Harry Potter and the Perfect Stranger: Updated Book 3 - Page 35

Originally posted by: MrsStephenAmell

Brilliant update

Originally posted by: guy3

Tom, stop being naive and confirm your doubts" Where did Estella learn how to remove such a powerful curse? "
Glad to see Malcolm's siblings can have a better future. I hope it is not disrupted

Originally posted by: guy3

Does no one show up here anymore? 😭

Tom spent the night with Alex again in his own room partly because he didn't want him to return to the tower and find out his broom earlier than the Christmas morning. He didn't want to spoil the surprise for him and sure enough the Christmas morning made him happier than ever when he found his broom wrapped up in his tower. He returned to Tom shouting Thank you! Thank you!', from 2 corridors away and leapt at him so fast he fell back a few paces as he held him allowing him to hug him solemnly.

The moment Alex left his room he was out in the grounds flying on his newly repaired broom. Tom decided to visit everyone else in the Castle and wish them a Merry Christmas. He visited Estella last. He knew she might not be very happy with him right now since he didn't visit her at all the day before knowing he wouldn't be able to spend the night with her having planned to stay with Alex. He had begun to feel that he was making her uneasy by keeping distances between them. She didn't deserve this. She deserved him completely, not just in mind but also in body and soul. He had to stop avoiding her. Only because he had decided to marry first didn't mean so had she. And anyways, she had good as told him she wanted to marry him. What more could he want?

Tom who was climbing up to her room lost in his own thoughts met her eyes as he saw her standing in her door frame lost in her thoughts smiling to herself but the moment her eyes fell on him and she saw him approaching her she smiled mischievously turned around and shut the door behind her as he rushed to it reaching it only in time for it to be slammed against him.

"Hey!" He called out knowing quite clearly she was still standing by it.

"What?" She asked amusingly.

"Merry Christmas?" He replied chuckling himself.

"You too!"

"C'mon, open up! I wanna see you!"

"Not yet!"

"Why?" He asked actually confused now.

"I'm not ready yet!"

"For what?" He asked smiling.

"For you..." She answered evenly. "See you at the Feast and after..."

Tom felt his ears turn red. "See you." He answered turning away feeling his own heart beat rise. He shook his head to jerk off the feeling. He couldn't keep thinking about her the entire day, the Feast was hours away. He smiled and left the Castle to see Porch.

He and Porch collected all the stuff they had prepared for Malcolm's family and visited the Hogs Head to receive them. Thankfully, Malcolm had taken his advice. With the small sum Tom had given him he had found someone who could sell their small cabin, bought some stuff for everyone to settle here and brought everyone here. Tom and Porch settled Michael and Mrs. Morris at Hogs Head and brought Josh and Silvia to the Castle.

Tom took Josh and Silvia to the Gryffindor Tower to get them accommodated and as he saw them exploring the luxury of the tower he was strongly reminded of someone who always reacted to it all with as much gratitude as them even though he had been in the castle for as long as he could remember. Twix. Perhaps, it was due to Christmas but Tom was missing him desperately. He decided to pay him a visit.

Without another thought, he left the Castle with sweets. He disapparated to the Shell Cottage. Here, the air was so soothing, it made him smile. There was something about this place. Maybe, it was because it was located near the sea. Tom approached the door to the Cottage but stopped short as he remembered who else lived here other than Twix. He decided to return to the Castle as he remembered Ted's sour face. He was only just thinking about leaving when his eyes fell on a nearby window. He decided to peek in, see if Twix caught his eye and could come outside to see him.

He moved to it and peered inside. It opened into the Kitchen. A likely place for a house elf to be. But as he looked someone prettier than the house elf walked in levitating a large cake with her wand tip walking carefully and slowly into the Kitchen either to protect the cake or herself. Although, now she bore a healthy baby that had given her perfect figure a Quaffle size alteration, Victoire still was the most beautiful woman Tom had ever laid eyes on. For a moment he froze as his eyes fell on her walking in. He couldn't help it. Although, he hadn't thought of her in a long while, he hadn't quite gotten over her.

