those things shouldn't happen... to anyone!"

Harry look intensely angered and Tom was desperate to find a way to calm him down.

"Harry... I..."

"But still..."

And as if the anger had never been there to begin with, Harry's face regained its perfect serenity and composure.

"Ha... I'm not a victim. Even after all of that... I'm not... and I never will... I never want to... because I made the choice. I made the choice not be a victim. I decided long ago that just because all the people around me that didn't left me, hated me... that I was not going to let myself get drag down by them... they were not going to bring me down with them. I refused to be the victim... to be their victim... to be his victim... and to be yours."

Tom looked down again.

"I might not be worth that much, like everybody seems to think... but I'm at least worth more than that."

Harry didn't hesitate. He firmly yet gently took Tom's chin in his hand and pulled the teen's handsome visage up to face him. Tom allowed himself to be taken this way. In fact he delicately put his own hand onto Harry's and gave him his full attention.

"That's why I refuse to hold a grudge and make you my persecutor. I'm not your victim therefore... you are not my bully... simple as that."

Tom smiled. Harry went on.

"Besides... In all honesty, I know for a fact that this would be the easy way out for you. You would just be beating yourself up like I assume you always do... because that way... you turn yourself into the victim... and it is an easy place to be in. A victim is not responsible... and I've notice it's quite often the defence that most villain use. And I thinks it's pretty clear you're use to be the villain aren't you?"

Tom gave a sickly smiled in response.

"You know, I... I think in fact, the truth is that... you pretty much already accepted the role of the bad guy because-"

"Because I'd rather be a bully than a victim. Those did always seem like the only two options available and I guess I just assumed that a bully was at least stronger... and besides... it's kind of my way I guess you could say of... taking my revenge on life... getting back at all those who hurt me by just... hurting everybody else around me. Closing myself up so no one can hurt me... you're right... it is easier... but you know... what the easiest part is though?"

Harry shook his head lightly.

"Going around... pretending to be all mighty and stuff... just pretending that you actually think you're better than everybody else... doing such a good job at it that you end up convincing yourself. You forget your self-hatred and instead concentrate on hating everything and everyone that surrounds you. Take all the dirt, the filth and the darkness that's inside of you and lash it out onto the rest of the world... until it all just seems so... so nasty and gross... and disgusting and... so beneath you... so unworthy."

Harry felt deep sadness fill his heart when he heard Tom speaking with such a profound disgust in his voice and to see the blackness invade his eyes.

"Then you start to use your charm to get whatever you want... you act like the perfect little student so no one ever dares to suspect you of anything... you choose the worst kind of hooligans as your underlings... and all that... just ends up convincing you that the world is filled with nothing but idiots... and that you're the only one with any common sense."

Tom flashed a sour grin.

"And then you do the worst possible thing you can do... you stop questioning yourself. You just do whatever the hell pleases you without ever thinking of the consequences for other people... you become prick. A narcissist, ego-maniac, self-centered prick... who doesn't care about anyone but himself and doesn't even begin to realize... the pain... the pain he might inflict on someone... someone so... so wonderful... so beautiful... like..."

Tom wanted to finish that sentence but instead preferred ending his statement with a gesture he hoped expressed his feelings better than words could. He closed his eyes tightly, took Harry's hand firmly in his own, pressed it against his mouth and affirmatively kissed it with what he wished was the best his lips could provide.

Harry blushed and smiled, sincerely touched by the simple yet powerful action. He wanted to say something. It felt like forever for him to find the right words but they came naturally.

"You know... I never expected... nor even... ever really desired for it... but... among the many people who hurt me... you are the first one to actually apologies... in all honesty. And frankly... I don't think I could ever ask for anything more... from any of them."

Tom opened his eyes and looked up with intense admiration.

"I learned a long time ago that... you can't really ever take back what has been said and done... the only thing you can do... and I honestly think it's the hardest thing you can do... is to sincerely apologize to the one you wronged... really I do. I know this because obliviously, like everybody else who's human... I have been in that position. So... seeing as you did it... so genuinely may I add... how could I not forgive you? I know how happy it makes me when I am forgiven. So why should I deny you that feeling. Unless I really wanted to torture you which... I think I've already established is not something that makes me happy... not in the long run anyway."

