Love and Compassion

Tom had learnt very early on in his life that adults were not to be trusted. 

From as long as Tom could remember,  Ms.Cole had called him a freak, an abomination and had pushed him aside time and time again for the other children at the orphanage. 

Tom had seen the Priest come over and pray over the sick children, sprouting prayers and promising that God would heal them. 

Only for the children to die regardless.

He had seen people adopt some of the children, promising them a loving forever home.

Only for Tom to bump into some of them on the streets months after, running away from the abuse that they had endured.

His own mother had abandoned him, given up on him and had died pathetically.

Tom had been devastated to find out that he was the reason she was dead, that his birth had killed her, until the devastation turned into anger. Now he was glad, happy he had done it, if she was too weak to endure something as natural as birth then she deserved to die.

She was weak, she didn't have enough will to want to live for her child.

Tom hated her.

Ms. Cole always told Tom how ugly and percuiler his mother had been.

'A slip of a girl, wearing a weird cloak that was soaked with blood. Wide eyes, scary really. She looked like a ghost. An ugly ghost', is what she had told Tom when he had asked about his mother. 

That was the last time he asked about his mother.

Yet, Harry was different. 

It had been almost five weeks and nothing had happened.

There was no ulterior motive, no inappropriate questions or touching, no anything really.

Harry wasn't perfect, sometimes Tom would hear him wake up in the night, screaming himself hoarse from a nightmare. After nights like those, he would come downstairs with dark circles under his eyes, a haunted look in them and avoid Tom.

He tried to be subtle about it but Harry was as subtle as a Hippogriff. 

Tom had felt anxious about it at first, worried that he would decide that he didn't want Tom around and would return him back to Wools. However, after the third time it happened and just like the times before, he had went back to normal after a day, Tom began to feel slightly more relaxed. 

He was confident Harry wouldn't be returning him unless he did something really bad.

Tom had quickly come to realise that Harry had a pathetically big bleeding heart as he was always sprouting nonsense about peace, love and that everyone was the same. They often disagreed, Tom pointing out that everyone wasn't the same and that the failure of communism proved that.

Of course, Harry had no idea what communism was. Despite the fact he said he was raised by muggles and droned on about how great they were, he clearly didn't know much about the muggle world. Ironically, whenever they were in the muggle world, it was Tom that was helping Harry navigate it and explain how certain things worked. 

When Tom had pointed out that as much as Harry allegedly liked muggles, he clearly spent no time amongst them, Harry had pursed his lips in dismay before hastily changing the subject. However, Tom having respect for those animals clearly meant a lot to him so Tom indulged him and kept his most unsavoury comments to himself.

They had formed themselves a little routine and as the days went by, Tom could feel himself loosening up a little bit.

But he was still guarded.

He wasn't silly enough to believe in some fairytale happy ending and he knew things changed and quickly so he kept a bagpack in his wardrobes stuffed with essentials.

He had about two pairs of clean clothes that actually fit, some books, food that wouldn't go bad and some muggle and wizarding money that he had either pickpocketed whilst out or taken from Harry.

Harry was careless with his money, leaving some coins here and there around the house and Tom would swipe it up quickly. He had become an incredibly accomplished thief, it was how he survived in Wools, it was either that or starve on the measly portions he was given. 

Tom would go out, wandering around London, stealing bits of food or stealing money or jewellery from the rich and buying food or selling the items. It was how he was still alive.

It was something Tom had even come to enjoy, he liked taking from others, it was fun. It was even more exciting doing it whilst Harry was there, completely unaware as Tom walked passed someone and grabbed their valuables. 

Harry had also explained to Tom that wizards weren't allowed wands until they were eleven, much to Toms dismay, until he started secretly using Harry's here and there. 

For the first two weeks, Harry seemed to keep his wand on his persons at all time, never letting it out of his sight and his hand often twitching towards it if Tom accidentally startled him. Now, he had started to get a little more comfortable and when he would practice his Quidditch in the garden, he'd leave his wand inside and Tom would practice some simple spells.

He was careful to never try anything too complicated in case he messed it up and set himself or the house on fire or destroyed something. He stuck to simple levitating spells or a cleaning spells. Of course, he managed them on his first go and he couldn't help but beam with pride, especially after reading it took children a good couple of tries to master spells for the first time. 

Once again, Tom proved he was superior to others.

Other people's wands were meant to feel unnatural and be harder to use than your own, but Harry's wand felt almost perfect. It was definitely missing something but it didn't feel bad and Tom used it with ease. If Harry's felt this good, Tom couldn't wait until he finally got his own.

