Harry Potter and the Two Faced Mirror - Updated Chapter 6 Part 7 - Page 6

Once again when Tom and Riddle left Harry's office they found themselves staring at a young boy waiting only for Tom. Riddle who had been covered under a disillusionment charm anyways walked back to their room without so much as a glance at the boy. Alex however hugged Tom solemnly and Tom welcomed his embrace like a luxury that he had been robbed of.

"Where have you been?!" Alex asked him with a frown on his face that didn't suit him at all.

"I have been here." Tom answered quickly.

"Professor Harry wouldn't let anyone see you. I tried, Rose, James...He wouldn't even let us near your room!"

Tom understood that Harry had been trying to keep them away from Riddle. "Yeah, I was out for all this time. You guys wouldn't have met me anyways."

"Where's Estella? I haven't seen her since she got expelled. James couldn't even find her at HogsHead."

"James went looking for her?" Tom asked rather alarmed now.

"You won't tell anyone else, will you? He'll get into a lot of trouble if you did. He did it for me."

Tom stared at him a little lost for words. "Yeah, I won't tell...but you need to know something..." He started out wanting to tell him about Estella and Roy then stopped. He could barely bring himself to talk about them in front of Duds and here he stood in front of Alex who couldn't understand more than half of this situation. Yet he felt if none of the children knew of the threat that both Estella and Roy were to them, they might get into trouble. They had trusted the two of them as much as Tom had and Tom was chiefly responsible for that. Despite Harry's continuous warnings against Roy he had trusted him. And Estella...he had fallen for her...Alex, Lily, James, Peter, Albus, Rose...They had simply followed his lead. They had no idea of what they had been and who he had led into their lives. They had simply found trust in them for him.

"Alex, remember, I had said, when we were talking about living together...remember I had said you and I won't be alone?"

"Yeah, of course, I do. You told me Estella would be living with us as well, when you would marry her."

"Yes...But you know sometimes, things don't quite workout the way they ought to...and in the same way Estella won't be moving in with us like we had planned..."

"Why? Did you two break up?" He asked folding his arms looking more or less like Duds disapproving his careless actions.

He raised his eyebrows at him.

Alex realized he had been too direct. He shrugged it off anyways. "What?! I am old enough to know if you did break up." He replied adamantly folding his arms.

Tom stared at him. What would he tell him now? He had meant to warn him of the danger that stood facing everyone should any of the children ever come in contact with either of Estella or Roy instead Alex was thinking of a break up. He cleared his throat. "Yes, I did." He answered. "But I want you to know that we can't even be friends with her anymore. If you see her you inform me immediately, ok? You don't talk to her and you don't go near her, are you clear on that?"

Alex nodded screwing up his eyes shrewdly. James had mentioned it to him that Tom was behaving awkwardly and this was definitely awkward.

"And the same goes for Roy." Tom added briefly not wanting to talk more about him.

"How did you break up with him? You two never went out!" Alex exclaimed wide eyed.

Tom rolled his eyes at him as Alex winked at him and burst out laughing. "Shut up." Tom slapped him lightly on the back of the head as he ceased his laughter.

"Alright. I will stay away from them. Care to tell me why?"

Tom gulped down. He had no idea how to answer Alex's questions. "Not yet. But I want you to be safe, that's why I am asking you to stay away from them."

Alex turned serious at his serious tone. He nodded. "Are you alright? You are not hurt like before, are you?" He asked now glancing all over his body to see if he was wounded in any way.

"No, I am fine." He answered quickly. "Just, promise me you will look out for yourself and for others, Lily, Rose, James and Albus. Warn them as well. Tomorrow's Prophet will be able to give you all a clearer picture of everything."

Alex nodded seriously as Tom finally smiled feeling relieved that he could trust Alex to stay out of trouble. He hugged him once again rather tightly, let go and saw him back to his dormitory before returning to his own room.

The rest of the day for both Tom and Riddle was too tiring to be practicing, so, Tom arranged lunch for the two of them. Riddle was never comfortable with anything. He refused every kind of potato that Tom offered him. All he wanted was as much meet as possible. Food had never been a problem at Hogwarts but whenever they needed to get something from the Kitchens Riddle would force Tom to walk down there and carry everything back to their room refusing to summon anything. He was literally trying his patience. Tom though fumed several times but went nevertheless out of obligation. He still felt an immense obligation towards his brother, no matter what.

