Falling
“Hadara Lillian Potter! Open the damn door!” The sound of his fist slamming the door vibrated in the apartment. Hadara peered at the camera, it showed the rage on James' face. With each slam of his fist, Hadara took a step back. “I KNOW…I know you’re in there. Darling I just want to talk”. James rested his head on the screen.
After a couple more seconds of heavy breathing, Hadara finally spoke up “I don’t think I’m supposed to talk to you”.
James jumped back from the intercom and stared up at the screen with hope. “No, you’re probably right and I don’t want to get you in trouble. I wouldn’t want Tom to hurt you… I’ve heard what he does to people who disobey him”.
Tom didn’t seem like the kind of guy to go around hurting people or whatever he meant by that. But yet her curiosity was peeked. “What has he done?”.
“Harry, he, he ruins them. Physically, emotionally, and financially. Look at what he did to his father. I know I should have done better, I should have looked into him a lot more, but I trusted Albus and that was foolish of me. Don’t worry my girl. We can forget this ever happened. Just open the door and we can go and get your mother and go home. Hm... how does that sound?”.
She turned away from the pleading look he was giving the camera. It did sound nice, having everything the way it was before, but Tom. the days she had spent with him had already given her a taste of a new life. She could leave the apartment whenever she wanted, she could pick out what she wanted to eat and choose her damn underwear. “No” there was never a better time to start working on assertiveness than the present.
James digested her response. “What did you just say?” He had trained his daughter better than to ever utter that word in front of him.
“I, I said no. I don’t, don’t, have to, I, you said I, you told me, I needed to, to be a good, wife, and I am”. She moved closer to the camera, her father stood up straighter with his eyes closed. “I, you, know, you, I, I still love you, you know that right?”.
He chuckled “If you loved me, you would open this door... You’re right, I did say all of that nonsense. Okay, I’m not mad at you”.
“Really?” a ghost of a smile graced her face.
“Of course, you’re my little Harry Potter. I can’t be mad at you, especially when you’re listening to me so well…But we don’t have to go anywhere. Can I just come in and talk? Can we just do that?”. Hadara approached the door, she unlocked the bottom latch. “Well done sweetie”.
She moved to the second one, but her phone began to ring, she saw Tom’s name flash on the screen. “Hello?” she stepped further back into the apartment.
“Harry, don’t stop, open the door!” her father began to knock on the door.
“Hey, just wanted to check you got home alright”.
“Yes, I have something to tell you” She glanced at the door.
“Harry? Harry?!”.
“Ugh- please tell me you’re still not forcing yourself to watch that show?”. He chuckled.
“No, my fathers outside. He wants-”.
“Don’t open the door!” all his fears from this morning came true. He knew the kind of vindictive man James was. The second he got his paws on her, he would hide her in the middle of nowhere, Tom would never be able to find her.
“It’s okay, he just wants to talk”.
Tom sighed “Dara, I just want you to think for a second. Has he ever just wanted to talk? Has he ever let you decide what happens? And do you think he has had a complete personality change in the past week?”.
“No” her eyes went back to the door. James had his ear pressed to the screen, the knocking had stopped. “Is it bad that I miss him though?”.
“Not at all, but I’m not going to make you do anything, I just need you to be aware that the second those doors open, you’re going back to your old life.”
“Harry? Are you speaking with Tom? Don’t listen to him! He’s just trying to turn us against each other. Harry?”.
“Tom tell me what to do” she pleaded.
“I won’t tell you what to do, but I can lay out your options, you can leave him there, but know that” he paused “man won’t leave, you can call security and they will escort him out or you can open the door. You can pick your father or you can pick…”.
“You” she finished.
Tom’s heart was thumping in his chest at a rate he was not used to. He wanted to demand she choose him, that she called the police and had James arrested, but she was not there yet and her next steps would prove if she was ever ready. He needed her to make the choice, he refused to become another version of James “Just know that if you stay, I promise to watch whatever crazy show you want”. He crocked out, throat dry.
Hadara walked towards the door and relocked the lower latch, “Harry? What's going on?”.
“Dad, I think it’s best for you to just go” She quickly muted the camera and watched as he screamed silently at the screen, the muted banging on the door was the only sound she heard and after a few seconds of him glaring daggers into the camera she turned of the screen completely. “I don’t know how to call security” she spoke into her phone.
Tom felt his shoulders sag and the breath he was finally holding came out. “Well done Dara” he couldn’t contain his smile “They should be up in a second, Why don’t you finish the book or have a bath.” Despite what he had said to her on the phone, Tom texted security the moment she had told him what had happened, there was no way he would’ve given up so easily. “I’m coming home”.