Harry had tried to take Tom to Diagon Alley but Tom had refused. Tom was nervous that others would be able to tell he was different and new to the world so he refused to go until he knew more about magic, despite how excited he was to see it. Tom spent hours and hours reading, devouring the books in the library until he had a solid foundation of knowledge on the magical world. 

There were times when he didn't even sleep, too engrossed in a book on magical theories or about Hogwarts.

Hogwarts was somewhere Tom was eager to attend, especially since he now knew he was the heir of Slytherin. He couldn't wait to take over his rightful place. Being ambitious and cunning were some of Toms best traits and he couldn't wait to be around other likeminded people.

After reading about all the Houses, Tom had guessed immediately that Harry would've been a Gryffindor if he had went to Hogwarts.

They sounded like absolute idiots so it figured that Harry confirmed his theory was true.

Harry and Tom had gotten themselves into a routine of some sorts. Tom was always awake before Harry so he would get Pebbles to bring him a cup of tea and then Harry would stumble downstairs around 10am and make them both breakfast. 

Tom thought it was silly at first, especially when they had an house elf but Harry insisted on it. Said he liked doing it and it made it 'special'.

Tom had rolled his eyes at that and Pebbles had weeped, upset she wasn't being put to use and then said she was going to put her head in the oven.

Harry had hastily agreed to alternate days with her after that. 

Harry would spend the day time either dragging Tom to the muggle world, trying to integrate him with them at some ridiculously childish activity or they'd stay in and Harry would teach him some simple magic or they'd practice brewing things Tom had read. The evening's were spent with Harry practicing Quidditch in the garden whilst Tom read and then Pebbles would make dinner.

Tom had a giant sweet tooth, not accustomed to having it before and having it in abundance at that. So, he and Harry would make two large mugs of hot chocolate before bed with lots of cream and marshmallows, before going their separate ways.

It was a routine that Tom had reluctantly begun to like which was why he didn't like that it was about to be ruined. The Quidditch season was about to start in a few days and Harry's first match was in Paris where they would have to stay for three days before going to Germany and then back to England.

Tom found Quidditch absolutely ridiculous, it was silly and a waste of time. 

Or 'fun' as Harry called it.

But Tom didn't see the purpose of 'fun', unless you could learn from it or it could make you more powerful, what was the point? 

According to Harry, all children needed fun, it was why he forced Tom to go to those annoying muggle parks on a Sunday and make friends with the other kids.

However, it turned out that Harry was actually incredibly good at the game. When Tom had finally allowed Harry to take him to Diagon Alley, a handful of people came up to them and requested his autograph. Some genuinely star struck too which shocked Tom.

Harry was actually a celebrity.

Even Tom had to reluctantly admit that it was cool, until they kept interrupting their time together and it started to get old, fast. Tom had to fix some of them with his most murderous glare in order to get them to go away. 

"Don't scowl, you'll scare people away" Harry had laughed, glancing down at Tom.

"Good, that's the point" Tom had muttered back sullenly.

"Come on grumpy , let's go and get sweets" Harry replied, putting his hand out so Tom could entwin their hands together.

The first time Harry had done it, Tom had taken it reluctantly, embarrassed about being treated like a baby. He expected to feel uncomfortable and awkward like he always did whenever he had to touch others but he didn't with Harry which was odd.

Harry felt warm, comfortable.

Tom quickly got used to it and actually looked forward to going out in public with Harry as it was the only real time they had any physical contact. Tom would greedily clutch onto his hand, refusing to let go, even when annoying fans would come over. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You do know we'll only be gone for a week, not six months?" Harry asked, unable to keep the mirth out of his voice as he walked into Toms room. 

Toms room was finally decorated and looked a little bit more lived in. Deep green walls, a fully stocked bookshelf and his shoes all neatly arranged by the foot of his large bed. His room was also freakishly clean, much to Pebbles dismay, there was never much for her to do in Toms room unlike Harry's. 

Tom had a number of different journals too, where he jotted down his findings of the different experiments and potions they made, all meticulously labelled and colour coded. 

Who would have known a young dark lord would be such a nerdy neat freak?

It had taken Harry a while to warm up to Tom and even now, he wasn't completely there but he had come to like the boy. Harry enjoyed his sarcastic quips and snarky comments, he was funny and witty but most of all, he was genuinely just a child.

