In The Last Chapter
"Merlin, please help me." He prayed. "Well I have a little assignment for you, figure it out. When you figure it out, come seek me in the Chamber of Secrets." With that he walked off and Harry sighed.
"Severus, has he always been an asshole?"
"Unfortunately no, but people tend to change."
"So I'm aware." Harry said. "Oh well, let's get cracking." As they walked to the library, Tom, who had stopped at hearing Harry's question, continued his trip to the Chamber. He didn't mean to be an asshole but hell; he didn't want to get hurt again.
I swear to you Harry, one day, you'll thank me for this.
Chapter 2: Discoveries and Healing
While Harry and Severus were cracking in the library, Tom was in the Chamber of Secrets. He loved the idea that his ancestor made a place that was solely, his. He remembered reading from his personal journals, that Salazar Slytherin had thought of a place in where he could consider to be his retreat from the other teachers, students or just the Wizarding world in general. Slytherin, despite his dark abilities, was a decent and calculating man. He just wanted to ensure of his world's survival, but when the others didn't like the idea that he wanted all magical beings to attend the school, they shunned him, believing that was only to the pureblooded.
What they didn't see was that Salazar had plans for a class that would help those who were not born into the Wizarding world, to help them adapt. He foresaw that not all of the wizards and witches would stay to just one lineage. Besides, who was he to choose who would fall in love with whom? Not even the founders could dictate the matters of the heart. He himself fancied the biggest of all 'muggle lovers', Godric Gryffindor. He would look at the golden haired lion and would just lose himself.
On more than one occasion, due to the daydreaming, he managed to botch up even the easiest of potions. Slytherin wrote on his longing to win the handsome lion's heart but according to Salazar, 'He had his head so far his ass that I'm surprised he was able to see straight.' That part made Tom laugh and think back to his own lion.
Since he laid his eyes on Harry in his little crib, Tom noticed that the baby was to be special. Of course, the monster in control wanted to deprive him of the one thing that would have brought Tom peace. He was glad that the curse didn't kill Harry as it had killed his parents. When his body was 'destroyed' he was livid when he found out that the boy was sent to the wretched muggle relatives and was abused beyond imagination. He wanted, time and time again, blast the door to the house, murder the wretches and steal Harry away. Of course, there were two things holding him back. One was his body, it was a mess and two, Dumbledore and his precious Aurors had crazy wards on the house. He couldn't approach it. So silently, and from a distance, Tom watched him without the monster calling himself Voldemort had the pilot seat. Tom hoped that he would be freed from the prison of his mind. Of course, with the war that was waged, there was no sign for salvation. He had hoped that Dumbledore would take a day from either planning the next attack against his dark forces or popping Lemon Drops and meddling in Harry's affairs to help him. No such luck on that. So again, Tom had to wait. Years, days, months, they all ticked on by but there was no attempt on helping him. Or so he thought.
The day for the final battle arrived and Tom, from the corner of his mind had rooted for Harry to put him out of his misery. Voldemort had grown strong, thanks to Dumble Fart's procrastinating and he started to advance on the school with his followers. Harry was there in the front lines and Tom had to fight down a blush. The boy had become beautiful and powerful in his own right. Yes he was still thin but he was no longer puny. Instead he was slim and the sun kissed skin was creamy and unblemished. He had a effeminate look to him and a voice that would be his undoing if he wasn't careful. Yes, the Dark Lord had it bad for the Boy Wonder (and no I'm not talking about Robin). Tom halted a few steps away from Harry and pulled back his hood, allowing the rain to pound on his bald head.
"What do you want cue ball?" Harry sneered. Voldemort's lips drew into a smirk and chuckled.
"You mean aside from your heart torn out of your body?" He asked, enraging Tom and almost blowing his cover. Harry glared at the other wizard and drew out his wand. Voldemort chuckled again and took a stance. They bowed and walked ten paces then faced each other, aiming spells at each other as the rain storm raged. The Death Eaters, Aurors, as well as students and staff of Hogwarts all battled on as the two wizards dueled. The battle was hard and heavy it seemed tied. Voldemort fell over and it seemed that it Harry would come out victorious. Of course, the snake like man was not known to play fair so he summoned up magical fire and tried to blind Harry. Harry dodged it, or at least tried to. Harry was tripped and he fell into the mud puddle that was close to them. He was muddied from head to toe but he didn't care, only casting a cleaning spell on his wand and took the time in where Voldemort laughed to strike.
"REVERUS CHRONIS!" Harry cried, watching as the other man was lifted off his feet and flew across the field like a football. Harry squinted as he tried to watch the flight but it was too fast. Harry had put a lot of emotion and power into his spell and the force was astonishing. The rest, Tom thought with a smile, was history.
"Tom!" A voice called, rousing him from his thoughts. He didn't have to go to the entrance to know who it was. The person came to him with a smile on their face and a gleam of mischief in his eyes.
"What do you want Brat?" Tom barked, pretending to be tough. Harry wasn't even phased and smiled again. Tom tried to school his face into a mask, but the green eyed beauty was trying his resolve.
"We found it." Harry said. "You said to get you when we did. What's the matter Snakey, you're brains fried?" Tom puffed out his chest and cheeks and Harry had to laugh. It was so easy to rile the other man. "Hey, now you're a hamster!"
"You impudent brat," The older man said as he stood his full height. "How can you stand there and speak to me in such a manner?"
