A/N : Hello everyone, I am truly sorry for being gone for so long. Something very terrible happened in my life and I just couldn't bring myself to write for a long time. This is the longest chapter I've written yet and the chapters after this will continue to be at least 5,000 words if not longer.

Also

ANNOUNCEMENT : The earlier chapters of this story are going to be beta read in the near future and may be replaced with re-written versions eventually. When they are beta read or ready to be replaced I will be posting the new versions along side new chapters where it will be noted that they have been changed. I would like to stress that the re-written versions are going to replace the old eventually , most likely not anytime soon as so far it has been a slow process and I still want to provide new chapters for you to read.

Disclaimer : I own nothing but the plot and any original characters that may show up, the rest belongs to the amazing J.K Rowling .

Special thanks to my amazing beta reader Storm Scripter.

Chapter 11

After Snowball's death, the orphanage was still. The days were quiet and it rained without interruption for three weeks. It was as if Mother Nature herself was showing Her disapproval of Tom's actions. The boys occupied themselves with the further investigation of the items from 's trunk.

Each day they would build a fort out of books, old cushions from broken chairs and dusty moth-eaten sheets. Tom would pick a book to read aloud while Harry worked on the simple math problems written down for him on scraps of paper. The elder boy was determined to have Harry above his classmates in all his subjects when he entered school. Nothing about Harry would ever be ordinary, Tom would make sure of it.

When they weren't nestled away in the attic - usually away only for chores and meals - the other children avoided them more than ever. Billy never so much as glanced at Harry, and flinched whenever Tom so much as looked at him. Each time Billy flinched, it brought a satisfied smirk to Tom's face. Seeing that flinch made something deep inside Harry's chest clench painfully. Harry felt a terrible guilt about what had happened. But yet, he was glad that it hadn't been Billy hanging from the rafters.

A week into the rain found Harry and Tom once again sitting in their fort; Harry just having finished his math problems for the day and Tom reading aloud from a charms textbook.

"Hey Tom would you mind if I read this book?" Harry held up 'The Beginners Guide To Mirror Gazing'.

Tom paused not wanting to seem like he doubted Harry's reading abilities.

"Let me know if you need any help." And with that he went back to his reading, though this time he was silent.

"Thanks Tom!" Harry replied and grinned as he laid down on his stomach and opened the book.

There was just something about the book that drew Harry to it. He brushed his fingers over the thick pages taking in the strangely smooth texture. With a small smile he propped his chin on his palm and began reading. Reading the book wasn't as easy as he thought it would be and he had to stop many times to ask what certain words meant. He was proud that the more he read the easier it became. By the time he reached the third chapter he was doing better than when he started.

"Tom do you think that I could try scrying if you ever got a mirror for it?" Harry asked as he marked his placed with a thread he tugged from the ragged edge of a nearby sheet.

"Scrying?" Tom asked setting his book aside not bothering to mark his place.

"You know, looking into the mirror for answers. This book says that you can see things if you've got the second sight, and that even some people without magic can do it." Harry explained as he sat up and stretched.

Tom hummed in thought. "You asked if you could when we get one. What kind of mirror do we need?"

"A black one. A thin piece of polished ob-sid-ian would be best, better if set into a special frame, but black glass is also good." Harry said scrunching his nose.

"I think we should check out how much they are before we make any decisions. But I promise we will get one someday." Tom said and smiled at the younger boy.

Harry scooted over and flopped across Tom's lap with a grin. "Thank you Tom."

"Anything for you Harry." He replied as he ran his fingers through Harry's unruly locks.

They sat in silence for a while, just listening to the sound of rain falling against the orphanage roof. For Harry it was nearly a lullaby. Paired with Tom's steady rhythm of combing his fingers through his hair, Harry nearly fell asleep. Tom reached over and picked up 's journal, somehow managing to balance its heavy weight with one hand.

" says that his wife is a squib from France and that his daughter transferred to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic there instead of completing her education at Hogwarts. It's supposed to be an honor if you live outside of the area they usually accept students from."

