Safe
It had been a few weeks since Harry was found in a broom closet and started living with the Slytherins. They had been teaching him everything about Hogwarts such as the classes, the professors and even the extracurriculars. Tom had learned that the child was a mighty wizard when he pushed Justus Mulciber away from him when the teenager seemed angry at someone else. It was an incredible show of magic. It solidified Harry’s prince status within Slytherin House. The boy was dressed in the most expensive robes on the market Abraxas could find. And he looked like a proper little wizard. The Black cousins seemed to have adopted him, especially Alphard and Orion. They never left the boy’s side. Lucretia, Orion’s older sister was even dotting on him as an older sister would. They claimed that Harry must be a Black, for his magic resonated with theirs despite strangely looking like a Potter. It also seemed like Randolf Lestrange would do anything to protect the little boy. Despite everything, the child still came to Tom every time he learned something new or required reassurance. And Riddle was more than glad to oblige. He had yet to bring the child to his Knight’s meetings and made sure one of the girls could watch the boy while they were gone. Harry flourished wonderfully under their care and was shaping up to be a proud Slytherin. Not only that, be his magic became more controlled and powerful. The boy was always under the security of the Slytherin students, in their common room. At least one person was with Harry at all times.
Tom was excelling in potions class as usual. Professor Slughorn had assigned them to brew the Invigoration Draught. It was said to boost one's energy. Riddle heard tiny footsteps as he added the Stewed Mandrake to his concoction.
"Hello, there little lad. How may I be of service?" He heard his professor say jovially.
Riddle looked up from his potion and watched. Harry was there, looking around the classroom. He seemed to completely ignore Professor Slughorn, hoping to find what he sought. His green eyes met his brown ones, and a satisfied grin appeared on his young face. Harry made his way toward him and stopped in front of him.
"Orion told me you’d be here," the boy said enthusiastically.
Tom raised an eyebrow at the child in front of him. He put a stasis charm on his potion and turned to face the boy. Every student had been stunned to silence. Even the Gryffindors who usually had unfunny comments to say were quiet. Harry marched up to Tom and settled next to him on the desk. Riddle eyed the boy suspiciously and sighed.
"Harry, pray to tell, what are you doing here?" Tom asked the boy gently.
The child looked up at him and pouted. It seemed like the boy had been crying for his eyes were red and puffy. Tom frowned at the sight.
"Well, you told me to come to find you if people were mean to me," Harry explained matter of factly.
It was true. The Prefect had asked the boy to report anything that would be considered callous against him. And for the child to come to him despite solemnly telling him not to disturb him during his studies; the offence must have been enormous. He gestured for Harry to continue his tale.
"I don’t know how he did it, but somehow Professor Dumbledore entered our common room and saw me. He wanted to talk to me, but he was rather rude when he grasped me really hard to follow him outside. Then, Orion came in to save me and told me to come to find you because you would know what to do," Harry continued.
Tom was seething. Not only had Dumbledore entered the Slytherin’s dormitories, but he had also seen and tried to take Harry away. It was unacceptable. He looked around and saw Professor Slughorn’s eyes widen at the child’s words. At least there was someone else who found the whole ordeal despicable.
Suddenly, a knock on the door was heard, and Headmaster Dippet poked his head inside the classroom, asking to come in. The potion’s professor merely nodded in approval. Professor Dumbledore followed suit. Tom felt Harry press into his side in fear. He saw his transfiguration professor look around the room, and his shiny blue eyes settled on the young child. Tom scowled at the man and watched as Headmaster Dippet’s face morphed into a confused expression. Then, as if nothing happened, the Headmaster beckoned Tom and Harry to follow him. They walked out of the Potion classroom. Harry kept reaching out to hold the Slytherin Prefect’s hand, which he obliged. They arrived in front of Headmaster Dippet’s office in less than five minutes, then went through the gigantic doors. Professor Dumbledore rounded the corner of the desk and stood next to Dippet. The man slowly sat in his chair. Tom and Harry remained in front of the adults in silence. Riddle heard a sigh and looked up when one of his professors cleared his throat.
"Mr. Riddle, would you mind explaining this situation?" Headmaster Dippet asked politely.
Professor Dumbledore looked too pleased to be in the office while Tom was reprimanded. His blue eyes were shining with a weird glint, and in an attempt to shield Harry from the man, Riddle pulled the child closer.
"Headmaster, I found Harry outside while I was patrolling one night. I could not possibly leave him there. He was starved and scared, so I brought him to the Dungeons with me," Tom explained poshly.
"And why did you not report it right away, Mr. Riddle? Surely, that would have been the best course of action," Professor Dumbledore questioned as soon as he finished his explanation.
Tom scowled at the tone. Dumbledore was waiting for him to slip. Since they met at Wool’s Orphanage, the Transfiguration professor had been itching for a reason to expel him. The Headmaster seemed about ready to demand the red-headed professor to leave.
"Albus, please refrain from such wild accusations. My apologies Mr. Riddle, continue," Headmaster Dippet said softly.
Tom inclined his head in thanks to the Headmaster and turned to face Professor Dumbledore with a fiery gaze.
"I was planning on reporting the issue to you as soon as possible, Headmaster. However, the damage on Harry was far too grand for me to risk anything less than letting him rest as much as possible. In the time of war, I was unwilling to let a child go unsafely. I am sure you would understand, Professor," the Slytherin Prefect clarified.
Headmaster Dippet gave him a fond smile and nodded in approval. Meanwhile, Professor Dumbledore looked like he ate candy that was too sour. Tom felt Harry cling to him, and when he looked down at the boy, sparkling green eyes were already staring at him. He smiled softly at the child and crouched to be his height.
"Harry, do you want to tell them what you told me when we met? About your family," Tom asked the boy with a reassuring smile.
The green-eyed child blinked and looked at the adults in the room. He didn’t seem to trust Dumbledore, but the boy smiled shyly at Headmaster Dippet. Harry brought his attention back to Tom and nodded.
"You mean how they told me I could die, and they would be glad if I did?" The child asked innocently. "Or how they locked me up in a cupboard under the stairs and refused to feed me if I was doing something freaky."
A loud gasp could be heard in the office. Professor Dippet looked as if someone had killed a kitten before him. And Professor Dumbledore was pursing his lips in thought. Tom gave Harry a satisfied little smirk before cooling down his expression and standing up to face the adults.
"As you can see, his case is rather extreme, and I would never allow him to return to his family. This is why I took action to secure his safety within Hogwarts while asking around if some families could eventually take care of him accordingly. So far, the Black family seems eager to host him," Riddle concluded.
If he had not been so observant, Tom would have missed the ugly sneer briefly appearing on Dumbledore’s face. Headmaster Dippet looked delighted and grateful. They exchanged a few more inquiries about the child’s well-being, but soon enough, Tom and Harry were dismissed. Harry could remain at Hogwarts until they found a well-suited family that would be able to take him in. The boy wasn’t happy with the idea of leaving Tom behind, but the Prefect reminded him that he could always visit him if Harry needed him.