Wish Five - The Devil in Denial

Hades stood frozen, treacle tarts still at hand, as he realized the predicament, "You can see me?"

"Do I look blind to you? I don't care anymore. You're wasting my time," Tom said in annoyance.

He almost moved past the strange man when Tom was suddenly immobilized. "Times like these, I loathe Life so bad but I am if not dedicated to my job," the other man said as he sauntered more closely to Tom.

"What in the world did you do to me?"

"Well not just you actually… Well at least you can speak. But simply speaking, I froze time."

Tom's glare would have terrified anyone in the vicinity as he asked, "What are you?"

"I am Death," Hades smirked as his normally black suit was transformed into a robe befitting for a god and his face hooded. Holding a scythe at one skeletal hand, he raised it, ready to strike the mortal.

A normal human being would have pissed their pants by now but Tom did not even flinch as he practically felt his entirety being sliced in half by the man claiming to be Death himself.

"Hmm… Impressive. But whatever, tell me your wish so we'll get this over with."

Flexing his arms and body the moment he realized that he can finally move, he growled furiously, "If you weren't Death I would have tortured you myself for how you treated me, pest."

"Terrifying," Death said playfully, "So?"

"So what? The wish? Like I am foolish enough to make a deal with YOU."

"How paranoid are you? I am granting you a wish and yet you're making it sound like I am going to curse you for eternity."

His patience was running thin but Tom didn't want to show the entity that he was getting to him. So with a blank look, he said, "Isn't it too good to be true? You're not even setting any limits. There must be something needed as exchange."

Death sighed, "Well Voldemort, I am required to grant you a wish…. But as you suspected, there is of course something to trade… Do I have to go into specifics?"

He did not even think twice when he narrowed his eyes in absolute distrust, "Required by whom?"

"Life. But Fate as well had seconded it as though I have not much work to deal with. Apparently it is seen as a special event for mortals such as yourself to see me even when you are yet to be near your deathbed," Death swirled his scythe as he pointed it to a door near the stairs, "Like that old man inside. He should be meeting his demise in about ten minutes from now if I had not frozen everything. Any other questions?"

"What is the exchange then?"

"There is no limit but that is if you can return something of equal value then the boon is yours."

Tom scoffed, "Then this apparent advantage is useless."

"It is, isn't it? But time is a big deal for mortals. You can die at any moment after all. Hence, if you are in no hurry to have your wish granted, I am always open for any form of servant."

"The options are basically giving up something of equal value or to lose a certain amount of my precious time to you," the human said with a deadpan look on his face.

Shrugging, Death said, "Pretty much."

He sneered. Tom could not help it. Like he'll leave his goals in the hands of somebody else! Even if that somebody is a god, "I don't need you and your powers to grant any of my desires when I can do it myself."

"Wow. Aren't you exuding confidence?" Death chuckled, "I must admit that is something I can respect. But trust me when I say I already am being merciful if you do choose the latter option."

A pause… Then Tom responded bluntly, "I refuse."

"Well we've reached some sort of impasse. But I can't move on from you if you don't let me grant you wish, Voldemort."

"That is your problem. I have no time to waste on you or whatever skirmishes you have." With each of his words lacing in venom, he added, "So LET. ME. GO. NOW"

"Foolish man! Is giving me a wish to report to Life so hard? We both don't have the patience to keep each other company. So don't make me want to cut you to pieces."

"Is that really something you're supposed to say to a person you're supposed to be begging?"

"When this deal starts YOU will be the one begging for freedom!"

"That sure does motivate me to do your bidding now," Tom said sarcastically.

If he was still in his human form, the twitch in his eyebrows and fake smile would have shown his great infuriation to the other man, "The offer still stands till the end of your time. Remember, as long as you can agree with my conditions I can make a wish of yours into reality."

Tom persistently said, "No."

He was a Death! And he hated losing, "Who said you can refuse my offer?"

"Do I look like I care?" he glowered.

The two stared back at one another with obvious hatred and annoyance that even a blind man can practically feel the tension between the two.

"So be it. I said it before and I'll say it again. I can't really move forward without you giving me a wish whether you or I like it or not." With an absolutely faked enthusiasm, he said with an annoying high pitched tone, "So be prepared to see more of me, Voldemort."