Tom felt ashamed.

"Then... I was wrong... we aren't so alike, after all. I mean... the way you understand... the way you forgive... the way you choose to be happy instead of staying bitter. How you can see through me like that... see my true feelings... see the actual guilt. How you just... won't give in to anger and hate like... like I did... like I always do. You... you're so strong you know that? It's so much harder to forgive than to take revenge and... I don't think I'll ever understand how you do it. That's... you're... amazing... really."

Harry felt the blush creeping up his face once more. Tom was still so amazed but he had one more question.

"But I still don't understand... forgiving me is one thing but... why do you care so much about my feelings and... you know... making sure that I feel good about myself?"

Harry thought for a second and hesitated. He knew perfectly well the reason for that but he just wasn't sure if he was ready to divulge that type of information.

"I guess, you could say... because it just feels... like the right thing to do... I imagine."

Tom raised one eyebrow questioningly. He somehow felt that there was more to the answer than the boy let on. Seeing the interrogation in the older boy's eyes, Harry knew he would not get out of this one so easily. Tom wouldn't let go until he got the real answer. The boy sighted in defeat.

"In other words; because it makes me feel good too. It makes me feel good to make you feel good. That's it. You're happy, now?"

"Very."

Tom couldn't help but smirk wickedly at Harry's annoyed yet playful tone. But it was true. This simple sentence alone was responsible for his sudden regain of energy and positivism. Harry was blushing now and Tom decided that no sight had ever been more pleasing to him. He knew he shouldn't have pushed it further with Harry, but he couldn't help himself. He kept on smirking and waited to see more of the boy's delicious reaction. And he was not disappointed, the second Harry saw him, he frowned and became even redder.

"Get that smirks off your face will you?"

Tom simply started laughing, hardly containing himself.

"Sorry... ha-ha... couldn't help it I guess."

Harry was even more embarrassed now and he tried to hide his burning cheeks with his hands, unsuccessfully. As Tom kept laughing, he frowned even deeper while clenching his teeth together but this only encourage Tom to keep acting like an ass.

"I forgot how easily you could turn into a jerk."

Had it been anyone else, and under any other circumstances, Tom would have knocked the living hell out of anyone who would have dared to say something like that to him. But since it was Harry and he knew the boy was just responding to his teasing, he wanted nothing more than to keep playing along with him.

"That's true enough... I can be quite a jerk sometimes... just ask your ginger friend."

Then a meteor literally hit Harry in the face. He realized he had completely forgotten about Ginny. He stormed out of the bed and started looking frantically around the room for any sign of the girl.

"Where is she! ? Where is she! ?"

It was the other boy's turn to get it in the face by realization and he mentally kicked himself for not thinking before opening his stupidly big mouth. He got up and reached for Harry's shoulder.

"Harry-"

"What have you done to her!"

The boy jerked the teen's hand away and looked at him with a fiery anger consuming his gaze. Tom couldn't help but look down, unable to handle the spark of hatred he saw in the younger's eyes. However, he soon felt a gentle hand on his face, caressing his cheek tenderly. He looked back at the boy and saw a sad an apologetic expression on his face.

"Sorry... I shouldn't have reacted like that... it's just..."

Tom caressed the hand in return and shook his head lightly.

"No, it's okay... I get it."

They both smiled understandingly at each other.

"Don't worry she's safe. After I woke up and made sure you were alright I quickly realised you still needed some sleep so I got you under the cover and I took care of everything. I took Ginny and I went back to the chamber. Once I got there, I found that phoenix of yours. It's like he was just waiting for you to come back or something. I used a spell to transport them both outside of the chamber were I knew your other friend, you know, the other redhead was waiting for you with that other silly-looking man. Ginny awoke and she seemed perfectly fine. I even made sure she was by using the remaining magic link we still shared before braking that link forever. She's completely freed from the influence of the diary now. And she was perfectly alive and well from what I gathered, a bit tired and still in shock of course... but really okay nonetheless. I swear. I waited until I saw the bird getting the three of them out of there. After that I came back here, got in my pyjama and tried to go back to sleep again... unsuccessfully."

