Chapter 8: Getting Closer and the Nuances of Friendship
Harry's P.O.V.
Harry and Tom had found a small two-person table outside the ice cream parlor after getting their desserts. "I wouldn't expect a supposedly evil and dark wizard would order something as basic as a Banana Split." The teen teased, getting an eyeroll from the older wizard. "I wouldn't expect a brat to order Espresso flavored ice cream either, I suppose we were both in for a surprise." Tom snarked at him, taking a bite from his ice cream immediately after. Harry stuck his tongue out at the other before taking a spoon of his own.
"Coffee flavored items are usually very good. I'm not one for overly sweet foods so this is a nice blend of slightly sweet and bitter." Harry defended shrugging, "Also I'm not a brat." He sniffed, mouth pulling into an annoyed pout. "Ah of course, because mature adults certainly pout at being called brats." The former dark lord teased, a small, amused smirk curving his own mouth. They continued eating their desserts in silence for a few moments before Harry decided to break it again.
"Hey Tom, did you do things like this when you were at Hogwarts? Like hang out with friends in Hogsmeade or going to the shops?" The raven couldn't deny he was curious about what the other wizard's teen years had been like. Had Tom ever had friends and done normal teenager things? Sitting here watching the other eat a Banana Split and bantering with him so casually made Harry believe it could have been possible.
The other seemed to look a bit uncertain at the question and hesitated on answering for a few moments. "I can't say that I ever did really. I know you've seen some memories and interacted with my younger self briefly, during that time I'll admit friends were not a priority to me. I thought they would make me weak or betray me later on." He spoke quietly, likely trying to avoid anyone overhearing their conversation.
At one point, Harry might've argued that his friendships had made him stronger and that the older wizard distrusted others far too much. That was a different Harry than who he was now though. The people he thought had been his best friends and his family had lied and betrayed him exactly as Tom described. They had been content with letting Dumbledore string him along like a puppet to be sacrificed later when it was convenient for them. He had only just started getting close to Draco and the others before disappearing, would they have eventually turned on him like the Gryffindors?
Glancing up he saw Tom watching him with what looked like a sliver of concern in his eyes. Would Tom eventually betray him too, once they had dealt with Dumbledore? What use would the dark lord have for him after that? Harry felt his breathing becoming unsteady as his mind raced. He was certain he was going to have another anxiety attack sitting there until he felt a warm, albeit hesitant, touch on the back of his hand.
Tom's P.O.V.
Tom had not thought much of Harry's initial question, chalking it up to the boy being curious about him. He knew that Harry would eventually ask him questions like these, that was something that was expected of friends. Even Lucius and Severus knew a little of his time at Hogwarts and some inconsequential personal details that couldn't be used against him like his tastes in tea, foods, and other frivolous things. It was this train of thought that had led to him thinking it would be best to answer the raven's question with honesty about his feelings on friends during his school years.
As he had watched the emotions run across green eyes after and his breathing had become unstable, Tom realized that had probably been a miscalculation on his part. He had mentally face palmed upon realizing that Harry would be reminded of his own friends' betrayal and could already guess that his mind was now racing with thoughts of mistrust or possibilities of further betrayals. He really needed to have a talk with Lucius or Severus at some point on how to handle these situations, he felt like he was winging this heavily.
He knew he needed to do something to calm the other's thoughts, hesitantly he closed the distance between their hands and placed his own over Harry's. Green eyes had locked onto his face and he could see fear, uncertainty, sadness, and so many more emotions clouding them. "Harrison, I need you to focus on what I'm telling you." He began making sure to keep his voice calm and soothing, "I know what you're thinking. What happened with the people you believed to be your friends was in no way your fault. Sometimes people are just selfish and do not have regard for other's well-being." Tom hesitated, trying to quickly find the words to reassure the teen.
