.
.
Harry rolled his eyes and turned away, staring at the people dancing in the ballroom. Everyone seemed happy and right where they were supposed to be. He was the odd one here. He caught the sight of his parents, talking to his grandparents, smiling, and drinking and his heart ached because these people thought he was their child, but he was not. He was an imposter. They were not his parents, they were simply a version of what his parents could be.
These thoughts bought him back to the reality that he was stuck in. He couldn't go back, and he couldn't change the fact that his other version was dead. What he could do though was to make sure that Tom Riddle didn't do anything nefarious. Harry was sure that he was plotting something. He could find a way to get rid of Riddle. He wasn't just going to stay married to the psychopath who locked his wand away for "Harry's own good." Where else did he hear that?!
He fell silent and didn't even notice how the evening came to an end eventually, and the guests slowly took the floo. His parents politely were seeing them off until everyone, even his grandparents left. The house was so quiet since only his parents, Tom fucking Riddle and him were left there. There were two house elves that Harry had never seen before, cleaning the room, getting everything in order. Their magic was phenomenal. Harry always wondered why elvan magic wasn't studied better. Hermione would have something interesting to say about that if she was around. He wondered if she was still alive in his version of the world. He hoped they all were alive and well.
"That was quite good," his mother smiled happily.
"It was exhausting," Harry admitted with a smile, allowing himself to fall into her arms.
"Winky," James potter commanded. "Brings us tea."
"You'll feel better after you have some tea," his mother said soothingly, caressing his head. "You will stay for tea, right Tom?"
Harry moved his head from his mother's embrace to look at Riddle. "Of course," Riddle said with a charming smile. "It'd be our pleasure."
"Then it's sorted," Lily said enthusiastically. "Let's go to the drawing room."
She didn't let go of Harry which Harry was grateful for. No, maybe this could work. Maybe, he just needed to shut up and let things be as they were. His dad seemed off, not what he imagined, but his mom was exactly the bright lay of sunlight that he always thought she was. He could stay here for her and be happy. He could watch Riddle and make sure the git didn't do anything Voldy-like, but other than that he could get used to this. He was willing.
Soon they found themselves in the living room, seated in the soft sofas and sipping the most delicious tea ever. Riddle was staring at him, watchful eyes scanning his every move. It was as if he was expecting Harry to do something. Harry had no idea what Riddle expected from the other version of himself, but his impression was that old version of Harry was a spoiled airhead.
"We should be able to establish the magical childcare center's at that stage," Riddle said to James. "We would need to start the new department within the Ministry to detect early magic, so we can find and track the magical children and make sure they are raised in the right environment."
Harry blinked. He wasn't sure he was understanding what Riddle was saying clearly. "We should have done this centuries ago," James mused. "Squibs should register and their bloodlines should be monitored too. We can perhaps then find out the anomaly of squib births and prevent it."
"Speaking of magical children," Lily smiled, looking at Tom. "James and I are looking forward, especially considering that no child of Harry will be a squib with his lurne blood..."
What the hell was lurne!? Harry kept on hearing that about himself. He had an idea based on what he had heard so far, but still was unclear why this magical heritage was so celebrated and why everyone were so focused on it.
Riddle shifted uncomfortably, and Harry noticed that he slightly clenched his jugular muscles. It was almost unnoticeable, but Harry was watching him closely.
"Of course," Tom said, glancing at Harry briefly as if to check his reaction. "We are looking forward too."
"No," Harry got up against his better judgement. "I am not adopting a child and playing house with you."
"Harry," Lily admonished. "That's no way to speak to your husband. Sweetheart, where are your manners? I have taught you better."
James sighed. It seemed he was irritated.
"That's alright," Riddle smiled at his mother. "Harry is under a lot of stress recently. Aren't you baby? But don't worry, we will not adopt any children from the project if you don't want to. Besides, your mother was referring to having our own children."
Harry had no idea what Riddle was sputtering. It seemed his father was happy with whatever he was saying though. The man smirked and patted Riddle's back. Harry felt betrayed. Also, if they wanted Harry's own children maybe they shouldn't have married him off to Riddle. Neither them were exactly equipped with childbearing abilities. So the conversation was nonsense as far as Harry was concerned.
"You have done tremendous work, Tom," he told him proudly. "This project will set a new era in the wizarding world."
"You are very hardworking," Lily smiled softly. "Britain should be proud to have a Minister of Magic as foresighted as you are. Magical children should not be raised in the muggle world and end up feeling like outsiders when they learn of their gifts."
"They will always be treated like outsiders," Harry said, staring at Riddle. "But..."
"Harry!" Lily scolded, not letting him finish what he wanted to say about the crazy blood fanatics. "That's not a nice thing to say."
"It is the truth," Riddle interfered. "But it doesn't have to be. This is what we are working for."
Harry rolled his eyes. Like he didn't know this power-hungry asshole's agenda. Who did he think he was trying to fool?
"What? Are you going to kidnap muggleborn children?" he snorted.
A wave of anger twisted Riddle's features. Wait? Was he right? Was that this whole project they were talking about the whole day? They wanted to take away magical children from their muggle parents and put them in wizarding orphanages?
"You can't be serious?!" Harry got up. "You can't just deprive children of their parents just because they don't have magic."