"What-" Tom was about to give out a retort just as vile in order to spite Death even further when everything turned back to normal. Checking his surroundings, Tom noted that everyone was moving once more and the hooded man was gone.

After nearly making a scene in the hallway for having been dismissed by that infuriating being, Tom proceeded to do the main reason he even bothered going in the hospital, "Good afternoon, Harry."

"Riddle?"

"I thought I gave you permission to call me Tom."

Shifting in his bed uncomfortably, Harry shook his head, "I'd rather not…"

Tom's handsome face looked back at him questioningly, "Are you seriously hesitant to form a relationship with me because I used to be Slytherin?"

"No!" the other man shouted then flushed, "I mean no. It's just weird. We never had any form of contact before! Why now?"

Sitting down at the edge of the bed, he said in great confidence, "Why NOT now? It has always been in my mind how interesting you were, Harry. I just had other priorities when we were young."

Harry shivered.

Tom observed how he seemed to be quite reluctant. Unusually so... It was not as though the beautiful man knew of his other persona of being Voldemort. Why was he so afraid then? But even looking awkward and afraid, Harry was still- "You truly are beautiful."

The recipient of the compliment flushed prettily, "I- I! What in Godric's name, Tom!"

"Yes, my sweet?"

"What do you want?"

The CEO smirked boyishly and it was distracting Harry from his suspicions, "Nothing really. Just wanted to see your stunning face."

Harry's reaction became even more amusing for the older man. It was as though he's never been in a relationship before. So because of how pure and innocent he looks, Tom can't help but tease him. He was even about to make a sexual joke just to see how many shades of red he can possible reach before exploding when he saw the paper.

"Job application?" Tom questioned.

Nodding enthusiastically, Harry was happy to change the subject, "Yup. I'm applying for a job in Hogwarts."

Furrowing his eyebrows, He responded, "Hogwarts? You took an assistant teacher position there before, right?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"I just do," Tom gently patted his arms, "Hmm…"

Worriedly, Harry clasped his hands together, "Is something wrong?"

"So you're already in good health that the doctors are giving you permission to leave the hospital?"

"Well… Yes," Harry almost sounded hesitant.

Moving his face incredibly close to Harry, he whispered in his ears, "Then won't you be mine?"

"What?!" he screamed, his face flushing red once more.

Tom's eyes shone with amusement, "I mean be my secretary, Harry Potter."

Once more, he yelled, his tone higher than the last, "What?!"

"I am rather curious as to what you can accomplish in my company so the offer stands until next week."

He could not help but look back dumbly at the other man. Gorgeous Tom may be but his request was still outrageous for a man like Harry who does not have much job experience despite graduating college with a degree in teaching.

"But-" Harry lost his train of thoughts when Tom tilted his chin to meet reddish brown gaze which only made his heart flutter at their prolonged close proximity, "Tom?"

"If you are so worried about not having enough information on me or the company, we can have dinner this coming weekend. I'll bring you dinner or do you wish to eat in the cafeteria?"

"Wait! I really-"

Tom continued on as though Harry did not say anything, "But we might need privacy so we should really just eat in your room."

Having heard enough, he called, "Tom!"

"Yes Harry?"

Bowing politely, Harry said, "I humbly decline your offer for both the dinner and job offer. I really don't want to deal with your minions."

Tom's gaze hardened, "We'll see about that. Don't worry, Harry, there is no harm in having dinner with me. I'll be sure to change your pretty little head about this." The ringing of his phone was sudden and persisted even when he tried to ignore it.

Standing up, he answered the call, "Marvolo."

Frantic sounds of a person panicking could be heard as it resounded in the closed room. Tom scowled, "Tsk. Useless the lot of you... I'll be there as soon as I can." When he ended it with a swift click on his phone, Tom looked back to the beauty behind him, "Unfortunately, my men had some trouble making a deal with our most renowned client so I have to check up on those buffoons."

Nodding in sympathy, the young man said, "Even if it was unexpected, I appreciate you coming here, Tom."

Grabbing his brown coat, he reminded, "Think about what I said, Harry. I'll see you this weekend around 6 in the evening," he said charmingly as he took one of Harry's delicate hands and kissed his fingers gently.