The former dark lord was well and truly out of his depth here. He could argue that Harry had his new friends but he knew the Raven felt guilty about deceiving them and was sure they would not forgive him when the truth came out. He could try using the fact that Harry still had his godfather but that posed the same problem. He could use his own growing desire to have a friendship with the raven as a point but he had tried to kill the boy numerous times and he had a feeling that the younger wizard probably questioned if Tom would also betray him. Tom needed time to think, currently he was coming up entirely empty handed for how to help the panicking teen across from him.
Well, he did have one idea, but he had a feeling it definitely wasn't gaining him any brownie points with the teen. Seeing the other beginning to panic worse at his silence he quickly decided that stopping the boy's panic now and apologizing for the method later would be the best course of action. Silently casting 'Bewitched Sleep' on the other he moved to catch the teen. So much for a nice casual outing to make the other feel better. He cast a charm around them then to avoid drawing attention to them and quickly transported them back to Harry's room in Riddle Manor.
Upon reaching the boy's room he laid the teen on his bed, hearing a violent hissing noise moments after he remembered the extra guest as the annoyed Ashwinder crawled from Harry's sleeve.
'What was that awful motion and why was I not warned about it little speaker?' The disoriented snake was crawling up onto Harry's chest, stopping when it seemed to notice the boy's unconscious state.
'Apologies little one, that was my fault. He was upset and I needed to get us somewhere safe quickly.' Tom explained, causing the serpent's red eyes to swivel to him.
'So, you are a speaker as well, I had thought so. Will the little one be alright? What upset him?' The Ashwinder was surely curious but Tom appreciated that he seemed to be genuinely concerned for Harry's safety.
'I am. Cinis was it? Harry, the little one as you call him, has had a rather rough time lately. He was betrayed by some people close to him and he fears more betrayal. I believe having you around to talk to with help him and I am working on trying to help him as well.' The former dark lord watched Cinis process his answer before giving a little nod of his scaled head.
'If anyone tries to harm the little one, I will burn them. He saved me from that wretched tank and woman. Please do try to find a way to help him older speaker.' The serpent curled into a coil on Harry's chest, seeming to settle down with the intent of watching over him.
'Please call me Tom, I will do my best. It may be a while before he will wake. If you go exploring and come across Nagini, she will show you where to find food, I will inform her you're not to be harmed.' The red eyed wizard left the room following that last sentence, beginning the walk to his study. He sent off a message, calling both Lucius and Severus to him. He needed to discuss their current situation with them both and get some insight on how to help the currently unconscious Gryffindor. Preferably, before said Gryffindor could wake up and be upset with Tom for knocking him unconscious to begin with.
It was around twenty minutes later and he had both men seated across from him while he held his hands in his hands after explaining his attempt at giving the boy a semi normal experience. Lucius looked torn between amusement and sympathy for him while Severus looked completely done with him. "So let me see if I have this correct." The potions master began slowly, obvious irritation in his voice. "He was having a panic attack and you knocked him out. Instead of, I don't know, talking to him?" Tom just nodded once; he wasn't a fan of disrespect but this time he felt it was probably justly due.
"My lord, I know you have had a hard time adjusting to emotions after regaining your body and your soul being reassembled so I understand you may struggle with the feelings of others as well." The dour man sighed, "Harry is also not your usual teenager. The boy has been through many horrible things, some at your own hands." Severus added the last part a little quieter, but Tom still heard it loud and clear.
"I'm aware Severus. I am trying to understand the boy better and I find myself wanting him to be happy here. That is why I agreed to turn Pettigrew over so that his Godfather will be declared innocent as Harry stated this was important to him. I know the boy seems to crave people he can actually trust after all that has happened but revealing him to still be alive to anyone outside of the inner circle could put our plans at risk as well as Harry himself." Tom huffed in annoyance, sometimes the former dark lord missed having muted emotions they made life so much more complicated in their original state.
"Perhaps having the inner circle meet him sooner rather than later would help. It would give him some interaction with others at least." Lucius suggested, Tom considered that idea. "That would be a starting point." He conceded, "Lucius how did Draco take the news of Harry's 'death'?" He knew the raven had become increasingly close to the blonde before leaving and that Harry felt most of his guilt about deceiving the Malfoy heir.