He shook this thought out his head as his eyes fell on her altered form before him. She was married and carrying the child of the man she had fallen in love with. In only a couple of months their family would be complete. He had no right even to feel that he still felt anything for her even if it was pure empathy. But then again, what was love if not empathy? That was how Dutchmen had always seen it.

He lowered his eyes but as he did his eyes fell on the wet floor in the Kitchen. Victoire who was worried about the cake floating inches away from her hadn't noticed the wet floor and was walking towards it. Tom who wanted to stop her didn't want to scare her by waving through the window. He looked for a back door to the house and found it around the next corner. This one opened in the Kitchen. He knocked on it loud enough for her to hear and change course to it.

"Just a minute!" She answered apparently wanting to place her cake on the table before answering the door.

Tom stomped his foot loudly. He didn't want to see her get hurt and the state she was in, hers was not the only life in danger. At that moment as if his prayer had been answered, the door swung open and the surprised face of Twix greeted him but the moment he stepped in Victoire set her foot in the shallow puddle of water in the Kitchen and slipped. Her concentration broke and the cake spattered on the floor. Tom almost ran to her flying over the spattered cake and caught her just in time before she fell back first on the floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist and safely pulled her back up as she grabbed his front to hold on.

She had shut her eyes tightly as she had felt her foot slip almost ready to crash into the concrete. Only when she felt cream splatter her skirt did she felt strong arms wrap themselves around her waist and pull her up as she grabbed the front of the man who had saved her, her nails digging into his flesh as she tried to balance herself back on her feet. The moment she felt the floor firm under her feet she hugged the man she loved the most.

"Oh, thank God, Teddy..."

Tom felt her tears dampen his front as she buried her face in his chest and cried her heart out. He gulped down as her touch aroused feelings in him he had not felt in years.

"Not worries, Mistress, Twix will clean the cake." Twix said patting the little of Victoire's elbow as she laughed out hearing his innocent comfort and pulled away from Tom turning to him only to freeze at his petrified face.

"Tom?"

Tom backed away quickly. "Are you ok?" He asked not being able to stop himself.

"Yes." She nodded a little embarrassed as well. She had thought he was Ted. She wiped her face quickly. "I am sorry." She said looking at his wrinkled shirt and the scratches on his skin.

He shook his head quickly. "It's alright. I am glad you're fine." He summoned the box of sweets he had left outside by the doorstep in his hurry to get inside. "Merry Christmas." He said smiling widely as a smile flickered on her face too.

She took it. "Merry Christmas!" And hugged him lightly. "Thank you." She said this time with a smile.

Before Tom had pulled away to answer however he had been pulled away from her harshly and thrown into the nearby dining table with such force that he fell back first on it as the table broke underneath him.

"How dare you lay your hands on my wife?!" Ted's loud and angry voice followed the thud of the table.

Tom scrambled his way out of the broken pieces of wood supporting his shoulder toward the door but just as he was about to crawl out of the door frame he received a hard kick in his ribs. He fell finally giving in to the pain.

"Master stops!"

"Get out of my way!"

Tom heard Twix's squeaky voice and Ted's angry reply followed by a squeal of pain as if Twix had himself been flung around the Kitchen.

"Stop it!" Victoire had pulled ted by the arm away from Tom. "What's the matter with you?! He saved me!"

Ted turned to her even angrier. "Saved you?! From what?! Baking cakes on Christmas?!" he shoved her rather hard.

It was only in time that she had grabbed a chair in order to stop her fall. But she couldn't believe Ted had so carelessly shoved her like that. She was full term, carrying his child. Didn't he care the baby might get hurt?

"You!" Ted turned back to Tom who had managed to get back to his feet retreated in the yard as Ted strode toward him threateningly.

"Stop, please." He said quickly backing away. "I came to see Twix." He added not seeing any change in Ted's demeanor.

"Like I would trust you!"

Tom stopped dead in his tracks as Ted crossed the distance between them and before he knew what was coming, Ted's flying punch bruised his cheek bone and he fell on the grass covered ground.

"Stupefy!" Ted had bent over him and had just pulled him up by his front when he was stunned.