"What's a squib?" Harry asked turning to press his cheek against the hardness of Tom's kneecap.

"Someone who is born into a magical family but doesn't have magic."

"Tom.." Harry paused before continuing." Tom do you...do you think Imighthavemagic?"

"Care to repeat that?" The older boy asked, amusement coloring his voice.

Harry side and repeated his sentence much more slowly. "Do you think...I might have magic?"

"Harry that is a positively ridiculous question." The raven haired boy glanced away feeling foolish. "Of course you have magic. You have too, you're special." As Tom continued the soothing action of petting his hair, Harry turned to look at him again.

The older boy had a look that said he knew something that Harry didn't. Then again Tom knew a lot of things Harry didn't, so he was use to that look.

"I honestly don't know why you would ever doubt yourself Harry. I know for a fact Harry, you're just as magical as I am." And with that the conversation was over.

For now.

Late one night when the rain was still coming down in heavy, angry sheets and the wind was howling like a tortured soul, Harry was sleeping. Now sleeping for Harry was - as it is for us all - a normal activity. What was not normal however was the fact that his dream of a faceless red-haired woman transformed into a nightmare.

You see Harry did not often have nightmares, while his life was not ideal there was not much for him to fear or be overly stressed about so nightmares rarely visited him.

The nightmare started with him in a nursery decorated with buttery yellow walls and soft lighting. The faceless woman who had moments before had been singing to him and petting his hair, picked him up and put him down in a crib that was larger than it should have been. In a blur of red she spun around to face the door. She stretched her arms out from her sides in front of him, as if doing so would create some sort of shield.

That was when the monster came.

Hissing and thumping, it broke though the nursery door and glided inside. It was tall, too tall for the room, it stood hunched over. Its body covered in billowing black cloth, Harry couldn't see any part of the creature except the disturbingly human feet that were pale and had long untrimmed toenails that he glimpsed when the creature moved. It took slow lurching steps, strange hissing noises filled the air alongside deep guttural growls that shook Harry to his core. He felt the urge to run away as far and as fast as he could, but something in him wanted to stay with the red-haired woman who seemed so disturbingly familiar.

The monster and the woman seemed to exchange words, though Harry couldn't understand what they were saying, only that the woman was violently shaking her head in the universal sign of 'no'. A pale bone hand that was both human and terrifyingly not at the same time, drew a long bone white stick from within the folds of the black cloth it was wearing. It made a sudden violent, ripping gesture towards the woman, who with a flash of green light crumbled to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut. Deep within him something instinctively understood that she was dead.

With a chilling dread, Harry knew for certain that the beast was now coming for him. It stalked closer, white stick held gently in its hand. It stepped over the woman with a casual manner. It was wrong! The way this, this... monster treated death! Its other hand came up to grasp the edge of what Harry could now tell was a hood and pulled it back.

It was a horrifying mixture of fur and buck-teeth and albino blood-red eyes. There, in the face of this monster, was Snowball. Sweet innocent Snowball who hadn't done anything wrong but had been sacrificed all the same in the name of vengeance, to teach an eight-year-old a lesson. With a soul searing scream, Snowball the monster made the same ripping gesture it had made towards the red-haired woman.

Green overtook Harry's vision.

Harry woke up with a start, cold sweat clinging to his brow and small torso. Feeling as though the blankets were trying to strangle him, Harry tried to sit up, struggling for a moment before freeing himself. His heart was racing fast, he felt it might just rip itself out of his chest. He couldn't remember what he had dreamed about, but he knew it was horrifying.

Tom, who had woken up due to his blanket struggles, sat up and examined him closely.

"Are you alright Harry?" He asked in a soft voice, a hand going up to brush away hair that was stuck to Harry's forehead.

"Bad dream." Was all the smaller boy whispered.

Without another word, Tom laid back down and pulled Harry to him. Tom whispered quietly, facts about all the things he studied: from biology and mathematics, to the new and far more interesting spells, curses, and potions.

Soothed by the sound of Tom's voice and the sound of his steady heartbeat, Harry soon fell back into the arms of Morpheus.