Harry chuckled a little.

"And do you know where they are now?"

Tom simply shrugged a little.

"I'm guessing there're in Dumbledore's care."

Harry nodded. If Fawkes had been the one to take them away, Dumbledore was sure to have them brought to safety. Still, now that the headmaster had been stripped from his position by the ministry, thanks to Draco's father, Harry had no clue where the man himself was. He knew he should think of a proper way to ask this first, but he really couldn't find one so he simply resorted to just letting it all out as it came.

"Could... could you take me to him... ?"

Tom raised an eyebrow, unsure of what the boy exactly meant by that. Harry sighted.

"To Dumbledore I mean. Could you... like you know... magically transport me to where he is... wherever that is... please."

Tom took a moment in order to try and remember the phenomenal quantity of teleporting spells he knew.

"Well... I do know many ways to that, however... with that kind of limited information about the destination... I would have to go with you for the spell I'm thinking of to work."

"That's fine by me... that is... if you don't mind coming along with me to see Dumbledore... of course."

Tom thought about it for a second. Though the prospect of seeing Dumbledore again did not exactly enchant him, he simply could not resist the boy's demand right now. In fact, Tom was pretty sure at this point the kid could have him do just about anything. Just as long as it made Harry smile up to him so sweetly like that.

"Well... meeting up with that old goat again is not exactly my version of fun but... if that's what you really want... I'll do it. No problem."

Harry beamed at him with such a happy face that Tom felt his newly-functioning heart melting inside his chest.

"Alright, let's go!"

Harry turn around ready to leave when he heard the teen behind him laughed a little.

"What is it?"

"Well... it's just... ha, I don't think you want to go see Dumbledore dress like that... is all."

Harry looked at himself and realized he was still just in his underwear. His face became entirely red in a matter of seconds.

"Oh! ... I see..."

Tom smiled and shook his head slightly.

"It's alright... here!"

And before he understood what was happening, a bright light covered him and Harry was back in his school uniform. The only difference being that this one was impeccably neat and warm as thought it just came out of the drier. Harry looked up and saw Tom all dressed up in his uniform as well. The teen smiled cheekily at him.

"One of my favourite clothes-washing spell."

Harry smiled back but he soon realized that something else was bugging him.

"And the diary... ?"

Tom pointed at a little table in the right corner.

"Over there."

Harry quickly spotted it. I was right there, lying about as if it was nothing more than a random book.

"Go on... you can take it if you want... there's nothing magic or special about it anymore. It's just a normal blank diary... waiting to be filled in."

Harry took it from the nightstand and put it in one of his pockets. When he turned around he saw Tom performing a spell of some kind. A subtle light appeared in his hands.

"Your wand, Harry... here take it back."

Tom pointed the butt-end of the stick towards Harry who gently pulled it towards him. The boy then put it back inside his robes, where it belonged. He looked up and saw the Slytherin extending his hand towards him. Without a moment of hesitation he grabbed the offered hand and squeezed it lightly, much to the other boy's pleasure.

"Repeat after me and concentrated on picturing Dumbledore inside your head. Close your eyes if it helps and never let go of my hand. Got it?"

"Yes."

Harry did as instructed and waited for Tom to speak again.

"Take us... to Albus Dumbledore."

Harry repeated just as Tom had told him and he soon felt himself being teleported away in a bright and comforting light.

And just like that, the hotel room was once again empty.

HAPPY KWANZAA B*TCHES!

LOVE YOU ALL! REVIEWS = LOVE!

FINALLY I GOT MY LIFE BACK! NO MORE RELATIVES FROM FRANCE LIVING AT HOME & NO MORE 8 COURSES AT SCHOOL! LIFE IS GOOD!