Tom threw his limp body off himself and sat up to see Harry standing at a distance staring rather grimly at Ted.

"Leave." The moment Tom stood up Harry ordered him to leave. Tom swept one quiet look at Twix who stood beside Harry and then at Victoire who stood thunderstruck in a corner then disapparated to Hogsmeade.

Originally posted by: guy3

Hermione used to be one of my favorite characters in jk rowling's novels. In yours, she barely figures anywhere near the top. Good that roses and Tom patched up. Maybe she will help him heal as a close friend when he finds out about Estella's deception.

Originally posted by: Periopaque

Haha...still with the 'Estella's deception'... Let's see how much of that comes true😉

Once in Hogsmeade, Tom disillusioned himself and returned to the Castle, to his room quietly without meeting anyone. He didn't even bother healing himself as he sat down on his bed. His shoulder ached every time he put his weight on it and his cheek was still sore. He had come to hate Ted in the past few months. Right now that feeling had turned to loathing. He was dead cold even on Christmas. He hadn't let up any opportunity to hurt him but he couldn't believe he hadn't thought twice about hurting Victoire, the woman he had literally won from him as if she was a prize but right now she didn't seem like a prized possession of his.

His eyes welled up as her thunderstruck face flashed before him. He had never seen her so scared. Ted had left no stone unturned to give her a fright. He wished Harry hadn't ordered him to leave. He wanted to comfort her, to tell her she was fine. For a moment Tom froze. He stood up suddenly as the reality of her marriage with Ted seared through him. He shouldn't even be thinking about her let alone comforting her. She was not his to comfort anymore.

He paced his room for what seemed like hours until at least his ribs felt as bruised as his face and the Sun began to drown itself in the clouds. Finally Harry entered his room to find his disillusionment charm worn off and his face purple.

"Are you alright?" He asked shutting the door behind him.

"Is she?" Tom asked not answering.

Harry shut his eyes in mere despair. Tom would never get over her. "No." He shook his head. "She was furious Ted had doubted her intentions. She's moved to the Burrow until at least she has the baby."

Tom gulped down. But what could he do for her? "And Twix?"

"I've left him with Ted. I needed someone to keep an eye on him." Harry added quickly as Tom opened his mouth to protest.

"He summoned you at the Cottage?" Tom asked already knowing the answer.

Harry nodded. "Now, are you alright?" He asked again. Tom didn't answer. Harry pulled out his wand and swished it healing his bruises. "I need you to be fine."

Tom looked up at Harry realizing Harry needed him. There was nothing he could do for Victoire but she was safe with Ron and Hermione and ted would always hate him no matter what he did. He only felt very bad for Twix. He would be staying with a very angry Ted on Christmas. Nevertheless, he nodded as Harry handed him a small vial full of clear liquid that he had to use tonight. He sighed. The last thing he was thinking of right now was Roy and yet, his threat lay looming on their heads. They had to come to terms with reality on his matter.

Tom left his room and made straight for Estella's room. Although, she had told him they would meet at the feast, he wanted to see her now to tell himself that he had to move on from Victoire, to get her out of his thoughts.

The moment Tom entered her room he found her standing in front of the mirror giving herself a last touch with the tip of her wand. She was shining today. Covered in a peach colored frock, with her hair in a beautiful long plait she looked like a fairy. When Tom saw her he froze, she was absolutely stunning and he was there in his usual white shirt and blue jeans very well laundered but otherwise old. He had never cared about wearing expensive or extraordinary clothes. Not that any extravagance would survive the turmoil he had to go through constantly. He liked to remain simple. A pair of jeans and a couple of shirts were enough for him. But today he wanted all the luxury in the world to match up to the beauty that stood waiting for him.

He suddenly realised he had walked in her room empty handed on Christmas. He had completely forgotten to buy her a present which he had planned to buy today but after everything that had happened, it had escaped his mind. He had been waiting to buy something expensive for her and wanted to save for it first and now when he did have a small amount, he didn't have the time. He summoned a rose from the grounds which seemed like too small a gift for a beauty like this. Estella who hadn't noticed him was surprised to see him standing by the door when she turned around. She went to him stood right in front of him.