"Well, come on Your Whininess." Harry said as he grabbed the other man's hand and ran to the entrance. "Your adoring public awaits your return." Tom schooled his face to a mask while they walked out to the entrance. He didn't know what it was, but somehow, Harry was able to get under the tough shell and touch his still tender heart. He couldn't explain it, but somehow, in some way, he had fallen for the green eyed lion. Of course, he wasn't ready to tell him yet. He didn't think Harry would believe him anyway. He sighed and looked at the other man. Harry was close to him and smelled so good. Like vanilla and the night sky, with a hint of crisp green earth. It was maddening.
"Tom," Harry said as he looked up at the other man. "Why is your face buried into my hair?" Tom broke away reluctantly and blushed a bit. Harry's cheeks dusted with pink, his beautiful emerald orbs glittered and Tom felt his heart stolen away. He leaned in to capture the younger man's lips with his but Harry gasped and looked at the other man coyly.
"What are you doing Snake breath?" Harry asked shyly. Tom looked at him and cleared his throat.
"We should go. This has to be dealt with now." Tom grabbed Harry by the waist and apparated to the library where Severus was looking bone white.
"I see that you have figured out who were dealing with." Tom said wryly but not releasing Harry while he spoke. Severus nodded and passed the book to Harry. Harry looked at the picture and gasped.
"That was the man who was so nice to me." Harry said. Tom nodded and pointed to the text.
"Read." Tom ordered. Harry did and paled.
"Holy shit…" He said as he looked at the crimson eyed Dark Lord. Tom nodded and closed the book with a bang.
"Yes my emerald eyed lion," Tom said as Harry took a seat. "The man that you met, was none other the Dark Lord that your beloved Dumbledore defeated, Gellert Grindelwald himself." With that, Harry passed out. The two Slytherins looked at him but it was Tom who went to his knees and picked up Harry bridal style.
"Well," He said with a chuckle. "That went well." With that he walked out of the library, leaving a very stunned and shook up Severus Snape.
Lord Grindelwald is alive? But how can this be? What does this mean for us? And why was he after Harry? He placed his head in his hands and was determined to not move until he figured out what the hell was going on.
Harry moaned as he woke up and looked around. It was a beautiful yet comfortable room, done up in green, mahogany and a balcony with glass double French doors. He was about to get up when a voice stopped him.
"This was my ancestor's personal chambers." Tom's voice said from the seat near the fireplace. "I figured that you would be safer with me rather than you return to your dorm."
"I see, protecting your investment eh?" Harry said crossly. Tom looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"That's the crude version." He said as he stood up. "In all honesty, it would be easier if you were here when I explain the truth on the man you've seen and why he was able to remain alive, not to mention how he looks young again." Harry looked at him and sighed. Tom smiled and sat down on the bed next to the other man.
"They say," He said with a breath, eyes straying to the fire. "That is always best to start at the beginning."
"That is true." Harry said as he got comfortable, despite himself. He had a feeling that it was going to be a long night.
"It started with love." The crimson eyed Lord said. "And it ended in ill terms. One man was the man you met, Lord Gellert Grindelwald. The other, was your beloved Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore."
Harry's eyes widened at this. He had no idea that his former Headmaster was gay. This was new to him but at the same time, had explained so much. Tom looked at his expression and sighed.
"It would seem that your Headmaster had left you in the dark with that one." He said. Harry followed the taller man as he walked to his desk and then come back, handing over a maroon colored diary. "This was Dumbledore's." He said. "I stole it along time ago before I left school. I figured that it would be best to know my enemy. I think he'd want you to have this." Harry's eyes widened and welled with tears. Tom looked down at the younger man and before he changed his mind and lost his nerve, he held Harry to him and allowed him to cry. It was the least he could do for the boy. He had taken so much from him. He had turned Harry's life upside down. It was because of him that Harry had never known his parents, his Godfather gone into the veil and basically robbing Harry of any normal family life right now. I hope one day that you can forgive me. He looked at the man in his arms and was at a loss for words. Harry looked into his eyes and sighed.
"I never…thanked you…for helping me before." He said. Tom's felt his heart lift. He couldn't believe this young man. With all that had happened to him, he had developed a forgiving nature. He was his opposite in every way. He nodded and Harry smiled.
"So are you going to tell me the story, or should we save it for another time?" Tom looked at him and smiled.
"It's up to you." He said softly. "There is nothing really to do at this point, aside from planning funerals." Harry bowed his head as he remembered all who had died and knew that the other man was right. Suddenly, he remembered how tired he really was.
"Well, just direct me where I would be sleeping and I will bid you goodnight." He said. Tom looked at him and led him to the bed, sat him down and sat down next to him.
"This bed is big enough for two." Tom said with a smile. "Don't worry; I'll keep my snake and my hands to myself." Harry blushed at the innuendo and looked away. He didn't want to impose on Tom and yet, the man had insisted that he was not taking no for an answer. He sighed and nodded. Tom smiled again and handed Harry some pajamas.
"The bathroom is right there. There is nothing to worry about; I will not come in uninvited unless it was absolutely necessary." Harry smiled and after changing, was led to the right side of the bed. Harry blinked. How did Tom know that I slept on the right side? He was tucked into bed and before he fell asleep, he watched Tom extinguish the lights and slip into bed and set up a pillow barrier.
"Goodnight Harry," The older man said as he went down for the night. Harry looked down at him and smiled as he too, fell into the land of dreams.
Goodnight Tom and…thank you.