“No”
“No?”
“I, can, I think, I think I need some time to myself, Don’t, if you leave me, I don’t want to disrupt your day”.
“I’ll see you soon”. Tom hung up and bumped into Lucius. He wasn’t aware that the man was close by.
Lucius looked at Tom’s defeated posture and placed a hand on his shoulder “Albus?”.
“James”.
Lucius nodded, “Get a restraining order, the best thing would be taking him to court, but the board won’t be happy about how that’s going to make ISSEA look. I’ll speak to someone, to see if we can do this lowkey”.
“Thanks”
“Hey! Where are you going? The break is over?”. Ron called out to Tom who rushed straight past him towards the exit
He was back in the apartment in less than 15 minutes. “Dara?”. He headed towards their bedroom.
“Hey” she bent over her suitcase putting her clothes back into her wardrobe, but when she saw him, she stopped what she was doing and ran into him. Tom wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a deeper hug. “Can we not talk about it?”.
He traced her features with a finger. “Only if, we watch that show of yours”. She nodded in his chest. “Come here”. That night would go down in history as the first time Tom decided against extra studying. He found the show ridiculous, laughing at the supposed scares. “Come on Dara! You can’t be scared of this”. She was using him as a human shield, Tom didn’t mind and in her fear, she began to wrap her body around him. Till they were in their current position. She hugged him from behind, legs wrapped around his back. “Not saying I don’t love all of this, but I think we should talk about what happened today”.
She squeezed her legs tighter around his torso “Alright” she mumbled. He leant back, crushing her between the sofa and his back. After much pushing Hadara finally agreed to file a restraining order against James. However, Tom had other plans. Restraining orders are long, loud and time-consuming. Time, they did not have, as he had been surrounded with men like James his entire life and he knew that they would do anything to take what they wanted. Too bad for James, he had learnt from those men.
What's the point of running an empire when you can’t be a bit of a tyrant?
“Tom” Hadara fiddled with his hair, still trapped between his back and the sofa.
“Dara?” his eyes were closed. Even with the craziness of the day the peace he felt wrapped in her arms was indescribable. He thought that they would grow to be somewhat friends after years of dealing with each other. Doing the right things like having a child and making appearances as a couple to appease their parents, but the day he saw her cowered over on the bed, the fresh bruise from her father on her cheek he realised that this was more than that, she was more than that. The animalistic urge to protect and love raged like a fire within him. She was his. But most importantly he was hers.
X
Days faded into weeks and the Riddles could finally say they were happy. Draco was the one who pointed out that Tom spent less time in the library than usual, the answer to that was simple. He now had something to get back home to. Plus it was so interesting watching Hadara, she was like an alien coming to Earth, and she was experiencing a lot of firsts. “Tommy”. She called from the kitchen.
“Don’t call me that” He responded flatly but still came to the kitchen. She held a spoon to his mouth, he looked at it and then back to Hadara. She had formed a bucket list with her therapist and the easiest one to tackle was cooking. Tom had supported it from the second she announced it. However, his mind changed quickly as he realised, he was the one who would be trying her attempts. “Draco”. He backed away from the taunting spoon, more than willing to let his friend suffer.
10 minutes later he was joined in his study by a red-faced Draco. “You knew and didn’t warn me,” Draco said with an accusatory tone.
Tom looked up from his notes “Yes” he smirked.
“Tommy, it was terrible”. Tom stood up immediately, but Draco had left the room as soon as the words were out of his mouth.
He chased the blonde to the kitchen. Draco was holding Hadara as a shield between him and what resembled Tom but was a bull with a solid punch.
“What's going on?”. Hadara was smiling at the pair as Tom slowly stalked forward a menacing smile on his face.
X
More weeks passed and they had gotten into a routine of Tom leaving his lectures exactly at 1 p.m. (the very moment lunch was called). From 12:30 Tom would slowly count down the minutes until she quickly popped her head through the door. “They’re so cute” Ginny gushed as Tom headed out of the lecture hall. She stared at her healthy (boring) salad and then back to where he once sat. She turned to Hermione who was focused on typing away. “Hermione? Sorry I didn’t mean to mention them”.
“It’s fine, I’m over the jerk.” She pointed her thumb at Rob, “he may not be as cute, but it’s time for me to move on” She had practiced that line several times Hermione had not moved on at all. Originally, she was going to, but seeing their love-struck faces every day riled her up more and more. “Ron” she waved down the other half of her situation ship.
“My lady,” he said in an over-the-top British accent, she had to power every brain cell not to roll her eyes.