"So, how do I look?" She had asked with her heart pouring out of her.

"You have the beauty of the four moons...," said Tom, taking a step towards her. "Stars are nothing compared to you...," he said taking another step. "Roses fade away in your fragrance, you're a fairy more beautiful than the Gods of love, you look like you've been sent from the heaven itself, and I love you very much." and he kissed her. He hadn't given her the rose, he had hidden it in his pocket thinking it wasn't worthy enough to be given to her.

When they broke apart it was the first thing she asked him, maybe because she had felt it in his pocket. "So, where's the Christmas present for this fairy?"

"It's--er-- it's--it's in my room, I'll go, get it." Tom replied hesitantly not wanting to present a simple rose. He would buy something expensive the day he received his salary in the new year.

Estella heard the hesitation in his voice. And anyways she had seen him pocketing the rose hastily when she had turned. "Oh, really, if it's your room then what do you have in your pocket?"

"Nothing, it's---it's something else, it's not your present."

"Ok, then let me see what it is?"

"It's really nothing, you know, I'll go get your-----" He was still speaking when she jumped on him and he started laughing because she was tickling him.

"C'mon---I---I---r--rea-lly do--n't have it." He couldn't say anything anymore. He scooped her off her feet into his arms and fell on the bed. Both of them were laughing their throats out. It was after a minute or two that they got back their breaths and their voices back. He had just relaxed when she pulled something out of his pocket.

"Tom, what's this?" It wasn't the rose that she had pulled out. It was Veritaserum.

"It's nothing." He snatched it out her hand.

"Tom, that looks like Veritaserum. What are you doing carrying it around in your pocket?" He stood up not wanting to look at her, he didn't want to lie and he couldn't tell her what he was going to do with it. "What's going on?"

He knew he couldn't keep it from her, he could trust her completely. She knew about everything else so why not this.

"I'm going to use it tonight."

"On whom?"

"Roy. We think he's been sent by Riddle to do something. We just need to know what he's up to, that's it. A drop of this potion and he'll tell me everything."

"Tom, are you absolutely sure about what you're doing? You know you're betraying him, don't you?"

Estella was right. He was betraying a good friend but he had no option. "I have no choice. Don't worry, if he's not up to anything we suspect him to be, he's clean." He kissed her on the forehead, gave her the rose that she was expecting and strode out of the room.

Tom entered the Great Hall to a magnificent sight. Decorated with a dozen trees, banners of all four houses met his eyes. He saw Professor Bouganwille sitting at the teachers' table dressed like the Santa Clause, Professor Astria in her usual colourful robes representing the universe, Padma, Miss Patrick dressed casually and Madam Brown in her white dress that she usually wore. Professor Mcgonagalle who sat beside Harry during the feast wore an acid green robe and a witch's hat and her hair tied up in a tight bun behind the back of her head. Harry wore golden robes with silver linings which were gifted to him by Ron and Hermione on his birthday. Ron had arrived too. He was wearing Maroon robes having more lace than one could imagine. He had finally come to the conclusion that it suited him more than anything.

Ginny and Hermione entered the Great Hall together. Ginny in a white but shining silk dress and Hermione in a golden one. Both looked as pretty as they had anticipated. The best part for Hermione at least was that Roses had accompanied her to the Feast in a beautiful blue gown.

As it was Christmas, all the teachers were present but very few students were there. Harry's and Ron's whole family was there so there were many exchanges of 'Merry Chrsitmas' and more parenting than teaching. As only Harry and Tom and now Estella knew what they were up to, they couldn't talk about it in front of everyone, so, finding the first opporunity he could, Harry took Tom aside and asked him if he had a plan to do what they intended to.

"Harry I don't know how I'm gonna do it." said Tom nervously.

"Look, just sit beside him during the meal, right, and pour a drop of this potion into his drink. Once he's taken the drink, take him out of the Great Hall from the back door. Take him to my office, I'll follow the two of you. Ok?"

Tom only nodded. He was doing this against his will but he had to. Everybody has to make choices and sometimes what they choose is the terrible most of all.