He loved sweets and devoured his hot chocolates in record time. However, the way he ate his food on the first few nights had made Harry's stomach twist uneasily because he recognised the signs of starvation. He was clearly scared the food wouldn't be here again and Harry knew what that was like, for your stomach to feel like an empty bottomless pit because food was always so few and far between.

It was why Harry allowed Pebbles to spoil him and gift him large bowls of ice creams and sprinkles or chocolate brownies and muffins. 

It also softened Harry towards him, it was another thing they had in common.

The only time it was hard to be around Tom was if he had had a particularly nasty nightmare, Voldemorts red eyes and serpentine features taking over. It made Harry jumpy and cautious to be around Tom, even though he knew this Tom hadn't done anything yet. It made Harry have dark thoughts, thoughts about hurting him so he could be extra sure that all those countless lives wouldn't be lost.

Then Harry would feel so guilty, remembering how Tom would eagerly hold his hand or how much fun they'd have experimenting in the brewing room. He felt like a monster and he had to keep reminding himself that Tom was just eight years old. 

A child. 

Tom looked up from his trunk which was almost full to the brim as he continued to fold a dark blue robe.

Harry had spent hours in Diagon Alley as Tom tried on different pieces, had them tailored and then discussed his various different outfits. It had been torture for Harry, who sat there slumped in the chair and finally after three hours, Tom had been ready to go.

The boy only liked dressing smart and very rarely wore muggle clothes, unlike Harry.

"Well according to you,  we'll be sight seeing and trying new foods so I've bought evening attire, as well as day attire. Spare clothes too" Tom replied, carefully placing the robe in his case.

"Evening attire? Tom, we're not going anywhere fancy, just casual places to try the local wizarding spots" 

"You shouldn't need to go anywhere fancy to dress nice Harry" Tom gave him the once over, his nose scrunched up "I hope you don't plans to walk around dressed like that"

"Dressed like what?" Harry tugged his red jumper "This one doesn't even have holes in it!"

"Congratulations on not walking around like a homeless person" Tom replied, rolling his eyes.

Harry stuck out his tongue at him.

"I come baring gifts, look" Harry held up a large scarf and hat with the Arrows logo on, a big grin on his face.

"You can't mean for me to wear that?!"

"Of course I mean for you to wear it, you're my number one supporter. I want you in the crowds, cheering me on and screaming my name".

Tom took the scarf gingerly, as if scared it would explode in his face.

"I suppose I could wear it, the scarf anyway but I certainly won't be screaming your name. Can we get ice cream after the game? Make it a tradition everytime you win?".

"Sure" Harry shrugged " But that's a lot riding on if I win" 

"Of course you'll win, you're the best seeker in the world" Tom scoffed.

Harry smothered a smile.

It was the first compliment Tom had ever given him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The week in Paris and Germany had gone better than Harry could've hoped and he found himself genuinely enjoying it. He was wry about how Tom would act with others, especially as he refused to integrate with the muggle children at the park but his team mates adored him.

They constantly gushed over him and told him how handsome and charming he was, buying him sweets and chocolates which Tom was absolutely loving. He thrived off the attention, big eyed and fake humble.

Tom quickly forgot his no cheering rule and it made Harry feel warm inside to see and hear him screaming out his name and jumping up and down in the stands, a genuine grin on his face whenever Harry won.

They'd go for dessert afterwards before holding hands, strolling back to their hotel.

On the days they had off, they would sight see and look at old historical buildings, important architecture and eat at different restaurants. They'd go to important magical sights, exploring and collecting different ingredients they could use to experiment back home.

Everything was going perfectly until the last game of the week.

"Are you nervous for this afternoon?" Tom asked, looking up at Harry from where he was sat on huge velvet armchair and reading Hogwarts: A History.

It was 7am and the match began at 1pm which meant Harry would have to be down at the stadium for around 11am. The team they were versing was tough but Harry had become confident in his abilities, winning every game so far.

What he was nervous about was his family.

After seeing how Tom acted with his team, Harry decided this was the perfect time to introduce him to the Potters. He had invited them to the game so it wasn't like it would put any pressure on Tom, it was a nice casual setting and they were dying to meet him. 

When Harry had gotten the owl half an hour ago, confirming their attendance, he suddenly felt abuzz with nervous energy.

"Not about the game. About something else. I've got a surprise for you, well us really" Harry replied, giving Tom a nervous smile.

Tom closed his book, his brown eyes tracking Harry's face intensely.

"Go on...."