The day the rain stopped was marked by a soft knock on their bedroom door. Harry's face broke into a bright grin as the door opened to reveal Isobel's smiling face.

Tom's lips turned down into a mildly annoyed frown at being pulled from the potions text-book he had been reading. The young woman was a humble portrait of beauty in a blue dress with small white pin dots with her hair falling down over her shoulders in soft fashionable curls and cherry red lipstick that stood out against her pale skin.

"How have you two been?" Isobel asked she sat down on Harry's unused bed, facing the boys who were seated on the bed they now shared.

Tom who had marked his page and tucked his book away in the space between the bed and the wall, looked over at Harry who was opening his mouth to answer quickly replied. "We've been well, thank you."

Harry wasn't to be stopped though, for as Tom finished speaking he burst out with a quiet exclamation of. "Bored!"

Tom sighed know that his dreams of a quiet afternoon of reading were going to die a swift death.

"Well then might I ask if you would like to join me for afternoon tea?" The young woman asked, though she already knew what the younger boy's response would be.

"Tom can we? Please? Can we go Tom?" Harry asked bouncing in his spot on the bed next to Tom.

The other boy's bouncing caused Tom to unintentionally sway slightly in a comical manner, his expression that of someone who was resigned to what they knew they could not fight.

"If it makes you happy Harry."

Harry whooped with joy and jumped off the bed and ran to the dresser they shared and pulled out his coat, a look of excitement plastered across his face. Isobel let out a titter, hand covering her mouth, and eyes crinkled at the edges full of mirth.

"I'll be waiting for you two by the gate." She said as she stood up and excused herself, slipping out the door.

The sound of her shoes clacking against the floor faded quickly as she walked down the hall. Tom stood up and smoothed the wrinkles from his clothes and looked over to Harry who was struggling to put on his coat, arm caught at an uncomfortable angle as he tried to force it through the sleeve. The older boy walked over and helped Harry right his arm by folding it close to the younger boy's body, effectively freeing it while he straightened the sleeve.

"You should go slower. That way you wouldn't always tangled." He reprimanded for the thousandth time.

"I know Tom. I just can't help myself sometimes. I get too excited." Harry said with an innocent smile.

Tom just shook his head while pulling his own coat from the drawer. "We better hurry, we wouldn't want to keep Miss Isobel waiting would we?"

Harry shook his head furiously as Tom put on his coat, black locks whipping around his face with the action. Tom paused by the door, fastening the buttons on his coat and looked back at Harry with a smile, hand held out. The younger boy grinned and latched on to the offered hand happily as they walked down the hall. They met Isobel at the front door, the hem of her dress fluttering in the wind. She took a moment to make sure they had their coats buttoned before she agreed that they were ready and the group set off into the busy London streets. Harry in the middle with Tom on his left and Isobel on his right, their hands clasped tightly in his.

The wind had picked up on their journey to Isobel's, and all three were chilled and windblown by the time they arrived at their destination. When the garden gate was finally opened Harry released the hands he had held throughout their journey and flopped on the surprisingly solid ground. He closed his eyes and stretched out his arms and legs almost as if he were going to make a grass angel. Tom chuckled and walked over to sit next to him, running his hands across the carpet of soft green grass. Slate gray eyes narrowed slightly at the lack of mud, but set the thought aside for another time.

Isobel smiled as she watched them. "I'll be inside getting tea ready if you need me."

Tom nodded to her as she walked inside before turning his gaze back to Harry who was rolling around like a puppy. Knowing that Harry was happy and safe, Tom allowed himself to lay on the ground right arm stretched above his head in a lazy arch, his left folded across his stomach. It wasn't long before Harry wiggled his way over to Tom and tucked his head into the crook of Tom's right arm; something that Tom found strangely endearing. He cracked open an eye to glance down at Harry's cherubic face.

The younger boy held a boyish beauty. Soft plump cheeks flushed a gentle pink, dark lashes a bit long for a boy brushed the tender skin below his eyes, lips small and pink. Harry had such potential to be a handsome man one day.

