AN:2.6.13: Moving this to the Endworld Vault.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Warnings: Voldemort, character death, slash, chan?

Wait

Harry is eleven when he first sees the man. He stand behind an older reflection of Harry. Strong arms wrapping around him snuggly and pulling him into a tender kiss.

Harry sees him again in second year, when Tom Marvolo Riddle's diary shows him his memory of the Heir of Slytherin. He now has a name to go with the face. And he knows that if Tom really loves him he wouldn't lie. He doesn't continue to investigate the chamber, even after Ginny Weasley gets taken. Tom knows what he's doing.

Harry doesn't see Tom in his third year, it's relatively quiet, except for the escape of Sirius Black, who turns out to be his godfather. And innocent. Harry still doesn't really trust him, after all, Black left him to rot with muggles for four days before being incarcerated.

Harry sees Tom again at the end of fourth year. After being transported to a graveyard where Voldemort returns and then merges with Tom. Tom is the Dark Lord, and still Harry asks to join him.

In fifth year, Harry realizes that he has a much more intimate connection to Tom, they share thoughts sometimes. Apparently, Voldemort is looking for a prophecy. Harry just assures him that Dumbledore won't take action if they're stealthy and ignores the death of Mr. Weasley. He hasn't spoken to Weasley since third year.

In sixth year Dumbledore tells him terrible things about Tom. Still under the impression that Harry is on his side. Horrible things, ending in the theft of one of Tom's horcruxes. When Dumbledore finally falls to his death, Harry hands the locket over to Rosier, who will take it to their Lord.

Harry's seventh year is quiet as no one else knows about the horcruxes and therefore doesn't bother to search for them. Tom makes progress in the ministry and the Wizengamot. Enacting new laws and abolishing a few out dated ones. The Order of the Phoenix runs ragged trying to stop him. Harry just focusses on his school work until Voldemort launches his final assault on the castle.

Harry 'bravely' goes out to 'face' Tom alone. In a secluded glade in the Forbidden Forest, Tom shows him the full prophecy.

'…And neither can live while the other survives…'

…and yet, Harry cannot live without Tom. Making a choice, Harry steps towards the man, who's wand is raised to start a duel. He cups Tom's hand and points the wand firmly at his heart. Taking a moment to steady himself before looking up at Tom.

"So strike me through the heart, my love, for I cannot live without you," He says with a smile as Tom leans forward to kiss him one last time.

And then everything is dark.

Harry wakes up on a busy platform, laying across a bench. When he sits up he notices a red-skinned child cowering beneath his seat. Picking it up, he notices the aura of death around it and smiles. This must be the piece of his lover that was hidden in his scar.

"Hush, little one," He comes to the child he rocks gently in his arms, "We shall wait for your other pieces here,"

It is a long wait, but Harry does not mind. Tom will always be worth it.