Harry Potter and the Two Faced Mirror - Updated Chapter 6 Part 7 - Page 9

Originally posted by: guy3

Where are you, Peri? Long time, no see

Originally posted by: twinki

Awesome part
Loved reading it

Originally posted by: guy3

I still don't like Roy being back:( and I don't like Harry trusting him so much.
Anyway, ok, true test of Riddle: when Voldemort rises, it will be tom vs Voldemort. Who will he choose? He will still side with Voldemort atleast according to his character graph till now but remains to be seen when he consciously or unconsciously changes his choice in this story.
Tom needs to continue to work hard. Let's hope this will all be worth it when the time comes.

He left the counter as Stan retired to his back room and made to the rooms upstairs to see Mrs. Morris. He had climbed up and found himself in front of a door he had not expected to find so suddenly after all this time. He stood outside it feeling an urge to knock knowing quite clearly that he didn't need to, there was no one inside. There was a red tape across the door anyways. It was obviously sealed by the Ministry. Tom turned away from the door as uninvited memories flooded his mind. He remembered everything. All that time he had been outside this door waiting for her. All the time he had spent in its door frame holding her, all the time he had spent inside that room drenched in her extraordinary beauty, not knowing what lay behind those bright green eyes.

It was after days that Tom had remembered the woman he had felt he couldn't live without. Estella Zavatti, who had once been the centre of his universe, had now become a constant source of pain for him. He hadn't spoken a word about her betrayal to anyone but that didn't mean he hadn't felt it either. Although, he had discovered that Riddle had sent her, it had still been difficult for him to believe that she hadn't, in all that time, loved him for one moment. How could everything that he had felt had been flawed?

He stood lost in his own grief when he thought he heard movement inside the room. He turned around sharply. He stepped forward listening more closely. Sure enough there was movement inside. He put his hand on the door to cast the spell that Riddle had to make the opaque door transparent for him to see who was inside the sealed room when he suddenly found himself inside it. He turned on the spot to realize that apparition was blocked. Before he could make out who was inside in the dark someone attempted to stun him but their curse was deflected back on them as Tom heard a crashing sound. Someone else pinned him to a wall grabbing his front as the beam of their wand ignited and fell on his face.

Tom finally saw who had assaulted him. It was Michael Corner.

"Lumos Maxima! Michael whispered as the room glowed orange. "Enervate! He revived Terry Boot with his wand, holding on to Tom with his other hand who stood lost for a moment. As Boot stood up groggily raising his wand to Tom, Michael let go of his front and backed away a bit as Tom stood up properly.

"What are you doing here? How did you see us? Terry asked him through gritted teeth.

"I don't know how I got inside the room. And I didn't see you, I heard noise inside the room. Tom answered honestly. He had just touched the door on the outside, he had no idea how he was suddenly inside the room.

Michael stared at him. Both he and Terry exchanged a look. Terry had asked Tom how he had seen them because both of them were disillusioned at the moment but Tom hadn't understood the question. Apparently, it was quite normal for him to see through people's disillusionment charms. "You touched the door, didn't you? Michael guessed.

"Yes. Tom answered gulping down realizing that it was probably bewitched to pull anyone who touched it inside the room and trap them here until the Ministry came.

"Blind, are you?! Terry shouted at him brushing off debris. "Didn't see the red tape, did you?

"I did! I just didn't know that's what Ministry seals did! Tom answered furiously. He had been immensely foolish.

"Or, you came here to catch someone else here. Michael said raising his wand on him as well.

Tom looked from one to the other. "Really, and who might that be?! He asked as his own anger rose inside him.

"Who else but your own accomplices! It could be any one of Zavatti, Malfoy or your brother. Michael said advancing on him again. "Tell us, who have you called here?

Tom stared at them. They were still as mean as before. And judging by what they were saying they had no idea that Riddle was at the Castle. Harry had not even confided the secret of Riddle being here to the Army. By the looks of it, the Army didn't know anything about the night at the Ministry. Tom decided to settle on a little truth for their sake and his own since he had invaded a sealed area. The Ministry could lay charges on him if they wanted to. And if he would be arrested here right now, it would become very suspenseful as to how he was being arrested and invigilating at the same time and then everyone would know Harry had taken Riddle with him or worse the entire world would know there was two of them.