He closed his eyes and let himself drift off into the sea of his mind. Tom lost track of how long they laid there like that, Harry having drifted off to sleep and Tom just floating among his own thoughts, enjoying the peace of it all. He was jerked back into reality when the garden gate opened with a clatter, he sat up startled. A short woman who looked to be in her early twenties stepped into the garden, the sun giving her red hair a fiery glow. She had a round face and sharply angled cheekbones, her eyes were wide and had a mischievous look to them. Her mouth was small with thin lips. Her curls were wind-blown and wild, the red color standing boldly against the paleness of her skin.

"Isobe-" She cut herself short when she saw Tom staring at her warily. She blinked, but gave a friendly smile. "Who are you then?" She asked, as she walked towards them slowly, arms crossed.

"Who are you?" Tom fired back, protectively he draped an arm over Harry's still sleeping frame.

Logic dictated that she knew Isobel and that she probably wasn't a threat, but that didn't mean Tom trusted her. The woman gave a gentle chuckle as she crouched down to his level.

"I'm Violet." She said and offered her hand for a handshake.

The boy narrowed his eyes at her but took the offered hand. "Tom."

"Pleased to meet you Tom."

"Likewise." He gave her hand a firm shake and then let go as if he'd been burned.

She stood up and looked around, her dark blue eyes searching for Isobel. Isobel stepped out of the house with a tray in her hands just as he finished his assessment of Violet.

"Boys I've got tea re-!" She cut herself off halfway through her sentence. "Violet! Oh it's been ages! What brings you? How have you been? How is Anthony?" She asked rapidly, a smile blooming on her face as she walked down the steps and cross the yard to set down her tray on the table.

She had some sort of sandwiches and three tea cups with matching saucers.

Violet smiled and walked over to Isobel. "The weather is nice today I thought I would stop by to pay you a visit. Anthony and I have been wonderful. How are you and Robert?"

Isobel nodded. "The weather is lovely today isn't it? Robert and I have been good. Have you met the boys yet?" She waved her hand towards Tom and the still sleeping Harry.

"I've met Tom but I still haven't met the little one. He seems to be taking a nap at the moment."

"That boy, he's so full of energy but he's like a pup when he wears himself out, he'll fall asleep just about anywhere." Isobel shook her head a fond smile on her lips remembering the stories that Martha had told her about Harry's unusual sleeping habits. "Have a seat Violet I'll go get you some tea." Isobel motioned towards the table and chairs as she walked away. "I won't take long. Tom why don't you wake up Harry? I'm sure he'd like a sandwich."

Tom looked down at Harry and gentle shook the other boy's shoulder until those dark lashes fluttered and revealed familiar, but still beautiful green irises. The six-year-old sat up and rubbed his eyes. Black hair had pieces of vibrant green grass sticking out here and there; Tom took it upon himself to make Harry look presentable and began plucking out the green blades he could see.

"What's going on Tom?"

"Miss Isobel has company." It would always be a mystery to him how Harry managed to get things stuck in his wild mop of hair even if he didn't move an inch.

"Company?" The younger boy asked, drawing out the 'a' with a long yawn.

"Yes, company. Look." Tom said bobbing his head in the direction of Violet who had seated herself and was now watching them with interest.

Before Tom could stop him, Harry pushed himself off the ground and ran to stand in front of the redhead. Sighing, Tom picked himself off the ground and slowly walked over to join them.

Harry stared at the woman in front of him. Something about her was so familiar it made his heart ache terribly. He stared at her hair, he longed to touch it. Something about gave him the urge to run his fingers through it, rub it against his cheeks and take in the scent of it. It was just so familiar. And he had no idea why.

"Why hello there, I'm Violet." The red-haired woman said with a kind smile.

"I'm Harry."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Harry."

Rather than saying likewise or some other polite response like Tom would, Harry found himself saying something else. "I like your hair."

The woman chuckled and opened her mouth to speak only to have her attention drawn to Isobel as she stepped back outside, a teacup and saucer in her hands.