Riddle was actually making Tom run down to the Kitchens every now and then on purpose. He wanted to see how far could he stretch his boundaries with Tom. He knew it wasn't exactly an inviting prospect for him to run around the place so frequently as he had nearly broken his back only a few days before and was still quite uncomfortable with a lot of things. His powers were so out of his control that sometimes subconsciously they over came him and things around him would explode into bits. Knowing all of that Riddle wanted to know how much resiliency did Tom have and he was quite surprised to find that he was much more resilient than Riddle had ever given him credit for.

Riddle first told him he would eat anything that was edible. Then refused the potatoes and asked for meet. Then refused the fish meet Tom brought him and asked for cow meet then returned it saying it smelled. Tom brought him chicken meet which looked very delicious but Riddle refused to eat it as it was fried. He ordered something healthier. Tom brought him boiled chicken sprinkled with salt and pepper and this time Riddle accepted it but requested a salad along with it. He was half expecting Tom to pull out his wand and curse him then remembered he didn't have any but Tom had not yet shown him any signs of anger. He left quietly to get the salad, came back and sat down quietly to eat his own food that had turned stone cold in the time he had struggled for Riddle. Nevertheless, he ate quietly without complaining.

Finally at nightfall Riddle decided it was time for practice but Tom felt too sleepy to practice anything at all. Once again Riddle decided to test his resiliency.

"Get up." Riddle ordered him quietly as Tom wouldn't get out of the bed.

"We can start tomorrow after I'm done with invigilation." replied Tom who felt like he had walked miles during the entire day although he hadn't but one could never ignore the fact that Riddle had made him run around the Castle like a house elf to change orders every now and then.

"We have to begin now." Riddle wanted them to start now. He wanted to see how good was Tom at concentrating when he didn't want to. "If you are unwilling then I might have to persuade you."

Tom sat up in bed looking dazed but he knew that Riddle's persuasion meant him pulling out a wand and right now Tom was in no condition to compete. He picked up the empty glass from the side table. He was about to fill it with water when Riddle stopped him. Tom had momentarily forgotten his powers were out of his control but Riddle had realized it in time. He didn't want to be flooded at this hour of the night. He pointed his own wand at the glass, whispered 'augamenti' and the glass filled with water. Tom gulped down the entire glass and finally felt awake enough to do what Riddle was asking him to do.

"Now, get out of the comfort of your bed and sit down on the floor." Riddle ordered him again. It was important that Tom did everything that made him uncomfortable in order for him to control his emotions.

Tom stared at him. He was the last person who would mind sitting on the floor. Tom literally loved it. He had always been comfortable on the floor. He had worked on streets for 2 years as a child labor. He had nothing but the hard floor to sleep on to at that point in time. He got out of bed slowly and sat down on the floor cross legged. The moment he sat he felt a sharp pain in his spine and he remembered only days before he had nearly broken his back and although he didn't mind sitting on the floor right now he didn't want to.

Riddle knew that, it was why he had asked him to sit on the floor.

Tom made to get up but--_ "Sit down." whispered Riddle.

"I can't." replied Tom. He knew if he sat there for any longer he would probably crack his spine all over again.

"It is necessary."

Tom who could not take the pain anymore just didn't know what was important or what wasn't. He got up immediately and leant against the wall relieving the pain. "I'm sorry." Tom knew things wouldn't improve without his cooperation but he just couldn't do what Riddle was asking him. "Please, don't ask me to sit on the floor."

"I know it makes you uncomfortable but it is necessary that it does." replied Riddle. For the first time in his entire life he had not appreciated the scene he stood upon. He had not liked to see Tom in trouble, for the first time he had wanted to help him, comfort him but right now he needed to do what was required for Tom's own good.

Tom bore his eyes into Riddle's and realized he was right. Riddle was dead serious. If this was the first step towards his improvement Tom would have to take it. He nodded silently and sat back down on the floor as his back gave a big pang but he quietly gulped it down.

"Now, close your eyes and try to shut out the pain."

Tom obliged. He closed his eyes and concentrated with all his might but the more he thought about shutting the pain out the more it increased. "It's not working."

"Think about something that you desire, you crave, something that makes you forget about everything that's happening to you right now."

"Something pleasant?" asked Tom.

Riddle had never thought of it this way but now that Tom had asked it was exactly what he meant. "Yes, something pleasant."

Tom sought for something pleasant in his life. The face that loomed out first to him to his own astonishment was that of Estella's. As it did so his eyes flew open and the glass on his bedside table exploded to bits.

