Game on

:_: TOM

It was still in the early morning hours as Tom finally settled in the back of the van. It was going to be an early shooting session, today would be a long day, one he was looking forward to. Even now, thinking about it, he could not suppress the tug of his lips.

Peter Pettigrew, lovingly dubbed Wormtail by all his colleagues, was currently holding his coffee, all black, with no sugar and milk, just the way he liked it.

Barty Crouch jr shifted in his seat, the camera on his shoulders directed at Tom as he gave him the sign to let him know that the camera was now rolling.

Unlike his colleagues, despite the early hour, Tom looked as fresh as ever, his hair combed to perfection, his shirt ironed, he looked awake.

" Good morning everyone, " Tom waved towards the camera, flashing them a charming smile as he leaned slightly forward in his seat. The car had started moving and they were now driving past the familiar streets of London.

"And welcome back. As you can see for once I'm alone and in a brilliant mood, despite me being on my way to see Harry right now." Which usually was enough to darken his mood but not today.

"Today is a special day because today we are going to prank Harry. I can guarantee you that today will go into the history books as one of the greatest pranks on television.

Harry is thinking we are meeting up to shoot a trailer for the new season of duell around the world. The shooting location will be a plane that will be flying at around four thousand meter height.
Lucky for us, Harry kindly agreed to a tandem parachute jump, to make things more interesting. I'll stay on the plane. During his fall Harry will say the choreographed lines and then he might start going through some small issues"

By now Tom couldn't hide his smirk, "His parachute won't be opening, or at least that's what Harry is supposed to think but that's not all, of course, usually in a situation like that one would think, I have replacement parachute, but what if his tandem partner pulls the defect parachute line out right in front of his eyes.

We will get 30 seconds of panic for Harry and a lifetime of enjoyment for me" Tom raised both of his hands in a placating gesture quickly enough, "Eventually the safety parachute will open but I can imagine Harry to be " Tom put his index finger and his thump close together, "slightly unhinged once he makes it to the ground"

He laughed softly, wondering if this would be the time he made Harry lose all his computer, he came close to it, once or twice, Finland especially had pushed his darling to his limits but today would put all those other times to shame. He was sure of it.

Tom gave a smile into the hidden camera on Barty crouch jr's, jacket, a small button, that wouldn't stick out to everyone else but Tom who knew what he had to look out for, easily spotted it.

Once they neared the destination where Harry would join them, Barty stopped filming with the larger camera and put it aside, no need to raise Harry's suspicions so early. There would be plenty of time to do that later.

The car slowed down, the doors opened and Tom was greeted with Harry's miserable figure, the complete opposite of him, he still looked to be half asleep, his hair--- Tom dreaded the sight of them. He clutched a mug of what smelled to be tea close to his chest like a mother would her babe.

Harry muttered his greetings as he slipped into the seat next to him, he was dressed in comfortable clothes, grey sweaters and a black shirt.

"You look like you haven't slept at all," Tom remarked as he let his eyes linger on Harry, he reached for his coffee that Wormtail was still holding.

"I'm awake--" Harry muttered and put his head back into the seat, his eyes were shut close. His weary voice grew more silent. The next turn pushed Harry's limp body flush next to his.

"Nervous for today?" he asked, noting the way Harry stiffened as his warm breath brushed against his skin. Harry sat up straighter, blinking at him but he did nothing to move away from him.

"Not yet--- but I think that'll come once I'm up there, why are you worried for me Riddle?, didn't take you for that kind"

"Worried? about you, not really, if you do happen to die, I'd have to find a new partner--- the ratings would survive it, I'm sure of it"

Harry muttered something inaudible under his breath,

"Couldn't understand you, what was that darling?"

"No wonder you don't understand me, I don't speak asshole,"

Barty snorted and Harry flashed him a smile as he stretched, some bones in his spine popped and he sagged back with a relieving sigh.