As the feast began they all joined the table except for Roy who was nowhere to be seen. He came in ten minutes after the food appeared in the golden plates and the golden goblets were filled with drinks of all kinds. The moment he entered Tom stood up hugged him and wished him a Merry Christmas. He wanted to take him along with him to sit him beside himself but before he could do that Roy went to the other end of the table to wish Porch and sat there with him for the rest of the feast. Harry kept eyeing Tom trying to convey to him to do something but Tom was helpless. He had no reason to call Roy to him during the feast which went until midnight.

After the feast was over and all the students had gone back to their dormitories laden with the presents they had gotten out of the crackers and all teachers had retired to their rooms, including Estella and Roy, Tom went to Harry's office. When he entered he found all four of Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny sitting around Harry's desk talking about something. The moment he entered Harry put up the question.

"Tom, did you do it?" asked Harry.

"Harry, he went back to his room, and I never got a chance to--_"

Harry cut across him. "What the hell are you saying, Tom? He went back to his room?"

"Yes and all through the feast---_"

Harry cut across him again. "Then, what are you doing here? Go, go to his room, give him the potion, ask him what we need to know."

"Harry, what am I going to say to him turning up at his door at this hour?"

"Tell him, you were looking for a company to have a few drinks. And he deserves it, please, Tom, try to understand this," added Harry as he saw Tom opening his mouth again to say something. He knew Tom was avoiding it. "Roy, is not one those whom we need to trust now, do you understand?"

Tom nodded and left the office.

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"Do you think he'll do it?" asked Hermione when Tom left.

"I trust him more than I trust myself, Hermione. He'll do it." said Harry.

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Tom went to Roy's and knocked. To his relief he was still up.

"Hey, what's up?" asked Roy.

"Nothing special. I was just looking for someone to share." said Tom raising the Champaign he had summoned from the kitchens on the way here.

"Of course, c'mon in." Roy held the door wide to let him in. Tom entered and made straight to the bar in a corner of the room. He took two glasses and poured the drink into them. He turned and to his surprise saw Roy standing right behind him. He was glad he hadn't taken out Veritaserum now. He handed a glass to Roy and drunk from the other himself.

Roy's room was completely scattered. Tom who liked to keep his very clean found Roy's strange. All his clothes was laden out on the bed, it seemed like everything he used he left it anywhere he liked. There was no proper place to sit, so both of them seated themselves on the floor.

"So, how was your first Christmas at Hogwarts?" asked Tom while Roy drank.

"To tell you the truth, it was brilliant. I've not had Christmas like this in years."

"Really? Wasn't it like this in Durmstrang?"

"Well, Durmstang isn't Hogwarts. Christmas isn't exactly fun there. We have the feast but there are no decorations, no carols, no girls..., so, nothing special you see." said Roy standing up to get himself and Tom another drink and Tom let him, if he tried to make it himself each time, Roy could suspect him.

"And afterwards?" asked Tom when Roy came back holding two glasses filled plus two more bottles so neither of them would have to make to the bar again and again.

Roy smiled sarcastically, after gulping down his second glass which he did in one go, he was started to get drunk. "Afterwards, there was no Christmas. We could hardly afford a living to be celebrating let alone Christmas, it was just any other day for us."

"How was he?" asked Tom pouring another drink for Roy. He hadn't finished his second drink yet. He didn't want to get drunk, he had work to do.

"Who?"

"Your father." said Tom handing him the drink.

Roy didn't answer him on the contrary asked him a question in return. "What about your family? I wanna know about you a bit."

Tom smiled, he needed to keep talking to keep him drinking so he wouldn't notice him adding Veritaserum to his drink, but what was he going to tell him now, he didn't know, he just started. "I never saw my parents. All I remember is my orphanage where I grew up till I turned 11 and got the letter for Hogwarts."

At this Roy looked straight at Tom, even though he was drunk enough to be unfocused. "You don't have any siblings?" asked Roy.

Tom sat staring at him. What was he to tell him? That he had a brother who had actually tried to use him, and perhaps kill him. "No." They stared at each other for a whole minute as if searching for the unsaid, unseen until there was a knock on the door.