"I hope your tastes haven't changed. Is it still two sugar and a dash of milk?"

"Oh Isobel you know me too well." Violet said as she accepted her tea, taking a delicate sip. "Perfect as always."

Isobel turned to the boys, satisfied that her friend now had tea. "Why don't you two help yourselves to the cucumber sandwiches? You must be starving."

The boys seated themselves and each took a sandwich. Harry enthusiastically bit into his, quickly finishing it off before reaching for another. Tom, on the other hand, took a cautious nibble, chewing slowly before deciding that it really was edible and then eating at a polite if slightly slow pace. Violet continued to sip her tea as she chatted with Isobel about people the boys didn't know, and about things Harry didn't care about. Tom seemed to though, because he spoke up when something interested him.

"You seem to know a lot about music Miss Violet."

"I do. I went to a University to study music. That's actually where I met my husband, Anthony. We run a music shop now."

"A music shop?"

"Yes. We sell all kinds of musical instruments, the things to take care of them, replacement pieces, and sheet music. Are either of you interested in music?"

"I am. I just don't know very much about it and I've never learned to play any instruments." Tom admitted as he picked up his own tea-cup.

"How about you Harry?" Violet asked as she turned her attention to the smaller boy.

Harry who had only been paying the conversation the smallest amount of attention possible, only nodded and smiled with a closed mouth so that he didn't get scolded by Tom about his table manners again.

"You two should come visit us sometime then! We could show you around. And if you would like it, we could teach you about music."

"That sounds nice." Tom remarked with a charming smile.

"I'll take you two there sometime." Isobel said as she set down her now empty cup with a quiet 'clink' of the china cup against its saucer.

"That would be very nice, thank you." Another flash of his charming smile, though this time directed at Isobel.

Both women melted internally at his adorable appearance, it really did transform his face when he smiled. Tom looked over to Harry with warm eyes. It seemed like every day the world was getting a bit bigger for the two of them.

It was around seven in the evening when Violet made a comment about needing to leave, and Isobel realized what time it was. Both women and children had been having such a good time that none of them had realized how late it was getting. The group spent the walk to the orphanage chatting happily with Isobel and Violet as they slowly walked through the streets which were now much quieter. They spoke of music, sandwiches and hobbies.

Isobel stated the obvious, she enjoyed gardening but also that she was a fan of reading which Tom wholeheartedly agreed with. The two of them traded a few recommendations for future reading, Violet speaking up now and then. Among Isobel's suggestions were Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through The Looking Glass, The Secret Garden, The Three Musketeers and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Tom wasn't very interested in fiction himself but he figured that he could at the very least read some of them to Harry. It'd been so long since they'd read an actual story book and he felt like Harry at least deserved something that wasn't a textbook once in a while.

While Tom and Isobel talked about reading Violet and Harry were talking about Isobel's cucumber sandwiches and Violet's music shop. The walk to the orphanage felt like took much less time than the walk to Isobel's, but then again anything done with good company can make the time fly by you. When they reached the dreary orphanage gates Harry gave both women a hug. Tom gave them a polite nod then led Harry inside leaving the two women alone.

"So how did those two come into your life?" Violet asked as they turned around and started walking down the street.

"Well, Harry got separated from the group of children he was in on Easter Sunday. That crooked old hag that runs the orphanage couldn't keep an eye on a lazy old dog let alone a group of children."

"Isobel, don't you think that's a bit harsh? I mean the woman has to watch over at least twenty children."

"No, the woman drinks like a fish from what I've seen, and she has an abrasive personality to say the least. I can't imagine she's any better when she drinks."

"Poor boys." The red-head shook her head with a sigh.

"Indeed."

"Tom is such a smart boy, he keeps up with that mind of yours better than I can! Honestly, it's rather amazing that he's so interested in learning."

"Yes he's got quite the brilliant mind. He'll make something of himself someday."

"And Harry is very bright for his age too. Did you hear Tom say that he can already read?"

"Yes, Tom taught him I suspect. It was either him or Martha, but I don't think the poor woman would have the time." Isobel said as the paused and waited for an automobile to pass.

