Chapter 3
"Ah, now I understand who you are," said Tom. Clarity returned as quickly as it had vanished. However, Harry was left with a sense of dread that seemed to come from his very soul.
"Who am I?" Harry murmured, so dazed he could not form a more coherent sentence.
"I saw everything and know why you are here," Tom said, smiling and caressing every part of Harry that was within reach. Leaning over, he whispered in Harry's ear, "Your purpose now, Harry, is to be mine."
"To be your's?" His words were slurring as the world spun.
"Sleep now Harry," Tom murmured soothingly as he stoked his face, "We will be very busy starting tomorrow." Tom's face faded as Harry fell into a deep sleep.
"Wake up! We need to get to breakfast before those heathens eat all of it." The words were spoken with thinly veiled malice and Harry was abruptly reminded of his new twin. His eyes shot open to see Tom hovering over his bead with an annoyed expression.
"I see now that you will need training. I will not allow someone with my face to run around with such uncouth behavior. Get up and get dressed, we are leaving." His face vanished and Harry sat up. The room was just as he remembered from last night, meaning it was real and not just a bad nightmare.
"I wish I had actually died." He whispered to himself and sat up.
"What was that?" Tom's head had whipped around from where he was sorting through the clothes in the cabinet. "What did you just say?" His words were heavy and Harry could feel himself swaying from the pressure.
"I said that I wished I had actually died." He could feel the remnants of rebellion stirring in his stomach. Why was everyone always telling him what to do? "I would rather be dead than stuck with you." Why had he said that? It felt as if someone else was controlling his words.
"You little brat. Like you deserve to be my twin! You are nothing but a street urchin. The only thing special about you is that you look like me! Maybe you will be lucky enough to inherit an ounce of my talent." As the words poured out of Tom's mouth he was marching over and stood directly over Harry. "If you think you can rebel against me I will punish you." The words were no longer angry but now held a tone of smugness that had Harry worried. He tried to push Tom away and stand but he was not fast enough. Tom had him pinned on the bed with a malicious expression. Harry flinched as a hand came into vision and tensed as it got closer to the scar.
"Soon enough you will know better than to deny me." The world lit up as pain flooded his head. His eyes rolled back into his head and his back arched. He had never felt so much pain in his life. Vernon had never managed to achieve this level of agony. He opened his eyes when the pain abruptly stopped and saw Tom's delighted face.
"How wonderful. It seems to change its effect depending on my intent." His satisfaction was palpable and Harry trembled. Just how insane was his twin? He had just gotten away from Vernon and ran straight into someone worse. Tears were streaming down his face and soon enough he was sobbing.
"You do look so pretty when you cry," Tom crooned in his ear and used his finger to collect a tear. Harry watched as he tasted the tear and sighed with satisfaction. "I have no doubt that you will listen to me from now on. Do not make me get creative." The words sounded strange and Harry nodded frantically to appease the demon on top of him. His confusion grew when instead of climbing off of him To threw his head back and laughed.
"Of course, you can speak the language of snakes. You are my twin after all. You will be very useful in the future." With those cryptic words, Tom finally released Harry and stood next to the bed. "Now get up and change out of those rags." Without checking if he was obeying Tom returned to his cot and picked up a book. Harry jumped out of bed and had to steady himself when his legs threatened to give out. He walked to the end of the bed where Tom had set out a shirt and pants. As he changed his determination to escape solidified. He was tired of always being under someone. When he finished he was startled by the sound of a book snapping closed. He glanced over his shoulder to see Tom studying him intently.
"Is something wrong?" He asked softly, hoping to prevent becoming the target of Tom's rage again. Tom shook his head silently and grabbed a box from his bed. Harry flinched when Tom grabbed his arm and pushed him to sit on his cot.
"I will need to fix your hair. It looks trashy." Harry was shocked to hear Tom speak without an ounce of anger in his tone. Had he been forgiven? "Oh Harry, I have forgiven you already. You have accepted your punishment like a good boy." His face was being gently stroked and he couldn't help but lean into the touch. He couldn't remember the last time someone had touched him for something other than pain.
"I can be good to you Harry. All I need is for you to listen to me. I do not like to see you in pain my heart. Please do not force me to punish you again." His tone was so soft and Harry felt himself nodding in agreement. Would it really be so bad to stay by Tom's side? His face was released as Tom focused on his hair and Harry was horrified by his own thoughts. Was he really that easy? Why was he already agreeing with the monster who hurt him? His thoughts were cut short as Tom finished messing with his hair and stepped back.
"There. Now no one will be able to tell us apart. Do not speak unless I ask you a question." His tone implied that this was not a request but a command. Harry nodded hesitantly and grabbed Tom's offered hand. He was pulled to his feet and dutifully followed Tom out of the room into the hallway.