Tom put the letter back into the envelope after reading it, his insides turning and twisting with emotions; anger and rage mostly. Lucius's spawn had apparently talked out of line, if Potter's word was to be trusted. He'd adviced (ordered) his followers to be subtle and quiet about their opinions and allegiances when amongst others, but apparently that little brat hadn't listened. Tom had never thought he was that bright to begin with, anyway. But something had to be done.

He summoned the eldest Malfoy to his study, smirking as he heard the sound of running footsteps in the corridor as the man got closer. Lucius was nothing but a petty coward. The only use Tom had of him, really, was his influence within the Ministry. Otherwise he'd killed the man ages ago. His grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy, would've turned in his grave if he ever got knowledge of his heir's shameful behavior.

The door to his study opened and the man occupying Tom's thoughts entered. He seemed a little out of breath, and Tom fought to hide a smirk. Add 'lazy' to being petty and a coward.

"What do you require of me, My Lord?" Lucius said and knelt on the ground.

"I require your son's presence here, at once", said Tom, noticing with glee how Malfoy's face lost all its colour. "Send him a letter, tell him it's a matter of utmost importance. There's something I need to discuss with him."

"M-my Lord, if I may ask, what is it you-"

"That's none of your business, Lucius. I need to see your son, and I need to see him now, so bring him here, if you value yours and your son's sanity."

"Y-yes, My Lord", said Lucius and bowed his head, before straightening and leaving the study in a brisk pace.

As soon as the door closed, Tom grabbed his quill and began to write, but stopped himself, having had an idea. He transfigured an empty piece of parchment into a book and copied it. Now writing with Potter would be so much smoother. Memories of his old diary entered his mind as he looked down at the one in his hand. How could a mere child figure out how to destroy such a dark and powerful object? The infamous Potter-luck, surely.

He summoned his hawk to him and couldn't help but smile as he thought back to what Potter had written. The funny thing was, Tom had said nothing to the hawk, it had clearly made its own opinion of the boy, and that delighted Tom to no end. Even if he and Potter had some weird kind of truce, for now, it was entertaining to see the boy suffer, even from his own hawk.

He cast a featherlight charm on the parcel with a note as to what the parcel contained to the hawk's leg and opened a window. He smirked as he thought of the complaints he'd soon hear about, and couldn't help but to look forward to them. Clearly, he must be slightly deranged if he looked forward to his arch-nemesis's reply. Right?

-00-

Harry startled as the now familiar hawk landed with a thud in front of him. He'd thought Tom's reply would take longer. But maybe he'd deny to explain just what being on the 'dark side' meant? Only one way to find out. He frowned at the sight of the parcel. What could Tom possibly want to give him? It was surely a book; a guide on how to be a good dark wizard, or something. It would seem like a Dark Lord-y thing to do. At least, that's what Harry would've done, if he was in Tom's place. He'd be the coolest Dark Lord, ever. And he'd have a better name. Grindelwald, Voldemort- crappy names. He'd have to come up with something that made everybody shake with fear. Granted, everyone did that when he mentioned Tom's name, or his fake name, but that wouldn't matter. He'd have to look up 'intimidating' names and their meaning in the library.

He offered a slice of bacon to the hawk, but it just glared at him and took of. Perhaps Tom had encouraged it to act with such hostility towards him?

He read the note attached to it and couldn't help but smile. It worked exactly as a two-way mirror would, except that it was diaries and not mirrors... he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy when he thought back to another diary. He wondered if Tom was angry with him for that. Well, it was self-defence, but still.

He noticed that Draco was absent at the Slytherin table, and felt the tiniest bit guilty. He knew exacty why he was absent, thinking back on what he'd written in his last letter, he just hoped Tom wouldn't hurt him too bad. Or that Tom would tell Draco why he was being tortured.

He dug around in his bag for a quill and wrote: Tom? Are you there?