Lucius seemed to hesitate for a few moments before answering him, "Not well my lord, he has not left his room much since returning home for the summer holidays. Narcissa and myself have both tried talking to him but the most we have gotten from him is 'why did this happen now we were finally friends?' It doesn't help that he believes our side was responsible as he doesn't know about the boy's decision to switch sides." The blonde had concern written across his face for his son as he spoke.
"How is the boy at occlumency?" Tom questioned, making both men give him odd stares. "He's been trained by Bellatrix. She told me he did exceptionally well to the point he can completely block her out now." Lucius answered slowly, making Tom nod in acknowledgement. "Do you believe he would be able to block out Dumbledore?" Both men's eyes widened at his question, sharing a look of concern between each other.
"My lord, are you considering revealing to Draco that Harry is still alive?" Severus asked bluntly, already seeing where this line of questioning was headed. "It sounds like it would be beneficial to both of them. However, Draco returning to Hogwarts with that knowledge could be dangerous if Dumbledore is able to break through the boy's shields." Tom sighed, knowing this plan could put both boy's in danger. "Perhaps if we bring them around each other without revealing who Harry is." He quickly explained Harry's alternate persona of Harrison to them.
"I'm concerned that Harry will see this idea as further deceiving Draco and that it will cause more harm than good." Severus commented after a few moments of silence between them all. "I would suggest discussing this idea with him rather than springing it on him unexpectedly." He gave the former dark lord a look that said he knew that's exactly what the other had planned to do.
"I will discuss it with him once he's woken up." Lucius and Severus shared a look, "My lord I believe when he wakes up you should have an honest conversation with him about the relationship between yourselves as well." Severus remarked with a crossing of his arms, "I know this may be difficult for the both of you, but I think you will both understand one another better at the end of it." Lucius nodded his agreement from beside the potions master, drawing a heavy sigh from Tom.
"I will..try. Both of you are free to return to what you were doing prior to the summons. Although I was wondering if you could do me a favor." As the red eyed man spoke, he waved a hand and his study door opened, a few moments later a petrified Peter Pettigrew floated through the doorway and was dropped unceremoniously on the floor. "Could you drop that at the Ministry for me?" He smirked at them, at least there was this one thing he could do to make the young Gryffindor happy.
Both men stood and prepared to leave, Lucius was the first to disappear with a small pop, taking Pettigrew with him. Severus remained for a moment and regarded Tom with a serious face. "Remember what I told you last time my lord, the boy has had a hard childhood and may not be very forthcoming at first, but I believe you both can understand each other more than either of you may think." With that cryptic wording Severus also disappeared, leaving Tom to wonder what the man was implying.
Sighing to himself and running his hands through his hair, he stood from his chair. The Gryffindor would likely be waking up soon and Tom was ready to get this situation over with. He would try to be honest with the boy and try to have patience and understanding, but he was way out of his comfort zone in this particular situation. He could only hope the other would have some patience and understanding in return should Tom screw this up.
Harry's P.O.V.
When Harry's consciousness began returning to him, he felt extremely groggy and immediately tried to recall what had happened. He remembered that he had gone out with Tom this morning and their business in Gringotts, getting Cinis in the menagerie, and going for ice cream with Tom. He then recalled the panic attack that had started, Tom grabbing his hand, and then nothing. Had he blacked out? Opening his eyes slowly, he saw he was currently resting on his bed in the manor so Tom had managed to get him back here safely.
'You are awake little speaker?' A quiet voice asked, right before a grey-scaled head popped into Harry's line of sight from his chest.
'Yes Cinis, sorry for the scare. I'm sure the travel back to the manor was not very pleasant.' Harry apologized to the small snake, earning a small hiss.
'It was not, but the older speaker apologized once he had you settled. He said you were upset.' Harry had forgotten that Tom would be able to speak to Cinis also but was grateful that someone had been able to explain what was going on. 'I will burn anyone who dares to upset you.' The little serpent hissed, a small line of fire racing down his back as he flared up. Harry was momentarily alarmed that the little serpent would set the blanket on fire doing that but also appreciated the sentiment.