Riddle stared at him. He knew which face had just crossed his mind. "Tom, think about Harry." He knew if nothing worked at least that would.

Tom who was a second ago in immense pain now knew nothing but anger. He was angry at the woman who had betrayed him to serve the man that stood before him. He stood up and advanced on Riddle who retreated automatically. Riddle casted a shield charm around himself but Tom walked right through it. Riddle didn't know what to do but he also didn't want to aggravate him. He needed to calm him down. But how?

"Tom, I'm your brother." said Riddle boring into Tom's eyes but suddenly Tom had blocked him out.

"You're no brother of mine." Tom whispered back as Riddle backed away in the far corner of the room and Tom stopped a little way away from him. He stretched out his arm towards Riddle who knew what was coming. "Crucio!"

"No!" Riddle shouted but it was no use. Tom tortured him for a whole minute before lifting the curse.

As Riddle gasped for air Tom stood over him smiling sarcastically, "Like that, don't you?"

Riddle stared at him, right now Riddle was where Tom had been exactly a year and a half ago, at Riddle's feet, thriving in pain and Riddle had simply mocked him. It had all come around big time for Riddle. But Riddle had never known to lose, to be dominated over, or to be tortured. He pulled out his wand but as he did so Tom disarmed him with a wave of his hand and pulled him up and threw Riddle into the opposite wall with full force. Riddle noticed something; the pain in Tom's back was all gone. There was no sign of it, so he had at least controlled something but he definitely wasn't getting on to controlling all his emotions, the first one of which was anger. Tom would never be angry when he was himself but when his powers overcame him he felt nothing but anger. Riddle wanted him to control that anger but how?

Tom advanced on Riddle with vengeance in his eyes but this time Riddle was prepared. He summoned his wand back to himself and stood facing him. "Stupefy!" The spell hit Tom squarely in the chest to no effect whatsoever. He was pushed back a few steps but wasn't stunned.

Tom wanted to tear Riddle apart, "Relashio!" Riddle moved out of the way just in time as Tom's curtains were torn apart.

Dumbledore, who had just slid back into his portrait slid back into the one in Harry's office to inform him of what was going on.

Harry rushed out of his office to Tom's room. The moment he reached his room the door blasted right off its hinges into the corridor and slammed against it was Riddle. Had Harry not moved out of the way in time he would have been slammed on the other side of that door. Riddle got up, his anger surpassing his purpose but Harry stopped him as Tom advanced on him completely ignoring Harry who rushed in front of him.

"Tom, look at me! It's me, Harry." At Harry's words Tom looked at him and stopped. But behind him stood Riddle with his wand out. Tom needed to deal with him first. He stared at Riddle who rose up in the air as he choked. Tom was choking him like he had choked Hermione at St,. Mungoes. "Let him go!" Harry shook Tom who looked at him once more now not so sure what to do. Harry was here, wasn't he? Like a friend, like a father. Tom was very well protected then why was he angry. The knot on Riddle's throat loosened and finally he dropped on the stone floor.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" Tom asked him quite confused, then his eyes fell on Riddle on the floor behind Harry. "He killed them." He said even without his own knowledge. And suddenly the same vengence covered his eyes as before. "I will kill him." But before he had so much as moved a muscle Riddle pointed his wand at him. "Sectumsempra!"

He had had enough. Tom had beaten him down like hell in the last hour, it was time it all stopped.

Harry stood rooted to the spot as Tom fell bleeding profusely, now unconscious. He couldn't believe Riddle had just used that spell against Tom although he had promised he would not harm him. He bent over Tom and muttered counter curses one after the other. The wounds on his torso were healed momentarily while Riddle smartened himself. But as he bent over Tom himself the gashes appeared on his torso again and he started bleeding again.

"Your counter curses are not working." Riddle stared at Harry, then at the wand in his hand. It was the Elder wand. He had figured it out more quickly than Harry had expected. The wand now belonged to Tom, it would not perform crucial magic for Harry. "Move aside. Let me__-"

"Shut up!" Harry whispered back. He had seen enough already of what Riddle could and couldn't do. It was a mistake, he had again made a mistake by trusting Riddle. Harry sent a sprinting stag to Hermione. He lifted Tom to his feet and dragged him back inside the room. Once he had put him back on the bed, Harry fixed the door back, the moment Riddle had come back inside Harry shut the door. They couldn't afford anyone seeing Riddle here but the moment Harry shut the door, a quiet, scared voice came out of a corner of the room.

"Dad."

