'All changes are more or less tinged with melancholy, for what we are leaving behind is part of ourselves.'
~Amelia Barr

Opening his eyes, Harry yawned loudly before rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He felt oddly relaxed, as if all the stress had been removed from his body in one go. To his sleepy mind the bed felt as soft as butter, and he stretched languidly between the sheets, hearing a few cracks and pops as his muscles awoke. Looking around he snapped back into awareness as he fully saw the room for the first time.

He had been here before.

Wracking his brain he tried to remember where he recognised the room from. The pale blue walls seemed cool and refreshing, only enhanced by the soft white curtains that were billowing slightly. A bookcase lay in the corner, overflowing with the volume of tomes it contained, some had even been placed on the top of it and they too looked as if they would topple at the slightest touch.

Then it hit him.

Only one person would have that many books that he knew. If he was right however then he was missing some of the events from the previous night. Straining his mind he blushed recalling some of them, unable to believe that he had been so forward with Tom but others puzzled him. He remembered entering Tom's mind, three memories were distinct but after that everything went blank. Somehow after that he had ended up in Tom's bed.

"Are you okay?" Tom's voice pierced his bubble of thought, bringing him back to reality.

"Huh?"

"Are you okay? I was worried that you slept so long, your brain needed time to process the information but I hadn't thought it would be this long. Do you have any questions?" asked Tom, sitting on the edge of the bed. He was wearing a black dressing gown and Harry could see that the man was still in his pyjamas.

"There was one of your memories that I never understood, could you possibly explain the one with you and your parents?" asked Harry, sitting up and running a hand through his already dishevelled hair.

"Dumbledore said that if I found my father he would accept me back. However that, as I am sure you imagine, was a ruse. For all my years at Hogwarts Dumbledore was always trying to turn people against me, he thought that if I killed my father then the others would see how Dark I truly was and expel me and thereby leaving me with nothing. There is no such act that can blacken a person's aura more than killing, and it was due to this that I had to undergo the Elven purification ritual in order to foil Dumbledore's plan" said Tom quietly, his eyes resting on the navy bedspread.

"He always told me that you had killed your father in cold blood, wanting to take revenge for your abandonment" said Harry, leaning forward and tipping Tom's chin up, forcing him to look him in the eyes.

"For some time that would have been true and, had Alderan not taken me away, it would have been the most probable outcome. No, you would know how it feels, to constantly want your parents approval, to know that they are proud of you. Deep down that is all I wanted and Dumbledore saw that. He used it" Tom's voice was a little rough at the end, his eyes smouldering as he saw the scene unfold in his mind once again.

"I understand" whispered Harry, embracing the older man and feeling him shudder against him.

"Do you?" replied Tom quietly, "Do you know what it is like having your relatives despise you just for being who you are?"

"Yes, the Dursley's abused me all the time often denying me food or making me work like a house-elf. When I was younger I used to wonder what I had done wrong, what I had done to deserve their treatment. I used to try and please them as well as I could but it was never enough. It took some time before I realised that they punished me for existing" Harry had never told anyone this, although he had suspected that Dumbledore knew about it, and he was aware Tom knew that they belittled him, but he never thought he had an idea on the specifics.

"There is a difference though, you managed to keep your hatred at bay whilst I was consumed by it. I only faced my father one time and yet you lived with these people for over half of your life and yet they still breathe."

"Why are you trying to convince me that that act was evil?" asked Harry, irritation rising in him, swallowing him up as his mind finally managed to process what was being said.

"Because it was" stressed Tom.

"You weren't thinking rationally" said Harry firmly.

"That isn't good enough" said Tom quietly.

"But the fact that you feel remorse for that action, although it does not justify it, does make a difference" said Harry.

"I do not feel remorse for the action itself" said Tom, his eyes boring into Harry's trying to get him to understand.

"Then why are you talking like this?" asked Harry, genuinely puzzled now.

"It doesn't matter, you need to get ready for the train journey. I believe you are travelling separately from the others, it would raise suspicion if you were seen together. Once you get to Hogwarts you shouldn't act familiar with them unless the situation arises" said Tom, slipping his mask on once again. Harry sighed internally, seeing that he would get nothing from the now stoic man. He had been surprised that Tom had told him that much though, and thought better than to push his luck. Pulling back the covers Harry eased himself out of the bed, noticing that he still had his clothes from the previous night on. Straightening them up, he went through to the lounge, seeing two plates of bacon and eggs on the table along with two cups of tea. Feeling ravenous, Harry took one and began shovelling egg into his mouth, grinning when Tom raised an eyebrow at him after emerging from the bedroom fully dressed.

"Your table manners are appalling" said Tom, sitting next to him and trimming the fat off his bacon.

"Gryffindor" said Harry by way of an answer, his mouth full causing Tom to roll his eyes. Tom ate very... neatly. Harry was tempted to jump and try and startle to the man, just to make him spill something on that white shirt.

"If you do that I promise you that you will pay" threatened Tom, taking a sip of tea.

"I hate your mind reading ability" grumbled Harry, pushing his now empty plate away from him.

"I hate your table manners, so it looks like we'll both have to suffer" said Tom, a smile playing on the corner of his lips. Harry read the hidden meaning behind this however. What happened between them wouldn't be confined to last night and he felt a wave of relief sweep over him at this. Whatever they had he genuinely was interested in exploring it, for once he was irritated going to Hogwarts as it meant he would be separated from Tom.

