The Yule break was usually a happy time. However, everyone knew that happiness was ephemeral. Tom Riddle was used to being alone during such familial times. He had been alone for years. Alone at the Orphanage. Alone at Hogwarts. It was a common occurrence for him. Except for his birthday on the 30th of December, he never celebrated. The Holiday was just another day for him. But it had changed. When Tom had found a young boy in a broom closet earlier this year, he didn’t think much of it. The boy would eventually be indebted to him. And if he had to kill the child, he would have. However, he had not expected Harry to be a light in his life. The boy was adorable, yet he was also vicious and powerful. And Tom had sworn himself to protect Harry with all he had. And he did. Tom made plans to find the boy a family. It took less than a few months to succeed.
Recently blood-adopted by the Black Family, Harry would soon leave Hogwarts until he was eleven. Tom had been invited to the adoption per Harry’s insistence. The teenager had thought nothing of it. Maybe the boy was nervous. So when Lord Arcturus Black requested his presence at his home during Yule because Harry seemed to like him, Tom’s brain blanked. He never expected to be invited. He stopped wishing for a family a long time ago. Yet, the way Harry had been looking at him gave him hope. Tom was never one for hope. He had always been disappointed in the past. And he gave Harry a small smile. A genuine smile. Then, he accepted the invitation.
They were on their way home. It was how Harry had phrased it. The boy sat in the Hogwarts Express compartment next to Orion and Lucretia, his new siblings. Tom was accompanying them in silence. He was slightly awkward and nervously playing with his right ring finger. It was drawing blood, but he didn’t care. It was a habit he was working on stopping. Tom never noticed Harry watching him intently, seemingly too distracted by his raging thoughts. He didn’t like to be unprepared. He was meeting one of the most prominent families across Britain and France. The ride home was long and strenuous. Harry had fallen asleep on Orion’s shoulder. Tom didn’t know how to calm his nerves. And he fell into Dreamland.
He woke up to something poking his cheek. He blinked the sleep out of his eyes and focused on the thing poking him. Harry was next to him, grinning madly. It was adorable. And it made Tom snicker and puff out a disbelieving laugh. But he pulled himself together and stood up. He followed Orion and Lucretia, with Harry holding his hand, out of the train carriage. They landed on platform 9¼ with all the other students. Then, he saw them. Lord and Lady Black. They looked regal. Perfect. Ideal. Tom had wished for it. To look like them. He held out his hand in a handshake but was greeted with a warm hug from Lady Black. Tom stilled at the affection but welcomed it nonetheless. Harry was standing behind him nervously. Lady Black released Tom from the hug when her eyes focused on her youngest son. The young boy looked up at the regal woman and smiled shyly. She reached out to Harry and engulfed him in a visibly bone-crushing hug. Tom did not want to pry on the family moment, so he decided to look around. Lord Black had a light hand on Orion’s shoulder, squeezing once or twice affectionately. Lucretia was behind, watching her family with bright eyes.
Soon, they were entering Black Manor. It was almost overwhelming. Upon first entering, Tom noticed the black and silver chandelier in the hall. It was enormous. And the ceilings were so high that Tom felt smaller than he was. They were greeted by an army of house elves who took their winter cloaks and trunks. Then, they were all ushered into a formal living room. Tom marvelled at the richness of the place. The walls were decorated with family portraits. The floor was of obsidian marble. Everywhere he looked, there seemed to be something worthy of his attention. Shiny and polished silver statues, ancient flower vases, and a dark fireplace from Victorian times. Everything was that of a pure-blood family. Tom was not the only one flabbergasted. Harry looked like a fish out of water. Mouth opened and bright green eyes wide. It was an adorable sight to see. Soon, the house elves came back a guided them to their bedrooms. Harry had been ecstatic about it. And Tom silently thanked all the Gods above for giving him this opportunity.
Tom had never expected presents. Being invited by the Black family to celebrate Yule had been a gift. He sat on the fancy white and silver sofa next to the fireplace. He watched as the family exchanged gifts and vows. No, Tom was not expecting presents. So, when Harry shoved a small black velvet box in his hands, Tom had no words. The boy was looking expectantly at him with shining green eyes.
"Open it!" Harry demanded excitedly.
Tom opened the small box delicately. Inside was an all-black shiny ring with what seemed to be the moon phases engraved in it. There were three little polished black onyx stones between the full moon and the new moon. Tom brushed his thumb across the surface. He was surprised when the black gems moved with his finger with a click. He looked up to meet Harry’s wide eyes.
"Do you like it?" The young boy asked, hopeful.
Tom was speechless. He nodded at the boy. Harry jumped up in victory as if Tom’s approval of the gift meant all the gold in the world. The young boy grinned at him, eyes shining like two peridot crystals. Harry had his hands clasped behind his back, waiting. Tom glanced at the ring and took it out of the velvet box. It felt heavy in his hand. Without hesitation, he put the band on his middle finger. He played with the gems, and they clicked again.
"It has protection on it. And you can twist it when you don’t like something. It calms you down. It can also warn you of poison and dangerous people." Harry explained seriously. "I asked Father Arcturus to get it made for you."
Tom turned his gaze toward Lord Black. He was sitting on his armchair, enjoying a black tea. The man caught his eye and curtly nodded. A tug on his arm sleeve made him look away. Harry was closer and looking at his expectantly.
"Do you like it?" The boy asked again.
Tom looked at the ring on his middle finger, twisting it with his right thumb. It was a thoughtful gift. And Harry seemed proud of it. The young boy had put efforts into the making of his present. And Tom could appreciate it. He nodded, barely visible to anyone but Harry.
"Thank you, Harry," Tom answered, looking at the boy.
Harry beamed the sunniest smile and launched himself at Tom in a messy hug. The boy mumbled something, but Tom did not hear it. There was a low hum distracting him. He absentmindedly patted the black journal in his robe pocket. He had bought it in a muggle shop a couple of days prior. Tom knew that Harry should never find out about his plans if he wanted to keep him close. So, he had to play his cards well. If everything went well, Harry would follow him. And if not, Tom would have to force him to stay. Tom felt somehow connected to him. It was a foreign sensation for the teenager. He welcomed it. Tom would find out what this connection was. Harry was a precious thing. And Tom used to collect rare objects when he was at Wool’s. So, he had to add Harry to his collection. And he would.