Originally posted by: guy3

God, please no. The Padma romance angle is not good peri:( I too thought of her as an elder sis for tom.
Riddle and his mischief making will land everyone in deep trouble:(

Originally posted by: VSai2008

Keep Reading and Commenting! 😃😃😃

Originally posted by: Periopaque

Hmmm...You never know what might be a good idea just yet...I mean look how Tom and Estella happened, what if Tom and Padma works...Let's see...😃

Where is Victoire? She and Tom are truly a match.

Chapter 4

Common Grounds

Both Riddle and Harry stared in the corner of the room. Riddle pointed his wand at the little boy whom he could see now quite clearly. He just couldn't believe that he hadn't noticed him earlier. Riddle removed the disillusionment charm from over him.

As Harry waited with bated breath, the chalk white face of James appeared slowly.

"James, what are doing here?" asked Harry his mouth dry. James could see Tom bleeding on the bed and Riddle standing in front of him. He had finally come to know of what Harry had been trying to hide from him. He had wanted to keep his children away from all this, not wanting them to know of Riddle's presence here, specifically when they knew he had killed Alex's parents.

"Dad, what's happening?" He asked still in shock, his eyes moving from Tom to Riddle to Harry. "And is that Tom?" He asked staring at him.

Harry nodded silently then, "You shouldn't be here. I told you to keep out of this."

But Harry's words had no impact on him. James moved to Tom's side, still staring at him scared. He was bleeding profusely and slowly turning pale. He looked up at Riddle. "Did he try to kill him?" James was breathing very hard for what he had seen. He had never seen a duel like that before and he shouldn't have. He was 14 for all it mattered. That was why Harry had wanted to keep him out. He knew James was too young even to see something so brutal.

"No, he didn't." replied Harry not even sure himself.

"I didn't." Riddle wanted to confirm as he had already read Harry's mind. "You don't know what he was going to do. He had suddenly remembered that I had killed the Longbottoms and had suddenly decided to kill me. He was going to perform the killing curse, non-verbally and without a wand and I think you know what happens when he performs a simple spell without a wand. You can imagine what would have happened if he had performed an unforgivable curse and that too the killing curse. Either he would have killed the two of us or himself. I had no other options."

"You could have stunned him."

"I couldn't. I had tried before you arrived. I had to use something profound to penetrate his powers. Do you have any idea that he nearly killed me tonight?"

"He would have done good if he had." said James still staring at Tom. He was devastated to see like that. He had come under the disillusionment charm to see if he could find out anything about Tom's strange behavior when suddenly he had seen Harry running at the door head over heels. The door had blasted off and Riddle had been slammed against it. Had Tom not walked out of the room after him James would have assumed Riddle to be Tom but when he saw Tom advancing on Riddle he figured out it was two of them. He had of course known about Riddle but hadn't seen him in person.

"What do you mean?" asked Riddle his eyes now on James. A little boy of 14 thought he could judge Riddle, how amusing.

"You did kill Alex's parents, you killed Uncle Bolt, and after Uncle Bolt's death, because of you Tom was at St. Mungoes for a month, I don't suppose he was there on vacation, you had harmed him then and you're doing the same now. It would have done all of us a favor if Tom had simply killed you, but that's the difference, isn't it, between he and you? He could never even dream of harming you. I knew something had happened ever since Tom had disappeared a few weeks back. Now I know, you've done something to him. His powers are unstable; he's out of his mind at times and now, look what you've done! He's dying!"

"James, it's not like that." Harry had no trouble believing that James had figured out as much with the help of his extendable ears but he did not wish him to go head to head with Riddle. After tonight Harry couldn't trust Riddle, he had out of nowhere used an unforgivable curse and that too so profound, if anything happened to Tom, Harry would never forgive himself. But right now Harry had to worry about James.

Riddle who had listened quietly could not leave it all unexplained. "I have done nothing fatal. He is not dying. If your father allowed me we could all be spared the trouble of waiting and in Tom's case some blood. But it seems he doesn't have faith in me."

"He shouldn't!" James just wouldn't give up. He had never mentioned it but he had always taken Tom as an elder brother. He was the eldest of all his siblings so he had always, bossed and kicked his younger brothers and sisters around but he had seldom had the chance to badger and annoy someone older than him. Ted had been close to him but since his marriage he had affairs of his own to tackle and when Tom had come to stay the summer with them he had felt very close to him. Seeing him like this had been more painful than he had expected. Tom had also chosen to trust him with his secret. Of all the children only he and Rose knew the truth about him and Tom had not wiped his memory clean of it. That had earned his respect.