"Besides, we're the charming duo, Tom and Harry, no one wants to see you on your own Tom, we are in this together, I bring the charm and the brains and you--- well-- " Harry waved his hand in the air and shrugged. "Still not sure what you bring to the table but I'm sure we'll find something for you"

"We wouldn't want to overwork you with too many adjectives would we now?"

"Git" Harry turned away from him with a huff and Tom started laughing. "Whenever I think you're not half as bad as I think you are you open your mouth and change my mind. Must be a talent of yours"

"I thought you liked my mouth wide open ?"

Harry choked on his tea, coughing for several minutes before he managed to regain some sort of normality, his face had turned a dark shade of crimson, his eyes were wide open.

Wormtail was doing his best to vanish in his seat and Barty, he wasn't even hiding the smirk on his lips. Tom leaned closer towards Harry who was staring at him as if he had grown a second head.

"Shut up." He hissed, his voice several octaves higher.

" As you wish." There was a certain kind of joy he only got from teasing Harry, he was making it so easy for him, how could he ever resist the temptation?.

He settled back in his seat, resisting the urge to laugh whenever he glanced in Harry's direction who seemed adamant in not looking at him, his face still even minutes later a shade of crimson that spread towards his neck. He was biting his plumb lips, dragging them in with his teeth and leaving marks on them.

Tom licked his lips as he met Barty's gaze, his brows rose and Barty quickly averted his gaze.

Harry was the first one to jump out of the car as they reached the Aerodrome. Most of the production and the rest of the camera team were already in place, waiting for their arrival. At once a dozen cameras hounded them, filming their arrival.

A few quick strives were enough for him to catch up to Harry and slip next to him. By that time both of them had slipped into their routine. Harry was talking to Bella and the camera about his incoming jump, still unaware of the trouble that he'd encounter.

"Looking forward to it to be honest--- next time I'll get Tom over there to jump with me" Which prompted Tom to shake his head behind Harry's form, he still had his back turned towards him.

They got introduced to the skydiving team, the pilot, the three jumpers, one of whom would jump together with Harry and the two cameramen that would join them in their fall.

Tom introduced himself to the Jumpers for a second time, he had already met them a few weeks ago while he had planned this prank. Wormtail shifted nervously in his view, Tom paid him no attention.

Afterwards, it was only a matter of time for them to get dressed and miqued up, Harry had changed into the bright yellow and black gear. He stood further away with Lucius and Bella, far enough away for him not to notice what exactly Tom was up to.

Tom used that moment to find a secluded corner with Wormtail who was now his cameraman, Barty had fucked off to be gods knew where, not that it mattered, as long as the cameras were rolling once again.

"We're about to board the plane, the pilot, Harry, the jumpers, Wormtail over here and me of course, what a glorious day indeed. What I wouldn't give to see Harry's face when it happens." Tom felt giddy with excitement and he felt that it was growing harder to suppress his excitement.

The plane was littered with cameras, there wouldn't be an angle that would be left unseen, he took the seat next to Harry who sat tensely in his seat, hands nervously playing with the hem of his body suit. His head snapped up as soon as he spotted him.

"Nervous Potter?"

"You wish" Harry offered him a tight smile, " don't get to bored up here without me" they were lifting up the ground.

"I wouldn't worry too much about me"

Once they were close to reaching the appropriate height Harry got fastened to his jumping partner and the door got opened, a sudden gust of air blew into the plane, urging Tom to tense.

While he was not scared of heights did he respect it, add a healthy dose of his fear of dying and self-preservation and he was as close to hyperventilating as he would get, he would not debase himself like that on national tv.

It was another reason why he would not, ever, ever jump off a plane, no matter how safe it was supposed to be, he did not trust them.

"See you on the other side Tom---" A mischievous glint entered Harry's eyes as they edged towards the door and underneath all that bravado did Tom spot freckles of fear, Harry had paled, his grip around the harness was harsh.

"Enjoy it while it lasts" Tom's laughter got drowned out by Harry's scream as they tipped forwards and out of the plane, the other jumpers, and the two cameramen followed them moments later. Leaving Tom alone with Wormtail.