Roy stood up to attend the door. It was a perfect chance for Tom. He took out the potion as Roy turned to open the door and poured a couple of drops in his drink. He corked the flask containing the potion and put it back in his pocket as Roy turned saying, "For you."

Tom stood up too. To his surprise it was Estella who had turned up. As Tom approached the door he turned back a bit to see if Roy had taken the drink or not and sure enough he was holding the glass to his lips which Tom knew within a few second would be empty. He was about to drink when Estella shook him to herself.

"Tom, I needed to talk to you. I don't think you should do what we talked about earlier."

"Estella, I've already done what I wanted to, what I had to. There's no turning back now. You get back to bed. We'll talk in the morning." Wishing him a goodnight Estella turned to leave as Tom closed the door behind her.

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Roy opened the door and found Estella there.

"You were right, he's here." said Roy.

"Did he put it in?"

"Just did."

"Call him. You take care of the drink, I'll distract him."

Roy turned back, "For you."

Tom stood up and made to the door as Roy took his place back on the floor. He picked up the drink and took it to his lips. He was about to drink when Tom turned to Estella. He threw the drink in a nearby vase, refilled the glass and gulped half of it down as the door closed.

********************************************************************

Tom turned to see Roy gulping down the drink that he had left. Now was the time. He walked to him and sat beside him.

"Roy?"

"Hmm..."

"Why are you here?" asked Tom, his heart beating very fast.

"I was working at the Ministry of Magic after I was thrown off the England Quidditch team... but, it wasn't the kind of job I wanted. Nobody knew me at the Ministry except for the Minister. He had liked me on the team, so, after Rabastian died, he offered me the post at Hogwarts. He knew playing at the National level again wasn't possible for me, I could at least feel connected to my past as a Quidditch coach."

Tom felt relieved. Roy was sent by Malfoy but he hadn't sent him for Riddle. He had sent him for his own good. He might be attached to him, like Harry was to Tom though one thing that he found strange was Roy calling his father by his name. He smiled for he was relieved but he had to ask. "You didn't tell me, how was your father?"

"How would you find a deatheater?"

Tom's smile faded. "Rabastian had a clear record. He wasn't a deatheater."

To his horror Roy laughed out, "Rabastian wasn't my father. I was born to Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange. I am their only son whom they abandoned to their so-called brother because he had a clear record, to 'keep me safe'. For all I knew they wanted to get rid of me to serve the Dark Lord." Roy, already drunk, fell into a deep sleep leaving empty bottles rolling on the floor.

For Tom his whole world had been shaken. He just sat there staring at the man whom he had just betrayed, who should have meant more to him than anyone, one who felt like a brother, but never seemed like one. Who had trusted him with everything he had and he had done this to him just to get out the truth he already knew and to find one he hadn't been looking for. After what his twin had done to him he had longed for someone he could call family and now when it came to him so close he had nearly thrown it away. Had Roy found out his intentions he would have lost his trust forever, he would have lost his brother again.

For how long Tom sat there he didn't know, until he couldn't take it anymore. He stood up and left the room, the weight of guilt wearing him down as he went.

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Roy opened his eyes the moment he heard the door close. He sat there hating himself. Against his own will he had betrayed his own brother for another, his conscience burning with agony untold. But he would have to do what he was doing. True, Rabastian wasn't his father, but he was nonetheless, and he would do anything to save him. He had done exactly what he was told to do. He had told Tom what he wanted to know, given him what he needed to lure him to the trap that was perhaps already prepared. But this will remain with him always, this guilt of betraying his own blood and blaming it of the betrayal above all would haunt him till his death. Roy closed his eyes again as a tear slipped down them, after all, remorse could be a remedy.

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Originally posted by: guy3

Yes, dear, still with it!;)
And maybe if you are still in hindi serial mode, (which you are when you make tom suffer like serial bahus;)) you will get rid of idiotic Ted and maybe tom and victoire will find comfort!:)
God, am hopeless, aren't I?:))[/QUOTE

Haha... Totally 😛😃😃

Btw...Congratulations!!! 😉 You were right all along... about Estella 😃