"James!" shouted Harry as he felt Riddle's anger at its peak. He couldn't risk anything happening to James, he was too young. "Go back to your dormitory, now." added Harry as James opened his mouth to argue.

"Not until he's fine." This time he refused to move his ground.

"Fine, then keep your mouth shut while we wait for Hermione."

James nodded and went back to staring at Tom. He would never admit it to anyone, not even his own mother but he was praying inside, for Tom.

Within a minute or two Hermione rushed inside the room. She didn't need telling anything. Harry's words in the patronus had been enough. "Tom, cursed, need help, come pronto!"

She started muttering counter curses and slowly the wounds started healing and the bleeding ceased, but this time they didn't heal completely. Open scars were left that would heal with time. When Hermione finished she waved her wand to clean the bed and Tom's clothes. She rearranged the room and turned to Harry. But before she had so much as opened her mouth Harry held up his hand to silence her. In hurry, Hermione too had overlooked James but she noticed him when Harry pointed at him. "James-_what--" She turned to Harry who closed his eyes in mere despair then motioned to her he would explain everything later. Meanwhile he turned to James.

"Tom is fine now. You should go back to your tower."

"But Dad-_"

"That's enough. You wanted to stay until he was fine. It's time you leave."

James suddenly looked near to tears. Harry had never seen him like this. Even as a baby he had seldom cried. He was the mess maker of their home. They had neither seen him intimidated nor seen him scared. "I don't want to leave him alone."

Both Harry and Hermione stared at him. He had never preferred to stay beside anyone who was sick. He had never once stayed the night at the Burrow when Mrs. Weasley was ill and today he just wasn't leaving but Harry couldn't let him stay with Riddle. He stared at Riddle who had again read his thoughts and had already changed into Tom's clothes. He was ready to leave James alone with Tom. Although for the first time in his life, he didn't want to leave his brother alone as well. He felt worried. It was weird for him but he couldn't help it.

"Alright, you can stay. Don't let him leave here. Let us know when he wakes up. Make sure no one comes in here." Harry put all instructions straight out to him as right now he just couldn't think what else to do but he didn't want things getting worse because of James.

James nodded and sat down beside Tom still staring at him.

Harry, Hermione and Riddle left the room. As the door closed, Harry locked it from outside. When they entered Harry's office Ginny and Ron stood there awaiting them. Riddle entered last of all but the moment he did Ginny rushed to him and hugged him tightly. "Tom, thank goodness you're fine. I was so scared when Ron told me." She moved away and held his face in her hands. "I'm never letting you out of my sight again." She hugged him again as tears ran down her face. She had awaited Harry ever since Ron had come to their room and told her what had happened. She was worried sick about Tom. She couldn't see him in trouble anymore and when he had walked in she was so glad to see him alright she just couldn't stop herself.

Riddle stood rooted to the spot. The moment he had entered Ginny had grabbed him. He was confused. He couldn't understand what had happened. He had never been hugged so tightly, never felt the warmth the likes of this. He had never known a mother and suddenly when he had felt the touch of one he couldn't define what he was feeling. He had never felt so comforted, so cared for. He had never felt so safe in anyone's arms. Never felt so moved by anyone's words. When she had called him Tom he wanted to tell her that it wasn't him but he just couldn't. He was speechless for all he knew. For the first time words had failed him and yet again for the first time he had thought of his mother. But he had always known Bellatrix could never be one.

"Ginny," Harry took her in his arms when he saw tears running down her face. "Please, don't, Tom's fine." He wiped her tears. He looked at Riddle. He was as surprised as Riddle was. When Ginny had hugged him he had felt her love for Tom, something Harry had never expected him to do.

"He's Riddle." said Hermione out loud to Ron and Ginny. At this Ginny who was crying in Harry's arms suddenly looked up at him then looked at Riddle.

"Where's Tom?" She asked him confused.

"He's in his room. James' with him." replied Harry as Riddle was still too lost to answer.

"James?! O my goodness!" The moment she heard that she strode out of the office. Harry knew she didn't want him involved into any of this either.

"Would you mind explaining what happened?" Hermione seemed quite angry.

Riddle came back to his senses when he heard Hermione's grim voice.