He didn't have to wait long before the reply came. Ah, Harry, lovely to hear from you. Did my hawk accept any bribes from you this lovely morning?

Harry scowled at the words, knowing that the elder was smirking in mirth. No, he did not. Not that he deserved any bacon anyway.

Why, Harry, that's so mean. I thought you of all people would show an animal some kindness, not turn away.

For your information, I show plenty of kindness to those who doesn't glare at me whenever they see me. Or- have you thought of the possibility that your bird is a vegetarian? It just hit me. Maybe that's why he never accepted what I offered.

Harry smiled to himself as he felt a burst of warmth from his scar, and he knew Tom was amused.

He felt someone's eyes on him and looked up. Ginny Weasley and Granger were looking at him from the Gryffindor table. He didn't care what they might want, he'd said his goodbyes to them. Now, if only, they'd be smart enough to realize that, instead of trying to get back into his friend-zone. He looked down as he saw Tom reply.

I don't think it's possible for a bird to be a vegetarian, Potter.

How do you know, talked to any birds about their preferences lately?

I'm starting to wonder why I even bother talking to you.

Because it's fun?

Try again.

Because you enjoy writing to me?

No.

Because... we can bad-mouth Dumbledore all we want and he'll never know?

Now you're getting somewhere. Speaking of bad-mouthing Dumbledore, I'd very much like to hear about his lost twinkle, or however it was you put it.

Harry grinned to himself and decided to leave the busy Hall and go someplace more quiet, away from the prying eyes and ears. He finished his breakfast and headed for the library, well aware that he was being followed, most likely by Granger and Weasley. Seriously, did Dumbledore ever give up? Apparently not.

While he quickened his pace, he opened the diary and wrote a call for help. I'm being stalked by Gryffindors. Help me!

Thankfully, the answer came quickly. So, lose them. As a former Gryffindor, you should be an expert of secret passages within Hogwarts.

You make me sound like a rule-breaker, Tom. I'm not sure if I should take it as a complimant or an insult.

Both, I suppose. Don't expect any more of that in the future. This was a one-time occurance.

We'll see, Tom, we'll see.

Harry couldn't help but snicker. He definitely preferred this way of communicating than sending letters back and forth. He had to hand it to Tom, the man had his moments. When he wasn't busy killing all muggleborns, of course.

He quickly scanned his surroundings before giving himself a mental slap on the forehead. How could he have forgotten his Invisibility cloak? He'd brought it with him before going for breakfast, just in case of an emergency, and this was most surely an emergency. He took the cloak out and glanced over his shoulder if his stalkers were anywhere close. Not seeing them, he wrapped the smooth silk around him and hid in a corner, just to see their confused faces when they'd notice he was gone.

He didn't have to wait long before he heard their footsteps. He had to contain his glee when he saw the youngest Weasley look around with wide, desperate eyes, her face flushed and her hair in disarray. She looked as if she was in the middle of a marathon. Granger didn't look much better.

"Where's he gone?" Weasley asked, turning her head back and forth, making her ginger hair even more of a mess.

"I don't know, Ginny. Maybe he went back to the Slytherin common room?"

"I swear, if I could, I'd kill that stupid hat for putting him in Slytherin!" Ginny raged. "Let's go back to the Great Hall, and we'll have to tell Dumbledore we lost sight of him, as well."

"Yes, let's go." Granger said and they both turned around and headed back the way they came. Harry stayed where he was until the sound of their footsteps couldn't be heard any longer, then he headed towards his common room. When he was safe and comfortable in his bed, he took out the diary once more.

Got away!

How, if I may ask?

My invisibility cloak saved me. I'd forgotten I'd brought it with me.

That doesn't really surprise me, to be honest, Potter.

Hey! Now I know you're insulting me. I don't like it.

Would you like me to stop?

Please.

No, I'm having far too much fun to stop now.

I knew you'd say that. I think your hawk takes after your bad behavior. That doesn't really surprise me, considering it's you.

I'll take that as a compliment.