"My family, Henry and Agatha, are coming to watch todays game which means you can meet them for the first time. They're bringing their son Fleamont too, he's a year older than you but I'm sure you'll get along. I know you're not keen on the muggle kids but this would be your chance to befriend a magical child. Doesn't that sound like fun?" Harry explained softly, scrutinising Toms face for any sort of reaction.

Tom was silent, his face completely blank but Harry saw the way his fist clenched before he quickly released them. 

"Fine" Was his only reply, picking back up his book and continuing to read.

"How do you feel about it?"

"Harry, must we discus and dissect every one of my feelings?" Tom sighed, closing his book.

"Yes, we must. It's healthy to discuss how you feel and learn how to manage your emotions" Harry replied, mocking the posh accent that Tom had suddenly developed after weeks of practice.

Harry kneeled down in front of Tom, grabbing his hand and looking up into his brown eyes that were swimming in so many emotions.

"I just want you to be happy and comfortable, it's my duty as your guardian. If you don't want to meet them then I'd prefer if you tell me now"

"But that isn't the only reason you want me to be happy and comfortable, is it? Just because you're my guardian?" Tom asked, his hand gripping Harry's wrist almost bruisingly tight. 

"What do you mean?" Harry frowned, not understanding.

"You don't just want me to be happy because you're obliged too, right?"

"No, of course not. I want you to be happy because well, I love you. These six weeks have been magical and I've loved spending time with you and that's why I want you to be happy. When you're happy, I'm happy" Harry explained, his voice awed because he genuinely meant it.

These last six weeks with Tom had gone so fast but they were so meaningful and somehow the boy had burrowed his way into Harry's heart. Harry had always wanted a family of his own, someone to be there with him constantly and he had that now with Tom. 

In less than two months time, that little boy had become one of the most important people in Harry's life.

"Good, I like that my happiness is important to you. It should be your number one priority" Tom replied, matter-of-factly. 

"You know, you could just say thank you. You don't have to be sooo..... you about it" Harry snorted, shaking his head playfully.

"I'm not going to thank you for something that you should already be doing. Now tell me again, I like hearing it" Tom demanded.

Harry rolled his eyes.

"I love you Tom".

"Good" Tom pursed his lips, a flush on his cheeks "You are somewhat important to me too. I would be upset if you suddenly passed away"

Harry burst out laughing.

Tom really was something else.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry's opponents were good, really good, it was probably one of his toughest games. 

Not to mention , they played dirty too. 

However, Harry kept his cool and just tried to keep his eye on the snitch. However, things began to take a turn in the second hour of the game.

The Germans team's beater had whacked Francesca over her head, causing her to tumble off her broom and before Harry knew it, a massive fight broke out in the air between the two teams. Before Harry could get to his team mates, anger coursing through his body, he suddenly spotted the snitch at the corner of his eyes.

Unfortunately for Harry, so did the German seeker and before he could even react, his broom seemed to take on a mind of its own and began to move Harry dizzyingly fast through the air.

Harry let out a groan, not again.

However, the German seeker was clearly a lot more accomplished than Quirrell had been and after a minute of struggling, Harry was ejected off his broom and tumbled 20ft from the air.

Harry hit the ground with a sickening crunch, pain exploding over his body before everything went black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blinking slowly, Harry took in his surroundings, feeling disoriented and groggy.

He was clearly in a hospital.

He let out a groan, the memories of the game coming back to him.

"Oh thank Merlin! How are you feeling?" 

Harry blinked, looking to the side where Agatha was sat next to him, worry etched across her face. 

His great grandmother.

"I'm fine. How's Francesca? She took a fall after a nasty hit and where's Tom?" Harry asked, sitting up and ignoring the sharp pain that rippled up his spine.

"I find it hard to believe that you're fine, you broke thirty bones! You're on a lot of pain potions right now"

"Nothing that I haven't been through before" Harry dismissed, craning his neck around.

Where was Tom?

"Nothing you haven't been through before? When on earth could you have injured yourself like that?" Agatha asked, incredulous and aghast.

Oops.

Harry mind was clearly more foggy than he thought, he needed to be more careful with his wording. These people didn't need to know he had been fighting for his life ever since he turned eleven, being hunted down by a dark lord who was hell bent on killing him.

Speaking of...

"Quidditch matches. Where's Tom?" 

Agatha pursed her lips, her eyes darkening as she looked at Harry.