"I had told Potter I would help Tom control his powers. We were working for that. I was trying his patience. He was in pain. To begin with I wanted him to control that so I told him to concentrate on something that made him happy but much to his own surprise Zavatti's face came out to him and within a second his temper rose and he completely blew me off. I had wanted Tom to get cleared of all emotions but somehow when he got rid of one, another one suddenly came over him, this switch was dangerous. A few minutes ago Tom was tired, exhausted as a matter of fact, now he was angry. When Potter came he was calm but a second later was angry again. He was going to kill me. I had to stop him."

Harry, Ron and Hermione listened to him quietly then, "You could have stunned him." said Ron.

"I had tried it before Potter came but it hadn't worked. I had to use something profound or he would have killed everyone around him and for that matter Potter, even James."

"Shut up!" said Harry angrily. He knew what he had said was true but he couldn't blame Tom for anything.

"How did James get there in the first place?" asked Hermione.

"He was tailing us since morning." replied Riddle. "When I urged Tom to practice I never imagined him to be outside. That boy is spoilt if you ask me." Riddle didn't like him at all. He was always meddling into affairs that didn't concern him.

"What's he doing staying with Tom though?" asked Ron. They were all aware of the way James was. He hated being with sick people. He said they smelled and looked half dead. He loved life, parties, chaos but hated silence, boredom and deaths.

"He was very scared, Ron. He has never seen Tom like that. He has always seen him smiling, making others laugh, loving and kicking it well alive. Don't you remember how scared we were when we had seen him like that a year ago?"

Ron nodded. They had indeed been scared when they seen him this way and they were adults. But James, he was only a kid. Too young even to be seeing anything of the sort. "How's Tom now?" Ron asked very concerned.

"He is fine." replied Hermione quietly.

"No, he is not." said Riddle suddenly. "His wounds are still open."

"They'll heal over time but he's not serious or dying like before." retorted Hermione. She knew what Riddle was getting at. Hermione was no doubt good at whatever she did but DADA was one thing she was never perfect at. She had removed the curse but it wasn't as perfect as Harry did it but Harry who didn't have the Elder wand working for him couldn't heal it, so he had called Hermione. When Hermione had finished only the outer wounds were left open and they'd heal with time.

"It'll only slow him down." replied Riddle. "If only Harry had let me remove the curse." Riddle completely disapproved of them all. None of them could cast a proper spell.

Ron bore his eyes into Harry's. He knew what fears lingered him. He couldn't trust Riddle anymore. "Perhaps, it was better he hadn't."

Riddle felt like Ron had slapped him right across the face. "You still think I wanted him dead."

None of them answered because it wasn't a question and Riddle already knew the answer.

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

Originally posted by: guy3

Where is Victoire? She and Tom are truly a match.

Keep Reading and Commenting! 😃😃

Originally posted by: Periopaque

She will show up soon but I wouldn't make that judgement about Tom and Victoire just yet...you never know who else might turn up in the story ahead😃

You have a way of riling me up, don't you?;) but you know I was right about Estella all along.:-D
So you can't throw me off the trail...
Hmm...so, riddle is getting a glimpse of mother's love. Happy for him. I also totally understand how James felt. You make hating any character so difficult (except ted and Estella of course;))

Tom opened his eyes slowly as consciousness came back to him. He was in his room alright but to his utter surprise he saw James sitting beside him and he sat up immediately. As he did so the searing pain in his open wounds came back to him and his head felt like it was made of metal but he didn't lay back. He needed to know what was going on and most importantly what was James doing here?

The moment James saw him wake up he stood up immediately not wanting to answer his questions. He didn't think he would like to explain his presence here. It'd be embarrassing if Tom found out he was worried for him.

"James, what are you doing here?" asked Tom as James made to the door to leave, getting out of bed himself.

"II am leaving." replied James again not wanting to launch into any explanations.

Tom moved towards him and stood in front of him blocking his way to the door. The moment he had got out of bed he had realized something was wrong. The last he remembered of himself was sitting on the floor as Riddle had instructed him and after that he had awoken now with gashes on his torso and his head like a mountain. He felt weak but all of this had to be kept from James. He wasn't supposed to know anything but how much did he already know?

"I can see that but what were you doing here in the first place?" Tom asked him calmly.

James looked at him a whole minute. To an extent he was a little scared. He had never seen Tom so violent, as he had been a few minutes ago. Now, he was back to normal and he did seem fine and calm. James decided to tell him the truth.

"I know about Riddle."

Tom stared at him. He had never expected a straight answer from James and yet he had just received one. That meant something had happened that James had probably stumbled across and wasn't apparently pleasant. Whatever may have happened he couldn't let James take the heat for it. Under all circumstances he wanted to portray to him that everything was normal and Hogwarts was still a safe place because right now James looked scared to death.

