Dumbledore was not a happy man. No, he was at the moment pacing back and forth in his office, cursing everything in sight. How had his plans gone so wrong?
Thanks to those god forsaken goblins, Harry had found out the truth, which he'd planned to keep hidden from the boy a few more years to come. He wasn't meant to discover the wills, he thought he'd sealed them away! Apparently those infuriating creatures saw it more to their benefit to side with Harry than with him.
And now, the boy was emancipated, living some place else than with his relatives and was now in Slytherin. How had he managed to accomplish all that over just one summer? Had he received help from the goblins, or from another source? That worried Dumbledore. Harry wasn't supposed to form new friendships with people, or creatures, without his knowledge! He was supposed to be the one guiding him, pointing him in the right direction. He was supposed to be the boy's saviour!
Now, he was anything but the boy's saviour. Since he'd found out about the wills, the blood wards and the emancipation, Harry had become distant and cold towards him. He always asked his Head of House, or Minerva to accompany him whenever he summoned him for a talk in his office. The blatant lack of trust the boy now had in him was disconcerting. How was he supposed to guide the boy to the right path in life if he refused to even be in the same room as him without another person present? His plan had been to make Harry understand the important role he had, the ultimate sacrifice he had to make. All for the greater good, of course.
-00-
Harry looked up from the book he was reading when he heard the door to the common room open and close. He winced slightly as he saw Draco stumble into the large room, before collapsing in a nearby chair. Harry knew he was trying to keep the usual Slytherin-mask in place, but he could see the other's hands trembling slightly, and he was even paler than usual.
"Are you all right, Draco?" Harry asked in a low voice. He was prepared for the other to blatantly ignore him, considering he was the one that got him tortured by the Dark Lord.
"Give me a few minutes to calm down, I'll answer then", was all Draco said before he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. A part of Harry wanted to run away, to go hide in his dorm to avoid being cursed by his friend, but he knew he needed to hear Draco was going to be okay. Curse his hero complex!
After about ten minutes, Draco took one last deep breath and sat up straight in the chair. He shook his head before opening his grey eyes and stared at Harry. "I don't blame you for what you did, you know", he said and leaned back against the soft pillows.
That made Harry start. He wasn't expecting that. "You... don't?"
"No. I admit I was being childish and immature before, thinking that just because my father was the Dark Lord's right hand man, I would get away with almost anything I said or did. I guess the thought of being the one with power was too tempting, even if it was only in school. I knew the day would come when I would pay for speaking so freely of our cause."
By now, Harry was speechless. He had never heard the other boy speak like that before, even when they weren't friends. He had matured somewhat drastically in such a short time, he couldn't help but feeling slightly proud of him, no matter how weird it sounded.
"Thank you, Draco. And for what it's worth, I am sorry", said Harry, his eyes showing all the regret and guilt he was feeling. Draco snorted, but Harry caught the glimpse of acceptance and gratitude in his eyes.
"We really need to work on your Slytherin-mask, Harry. You're like an open book, it's almost embarrassing."
"Shut up, you prat."
-00-
I think Draco has learned his lesson. Harry wrote in the diary later that night.
That's pleasant news. It wouldn't do him any good to prance around and talk lies about our cause, else I might have to take his punishment a step further.
Harry flinched. He knew Draco had deserved what he'd got, but it still pained him to think about it. He told me he had deluded himself thinking he had the right to say and do whatever he wished. I'm glad he doesn't blame me, considering I was the one that caused him his punishment in the first place.
I'm glad you did, he should know better than talk so freely about what it is we actually strive for. But enough about the young Malfoy, any news about Dumbledore?
Just reading the old coot's name made Harry's insides flare with anger and hate. The old man had tried to get some time alone with him, probably to try and convince him to get back into Gryffindor and reconcile with his old friends. If he thought he was being stealthy, he was wrong, it was almost painfully obvious. Nevertheless, Harry made sure to always ask a teacher to accompany him. McGonnagall was always the first to accept the invitation to join, it was plain to see she was still furious with the old coot. Harry didn't mind, it was nice having someone on his side when it came to dealing with Dumbledore.
Harry told Tom this, and smiled as he felt warmth erupt from his scar. Any bad news concerning Dumbledore was always amusing to hear.
It's almost pathetic how hard he tries to get you back where he thinks you belong. I almost pity him.
I agree, he refuses to see I already am where I belong. I wonder where the Slytherin side in me comes from, though. Both my parents were in Gryffindor. Perhaps I got it from spending my early years slaving away for my relatives.
Tom didn't respond for some time, and Harry wondered over the fact as for why, when he noticed what he'd written, and cursed himself mentally. He had never intended for Tom to know of his early years. Hopefully, the older man would ignore it and not quest-
Would you mind explaining that last sentence, Harry?
Harry knew it was an order and not a request. Curses, curses, curses!
Suppose I do mind?
Must I remind you who you're talking to, Harry?
Harry winced. It seemed as if there was no escape. Well, better get it over with. I was left on my relatives' doorstep the night my parents died, by Dumbledore, and they just so happened to be magic-hating muggles. They hated me from the very second they found me the next morning and spent the following years reminding me of that fact. They had me doing all household chores the day I turned seven, I was like a house elf, but I'm sure they were treated better.
My bedroom was a cupboard under the stairs, but I got my cousin's second bedroom when I was twelve, since I was getting too big for the cupboard.
He lifted the quill from the paper and waited for the reply. Then, he clutched his head in pain and gritted his teeth to stop the screams. Tom was furious, absolutely furious. Harry prayed for it to stop, and heaved a huge sigh of relief when the pain faded. He opened his eyes slowly and turned his attentionback to the diary.
And was Dumbledore aware that you were abused?
I'm sure he was, I asked several times to remain at Hogwarts during the summers, but he always denied my requests, saying I should spend some time with my family.
Another flash of pain erupted from his scar, though not as strong as the previous one. Even though tears of pain was flowing down his cheeks, Harry still smiled, glad that someone felt angry on his behalf, besides McGonnagall.
Please tell me where your relatives live. I'd like to pay them a visit. Preferably in the very near future.
Tom, do you think that's a good idea? I mean, won't the blood wards-
Think, Harry. The wards will be no problem for me.
Harry frowned and tried to think of the answer as for why... The ritual. Tom had taken some of his blood to regain his body.
Oh.
Yes, 'oh'. Which will make it much easier for me to enter your relatives premises. Unless... you wish for me to leave them alone?
That made Harry pause. Would Tom actually leave them be if he said so? Did he want them to be tortured, and possible killed? The answer came easy for him.
Give them hell, Tom.