'Thank you Cinis, do you happen to know where Tom is now?' The raven really needed to speak with the older wizard and apologize for the trouble he had caused.
'I do not, but he did mention returning to check on you at some point I think.' As if on cue, a knock sounded at Harry's bedroom door. Cinis settled down against Harry's leg as the boy moved to sit up on the bed. "Come in!" He called out towards the door; Tom entered his room a moment later.
Harry observed the older wizard and was surprised to say the least. If he had to say the older man looked almost nervous. "Hello Harry, how are you feeling?" Tom asked, not quite meeting his eyes, which caused Harry's stomach to turn. Was Tom upset with him for what happened? "F..fine I guess..I'm sorry for what happened Tom." Harry mumbled out, hands twisting the blanket nervously.
"Harry, you have nothing to apologize for. I should apologize to you." Tom answered bewildered, causing Harry to give him a look of confusion. "For what?" Tom looked guilty for a moment, "To be honest with you, I panicked when you were panicking and I wasn't sure what to say to help you. As a result, I may have cast bewitched sleep on you." The former dark lord admitted softly.
Harry processed this for a few moments, that explained why he had suddenly found himself unconscious. "I understand why you did, but in the future could you not do that?" Harry asked, calming down a bit as he realized the other wasn't upset with him. Tom seemed to relax a bit as well. The former dark lord moved a bit closer, gesturing to the bed. "May I sit?" The raven nodded once, watching the other get comfortable at the foot of the bed.
"I believe it would benefit us to have a discussion." Tom began after a few moments, "I think getting more familiar with each other's background will help us work together better." The raven considered his words for a few moments, agreeing that it did make sense. "If I'm being entirely honest Harry, this is far from my area of expertise. So, I'm unsure where to start." The older wizard sighed, "The beginning is always a good place." Harry offered a bit hesitantly. He knew Tom had grown up in an orphanage so the beginning likely wasn't a happy place but understanding each other likely meant discussing the good and the bad of both their pasts.
Tom remained silent for a few moments before taking a breath and beginning to speak, "Well I suppose based off the memories Dumbledore would have shown you that you are already aware I grew up in an orphanage." At Harry's nod the man continued on, "My mother died shortly after my birth and my father wished nothing to do with either of us after discovering she was a witch. I admit I don't know much about either of my parent's, I tracked down my mother's family at one point but didn't learn much."
"The other children were afraid of me. At that age I was still learning to control my magic, even though I wasn't aware that it was magic I was doing. I just knew I could do things others couldn't and I was curious to continue pushing and trying to find out what all I could do. It was Dumbledore who came and found me at the orphanage and told me I was a wizard when I had turned eleven. He reprimanded me for using my magic against the other orphans, ignoring that many of the occasions had been self-defense. Muggles tend to fear what they don't understand or things that are different and then they try to destroy those things." Tom sighed quietly; Harry knew that last part all too well.
"Two of the others found me near a cave one day and nearly drowned me. I fought back with magic, a charm that showed them horrifying things long enough for me to get away. I don't know exactly what it showed them, but they never spoke again after that day. They were always silent, scared, and stared off at things that weren't there." As the man paused, the raven decided to ask a question that was weighing on him.
"Did you regret what happened to them?" Tom seemed to consider his question but finally shook his head. "No not really. They would have killed me had I not fought back. I believe when someone acts with the intent to harm or kill, they should be prepared to receive the same in return." Harry may not agree with murder in most cases, but he could admit that Tom had a point.
"When I began attending Hogwarts things were a bit easier. I was finally around others like myself and could indulge in my desires to learn anything and everything about my magic. Or so I thought, that was when I found out about how our world divides and restricts many forms of magic." The red eyed wizard had a note of annoyance in his voice as he said this. "As you probably know I mostly had followers during my school years, no one I would have considered a friend. It was largely purebloods who wanted to be associated with the head boy and the top student in every class."