He bore his eyes into James' eyes and spoke as clearly as he could. "Nothing has changed. He is here by my and your father's will and he means no harm. Whatever you came across tonight was nothing but an accident."

At Tom's words and his reassuring gaze James finally caught his breath, blood flooded into his color drained face and he looked relieved but he still had to ask. "But I saw the two of you dueling."

Tom who didn't remember anything couldn't either accept or deny it. "It was all a misunderstanding, like it could be between you and Albus. It wasn't anything serious." He knew this was the most lame thing he could have said because James knew how messed up things were between Tom and Riddle. He had known since the beginning of this year that although Tom had a brother named Riddle, he had never been part of Tom's life and that was because Tom had told him so himself and here he stood comparing his relation with Riddle with the one between James and Albus.

James wasn't convinced, "But he tried to kill you. You bled out so bad. He's done it before as well when Uncle Bolt died. I would never do anything that way to Albus and I know he won't ever harm me as well."

Tom looked into his innocent face. "True, you and Albus would never do anything of that sort. But nothing changes the fact that we are brothers and whatever happened tonight was my mistake so I cannot blame Riddle for anything. Even if he did harm me it was to protect me."

"You're defending him after he tried to kill you. I literally didn't get what you just said." James was now too confused to understand what had happened or why which was in a way relieving. The less he understood the better it would be for all.

Tom smiled widely, his million-dollar 32 teeth exposing smile. James now finally starting to get back to his normal mood as he now felt Tom was fine. "Do you know Dad was worried sick about you." said James sitting down on his bed.

Tom sat beside him too. "Your Dad has always been a worrisome." He chuckled.

"Wait till Dad hears that!" said James laughing his heart out as Tom joined him.

"Where is he anyways?" asked Tom as they stopped laughing.

"I guess-_" James had just started when the lock clicked. The door opened and Ginny came inside. She rushed inside with tears in her eyes and looking quite frantic but she froze as she saw the two of them sitting smiling at each other. A wave of relief swept over her face as she saw them and a smile flickered on her face.

When Tom saw her he stood up as did James who looked a little worried now. He knew he would be scolded for tailing Tom but before Ginny had so much as opened her mouth Tom started. "James is fine. There's nothing to worry. In fact, he's been good company. He's alright." He nodded in re-assurance to her as she felt herself swelling up.

She felt proud for him. There he stood after all that had happened, protecting her son like elder brothers do, trying to save the younger ones from being scolded.

"It's not him I was worried about." She replied him as she saw his smile fade. She knew Tom had kept all details from James and put forward something that had changed his mood completely. She hugged him pure out of love.

"I'm fine." He replied as Ginny nodded and looked over his shoulder to James who stared expectantly.

She laughed out. "C'mere you brat!" She gave him a tight hug.

"Hey, only Uncle Ron can call me that!" He protested as he broke away.

"Yeah and just in case you've forgotten, your Uncle Ron's my brother." She kissed him on the cheek which he hated like anything as he was a big boy now. "C'mon now, go back to your tower. Tom needs to rest." She finally felt James should leave and anyways, it was too late for any of them to stay up any longer.

James bid them a goodnight and left. It was nearly 3 in the morning. All of them needed to sleep including Tom. Ginny turned to leave but as she did so he stopped her.

"Ginny."

She turned around to see all light gone from his twinkling light brown eyes.

"What happened?"

"You don't remember?"

He looked down shamefully.

"It wasn't your fault."

"It was. What have I done? I need to know."

"We'll talk about that in the morning. You need to rest."

Tom nodded. He knew she was right. "Where's Riddle?" He at least had to know that.

"Harry's office."

"I need to see him."

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

"I'd rather you stayed away from him." said Harry breaking the ice.

"I meant no harm." said Riddle for the first time in his life trying to justify his actions.

"Still all you've done until now is caused as much harm as possible. It was my decision to keep you with him and now I've decided to keep you two away." Although Harry knew he couldn't have Riddle alone in the Castle as he didn't trust him completely but he also didn't want any further harm to befall Tom.

Riddle knew what Harry was thinking but it didn't matter to him. What mattered to him was his reputation. He hadn't done anything on purpose why then should he have been blamed? "Where will you keep me? You don't even trust me enough for me linger around on my own." He retorted as Harry stared at him angrily. He hated this habit of his.

"That is why you're leaving the Castle."