For like the tenth time since he met Tom, Harry blushed to the roots of his hair, 'What is wrong with me? I am usually more controlled than this.'

"Good day, Harry," Tom left the room with an elusive smile.

Harry Potter could practically hear his heart thundering in his chest. Hopefully the other man did not notice that as well.

Humming to an odd tune, Luna waited for her father to arrive outside the school gates.

She thought of having to water her precious flowers and writing a new story… Maybe this time she'll go for something more romantic than adventurous. So fantasy? That sounds lovely. If only she can find the right type of characters, it might turn into something more.

The moment the bell rang signifying that it was now five o'clock, she felt a familiar presence by her side, "Good afternoon, Sebastian."

"Hn."

As she kept on humming and pondering over possible situations for her story, she did not notice the other boy tremble slightly in nervousness.

'You can do this… Just ask her out. It's easy, okay? Just say it. And voila, she says yes… She will say yes right? I mean why not? I'm hot and popular… And have been a bloody jerk… But still good looking…' Sebastian thought as he began to sweat profusely.

"Sebastian?"

"Yeah?" he responded with his voice sounding like its breaking. 'Smooth, Sebastian. Freaking smooth.'

"Here," she said while handing over a handkerchief. An oddly colored handkerchief. "I did not know one can sweat so much in this weather."

"I'm just nervous."

Now curious as to what can make someone of his caliber this much nervous, she turned her attention to him, "Of what?"

It's now or never. "Of asking you out."

Luna's eyes widened but remained stoic, "Eh?"

"Will you be my date to the Yule Ball, Luna?"

Harry was returning to his room after visiting some of his friends who were also residents in St. Mungo's Hospital when he saw a familiar silhouette, "Hades!"

"Good morning, Harry."

"You didn't return yesterday!" he chided.

"Forgive me, my friend. But there was an unexpected business that I had to attend to."

"It's alright. I was just worried."

Hades could not help but ruffle Harry's hair for his adorableness, "Did you get my treacle tarts though?"

"Yes. After a certain visitor left, the nurse went in to give it to me."

Hades' ears perked up at that, "A certain visitor?"

"Well… No one important really," Harry answered as he rubbed the back of his neck anxiously.

"Harry…"

Not able to deal with the pressure being stared, he admitted, "It was Riddle."

"Oh. Why would he even come?"

Harry blushed as he recalled Tom's words but chose his words carefully, "Just to visit. Then he offered me a job as his secretary when he saw my job application."

Hades could not help but frown in disbelief. It sounds as though that man is plotting something, "I see. As long as you're alright… Will you be accepting the job though?"

"Unlikely. But he seems very determined."

"Just like a certain someone, right?" Hades mumbled.

"Hades!"

Teasingly, he plowed on, "Just stating my observations. But you can be just as stubborn as he is so I have no worries to see you easily manipulated by the man."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Harry moped

Knowing when not to push it, he distracted the man with another question, "Did you tell your uncles of your desire to work?"

"Not yet. But I plan to do it soon."

"You mean once your application is accepted and there is no more easy way to back out?"

Harry grinned mischievously, "… You know me too well, Hades."

"I've been with you for at least 19 years so I'm bound to get you used to you."

His smile was glorious as his emerald eyes sparkled with mirth. Times like this, Hades is reminded of the past. When life wasn't so complicated and his friend had never had his heart broken.

He realized though, in a way Harry Potter and Tom Riddle can be so similar yet astoundingly different.

Looking down on top of the Gryffindor tower, he never felt more trapped. This place was at least better than his old school. He made friends sure but realizing that he still had to go back to the Dursley's this summer was a disappointment…. And something he greatly detested and undeniably feared.

But at least he'll be seeing his childhood friend once again without the pressure of being part of different houses.

"Filthy humans…"

"What?" Following the sound of the voice, Harry locked eye to eye with a hooded figure carrying a scythe. "Who are you?" he asked not fully seeing the person's face. A cosplayer? It is Halloween after all.

"That's the first question you ask. Don't you mortals normally scream and cry at my presence?"