"We, well the healers, had to give him a sleeping potion. He wouldn't calm down, he was erratic after your injuries. I-I've never seen anything like it. It was bizzare, threatening to kill the German seeker and then turning on us when we tried to help. Told us if we didn't let him see you then we'd regret it and I know he's a child but he meant it. It wasn't just a childish threat Harry, he had this look in his eye... it wasn't right. And his magic! He was so angry, he ripped off some of the stadium seats, I've never seen anything so potent before. He knocked back three healers wandlesly!" Agatha replied, her tone troubled.

Harry tried to digest her words, make sense of what she was saying. 

Harry knew Tom was powerful, he had such a natural infinity to magic and when they practiced spells at home , he always got them first time and perfectly. Harry had seen him perform wandless magic once or twice, putting his hand out in the library and having a book fly off the shelf and into his hand.

It made Harry feel uneasy because it was far too advanced for a child who had only just discovered magic to do. 

Harry knew Tom would be powerful but this time he hoped to Merlin that he would use it for good.

To hear him threatening to kill and then turning on the Potters made Harry's stomach clench tightly. 

"I'm sorry, he was probably just scared, I'm all he's got. Where is he ? Please, I'd like to see him" Harry murmured, eyes downcast.

He wasn't particularly happy that they had essentially drugged him but Harry himself was on so much pain relief potions that he couldn't muster the energy or will to be angry.

Harry just needed to see Tom.

------------

Tom woke all at once.

He never woke gradually like others, he just suddenly snapped into consciousness and would sit up almost immediately.

Harry always said it was creepy but when he said it, Tom knew he was only teasing and didn't mean it. Unlike the children at the orphanage who all begged not to sleep in the same room as him, accusing him of being a vampire of all things.

However, this time he woke even more sudden than usual as Tom could feel eyes on him.

Fury made its way around his body, making him shake as he remembered how everyone had ganged up on him and dared to drug him!

When Tom saw Harry go down, it was the first time in what felt like a very long time that Tom felt genuine soul snatching fear. As he saw Harry tumble to the ground, Tom had been scared.

He couldn't lose Harry.

He wouldn't lose Harry.

He had been murderous, wanting to get to the seeker and hurt him. Tom wanted to rip his face off , flay his skin and peel his nails back one by one. Tom had been reading some books on the witch trials and he had become fairly knowledgeable on torture methods. 

At the orphanage, if someone dared to touch something of Toms then he would punish them so they knew not to do it again. When Billy had stole something from him, Tom had got his cat and skinned it alive before hanging it on the rafters.

The devastation his face had been worth it.

The seeker needed to face Toms wrath.

Of course, Henry and Agatha had tried to stop him, but Tom had been so vengeful and furious that the ground had began to shake. Before Tom knew it, even the chairs began flying all over the place.

Tom had one objective in mind and there was nothing that would stop him.

However, he had been subdued when a bunch of healers showed up and they used magic to tie Toms hands and feet together and force feed him some potion.

Tom had wanted to kill them too.

"Tom?"

Tom breath caught in his throat as he recognised the voice.

He snapped his head around to see an exhausted looking Harry in a wheelchair, Henry Potter behind him, a wry expression on his own face.

"Leave us" Tom snarled at the man, still shaking.

"Tom!" Harry exclaimed, blinking tiredly.

Tom ignored him, glaring fiercely at the older man.

Harry let out a sigh.

"Thank you for bringing me in here Henry, but I really am okay now and would like to speak to Tom in private" Harry said.

"If you're sure" Henry gave him a searching look "I'll be right outside" and then he was gone. 

As soon as he left, Tom turned his glare onto Harry.

"How could you? You could have died and left me all alone!" Tom snarled, his fist balled up.

"It wasn't exactly my fault Tom, I didn't plan on getting injured" Harry snorted.

"Well I don't care, you should apologies to me!"

"I'm not apologising for getting hurt Tom but I am sorry for worrying you, it must have been very scary"

"It wasn't scary, nothing scares me" Tom insisted before biting his lip "But I know you're sentimental so I will allow you to hug me, just this once".

Harry rolled his eyes but opened his arms so Tom could climb in his lap and borrow into his warmth.

This felt right, it was how it was supposed to be.

Just the two of of them.

Tom buried his face in Harry's neck, greedily breathing in his scent and clutching him so hard with his nails that he was pretty sure he had broken the skin on Harry's arm. 

Harry was too careless, he couldn't be trusted to look after himself. He was too good so it was up to Tom to look after him now and protect him.

Today couldn't go unpunished and Tom had a very long memory.

As he clutched Harry, he decided that Klaus Müller would be the first person he would kill.