V
Tom stared into the glass window. Watching as Harry slipped off of the bed he'd placed him on. Moving on his hands and knees to the darkest corner in the room.
His thin lips tightened as he watched Harry curl into himself. Becoming the smallest he could be.
Narcissa watched beside him. Disturbed by the boys acts. She glanced at Tom.
"Are you certain his kidnapper only left him in a room, Riddle? I've dealt with multiple children from Harry's situation; and none have reacted in such a way."
Tom stared at Harry, refusing to take his eyes off of him. He had locked the door, which seemed to have caused something within Harry's brain to react. Shrinking him back to the boy seven years ago.
"He may be acting like this for more reasons than simply his kidnapping, Narcissa." Tom hummed, "Accounts of eye witnesses say that his relatives weren't the most affectionate with him. I believe his response stretches further than his kidnapping."
Narcissa bit her lips, her arms tightening around her torso.
Tom couldn't blame Narcissa for the reaction she gave. He knew she was thinking of her son; the spoiled boy the same age as Harry.
Feet prattled down the hallway as Narcissa went to answer Tom. She never got to it as their attention turned to the red head Tom had called for hours ago.
Tom narrowed his eyes in annoyance at Arthur Weasley. A senior detective known for his tardiness.
The tall red head huffed as he slowed. Long legs carrying him a good distance as a familiar boy walked behind him.
"This isn't bring your child to work day, Weasley." Tom crooned, reframing from barking his agitation at the man.
Arthur glanced back at his youngest son. A flash of guilt crossing his blue eyes. "Ron wouldn't let me leave without tagging along."
Tom hums, turning back to the window. Aware as Arthur's child comes to stand between him and Narcissa. Practically putting his face against the glass to stare at Harry.
Harry who is now staring underneath his crossed arms at them. From the opposite side of the window.
"Who's that?" Ronald asks, turning from the window to Tom and Narcissa. His head whipping between them.
Tom grouches to himself. "Harry Potter." He says smoothly.
"Oh," Ronald eyes widen at the name.
Harry Potter was infamous for his sudden disappearance during the night at his relatives house. Most people speculated he was a run away; as it was no secret how the Dursleys treated the boy. Others speculated they shipped him off into foster care.
It hadn't been until two years after Harry's disappearance that it was officially leaked there had been forced entry. Indicating a kidnapping.
Harry Potter had always been a mystery talked widely about. From England to Germany and France. The Americas had taken a small interest into the case of Harry Potter for a short while.
Tom watched as Ronald stepped away from the glass. His brash actions already clear as the three adults watched as Ronald walked to the door, unlocked it and stepped in.
Narcissa squawked. Chasing after her second-nephew. Arthur quickly grabbing for Ronald's shirt collar. Tom was pearly agitated by this point.
He didn't need a snot nosed rat around Harry. He didn't even want the boys father around Harry; that had been inevitable however as Albus quite liked Arthur and always had him working cases with Tom.
It was irritating.
"Ron!" Arthur reprimanded.
Ronald was already far into the room however, crouching in front of Harry.
Tom made no move to follow his fellow adults, instead he watched from across the glass window as Ronald plopped himself in front of Harry. Looking Harry over as if he were a new specimen.
He watched as Harry made no move to get away from the red haired boy. Instead continuing to stare out the glass at Tom. His priority rather Tom than the boy his age with a loud personality.
"Hey!" Ronald waved a hand in front of Harry's face.
"Ron," Narcissa grabbed Ronald's shoulder. Calling for his attention.
Much like Harry, Ronald ignored Narcissa in favor of the source of his interest.
"Heyyy!" Ronald waved both his hands in Harry's face.
Harry still didn't change his course of attention. Ronald looked up at his father. "Isn't he supposed to be freaking out right now?"
"If you knew he’d panic, Ron, why'd you come in?" Arthur grouched. His question valid and one Tom would like to know as well.
Ronald shrugged. "Never seen a kidnapping victim before. Wondered if it were true."
Tom watched as Harry's attention shifted to Ronald. His vibrant green eyes roaming Ronald's features and stance. Analyzing the boy he would find strange.
Tom hoped Harry wouldn't like what he saw. Choosing to move away from the two red heads and Narcissa who now crowd him.
Yet Harry doesn't move away from Ronald. Instead he tilts his head, eyes narrowing as his lips pucker.
He's confused.
Harry moves, pulling his legs underneath him as Harry reaches out. Grabs at Ronald's hair. Ronald squeaks as Harry clenches his hair in his fists.
Harry looks confused, bewildered. As he runs his fingers deep into Ronald's hair. Forcing the red headed boy to bow his head as Harry feels his hair.
Harry retracts his hands from Ronald's hair. Grabs at his shoulders, his face. Tom watches as Ronald tries to push Harry's hands from his face. Finding Harry squishing his face uncomfortable.
Harry does pull his hands from Ronald's face. Only to take his large hands. Feeling the texture of calluses and bitten nails.
Ronald looks to his father, confused and weirded out. Harry doesn’t seem to notice as Arthur shrugs. Instead, he places Ronald’s hand against his own.
Tom watches as Harry analyzes the different shades in their skin. Ronald’s parchment white to Harry’s burnt darkness.
Harry slowly lets go of Ronald’s hand, pulling his knees back to his chest as he stares at his uncovered arms.
Staring at himself, looking to wonder the difference between him and the Weasleys youngest son.
“It’s your heritage,” Narcissa says to Harry. Who glances up at her. “You look remarkably like your father, Harry.”
“Does he even know who his father is?” Arthur mutters. “I doubt he’d remember his relatives.”
Tom watches as Harry curls ever so slightly further into himself at the mention of his living blood.
He takes this opportunity to walk pass the door, and step up to the group. Harry’s eyes instantly lock onto him, tracking the new presence.
“Harry,” Tom croons. Kneeling to Harry’s eye level. Harry meets his gaze, green eyes wide. “Are you ready to take your eye exam?”
“He’s blind?”
“Very,” Narcissa hums. “Born with bad eyesight.”
“Wow.” Ronald stares at Harry, fingers twitching to touch the boy.
“Don’t touch him without his initiation.” Tom very nearly snaps at Ronald, noticing the movement of his hand.
Ronald tenses under his tone. “I wasn’t going to.”
Tom won’t take that chance.