It was storming in this night of four years ago.
Harry couldn't sleep. He'd recently turned 17. Everything has changed since then.
Sirius had looked so unhappy when he moved out, as if he felt like he'd failed him.
But it wasn't Sirius fault. It was him.
He just prefered to be alone.
His thoughts were racing. The storm, the rain, the silence in between.
He felt like he was falling.
Falling, falling.
There was nothing but darkness, there was no sound of voice.
He'd never experienced what it felt like to be crucioed, but nothing could be as bad as this nothingness. Because it was in his throat, in his limps, his heart.
He had an apartment in Wizarding London then.
Harry was just about to try sleeping again, when suddenly,
all the shouts in his mind were drowned by the beating of his heart:
There was a knock at the door.
Confused, he got up and made his way to the door. Who on this earth would visit him in the middle of the night, at 1:00 a.m., in a storm like that?
When he opened the door, he couldn't have been more surprised. He would have expected anyone but him:
It was Draco Malfoy, his former school rival, walking back and forth in the rain.
He looked desperate, running his hand through his hair and grimacing like he'd seen the end of the world.
„I'm sorry. I didn't know where else to go."

It was a fucking celebration.
The same people who'd spent what felt like the last thousands of years fighting and killing and torturing each other, came together in the halls of Malfoy Manor this evening to celebrate a newfound peace.
The contract technically wasn't even signed yet.

Everyone wore expensive clothes; beautiful dresses and elegant suits.
Harry and Draco stood away from the noise and the ridiculous spectacle, leaning against some wall with crossed arms, talking to no one.
They'd debated about what to wear - and eventually decided for their usual black clothing.
As normally, they wore venetian La Volto masks, covering their whole faces - They were simple, light and very practical, almost perfect for a duel.
But even with such plain masks, it made them feel out of place. The only reason they kept them on was Draco: He didn't want to meet his parents yet. He even wore his hood upon his head to hide his hair.
And Harry... Well, the mask was his identity. It was hard to explain, but without it, he felt vulnerable. He prefered to be no one for as long as he could. Only very few people knew who they were, he couldn't bring himself to say goodbye to it by taking it off, or at least not right now.
Nobody paid attention to them anyway.
They were currently listening to a speech of some Light Wizard.
„Being members of the Resistence, we are naturally torn between the obligations and tasks imposed on us by our believes and our sincere desire for peace. But from this day on, all the pain we had to suffer, the Light Side as well as the Dark, will be a thing of the past.
The peace treaty will end the war, a war that has claimed many victims. The boom of the cannons is going to fall silent tonight, once and for all. There's not a high price to pay for us in order to archieve this goal..."
„They cannot even imagine how high the price is. We are the ones who found the diary, we are the ones who risked their lives in order to gather it", Draco muttered, obviously in a sour mood.
„Well, that's why I hate politics", Harry answered drily.
Luna didn't even want to come at first, now he saw her dancing with a man he thought to be Neville Longbottom, though he couldn't tell for sure from the distance.
Beautiful music filled the air.
She'd asked him. From his perspective, he was dancing with a stranger. But he knew. He must have recognized her from their times at school, despite everything. Because he'd be an idiot if he didn't.
„I need a drink", Draco said, „what about you?"
Harry nodded and they made their way towards the buffet.
„On the bright side, looks like the alcohol is free."
He was just about to pour the both of them a drink as suddenly, a hand was put on his.
He looked up - and immediately regretted it.
Because it was no other than Tom Riddle standing before him, offering him a charming smile like Harry was some kind of politician who'd care.
How could he get so close without him noticing?
„Please, let me pour you a glass. The Bordeaux wine is very good", Riddle said and only then let his hand go. His suit seemed to yell expensive.
Draco appeared to be just as surprised as Harry. Even the people standing close to them looked somewhat confused.
His last and only direct encounter with the Dark Lord had been in a fight. He didn't quite know how to act now that he technically wasn't an enemy anymore. Why was the man even talking to them?
„Well... you can pour me a drink as well while you're at it", the blonde muttered, - but was being ignored.
Tom Riddle stared at him. And didn't stop staring at him.
Also, the brunette stood a little too close for Harrys liking.
His eyes had the very same color as the wine that was now being offered to him by the man.
"Erm... Thanks... After our last encounter, I rather would have expected to be eaten alive", he said.
Riddles smile sharpened.
"Oh but there's no reason for that, is it? Because the diary's gonna be back in my hands by tonight when the peace agreement is signed."
Harry simply nodded. He then removed his mask a little, enough so that his mouth was free and he could take a sip, revealing sharp features and pale porcelain skin and rose coloured lips that looked like splintered pearls.

"You can be sure that I will keep it safe until then."
He felt a little uncomfortable under the intensity of the other mans stare.
As if he was trying to see through his mask by the force of his gaze alone.
In nature, there are only two reasons for animals to stare at one another. Either aggression or interest. He liked neither the former nor the latter - with Riddle, it seemed to be a mix of both.
„What are you planning to do, now that the war is over? Are you going to... reveal yourself and work for the ministry?", Riddle suddenly asked.
Draco involuntarily snorted with suppressed laughter: „Green and the ministry? That's a hilarious idea."
„Is that so?", Riddle turned towards the other male, like he was seeing him just then.
„So you are the Wizard known as Blue, are you? I think we have not yet had the pleasure to meet.
Weird. I could swear that I've seen eyes like yours before."
Despite what he'd just said, he didn't seem very confused. His tone of voice sounded dangerous, if anything.
Wasn't he the one who'd hoped to have gotten the most powerful only a few days ago?
„Yes. Grey is here as well, if you haven't seen her already. Our group's going to be present tonight to take part in the negotiations", Harry said.
Those names were so dumb.
„Really? That means I now have a reason to look forward to it."
What is that supposed to mean?
„Whatever.
It may be the last time you'll see me though. Because after tonight, I'm planning to live my life in Muggle London."
As he said that, there was a flash of light in the Dark Lords eyes. Harrys blood turned cold in his veins, because what he saw in them was pure anger, so briefly that he almost thought he'd imagined it.
Keep calm. It's just his nature. He's crazy, remember?, Harry tried to reassure himself as the taller man opened his lips to say something - but was interrupted.
„My Lord? There's someone who wishes to talk to you", a female voice spoke up from behind them and they simultaniously turned around.
Dracos eyes widened, that was all that could be seen of his shock. Because it was Lady Malfoy who had spoken and was now waiting expectantly right in front of them, at arm's length.
The blue eyed pureblood wished nothing more than to embrace her. But he was suddenly petrified.

She didn't look well, did she? Her face seemed unhealthily pale, more pale than ever.

„Of course. Gentleman, if you'd excuse me", his eyes fell back on Harry, „it has been my pleasure to see you again. Hopefully, I'm gonna catch your name as well this very day."

And then he disappeared in the crowd, together with Dracos mother.

Harry didn't know what to think. But he felt sure about one thing; to not trust politicians.

He only had to survive the this evening's meeting, give the diary back and then he could leave this place.

He could disappear.

Authors Note: So here's a rather short chapter again. I don't know, should I do shorter chapters or rather larger chapters? If I'd decide for larger chapters, it'd take more time for an update of course. I'm uncertain, what do you prefer?

Anyway Tomarry interaction yay. And I just wanted to say: Thank you for your reviews, follows, favorites, views, everything.