"Harry," this time it was his father who spoke. "Love, sit down. This is none of your concern. Do not contradict your husband. It is not a good look for you."
Harry sat down, fuming. He told himself to calm down and act like he didn't want to curse his own father. He was going to dismantle this whole insanity. He just needed to pretend everything was fine.
"I am sorry," he said, taking a deep breathe. "I didn't want to sound... contrarian. I just care so much about magical children. I don't want them to experience the pain of having no parents."
"Awww, sweetheart," Lily gushed. "They will be taken care of. You shouldn't worry."
Riddle was staring at him with mild confusion. It was as if he was trying to figure out why Harry was acting out of ordinary. Harry smirked internally. Things were going to change. Maybe it was fate for him to be here and stop this insane plan of Riddle.
"You are right," he said with a sweet smile. "I am tired. I guess, we should take our leave too. Don't you agree, Tom?"
He stared at Riddle pointedly. "Of course," Riddle gave him a tight-lipped smile. "If you are tired, we can retire."
"You should stay here," James said suddenly. "Harry looks like he is about to pass out. My poor boy! Lily, have one of the elves prepare the guestroom. There is no need for you to go back home at this time, Tom."
"Thank you for the invitation, sir" Riddle politely nodded. "We can spend the night here."
Harry internally groaned.
Riddle didn't seem happy either. So maybe it was not so bad.
His mother rushed to give the elves instructions, and soon they were able to wish goodnight to his parents and go to the bedroom. Harry pulled his shoes off, the moment elves closed the door and vanished. The shoes were not bad, but his feet still felt sore. This Harry definitely wasn't used to standing up for hours. That's for sure.
"I need a bath," he sighed, pushing the door to the bathroom open. "God, I am exhausted like I have been battling fairies."
The bathroom was amazing. The marble tiles and the beautiful mother of pearl encrusted walls gave the place a sort of regal excellence while the pretty, enchanted candle lights shed tender, soft light, making the bathroom appear cozy and warm. Harry extended his magic to the taps and wordlessly rolled them open. The hot water rapidly filled the tub and the steam started to rise.
He discarded his clothing, cast a quick folding charm and modified packing charm to place them on the counter. He was pretty good at household magic since he had to do everything for himself.
This version of himself had a slender, lightly toned body, smooth and clean with silky skin. Harry was puzzled how anyone could have such smooth skin that it felt like he was running his fingers over a patch of silk and not human skin. There were no scars, or marks. It was bizarre. Even his toenails, were trimmed and manicured. Well, he didn't have the need to ponder over this, but he would perhaps need to upkeep the body the way previous Harry did to avoid any suspicion.
He stuck his toe into the water to check the temperature and finding the comforting warmth satisfied stepped into the tub and lay down. There were various salts, body washes and body gels. He had no idea what was what, so he simply waved his hand to dump a bit of everything into the water.
It was so cozy and comfortable that he didn't even realize when he dozed off. It had been a long day.
Tom stared at the bathroom door and sighed. Finally, the circus was over. If only he could be at home in his study and have a few moments to himself, away from everyone, his idiot husband, his obdurate father-in-law, all of the witches and wizards from the ministry and their ignorant pureblood children. But here he was, in his father-in-law's lavish guestroom, waiting for his brainless twat of a husband to finish taking a bath.
Tom loosened his tie. He could use a shower. He did take quick showers, growing up in stingy muggle orphanage taught him a thing or two about efficiency. Opening the bathroom door to the left, he hopped in the shower. He didn't know how long he could live like this, but Potters did give him the power he wanted. James Potter opened so many closed doors for him and a lot of pureblood wizards were envious of him, for marrying Harry Potter, the most desired wizard ever. He could see Harry's appeal, if the twat kept his mouth shut.
He was pretty. There was no denying to that, but Tom hated him, the only thing keeping him tied to Harry was his desire to be powerful and never feel weak and vulnerable again. He wondered why his muggle parents abandoned him, he had tried to find them when he grew up, but he was not successful in his search.
He got out of the shower dried his hair with a quick spell and walked into the bedroom. He sat down on the bed. Sleeping came hard to him. His mind was always awake. There were still stacks of newspaper left on the bedside table. The elf must have forgotten to take them away. Tom grabbed the paper and flicked through the pages. It was mostly nonsense. Daily Prophet was uncompromisingly asinine.
He set the paper aside and tried to read a book. After about half an hour, he realized that even for his spoiled, cossetted husband this was a bit overboard. What was he doing in the bathroom for so long? Tom shut the book and got up. He knocked on the door.
"Harry?" he called.
There was no response. He flicked his wand and opened the door. The bathroom was covered in warm steam. His husband was lying in the tub.
"Harry," he said firmly, getting annoyed that he brat was ignoring him. "Are you planning to sleep in there?"
There was no response. He walked up closer only to discover that Harry was asleep. Just how pampered the man was to fall asleep after a few hours of fulfilling a social obligation. Tom couldn't fathom.
"You are going to drown yourself one of these days," he muttered annoyed, caressing Harry's soft face. "Such beautiful face for such a horrid bitch."
He leaned over and scooped him up into his arms. Tom, picking him up, cast a quick spell to get rid of the water dripping on the floor. Harry's thin, naked body was so warm against his cold skin.
"You are such a liar, Riddle," Harry murmured half-asleep and clung tighter to him.