“Has Tom said anything else about Hadara joining that English undergrad course?” that had enraged Hermione more. The only category Hadara beat her in was having wealthy parents, Hermione dominated in the looks, personality, and skill categories. So to find that Hadara didn’t even have an undergrad added more fuel to the fire.
“I have no idea, he rarely talks about anything in his life, it only came up because Draco asked him something”. Ron scratched his head; Hermione had been pestering him a lot about Tom and he wasn’t sure if she was still interested in him.
“Oh” her eyes landed on Draco, he had walked in with a trolly full of sandwiches. “Thanks, Ron”. She pushed past him and headed to Draco. She ignored the heartbroken look on his face.
Meanwhile, Tom and Dara snuggled into each other on a bench, both devouring food that Dara had picked up “You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to” When Tom first encouraged her to find something to do, he initially thought they would be permanent roommates, but now that was no longer the case and he grew to care for Dara the thought of her venturing out annoyed him. Of course, she did things alone (Mainly going to meet him for lunch and sometimes going to the gym in the building basement).
He frowned down at her. 1 Month ago if he had pulled that face Dara would’ve thought he was considering murdering her. But, now she realised that was his thinking face. “I think it’s going to be fun, We did all the stationary shopping, we can’t let it go to waste.”.
“I can” he grumbled, kissing her exposed shoulder. He grabbed her face with one hand, turning it to face her then pecked her pouted lips. “Promise me this one thing”.
“Any-” she stopped and looked him over “depends”. Tom’s eyes lighted with amusement, she was getting to know him well enough to not walk into a trap.
“If anyone does anything to you at any time, man or woman. You tell me, deal?”.
“Promise me you won’t get rid of them” she joked, but was not aware of how real that would be of an implication.
“I can’t make a promise I can't keep”.
X
“Isn’t it going to be weird that I’m just joining now? Haven’t they already settled in… you know what I think you may be right, I shouldn’t go, I can always re-enrol next year” Hadara paced up and down, while Tom sat on the bed, leaning against the head board, his arms crossed behind his head. Watching her fret made his lip curve slightly.
“Don’t give me ideas” his eyes travelled her body, “You’re going that’s not important, what I think we should discuss is if you’re going dressed like that”. He sat up and crossed his arms.
“What's wrong with this? Is it too much? I knew the top looked weird” Hadara raced to the floor-length mirror, checking her (perfectly fine) outfit over. “Tommy what's wrong with it?”.
“You look too good”. Tom looked great dressed in all black. But she couldn’t let that distract her from what was coming.
Hadara flushed red, she regretted even bringing up the idea of school. She could have gone for easier options like part-time tutoring or something. Her therapist had been very encouraging of her going for the course so she wouldn’t be just letting Tom down, there would be a list. Even Draco! “I’m nervous”.
He sighed and sat on the edge of the bed pulling her close. “It’s just one day, if you hate it then we can think of something else.” Tom had pulled some strings to get her into the English course as she didn’t have any referrals and it was 3 months into the semester. “You’re not doing it alone, I’m in the same building” he brushed her hair from her face. She pecked him on the lips. “But you need to change”.
She put on a jumper, 50% of her trusted he was guiding her into the proper outfit and the other 50% could feel the possessives rolling off of him in waves.
They walked to her building hand in hand, (which was unfortunately on the other side of the building to Tom’s labs). Hadara squeezed Tom’s hand when they reached the door. “It’s just been 2 months. I think we may be moving too soon.” She tried to lead them away, but Tom’s grip had her bouncing back like a boomerang. “Please”.
“Dara, trust me when I say there would be other things I wish we were doing, but you want this” his stern gaze reminded her why so many people coward in front of him. However, he must have sensed this and bent down until they were at eye level. “I know you can Dara”.
Hadara expected many things to happen when she walked into the classroom, all eyes would fall on her and people would begin to whisper, point and laugh. Or maybe she would trip and people would never speak to her again because she was the weirdo who joined 3 months into the semester. But none of those things happened.
She slipped into a seat next to a brown boy with braids. “Hey I’ve never seen you before, you new?” the boy whispered to her.
Dara’s eyes bugged out in surprise. “I, um, I, yes?” she winced and then took a deep breath. “Yes, I’ve just joined”.
“I knew it, I’m Fran Nice to meet you” the boy stuck out his hand a smile on his face.
“Hadara”.
Fran introduced her to other people he had met, she felt pleased that no big social circles had been formed yet. Initially, she thought she wouldn't have been able to speak to a single person, but as the clock inched closer to 1, her mind had been completely changed. All she wanted to do was tell Tom
12:56 Tom sat impatiently as the clock ticked on.