Tom leaned towards the door, as much as he dared. To watch Harry's form shrink as he fell further and further. A bright grin on his lips as he turned back to Wormtail.

"About now he should start to realize that his parachute isn't working-- what I wouldn't give to be next to him to see his face when the realisation hits him--- he'll throw a fit once he lands" He laughed again, it turned slightly sinister.

There was a shift and rustling of clothing behind him, he paid it no attention until the cause of that noise stepped towards the still open door. The pilot just fastened his parachute on his back as he faced them.

His smile slipped off his face. He barely heard the pilot over the rushing of the wind.

"Harry told me you had always wanted to be a pilot, good luck" Before Tom could comprehend what was happening did the pilot jump out of the plane. His head snapped back to Wormtail who looked several shades paler than he had before. Useless.

"Who--who's flying the plane?--Wormtail---Who--"

Tom stood, hurrying towards the cockpit, surely -- it couldn't be--- it was empty. Empty. There was no one else with them on the plane. They were alone. Him and Wormtail.

This had to be some kind of sick joke. It had to be. There was no other option and yet, as Tom sat in the vacated plane with no one else in there but them he felt dread sink into his gut like a heavy blow.

"This can't be happening---This--- It's a fucking joke-- I know it is-- it's not very funny"

Harry--- the pilot had mentioned Harry. Could it be that --- he had known? There was a curse at the tip of his tongue. This had to be Harry's revenge. It had to be and yet, as Tom sat and the plane kept flying with no one there to fly it he saw no way out of this situation.

"He can't expect me to land the plane --- or are we suppose to jump---" They did wear parachutes but surely that couldn't be --- nothing made sense. He was pacing, his eyes flickering nervously, taking in everything and everyone at once. Wormtail was clutching the camera. Tom suddenly turned to him, facing him with all his might, Wormtail trembled underneath his gaze.

"Did you know of this---Answer me"

"n--no--i "

"If you're lying---"

Tom turned away with a frustrating sigh, he was once again walking towards the cockpit, staring at everything and nothing at once, it made no sense to him, no matter how much he stared. It was a cluster of buttons and displays he could not wrap his head around.

They couldn't keep flying like this forever, sooner or later the plane would crash--- they would crash if something didn't happen.

"What the fuck does he expect us to do--it has to be controlled remotely. There is no other way--- there is no one else"

It was a prank, a retaliation to his one but even knowing this did not ease Tom's panic, because no matter what he thought of, what happened, he saw no outcome in how this could end without getting injured or worse killed.

Harry had to have a failsafe for them, a way out, Tom couldn't think of anything.

He cursed as his heart skipped a beat, a sudden turbulence made him stagger back into his seat and tightened his grip around the seat.

If he died he'd come back to kill Harry, slowly and intimately.

:_: HARRY

Harry was grinning from ear to ear as they neared the ground, he enjoyed the view, of the surrounding fields, it was the perfect weather, neither too warm, nor too cold. His face was still flushed, his throat horse from screaming his guts out.

"Keep your legs up"

They landed on a soft patch of grass, staggering for a moment before they came to a halt, their parachute fell down behind them.

Bellatrix, Lucius and even Barty had paved their way towards them, Harry was once again with the large lens of the camera, a familiar sight. " That was something---" Harry laughed suddenly, still giddy, the excitement and adrenaline still rushing through his veins. He'd never felt more alive.

"What can I say----everything went according to plan--- I played along with Tom's plan until the end-- the way he kept lying through his teeth, the whole time--"

"You also lied to him," Lucius argued.

Harry swatted him away.