"Look, I came here to see someone else. I accidentally wound up outside this door. I heard movement inside, I just drew closer to the door to listen if someone... He stopped sighing deeply. "Someone...unwelcomed...had ventured inside a crime scene. He completed finally finding the appropriate words. He didn't want to say he had felt as if Estella had returned and how he had reminisced in the memories he had of hers. But he didn't really have to say it as they understood when he didn't meet their eyes.

Terry smirked. "Oh, missing your girlfriend, are you?

Tom who wanted to blow him to bits turned away from him and saved him by seconds as the door that stood behind him before and then in front as he had turned back to it, blew to bits now as he lost control of his anger. Both Michael and Terry backed away a few paces. Tom didn't turn back to them. He realized something. He had blown off the seal of the room. He was free to go.

"Not so fast. He had walked out of the room and had just reached the top of the stairs when he found his way blocked by none other than Latnok who also had his wand raised at him. Tom stopped short just as Michael and Terry appeared behind him. They pocketed their wands the moment they saw Latnok with his wand raised at Tom. "You broke the Ministry's seal. It wasn't a question and all three of Tom, Michael and Terry knew that but none of them could deny it outright.

Tom who was still trying to think of something to say when to his surprise Michael spoke up as he walked past him to stand in front of him facing Latnok and his raised wand. "He didn't. Michael said resolutely. Tom stared at his back. He looked away immediately when Latnok saw him staring at Michael in disbelief. "We were searching the room for something that might lead to the capture of Estella Zavatti when something inside the room exploded because we poked it. It must have been a dark object for her protection. It blew the seal off. Tom was apparently passing by just as we walked out of the room to seal it off again. Michael had produced a while lie but he knew Latnok would buy it. He had apparently attended to the alarm that would have gone off at the Ministry when the Ministry's seal was blown off. He obviously wanted to know everything about Malfoy being suddenly declared a deatheater since he had endorsed his ministerial run. But Michael wouldn't let him capture someone who had complete access to the Army's HQ and its secrets. Tom may be a danger to the Army but Latnok would only want the Army demolished for good.

Latnok looked from one to the other with suspicion then lowered his wand. "Did you find the object? He asked Michael Corner relieving Tom for the moment.

"We're still looking. Terry answered from behind Tom who stood shocked. Both Michael and Terry had lied to Latnok to protect Tom from certain conviction. What he couldn't tell was why.

Latnok knew there was something that even two of his most trusted aurors were not telling him but he had seen their resiliency the night he had arrested them. It was probably something to do with the Order of the Phoenix being revived by Harry Potter. Perhaps, Tom Riddle had also been a part of Harry Potter's secret organization because Harry didn't know he was related to Salazar Slytherin. He had counted on the wrong person all along. Regardless of Potter's incompetence, Latnok knew only he had stumbled upon the reality of Tom Riddle's lineage. He would take full advantage of that. He nodded to Terry, pocketed his wand, walked up to Tom and stood right up close him. Before either of Michael or Terry could stop him, he had grabbed Tom's front pressing his knuckles and thumbs hard into his chest.

"Sly, aren't you? Like a stinking cat, slinking out of tight corners, slipping away from my grasp but you mark my words. I will catch you off guard, someday. And he pushed him away down the flight of stairs.

Thankfully, Tom broke his fall with the help of the wooden side railing to the stairs. He decided not to stay in reach of Latnok for longer and strode away quickly jumping down the rest of the stairs.

"Was that necessary? Michael Corner asked pocketing his own wand as did Terry.

"Yes, it was necessary to tag him. Latnok smirked as they exchanged looks behind Latnok's back. Latnok had tagged Tom to follow him around. Harry hadn't told them anything since Latnok had released them but Latnok's behavior showed that he had discovered some of Tom's reality which could favor them in that Latnok could open Harry's eyes about Tom, show him who he really was and he was also someone who could arrest Riddle and bring Neville, Hannah and Bolt to justice. Tom was certainly an accomplice of his brother in their murders. It was about time the Wizengamot brought their deaths to justice. They couldn't tell Latnok anything since they knew Harry would never forgive them but they knew that if Latnok found out on his own, he would not sit silently on top of such a secret.