"Martha who is Martha?" Violet inquired with a tilt of her head.

"The cook who works at the orphanage. I think she's the only one who cares about them at all there. The rest of the staff seem rather indifferent towards them, but I suspect Tom prefers it that way. He doesn't trust adults and I don't blame him."

"Poor boys." Violet repeated as she began walking again. "Maybe visiting the shop will brighten their futures."

Both women knew many children who grew up in orphanages went on to lead less than outstanding lives.

"Don't worry Violet. Tom is an amazing boy as is Harry. I highly doubt that Tom would allow anything less than for them to have an equally amazing future!"

"You say that like you know they'll be together as they get older. What if one of them gets adopted? What if they stop being friends?"

Here Isobel paused their walk once more to look at Violet, a serious expression on her pretty face.

"Violet can you really tell me that after all you saw today that you truly think that the two of them would ever part ways?"

Violet thought for a moment before bobbing her head in agreement. "I suppose you're right Isobel. They seem as if nothing will ever part them."

The two women continued their walk until the intersection that they came to was the one where they needed to take separate paths. With smiles and a promise from Isobel to visit soon with the boys, the women parted ways and headed for home.

The boys on the other hand, had been ambushed by a rather disgruntled Mrs. Cole who had apparently noticed they were missing due to a couple looking to adopt a child around Harry's age. The woman looked more ragged and severe than usual, her tight black bun had hairs slipping to stick to her sweaty face and her expression was pinched, her lips pursed and black beady eyes gleaming feverishly in the dim light of the orphanage lobby.

"Oh Mrs. Cole stop it." Martha said as she walked into the room, wiping her hands on the apron that was tied around her plump waist. "It's not like the boys knew that someone was going to come looking to adopt today."

Mrs. Cole huffed in an irritated manner. "Regardless they shouldn't leave the orphanage to go off gallivanting around London like it's their personal playground!"

"Now you know well and good they weren't out just wandering the streets. That nice girl, Isobel, took them out to get some fresh air after being cooped up for so long."

Mrs. Cole stalked over to Martha, her fists clenched tightly into balls. "Martha when I want your opinion I will ask for it." She growled as she marched past the cook, the sharp clack of her shoes sharply punctuating each her words.

Martha huffed and put her hands on her hips, shaking her head, her mouth twisted into a frustrated scowl. "Honestly that woman." She turned back to look at the boys, her scowl morphing into a kind smile.

"You two just missed dinner but I'll get you something to eat in a moment. Go seat yourselves in the dining room."

She walked away in the direction Mrs. Cole went, mumbling under her breath. The boys look at each other for a moment before Tom took Harry by the hand and led him to the dining room

When Tom led him to the table that was closets to the kitchen door, Harry sat down with a grateful sigh, he was worn out.

After he and Tom had finished eating sandwiches at Isobel's he had run around and played in the garden, while Tom, Isobel, and Violet watched with amused smiles. The playing combined with the long walk back had worn his small body out. There was a comfortable silence between the two as they waited for Martha. He turned to look at Tom with a happy sated smile.

"Tom?" He asked, his quiet voice shatter the silence like a stone through a window pane.

"Yes Harry?"

"Violet reminds me of someone."

Tom blinked and turned his head so that he could examine Harry's expression.

"Who?"

"I don't know... but her hair...It feels familiar." Harry whispered looking down at the table in front of him, his face a mixture of longing and confused distress.

"Maybe..."Tom trailed off, hating himself for even thinking of it.

"Maybe what?" The younger boy asked.

"Maybe your mother had red hair."

Harry sucked in a breath and stared at the table with wide eyes. He knew of course like all the orphans, that he had to have had a mother at some point in his life. But he had never thought of her or wondered about where he had come from; for him it was enough that Tom was all the family he had and knew. There was a thick silence that hung in the air for a moment before Harry spoke up again.

"Do you think my mum loved me Tom? Do you think she abandon me?"