"Yeah---well but that was because I had to--besides Tom didn't know that I was lying--- he expected nothing--oh and also--- you're all the worst, the moment I catched wind of this you all flipped onto my side and betrayed Tom, that easily. Snakes the lot of you---He deserved it--- he really did but---anyways ---I'll have to thank Wormtail for letting it slip. What a lifesaver"

"The show must go on Harry" Bellatrix was smirking, she had been one of the first ones to jump ship as soon as Harry had caught onto them. She wouldn't let the opportunity for a plot twist pass anytime soon. Lucius seemed to be eager, having waited for this moment his whole life.

"Do we have frames on Tom?" Harry asked once he was freed from his harness and not bound to his jumping partner.

"Ready waiting for you" Bellatrix handed him the tablet, Harry leaned over the screen, his lips pulling up into a mischievous grin.

"He got this going for a long while--- after Finland--- did he really think I'd let him get away with that and this is only the beginning---stay tuned, soon you can expect more to come"

They didn't have any voice on Tom's footage but just seeing his histeric form was enough. Harry could always voiceover Tom if needed. He made a great impression of him.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Tom expects another plane to pull up and a pilot to jump into their plane, like in bad boys--- look he even keeps staring out of the windows"

The Camera view switched and they caught a glimpse of the inside of the plane from another view. Tom's back was now turned towards them. He stood tensely, murder on his mind.

"Wormtail is holding up better than I and I think everyone had expected"

Tom was standing at the door leading towards the cockpit, his brows furrowed, his grip around the walls, as hard as iron, his gaze fixated on all the different buttons and lights.

"Tom you might be smart but not even you will be able to land that plane with nothing but your willpower and your imagination" Harry muttered, "I wouldn't put it past him to try though--- You see---Tom had always wanted to be a pilot, a childhood dream of his--- or whatever, he became an idiot instead"

They were walking towards the hanger, Harry had his gaze directed into the sky where he could spot the faint outlines of the plane. "While Tom tours on for a little while longer I'll get myself a drink and then leave--- it would be better for me not to be anywhere around when he steps foot on land. Tom can throw one hell of a hissy fit, I'll let the crew deal with him and his never-ending wrath. May the lord have mercy on your souls-"

Harry started laughing as he saw Barty pull a face. "The lot of you deserve it, since you betrayed him and you owe me--- if I hadn't known about his---" Harry shook his head "I'll have to have a talk with Tom about what he believes to be appropriate pranks"

:_: TOM

He did not know how much time they spend up there, all alone, he had exhausted all his resources, which were mainly pacing around the small plane and staring out of the window, in hopes to see something or anything at all.

Nothing changed. Nothing happened and it kept him on the edge. " I think we have to jump" His voice was hoarse, and filled with fear, something he'd deny later on.

Determination crossed his features as he steeled himself, he stood up in a tense motion and headed towards the now closed door. He saw no other option and yet it felt wrong. So, so wrong.

It was only then that Wormtail finally moved, having cowered in his seat for the past fifteen minutes, unable to say anything. Tom watched him as he headed towards the cockpit and suddenly Tom followed him.

He froze and then there was rage.

"You have a fucking flight licence"

Wormtail settled into the pilot seat.

"You knew---You fucking knew and didn't tell me you---this whole time you let me believe we were doomed--- "

"You can kill me once we landed" Wormtail muttered meekly and Tom let out a strangled noise in the back of his throat, if looks could kill, Wormtail would've died a dozen painful deaths already but as it was Tom had to restrain himself until they set foot on the ground again.

He was far from done. He hadn't even gotten started.

Death was too good, he realized once he finally set foot on land again, the sun was glaring down at him but it did nothing to lessen the fire in him. His eyes were spitting fire and conveniently for the crew, they kept their distance. The only one in his vicinity, Barty, who jumped out of the way in fear as he saw Tom storm towards him.

"To hell with the lot of you--- traitorous bastards. You all knew didn't you---Where is he--- where is that little---Get out of my way" Tom brushed past Barty, aware that he was following him.
Tom suddenly stopped and twirled to face Barty and the camera.

He glowered at him, a sinister expression grew on him
" This is far from over--- mark my words. You better watch your back, Harry Potter"

The game had just begun.