"Well the cosplay event is down at the great hall. So you're quite far from the location. Which house are you in anyway? Didn't your head of the house say anything about it?"

The hooded man spluttered, "What are you talking about? I'm Death!"

"Yeah. I kind of got the idea with your clothes."

"… I am not cosplaying, child."

Looking at the mysterious figure more closely, he stated, "I guess that answers the question as to why you're floating."

Trying to intimidate the teen, he said ominously, "Aren't you afraid of death, Harry James Potter?"

"Why? Is it my time?"

"… It is not…" Death faltered.

"Why can I see you then?"

"Only few individuals can actually see me…" he said with so much disdain as though just the mere thought was a parasite in his entire being.

"Is that really so bad?"

"More or less…" Death seemed to be hesitant but continued, "Although, it is mandatory for me to grant you a wish."

The mortal stared back at him with blank eyes. Now that he looked closely, Harry Potter seemed like the type that humans would consider as attractive if it weren't for his obvious lack in nutrition.

"Well then, your wish?"

"I have no wish," Harry responded blandly.

"Seriously? No desires? Wicked dreams? Plot for vengeance? I can grant you anything!"

"But for a price."

If Harry could have seen his face, he would bet it was smirking condescendingly, "Of course."

"I do not really need it. But thank you for the offer."

"Listen kid, I am REQUIRED to grant you a wish. Life won't believe me if I were to tell her a mortal did not want it."

Placing his fingers on his lips, Harry whispered conspiringly, "Tell her nothing then."

Death shook his head, "Yeah sure. Like that would work fantastically. I'll be honest with you kid, I'm not a nice guy. I am created to gather souls, not befriend them. I am practically forced to look at you mortals destroy each other as they blame me for whatever fear they have."

The teen was stunned as he realized something, "… You must have been lonely then. So lonely you no longer desire to care."

"Disgusted is more of an appropriate term," he grunted.

"Still… I have no reason to wish for anything."

Grabbing Harry by his hand, he was forcefully pulled up by Death to stand, "Kid, I am forced to meet you every day if so. The quicker you let me grant your wish, the better for both of us."

Harry chuckled pleasantly, "Nice to meet you too, Death."

In that moment, it took the death god, two years of constantly tempting the mortal Harry before he realized that the child could be exasperatingly determined and selfless. And during that time frame, Death never felt more oddly alive.

Harry Potter lived vivaciously for he never wasted any moment in time. And it fascinated him how the mortal could very much learn to love anyone despite their flaws.

A righteous man, if anything… Which was weird, for the short amount of time that they had spoken on that tower, Death thought he never felt someone so jaded yet human.

"Get out of my car."

Death, or rather Hades as he introduced himself more formally the last time, was sitting nonchalantly in the back seat, "I have a job to do, Voldemort. And I'd rather NOT spend every moment of my life in your presence. Your bad vibes is rubbing on to me."

He glared menacingly, "Isn't that what I'm supposed to say? So for your own existential being, get the hell out."

"I told you I am obligated to pester every living moment of your life."

Tom had never felt more craving to murder someone on the spot other than Dumbledore but this god is making the top of his murder list. Checking his watch, he growled, "I have no time for this."

"You always have no time. No time for your son. No time to deal with your own wellbeing. No time to spend time with your friends. But it appears this time… You're making time for a certain someone."

"That is none of your business. Now leave," he said as he got into the driver's seat and glared at Hades who was reflected on the mirror.

The death god didn't even move an inch, "Harry Potter right? Gorgeous man, really. Rumor has it he used to be the son of the-"

"Wasn't I clear, Death?"

"Just call me Hades. I'm in my physical form right now."

This god is seriously getting on his nerves and not the good kind. 'Should I just kill him? Would it rid of his presence even for just a little while?'

"I'm so scared, Voldemort," he said sarcastically as though he read his mind.

Frustrated, Tom started the car and drove his way to St. Mungo's attempting to ignore the other man lounging in the back seat. But Hades began to test his patience when he actually dared to sing a high pitched girl song so terrible it nearly drove him to hit another car by accident.

"Father!" Vladimir called out the moment he saw his father enter the hospital… With a bloody bouquet. But who cares about that, what was weird was how ruffled his father looked. Not noticeable to other people but as his son, Tom looked somehow exhausted so to speak.