"I admit at the time my stance on friends was as I told you earlier. I had big plans for my future and a desire to see things change and felt that being close with others would get in my way. There are a number of people who will sell your secrets or slander your name when offered gold, power, or both." Harry's hands clenched in the blanket, "That being said there are people who can be trusted and do want the best for others also. You are proof of that Harry. I've never seen someone so concerned with causing trouble for others that disregards their own well being constantly." Tom shook his head as he spoke, but there was a small smile on his face.
"Why do you act this way though?" Harry tensed up a bit at that question. He knew eventually he would have to explain it but he was also slightly afraid that Tom would see him as weak when he learned what the raven's childhood had been like. As soon as that thought passed through his head though he pushed it away. Tom had just admitted to Harry that he had been bullied growing up also. Meaning the older wizard would probably understand what Harry had been through right?
"It would probably be easier to show you my memories like I did Severus, would that be okay?" Harry asked softly, he knew there were a few of the more graphic ones that he couldn't speak about without shutting down and Tom needed to see the full truth if they were going to try to understand each other better. Tom looked curiously at him but nodded his agreement.
Taking a deep breath, the raven dropped his mental shields and gave the former dark lord a small nod granting him permission to take a look in his head. Harry could feel the careful prod at his mind, before feeling a strangely warm sensation as Tom began to sort through his head. He wondered why this felt different than when other's had done it.
Tom's P.O.V.
Upon entering into the young Gryffindor's head, Tom was instantly aware of two things. One was that Harry's head was not only holding his consciousness but another part of someone else's and two was that it was entirely Tom's fault. How had he not realized that he had turned the boy into a living horcrux for Salazar's sake?
The part of his soul residing in the boy responded warmly to him. This was going to have to be another conversation he had with the teen, but for now he would focus on seeing the memories that Harry wanted to show him. He was certain based off the boy's hesitancy to speak about them aloud and Severus previous warning that they would not be pleasant.
Mentally preparing himself he set to work going through the boy's memories, starting at the very beginning. As he had expected there were many that he felt indescribable rage over. How dare that filthy fat muggle lay his hands on a magical child. As he got further along, he quickly began to understand why Harry was afraid of upsetting others and Severus's cryptic message about them understanding each other more than either of them would have thought.
The boy had spent his whole childhood getting beaten for any small misstep and Tom truly felt bad for him. The former dark lord was also feeling a good amount of guilt at the part he had played in causing this fate to befall the Gryffindor. After all, Harry had only been sent to live with his relatives because Tom had killed his parents. Pulling back from the boy's mind he tried to process everything he had seen, Harry watched him with unconcealed fear in his eyes.
Tom was thankful at the moment for the piece of his soul residing with the boy as it had allowed him to feel and pick up on Harry's thoughts as well as his emotions while Tom had been in his memories. He understood now that Harry was afraid for Tom to think him weak. "I believe I owe you much more than an apology at this point Harry. First let me put your fears at ease, I do not believe you to be weak. I believe you were a child who went through many unfair and cruel things with those muggles and you handled it the best you could."
He could see the boy relax his death grip on the blanket a little at his words. "I admit I do feel guilty for the role I played in causing this to befall you also." Harry seemed to be a bit confused at that. "You never would have been placed with those muggles if not for my own actions and killing your parents. While I may not have been fully in control or sane at the time I don't believe that is a legitimate excuse for my actions." The older wizard explained softly, his eyes resting on his hands unable to meet the green eyes staring at him.
Harry's P.O.V.
Harry had felt his nerves calm some when Tom had reassured him that he did not believe the raven to be weak or at fault for what had occurred within those memories. He had not been expecting an apology from the other male though. He couldn't deny that Tom was right to a degree as the other man's actions had directly effected Harry's life, but he also wasn't that person now. "I appreciate the apology, Tom. I guess I just don't see you and that version of you as being the same person."
