XXxxXX
.
.
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Tick-SMASH!
The clock shattered under his hands, and for that small instant, Voldemort forgot about his accursed mortality. But then the blood started flowing, drip drip dripping from the small cuts on his hands, and he was reminded then that he still had so much to do and so little time in which to get it done.
He had to get out from his brother's shadow.
He had to eliminate the half-bloods.
And most importantly…
He had to make Potter his.
XXxxXX
The next day, Tom was busy, having a meeting with some corporate owner. And for some reason or other, he had no need for Harry's presence. But the boy wouldn't complain. Those meetings, if the one he'd attended was anything to go by, were dreadfully dull and boring.
And this meant he'd have an hour of time to himself, at most.
Of course, he had no idea what to do with that time, but that hardly mattered.
He briefly considered visiting his parents, but decided against it. They were likely busy, and possibly even stressed, as a result of his generous master's "offer"- if it could even be called that- from the night previous. Besides that, it was a bit of a walk to get to the old shack, and he'd have to leave almost as soon as he arrived if he wanted to get back in time to serve Tom. It would be quicker to just go to the market.
Actually, that didn't sound like a bad idea. Sure, Harry didn't have any money- all of his earnings had gone to his family- but there was no harm in looking.
So, after noting the time in his head, via the pocket watch he'd been given at the start of his service, Harry exited the manor through the servants' entrance and headed down to the market.
XxX
The market was relatively crowded, as it was always at any given time. But there was enough room for Harry to at least glance at the different stalls and shops. There was Mr. Borgin, who sold antiques. His partner, Mr. Burkes, sold old books just next door. There were a few clothing shops, and an outdoors merchant selling racks of colored silk. Mr. Snape was selling potions, and Ms. McGonagall was dealing in furniture and other housekeeping items.
Then there were the Weasleys.
Molly sold sweets and other baked goods.
Bill and Percy served under Cornelius Fudge, the minister.
Charlie helped take care of dragons.
Fred and George made toys, and worked as street performers on the side.
Ginny and Ron were too young to do much of anything besides help their siblings- though Ron had only to wait a few more months, where Ginny had to wait a whole year more.
"Oh! Harry dear! Come, come and visit!" Molly called out.
Speaking of the devil, Ginny, eager as always to see him, pulled on the sleeve of his coat and tugged him to Molly's stall. Harry let her, and went along with her movements, careful not to accidentally mess up his coat- any damage would come out of his pay.
"Hullo Mrs. Weasley," he greeted politely once he was in front of Molly.
"Good morning dear. I trust Lord Riddle has kept you well?"
"He has," answered Harry with a smile.
"I've recently become his personal attendant."
At this, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley smiled. Things were finally looking up, it seemed.
"Well now! This calls for a celebration, I believe! Fred! George! Grab the cake from- yes, that's it," Molly cut herself off as the twins worked to get the large cake down from atop a shelf. Once it was down, Molly instructed her twins to grab Ron and force him to participate.
But one glance at Harry's clearly expensive clothing sent Ron in a fit.
"Harry!"
"What is it, Ron?"
"You're becoming one of them!"
"'Them'? What on earth are you talking about?"
"You know! Hmph! Think that you're better than us now that Lord Riddle's decided to court you!"
"Ronald Weasley! Hold your tongue! You have no right-"
"I have every right, mum! You know what that bastard's done to us!"
"Watch your manners, Ron!"
By this point the conversation was mostly between Ron and his mother, and Harry, not wanting to seem rude, politely excused himself.
He had hoped that his old friend would be happy for him, and prayed that the redhead would see reason one day.
But he supposed it was a good thing Ron had acted out of turn. If he hadn't, he would've lost track of time, and then he'd be late returning to the manor, and that most certainly wouldn't do.
XxX
He returned with just enough time to straighten himself out before the meeting ended and Tom demanded his presence for tea-time.
And it was at about as Harry seated himself across from Tom- per his master's request- that things began to go downhill.
The oaken doors creaked open, and there was a sudden wind chill.
"Brother."
Voldemort's voice was like ice- but not the kind that would crack under his walking stick: rather, the kind that was so thick it could never crack.
"Voldemort."
Tom was cordial- a contrast to his older brother's icy demeanor.
"Why is Potter with you?"
The envy was especially audible.
"Because he is my obedient servant." Harry got the feeling that Tom was rubbing it in his brother's face. Unbecoming, and yet, also expected.
"No. As your older brother, I demand you relinquish his services to me."
Tom sipped at his tea, the movement giving the impression of nonchalance while his eyes remained calculating.
"And what would you do if I refused? After all, Hadrian is very important to me."
A cool, slender hand grasped at his under the table, and Harry almost pulled away at the spark of possessiveness in that one simple gesture.
"Then I'd kill you and take him anyway."
A ghostly hand settled on the back of his chair, and Harry felt even colder than he had the last two minutes.
Tom smiled coyly.
"Perhaps we should let him decide. After all, two masters arguing over one servant is hardly efficient when one can force the servant to make a choice."
As both men turned their attention to him, Harry paled, nervous beads of sweat rolling down the back of his neck. To choose one would mean ignoring the other, and both brothers had absolutely horrid tempers, especially when they didn't get what they wanted.
But if they both wanted him…
"My Lords…I believe…I believe it would be in our best interests if the both of you agreed to share my services."
In this way, they would both be able to spend time with him, and- hopefully- neither of them could squabble over it.
Tom's smile appeared to brighten.
"An excellent idea, Harry! What say you, brother?"
Voldemort appeared to consider the idea, and the tension seemed to slowly vanish.
He sighed.
"…Very well."
Voldemort left without further comment, and Tom looked triumphant.
And Harry was hoping that he hadn't just unwittingly worsened matters between them.