"What are you doing here, Vladimir?" his father questioned.

His face flushed all of a sudden as he muttered a response under his breath.

"Speak clearer and don't look down when talking to me."

"Ugh… I came here with Luna Lovegood. I was going to introduce her to Harry."

Frowning, Tom said, "He'll be busy. Do it tomorrow."

"But…"

Handing over an long envelope, he said, "Here give this to Severus. I'll visit him later."

"Eh? Work? But he's resting right now."

Tom gazed back dauntingly, "Did I ask for your opinion, Vladimir? Give it to him then come find me. That man won't get any worse from reading papers."

Helplessly, he nodded, "Yes father…"

Hades who was still following the man took the moment to say something, "You were way too harsh to your own son."

"I did not raise him to be weak. If he was I would not have bothered dealing with him."

The two men walked silently to the direction of Harry's room when a girl with light blond hair tapped Tom's shoulder and asked courteously, "Good afternoon. Do you possibly know where to find room 349?"

"Why?" Tom responded with his face not revealing his suspiciousness over the matter. Even if the girl looked cute and amiable that did not mean she is innocent.

The girl was about to reply when Hades said, "Geez, Voldemort. Do you have to be rude to a little girl?" Tom's glare should have shut him up but he persisted, "You're so bloody paranoid. The girl is going to the same room as yours. No need to be unreasonable."

Her radish earrings bounced, as she smiled merrily, tilting her head to gaze the man behind Tom, "You guys are? I came here with a friend but got lost. And all I could recall was him telling me about that room number." She then smiled, "By the way, I am not really little. Both of you gentlemen are just really tall."

The two men looked back at her in surprise. Well not really surprise surprise…But Tom's eyes did slightly widen and Hades froze for a moment.

"Are you sure you're actually a death god?" If Tom was a lesser man, he would have been mocking the god but held his thirst for revenge.

"Yes. How odd… It is rare to meet quite a few mortals living in one city to have the ability to see me."

"So you're the death god?" pointing to Hades then to Tom, "And Voldemort? Hmm? Have I heard that name before?"

Realizing that the little girl now knows too much, he threatened, "Keep those names to yourself, girl. Or I'll be forced to rid your tongue."

The girl did not even flinch at the obvious warning but maintained an oddly serene smile, "If it worries you so much, my name is Luna Lovegood. A pleasure," she said with a bow.

"Huh. Rich, courteous and polite. Your son sure knows how to pick his girls."

"Hmmm…" Tom glanced at the girl and plotted quickly, "You can see him, right?"

The girl nodded.

Turning his head towards Hades, Tom added, "Why don't you pester her instead with the wish thing?"

The death god answered, "I can't do that. The first one to see me becomes a priority. After all I can only help one person at a time."

"I said no and she looks like she actually has petty wishes for you to easily grant."

Hades snarled, "Stop thinking people are beneath you! This girl has done nothing to merit your disrespect."

Luna who has been listening to the two argue, raised her hand, "Do not worry, Sir Death, I am not all offended. But I do believe where going off topic, I just want to meet a friend of my friend."

The two glared at each other but thankfully their ruckus did not attract the attention of other people to check the hallway. Tom looked down at the girl and nodded albeit irritated, "Fine but make it quick. You're lucky Vladimir seems to be fond of you." He then left walking briskly to their destination with the bouquet still at hand.

Hades chuckled and glanced at Luna, "You've got guts, little girl. Or is it that you know more than you let on?"

As the two started strolling at their own pace, she said, "Not really. It's just that Mr. Riddle seems to be more on edge for something that he doesn't fully understand than being a dangerous man who is plotting the entire world's destruction."

It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.

— J.K Rowling

A/N: Eep! We can finally see more of Harry's and Tom's interaction with their upcoming dinner date.

P.S. This is the 2nd of the two chapters that had to be uploaded from last week.

I was supposed to upload this yesterday but stuff happened and my newly put-on braces turned out to be incredibly uncomfortable and painful so I slept the feeling off through the night.

Anyways, thank you for your boundless patience. And for those supporting this story, I hope I don't disappoint.

So till the next chapter.