12:58 Draco sent him a wink and made an exaggerated gesture pointing to the clock and then his dad before yawning. The room chuckled when his dad threw a ruler at Draco.
12:59 The room was dismissed, and he was already making his way to the exit.
13:00 Dara popped her head through the door. He grinned.
X
“Who invited you again” Tom was stone-faced on the bed, watching Hadara’s every movement. Hadara fiddled around with her hair in the mirror, crossed-legged on the floor.
“I told you Fran; everyone is going, they do this every week.”. Tom muttered to himself, he had done several background checks on all her classmates and once again he was happy she was creating a life, he just didn’t know how much of a life he didn’t have until now. “Can you come?”.
He perked up at that “Hmm… don’t just invite me as an afterthought”.
Hadara’s face fell “You know that’s not true; I couldn’t do half of the things I have done without you. Fran is great and introduced me to everyone, but I just, I don’t want to, you know, just joining was hard”.
“If you want me to, I’ll come” he grabbed his jacket and Hadara had to hold in her laugh once she realised, he had his shoes on and wallet in hand already. He was planning on going regardless.
In that mundane moment, the simplicity of it, she realised how much he meant to her “I love you Tommy”. She stared at him with awe, he froze already standing and his eyes fell on her. “You don’t have to say it back you know, I know you never wanted to get married in the first place and I’m not your type-”. As you would imagine, Tom had found a perfect way to shut her up.
“Text your friends we’re going to be late.”.
XXXX
She complained at how much he ruined her hair, but he stared back smugly as she fixed it again. She hid the disappointment over the fact that he didn’t say it back, but she always knew this was not something he wanted. Her hand shook as she applied her lipstick. He didn't need to say it back - she resigned herself to that thought, he cared for her and that was more than enough. She walked into the living room where he was sat ready to go, all he had to do was brush his hair and he was fine. Hadara had to spend an extra 10 minutes getting ready again.
“When did you buy makeup?”
“You don’t like it? Fran showed me some brands and said that guys tended to like these colours” She felt self-conscious.
“Tell her she’s got great taste. I love it” they walked to the door “Not as much as I love you though”. He had walked out and the door slammed closed behind him
“Frans not a” She couldn’t finish her sentence as the realisation of what he said dawned on her. She opened the door “Tom” she sobbed.
“What?” he turned to her wide-eyed and confused “What's wrong? Did the door hit you?” he started fussing over her checking for an injury.
She hit his shoulder lightly “Tommy” she wailed wrapping her arms around him.
“Whats… Ohh. Dara my love, Of course I love you”. When the words left her mouth he felt annoyed, he had wanted to say it first but the timing was always off. But when she said it, he felt emotions he did not even know existed. He always thought he was unlovable - his own mother had never told him she loved him. He grew up with that coldness to the world, but Dara had bought a light and had melted all the iciness away.
X
Tom was parking the car and Hadara walked in ahead of him.
“Dara!” Fran cheered from the table, and the other 10 people present cheered as well. “Glad you could make it! We weren’t sure since you haven’t come to any of our other hangouts” Other people shouted greetings from the table. The group had formed a mini community as they were all in the same tutor group. Fran stood up and stilled his eyes falling to her lips “You, you” he cleared his throat and pointed at her lips.
“Yes, I got it, it doesn’t smudge like you said” She smiled oblivious to the heated look Fran was sending her. The man slinked away the second Tom walked through the door. Hadara felt a rush of pride as all eyes fell on him as he walked through the bar. He opted for his classy black everything and it suited him perfectly.
He kissed her on the cheek and slipped into the seat next to her. In his defence, Tom tried to be friendly (he did) but the second Fran was introduced his mood instantly shifted “Oh” he said, not shaking the man’s hand. The group were able to ignore the cold energy peeling off of the man. Hadara leant into Tom’s side and joined in the conversation. At the same time, Tom took turns between glaring daggers at Fran and looking pleased (to everyone else he looked less annoyed) at Hadara as she cracked several jokes and took part in the conversation. This was not the woman he first met at all.
He kissed her cheek when she stopped talking and Hadara flushed at the awws from the girls. “What was that for?”.
He rolled his eyes playfully then closed them so Hadara pecked his cheek and he opened one eye and smirked, pleased. “My wife and I have to head home, an emergency arose” he spoke eyes never leaving Fran who in return found his glass surprisingly interesting. “Hopefully I’ll see you all again”. He left the alive part out, but Fran caught it.