"If you intend to follow him, you should know something about him. Terry said affirming with Michael.

"What? Latnok turned to them, his eyes glinting. He was about to be told a secret.

"He can see through disillusionment charms. Michael said finally deciding upon helping Latnok.

"How do you know that? Latnok asked them shrewdly.

"Because he saw us just now, walking out the door. We removed our disillusionment charm after we saw you. Terry explained as Latnok remembered it too.

"Good work. Return to your search for clues in Zavatti's room. Leave Tom to me. I will follow after him.

Originally posted by: guy3

Love you Peri
Thanks for the quick update and for letting us know you are doing fine. Take care

Tom who hadn't looked back since he had narrowly escaped Latnok was halfway to the Castle when he ran into someone and completely knocked them over.

"I am so, sorry. He said quickly as he pulled him up by the arm.

"It's alright. It was Michael Morris. He stood up brushing off dirt but smiling quite cheerfully despite the fact that he had been knocked completely off his feet a moment ago.

"Thank God. Tom sighed finally smiling as he saw Michael rather cheerful. "I actually came to see you, how have you been?

"Fantastic! He answered positively beaming. "Which is all because of you, to be honest. He added looking into his eyes with gratitude.

Tom smiled pretending not to know what Michael was talking about. "Me? What did I do? Malcolm did everything all by himself.

Michael smirked. "Mal told me everything. You did everything, you just let Mal take credit for it. Trust me, he is grateful but he wanted us to know who really helped us out. My mom hasn't stopped smiling since you came by our place. Every time she thinks about Josh and Sylvia living the life she had always wanted them to, she can't help but be happy.

Tom smiled too, he was very happy to see that things had worked out so positively for Malcolm's family. "I am glad to know, you are doing well. I hope someday you can also continue your education.

Michael sighed heavily but his smile didn't fade. "I feel like I have lost several years to go back now but I haven't lost to life. I have learnt through other ways, business, work, life, they have all taught me a lot. I truly don't regret not completing my education. Although my father would have preferred all his children had been to school, I know if he were here today, he would still be proud of me.

Tom nodded, he would indeed be proud of both his sons. Malcolm too had shown a lot of courage only he had fallen into Seth's company, something that hadn't been too well for him. "I am sure he would be. Tom smiled, embraced Michael and bid him goodbye making back to the apparition spot behind Hogs Head.

He was going to return to the Castle after his near escape from Latnok but now after meeting Michael he had seen how much Michael missed his father and that had reminded him of someone who was so unfortunate that he would never have their father even if he was alive and well. But Tom had promised himself that he would never make him feel alone, fatherless. He had seen too much pain in the world without fathers, in his own life, in the lives of his friends, Porch, Duds, Neville, his loved ones, Harry, Alex...He wouldn't wish that fate for anyone and the boy in question here belonged to none other than the woman he had loved all his life, the woman he didn't think he could ever stop loving.

Tom disapparated to the Burrow as his heart longed to see her again, the kind of longing he hadn't felt in a long time. He walked through the length of the Weasleys garden and knocked softly on the door. On the way, he summoned flowers from their garden.

"Whose portrait hangs in the sitting room of the Hangleton HQ? A soft voice in a French accent asked through the door.

Tom recognized the voice as that of Fluer's. He realized there was a password and anyone other than the Army wouldn't know the answer. He couldn't quite forget the answer to that question. "The portrait of James Potter and Sirius Black.

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The door opened and Fluer's smiling face welcomed him as she accepted flowers from him. As Tom entered the house, someone quite unwelcomed apparated right outside the house. Latnok, disillusioned appeared silently following the tracker he had burned into Tom's chest. He crouched behind the large bushes in the garden to keep himself out of Tom's sight as he approached a nearby window. If Tom could indeed see through disillusionment charms, he would have to revert to old tactics for concealing himself. As he peeked inside the house, he saw Fluer Weasley ushering Tom inside a room leading out of the sitting area. The window into that room would be on the back side of the house. Latnok crept around the back of the house and finally found the window. He ducked low under it, rising only high enough to see what was happening inside.