"No, he's not." said Tom. The moment he had entered he had heard Harry's last words. He had said what he did because he had seen the justification in Riddle's eyes quite clearly. Riddle had not done anything on purpose and even if his eyes were deceiving Tom was ready to bear the consequences of his choice but he couldn't let Riddle leave again and fall into the wrong company all over again. Although he would never admit it but he couldn't lose him again not after everything that had happened to the two of them. He had seen what his brother had become with Malfoy. A murderer and to an extent it wasn't his fault. Had he found the right person to be with perhaps none of it would ever have befallen him.

"Tom." Harry's attention was diverted towards him. He was glad to see him alright but he couldn't agree with him. "He cannot stay." The same thing had happened just a few months back when Tom had tried to protect Roy and in the end it had all backfired on him. Harry only feared that.

"Give him one more chance." said Tom now boring into Harry's eyes who could see exactly what Tom felt and he couldn't blame him, he had always been singled out. "Please."

Riddle had no idea Tom would ever plead for him.

"Alright." said Harry now turning to Riddle. "If anything like this ever happens again that would be your last day in the Castle, agreed?" added Harry turning back to Tom who nodded quietly then moved out of the way for Riddle to leave who understood, disguised himself and left.

The moment Riddle left Harry hugged Tom tightly all pretence of the Hogwarts' Headmaster gone. He was as worried about him as much as Ginny.

"I'm fine." Tom smiled exposing all his teeth. He met Ron and Hermione. "Thank you." He thanked Hermione for saving him.

"Do you remember what happened?" asked Harry. He didn't know Tom knew who had saved him.

"No, but they're here at this hour, if Riddle cursed me you wouldn't have let him near me and I know your wand doesn't work for you so..." Tom had figured out pretty much everything.

Harry nodded then, "Tom, you don't have to invigilate tomorrow. I'll replace you." He wanted him to take complete rest.

"I'm alright Harry. You don't have to worry about it. I'll not do anything the sort I did today. Your students will be safe with me." He winked as they all laughed out. Harry felt that he was indeed alright. He nodded and wished him a goodnight as he left for his room.-

Tom entered his room to find Riddle fast asleep. Tom sat down beside him on his half of the bed. "Riddle, wake up, we need to talk."

Riddle's eyes snapped open like he had never slept and he sat up straight.

"I'm sorry for whatever I did and for whatever happened because of it." Tom felt he owed an apology to him.

Riddle looked at him. He had never felt so overwhelmed by anyone as he had felt by him today.

"I know Harry doesn't trust you but I want to let you know that I do." continued Tom. "You know my powers are unstable. A few hours ago I felt that if it mattered to anyone it was only me but now I don't think so."

"What do you mean?"

"James stumbled across us. He was so scared. I had never seen him like that before. He's the mess maker of the Potter house. It was worrying to see him so frightened. After tonight I've made a decision. I need to get over this. I need to control my powers as fast as possible and for that I need your help."

"How?"

"I know it's a big favor I'm asking you for but right now you're the only hope I have. I'm asking you for this because I trust you completely. Riddle, I want you to replace me."

Riddle stared at him a whole minute. He was indeed in shock.

"I want you to take over my duties, my responsibilities and relieve me of this burden until I get better and at the same time enjoy my rights." continued Tom.

"I don't seem to understand."

"I want you to take over my post of the Deputy Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry won't know. We're the same. All you will have to do will be to dress up like me and to an extent behave like me."

"How will that improve your condition?"

"I'll stay inside my room 24/7, as long as it takes, I'll practice and I'll keep practicing until I reach perfection."

Riddle was thinking, Harry would never entrust him with that kind of responsibility. But Tom had. If not everything, it meant something to him.

"Do I have your consent?" asked Tom. He didn't know if this was the right way but he did know that this was the only way. Somehow, he knew Riddle would not hurt him, not anymore and proof of that was the fact that Riddle had not hurt any of the people he cared about while he had been unconscious for the past two weeks. Perhaps, Harry had rightly observed that Riddle had changed. It had taken some time for Tom to admit this reality but he felt it was time, he used it for everyone's benefit.

"You do." Riddle replied.

Tom smiled. He knew Riddle would help him. He got up as did Riddle. They stood and held hands as Tom spoke the incantation. "I, Tom Marvolo Riddle, willingly and consciously, transfer my post of the Deputy Headmaster, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, to Tom Marvolo Riddle. Be all that was mine belong to him, as long as the post remains with him."