"You won't be" said Tom suddenly.

"What?"

"You'll still see me at Hogwarts" explained Tom.

"How?" asked Harry.

"Now that would ruin the surprise" said Tom, smirking as he too finished his breakfast.

"Bastard" swore Harry, eliciting a chuckle from Tom, "As much as I would love to stay and have you read my every thought, I have a train to catch" added Harry as nonchalantly as possible. Standing up, he made to leave before Tom's hand grasped his arms in a vice like grip.

"Did you really think I would leave you after last night?" asked Tom, staring at him intently.

"I never knew what to expect, this is entirely new to me" confessed Harry, feeling Tom's grip lessen.

"Sorry, its new to me too. I just wanted to make sure that you are sure about this" said Tom, his voice was steady but his eyes contained a hint of worry.

"Of course I am, I don't make decisions like this rashly" retorted Harry.

"From what I've seen over the years and you being a Gryffindor I would have to disagree" smirked Tom, his expression changing to one of mirth but, looking into his eyes, Harry detected a flicker of relief.

"Your as bad as Dumbledore in the prejudice-against-houses department" laughed Harry.

"Yes but unlike him I have good reasons for thinking that" said Tom.

"Hey!" exclaimed Harry, his brow creasing in mock outrage, stiffening a little when Tom came closer to him.

"I apologise if I offended you" whispered Tom, leaning in to brush his lips against Harry's to emphasis his sincerity causing him to relax immediately. Like a magnet Harry was drawn to him, unable to resist the pull and next thing he knew they were kissing. Tom wound his fingers in Harry's hair, pulling roughly at the black strands and making Harry whimper slightly. Using this weakness, Tom plunged his tongue in, running it over the roof of Harry's mouth before combating with his tongue. Harry could only gasp slightly as he let Tom take control, wrapping his arms around Tom's waist and pulling him closer. This lasted another few seconds before Tom released him and Harry stood panting slightly, a blush coating his cheeks.

"You know I wasn't kidding about the train, there's still a few things I need to pack" gasped Harry, trying in vain to control his breathing. Mastering it, he saw Tom was looking at him, his eyes surveying him with a melancholy tinge to the otherwise calm blue.

"I'm going to miss you" sighed Tom, pulling Harry into an embrace. Burrowing into his chest Harry sighed contentedly, breathing in Tom's scent, he could never quite decide what it was. Cinnamon perhaps?

"Your still going to see me though apparently" replied Harry, looking up at Tom.

"Yes but not everyday" said Tom, injecting a little sadness into his voice.

"I'm sure you'll survive, however it might help if you tell me when you are coming, maybe we could plan some 'activities'" suggested Harry dryly, trying to ignore the fact that his heart rate was speeding up at the thought of leaving as he felt the exact same way. Time it seemed was always against him but, he had to admit, that whatever Tom had planned he was just happy he wouldn't have to wait until Christmas to see him, and this eased the sadness a little, made it more managable.

Tom chuckled, apparently amused by this response. "Nice try, however if I remember right you still have things to pack and so there isn't time for me to explain."

"I hate you" grumbled Harry, seeing Tom grin at his juvenile response before leaving the chambers, mentally groaning at how much work he had waiting for him in his room.

They were to meet at the Entrance Hall, from there they would Phase to just outside Kings Cross and then all enter, separately of course. Dragging his trunk down the stairs, Harry saw Lysander laughing at him. Raising an eyebrow, he proceeded to lug it down the remaining steps before approaching the blonde.

"What's so funny?"

"You are a wizard" answered Lysander cryptically.

"And?"

"Well have you ever heard of this thing called a lightening charm?"

"I'll do it" interrupted Tom, sweeping between the pair and tapping his wand on Harry's trunk. Lysander looked as if he was still suppressing laughter and Harry decided on a little payback. Reading his thoughts, Harry saw Tom smirk a little before capturing his lips in a steamy kiss, adding in some moans for good measure. Pulling apart they burst out laughing at Lysander's horror stricken expression, the grin firmly removed from his face.

"There are some things a guy isn't supposed to see" said Lysander when he finally regained the ability to speak and, seeing Blaise, he hurried over to him in a not so subtle escape.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist" confessed Harry.

"It was rather amusing" said Tom, adopting the impassive look he normally wore outside his chambers.

"Harry we have to go" called Luna.

"I'll see you soon Harry" promised Tom, kissing him softly amid catcalls from Lysander and Blaise. Shooting them a piercing glare, Tom turned his attention back to Harry.

"Please tell me how your coming" whined Harry, his curiosity was driving him mad.

"No, now go, I don't want you to be late" urged Tom, smirking slightly.

"Fine, but you owe me" grumbled Harry, feeling himself start to dissolve slowly. The last thing he heard was Tom chuckle before he faded into the darkness.

A/N: Thank you for the feedback. Sorry for the late update, life decided to throw me a couple of busy weeks *groan* I personally don't like this chapter very much and it was the hardest to write so far, I think I re-wrote it around three times before I realised that I would never actually be happy with it! Anyway next chapter is the return to Hogwarts... finally. I hope you enjoyed this rather pitiful attempt, the next chapter should be better.

Oh and I know Tom never fully explained why he was annoyed when discussing the memory of his father, that will come up in a later chapter but guesses are welcome :)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

I apologise for any spelling and/or grammar mistakes contained within this chapter.

Please Review!