Tom frowned a bit at his answer, "Harry, while I admire your pure personality the fact of the matter is that it was still me. While I agree that my mind was far from what it was prior to or after my soul was restored it was by my own doing." The older wizard remarked, Harry remained silent for a few moments as he thought about everything they had talked about so far.
"So, what is your opinion of friends now?" Harry questioned softly, reaching down beside himself to rub Cinis' scales. Tom watched him for a few moments, "I would say it has changed from my time at Hogwarts that much is certain. I am still adjusting to having the full intensity of my emotions returned to me, they were nearly nonexistent during the time that my soul was split apart. I can't assure you that I won't mess up from time to time when it comes to trying to understand your own feelings or that I will know the correct things to say either. However, I do find myself willing to try which isn't something that I've experienced with many people."
"I think I can accept that you are human and will make mistakes from time-to-time Tom." Harry teased the older wizard, hoping to lighten the mood a bit. He wouldn't lie, hearing that the other was open to the idea of them forming an actual friendship made Harry feel strangely happy. The former dark lord huffed out an amused laugh at his remark before turning serious again.
"There is something else I feel I should tell you Harry. When I was inside your mind earlier, I realized that there was another mistake I had made, albeit unknown to myself until that moment. It seems that I unintentionally transferred a piece of my soul to you the night I gave you your scar. You are technically a horcrux." Harry blinked at the other wizard, allowing that to process. Well that certainly explained many things in Harry's life. How had he not considered that before now?
"Well, that does explain a few things." He finally answered aloud for the other to hear, "You seem to be taking that information rather well." The older wizard remarked carefully, raising an eyebrow at him. "Should I not be? It does give me an answer for why I have been able to see visions of things you were doing when I sleep and how I am able to speak parseltongue. It also gives me a good idea of why Dumbledore wasn't concerned any of the times you nearly killed me." A little bitterness slipped into the raven's voice on the last words.
"Because the part of my soul you hold would have died first." Tom confirmed his thoughts, "If you're okay with it remaining, we may be able to use it to our advantage actually." Harry looked at him curiously, "That piece will have created a mental link between us which is why you had those visions, hypothetically I would be able to do the same and see through your eyes. There is also the benefit of it allowing us to converse across it if you learn how to access it." Tom explained patiently
'Like this.' Harry jumped slightly when he heard the older wizard's voice echo through his head, causing Tom's mouth to curve into a small smirk. "That would be useful, when could we begin working on that?" He felt a bit of excitement creep into his voice as he started thinking about ways this could be applied.
"Well, I had actually meant to talk to you about the subject of training when we returned to the manor today. I would like to know what you have interest in continuing to study and we can go from there." Harry thought about it for a moment, "I'm sure there are types of magic I'm not even aware exist. There are some that I've found very little information on, mostly in the restricted section, like rituals."
Tom nodded, seeming pleased that Harry was taking this seriously and aware of these limitations. "You are correct there are likely some magics that you won't have seen before. I would advise taking a few days to consider the ones you do know and getting a list together of the ones you want to study further. If you find it agreeable, I will make a list of areas I find it unlikely that you will have come across and we can review them together and see which ones you want to learn more about from there."
Harry smiled at the red eyed man, "I would like that very much, thank you Tom." Tom gave him a small smile in return, "There is one more topic I would like to discuss with you before allowing you to rest for the evening." The raven waited patiently for the other to continue but the man seemed unsure of how to phrase what he planned to ask.
"How important is your friendship with the youngest Malfoy to you?" Of all the things he could have expected, that wasn't one of them. "Draco and I haven't been friends for very long. He offered when I started Hogwarts and I turned him down because I listened to someone else's opinion of him. We fought a lot over the next few years and I instigated a good bit of it alongside Ron. I wouldn't have thought he would give me another chance, but he did. During the weeks leading to my third task, he did something no one else has ever really done for me, he actually listened to me. He believed me. Yeah, he's still a snarky prat at times, but now it's more friendly kind of like my banter with you."
Tom looked surprised to hear him speak so highly of the Malfoy heir, but in truth the blonde had been the truest thing he had come to a friend before leaving Hogwarts. The same guilt came flooding into his system when he was reminded that the other boy thought him dead.