He was starting to feel that following Tom was becoming useless. There wasn't anyone suspicious here. There was no Malfoy, no Voldemort, no deatheaters, just Tom and a woman sitting on the bed. As Tom entered the room and Fluer left, Tom approached a crib near the window. Latnok slid behind a low bush to stay out of sight but still able to keep the room in his view. Finally, the first surprising thing happened that made him sneer with malice. The woman sitting on the bed had climbed off it following Tom towards the crib. Tom stood with his back to her. As she neared him, Latnok saw who she was. She was Victoire Theodore Remus Lupin. However, what she did next didn't quite make sense. She wrapped her arms around Tom's shoulders and hugged him from behind. The last thing Latnok was expecting to catch Tom Riddle doing was having an affair with a married woman but here he was. He couldn't help sneering.

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

"Good to see you, dear. Fluer said smiling as Tom handed her flowers.

"I would have come by earlier but I have been having some issues with magic myself. I was feeling better today so I decided to visit.

"I know, Ron and Hermione mentioned it. Don't worry about it, Vic's fine, so is the baby but I am appy you came by to visit. She patted his hair and ushered him inside Vic's room. "I will arrange for tea. She left as Tom closed the door behind her.

"Hey, Tom wished Victoire who was sitting on the bed quite lost in her own thoughts. The baby lay in a crib quite away from her by the window, apparently asleep. Tom proceeded towards the crib staring at the little form covered in multiple sheets. He was sleeping rather peacefully. As Tom saw the beautiful little boy a smile flitted across his face automatically but it didn't last long as in the next few seconds he felt victoire hug him tightly from behind. He stood petrified for a moment not knowing how to react.

He turned back to her to find her staring at him with utter admiration. "Vic... He had just started when she put her finger to his lips.

"Shh...don't say anything, you came back...for our child... She smiled widely turning to the crib now as Tom stared at her quite taken aback. "I knew you would return to us, Teddy...and you did... She turned back to him and hugged him burying her face in his chest as he again found himself petrified. He closed his eyes as grief and pain of losing her engulfed him yet she was in his arms.

"Vic... He pulled her away as she looked into his eyes with her beautiful blue ones. "It's me...Tom...

"Tom? She said as she stared at him rather confused and then comprehension dawned upon her face as if she had suddenly remembered who he was. Instead of moving away, however, she stepped closer to him and looked at him even more strangely. "Your eyes...It was you...your eyes, followed me everywhere...the classroom, the library, the common room...

Tom gulped down. What had happened to her? She was remembering him from school? Nevertheless, it was progress, at least now she didn't think he was Ted. He turned away from her not knowing how to get her back to her senses when his eyes fell on an envelope on the desk in a corner of the room. The subject atop the envelope told him the reason for her state. The envelope read, Divorce Deed'. Tom who was feeling embarrassed a moment ago was now feeling rather enraged. He took the envelope and made towards the door to leave when Victoire's quiet voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Are you going to leave me too?

He turned back, stared at her for a moment and all his anger vanished leaving behind everything that he had ever felt for her. "Never... He said and before he could stop himself, he walked over to her, grabbed her by the shoulders and bore his eyes into hers, "I will never leave you, I will always be with you...you remember that, always...

Yet again, as if he had triggered a memory of hers, Victoire looked at him even more strangely. "Tom...what are you doing here? She asked stepping away from him as if she had suddenly remembered everything about him, as if she now remembered the night at the hospital. "What's that...? As she backed away, her eyes fell on the envelope in his hand. She took it from him and pulled out the documents inside. As Tom stood watching, tears leapt down her eyes as she read the divorce deed. "How could he do this to me?!

The envelope slipped from her hands as she burst into tears that she couldn't control anymore. This time, Tom hugged her, he comforted her as she cried her heart out. He stood resolutely holding her shaking frame in his firm grip knowing quite clearly that if he didn't she would fall.