For the first time in his life Tom didn't know how to answer Harry's questions. He knew that it would be normal to offer words of comfort, promise Harry that there was no way his mother didn't love him or that she would ever willingly abandon him. But he didn't know and if he didn't know, wouldn't that be lying?

Martha saved Tom from having to answer by her arrival into the room.

"I don't think there is a person in the world who couldn't love you Harry." She said as she passed by them and into the kitchen. "You worm your way into others hearts far too easily." Her voice held an affectionate tone and even though neither boy could see her they could hear the smile in her voice. The boys settled into another period of silence which wasn't broken until Martha came out of the kitchen a few minutes later carrying two bowls of beef stew.

She sat a bowl down in front of eat coy then seated herself across the table. "Did you two have a good day?"

Tom nodded as he took a bite, closing his eyes at the wonderful flavor.

"It's so good!" Harry exclaimed happily, before he eagerly took another bite. Isobel made good sandwiches but Martha made the best stew. Last winter Martha had to take a leave of absence to go take care of her sister who was ill and several members of the orphanage staff had taken turns on cooking duty. The following week and a half had been terrible for everyone who had to eat it.

"I'm glad you like it." Martha chuckled.

"We met one of Isobel's friends today." Harry told her between mouthfuls.

"Oh really. What were they like?"

And thus the flood gates opened, Harry told Martha all about Violet and her music shop and how Isobel had promised to take them there soon. By the time the boys finished their stew Harry was starting to lean against Tom for support, halfheartedly trying to keep telling Martha about their day. Tom shook his head and brushed Harry's bangs from his eyes.

"We should be getting to bed now."

"That you should. I'll help you two upstairs." Martha said as she stacked their bowls together. "I'll be back in a moment dear's." She picked up their dishes and walked back into the kitchen.

While she was gone Tom looked down at Harry, affection warming his normally cold gray eyes, a soft smile curling the edges of his lips.

When Martha walked back into the room, it was like walking into a painting. The two boys were leaning together, Tom's cheek pressed against the top of Harry's head, his eyes and drifted closed in the time that she was gone. Together they looked like two cherubs that had stopped to take a break and fell asleep. With a bit of regret, she walked towards them intending to wake them up, only to have Tom's eyes open up to stare at her as she got close to them.

Something about the way he looked at her sent a chill down her back. Being the no-nonsense woman that she was, Martha ignored the feeling and came to a stop next to Harry.

"I'll pick him up and carry him upstairs." She offered.

Tom considered it for a moment, then nodded and slowly scooted away from Harry, though he kept him safe from falling over with an out stretched hand. Martha carefully picked up the smaller boy and held him close to her body, her left arm under his shoulders and her right under his knees. Harry didn't stir and if it weren't for his steady breaths Martha would have thought that the boy was dead.

"Let's go upstairs then."

Tom followed her as she walked out of the dining room and to the staircase in the common area. Taking great care not to trip over her own feet and send both of them to the floor, Martha began climbing the staircase. It wasn't a long journey to the boy's bedroom once they were on the second floor, and Tom was kind enough to open the door for her and point her towards the right bed. He took a moment more to pull back the covers too.

"Thank you for your help Martha." Tom said quietly as she set Harry down on the bed.

"No trouble dear, I'm always here to help you two. Do you need some help getting him tucked in?"

"No I'll be fine."

"Alright then. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." With that Martha left the boys and Tom closed the door behind her.

Tom turned back to Harry and took of his coat, tossing it carelessly on Harry's old bed. Then he walked over to take off the smaller boy's shoes. He carefully untied the laces and set them gently on the floor. He rubbed Harry's sock covered feet softly for a moment before unbuttoning the coat he wore. He removed it from Harry's sleeping form with a practiced ease.

Deciding that Harry would be comfortable enough in what he was wearing Tom removed his own shoes and joined Harry in the bed, covering them both with the blanket. A feeling of satisfaction washed over him when Harry soon snuggled close to his chest. It was with a content smile that Tom closed his eyes and fell asleep.

AN : I hope you all enjoyed this chapter of Only You.

Thank you for reading, please review :)

-Birdy