"What would you say if I told you I had an idea of how you could see him without risking either of your safety's?" Harry's eyes immediately locked on Tom, "How?" Tom sighed softly, running a hand through his hair as he faced Harry more directly. "It won't be one you fully agree with but it's the best I can offer at the moment."
"I plan to call a meeting of the inner circle tomorrow so that you can be introduced to them formally as Harrison. The only ones present who know your true identity will be myself, Severus, Lucius, and Barty Jr." He explained, "Also in attendance will be Bellatrix, Narcissa, Rudolphus, Rebastian, and Draco. He has begun accompanying his parents during the holidays away from Hogwarts." Harry could see where Tom was going with this idea and his stomach turned uncomfortably at it.
"You are suggesting that I befriend him as Harrison." The raven said it as a statement, not a question but Tom nodded anyway. "I am. I know you likely feel as though you would be deceiving him further, but this is the only option we have as long as he is under Dumbledore's watch during the school year. Lucius says the boy is skilled in occlumency but it is still far too great a risk for him to know you are alive with no guarantee that he could block out the old goat. He will be attending these meetings though so you really only have two options. Ignore him or befriend him."
"You have time to think about which you prefer to do, but him being here for these meetings is useful as he is able to gain information directly in the castle." Tom sighed sounding like he knew neither option was ideal to Harry, "Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?" The former dark lord asked him, the raven had noticed that they had been talking for quite a while at this point seeing the sun was beginning to set outside the window.
"No, I think I'd like to rest up before tomorrow and think about how to deal with the Draco situation." Harry sighed, suddenly feeling a heavy exhaustion settle over him. "I know it's a lot to deal with Harry and that you dislike lying to him but it is necessary until we can assure both your safety's from Dumbledore."
"Is this your attempt at being a comforting and caring friend?" Harry teased half-heartedly, gaining a small laugh from Tom. "I guess that depends, is it working at all?" Harry gave a small laugh of his own, "I'd say it was about sixty percent effective, don't worry we'll work on it." Tom gave a small huff shaking his head at the Gryffindor. "Go to sleep you snarky brat, I'll see you in the morning for breakfast and we'll talk before the inner circle arrives."
As the other man opened the door Harry called after him in a more serious tone, "Tom? I know we'll both probably screw up while figuring this friendship out, but I'm glad that you are at least honest with me and I can tell you're trying." The raven finished a bit lamely, his hands twisting the blanket nervously. Did normal people say things like that to their friends? Maybe that was a bit weird on Harry's part, but he could tell the former dark lord was out of his comfort zone for most of their discussion and appreciated the effort he was putting in to make Harry feel welcome here.
"We'll figure it out as we go Harry, I will always offer you honesty even if you may not like it at times." Harry smiled softly at the response, "Right, good night, Tom." The raven moved to lay down on the bed, "Good night, Harry. Pleasant dreams." The door shut quietly behind the other man and Harry snuggled further under the covers. Cinis moved beside him and slithered up to rest on the pillow near Harry's head.
Harry watched as the little serpent seemed to settle into sleep as well, wondering if his conversation with Tom had kept the Ashwinder from resting. Harry continued to watch him as he felt himself growing sleepy. The last thing he remembered before drifting off was red eyes, red eyes were beginning to become very comforting to the Gryffindor.
(A/N: So, first off I will be away vending at an artist alley this weekend so this is the last chapter until probably Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Unfortunately, I will also be vending an Artist Alley the following weekend so these next few chapters may not come out as quickly. Just a heads up!
Secondly, I know this was a very dialogue heavy chapter and Tom will seem a little OOC but I personally like the idea of him struggling to navigate his feelings and things like friendship over writing a version of him that pretends not to have them entirely. He'll still have a bit of that going on to when his feelings start to turn more romantic for Harry, but until then enjoy these two hopeless idiots navigating the friendship neither of them has ever really had! As always reviews fuel my writing desire and we'll se you guys next chapter! )