Chapter 12
For several months, Tom obsessed over the beach event, yet he was far from solving the mystery and had more questions than ever. This witchling is going to kill me by giving me hypertension. He grumbled to himself.
"TOM, TOM, TOM!" Hara came running through his office doors, greeted by the sight of the Dark Lord with his face pressed between his hands in frustration.
His hands fell from his face slowly and landed on his desk amongst a multitude of parchment and tomes. "To what do I owe the honor, my little horcrux?" he said sarcastically.
Her gaze fell toward her bare feet on the rug, and her determined look upon entering his office wilted. "I... I have a question for you. Questions, plural." With every word that left her lips, her voice grew quieter.
Voldemort's irritation at Hara's interruption was quickly replaced by concern as he observed her body language. He rose from his desk, his steps purposeful as he approached her. Gently, he lifted her chin, his touch both firm and tender, and met her gaze. In her eyes, he saw a mix of emotions-fear, curiosity, and suspicion-swirling like a tempest. He exhaled slowly, his breath a silent reassurance.
He walked her to the chaise lounge in his office and pulled her beside him. "I apologize for my initial tone, Hara... I have been unable to pry my mind away from that day... I thought I lost you..."
Hara opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She crawled into his lap and adjusted his arm to use it as a pillow. Letting out a sigh, she found the words. "I think about it a lot too you know. I don't remember any of it. It's scary, Tom... But you've been hauled up in your office or traveling for the last six months trying to figure it all out, and I miss you. We haven't even had our lessons together, let alone breakfast in the parlor, and- AND! Well, it's just been me and Draco hanging out all the time, and he's getting on my nerves!" She slapped her hands over her face and dragged them down exasperatedly. Then she froze. Her hand reached into the pocket of her robes, and she pulled out a piece of parchment. "You being away so much has left me a lot of time to think. And I, uhm... HERE!" she shoved the parchment into his hands and pulled a pillow over her face. She was peeking over just slightly and hiding behind it once more when Tom Began to unfold it.
He opened up the bit of parchment, Tom went pale, and he felt his mouth go dry.
Questions For Tom:
Draco has a mum and a dad. Tom, you're my dad- aren't you? Why have I always called you Tom? Who is my mum? Where is my mum?
Why is your last name Riddle and my last name Potter?
Why do you call me Little Horcrux?
What is a Horcrux? I can't find anything about them in our library, and no one will tell me what it means when I ask. They just said never to ask that question to anyone outside of our family.
Why can't anyone talk to snakes?
Why won't you let me speak to snakes in public?
Why do your employees, and even Uncle Luci and Sev, call you the Dark Lord when they think I'm not around when they're referring to you?
Who is Voldemort?
Toms's breathing became rapid, his nostrils flaring, and his heart pounded in his chest. He lifted Hara from his lap and set her down on the chaise with shaky arms. His head spun, and he staggered toward his desk, barely reaching it before catching himself with both hands.
"Tom..? Hara's eyes became wide with fright. "Tom, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you mad!"
His head fell forward, and he slowly turned toward her. His fiery crimson eyes, with a single tear threatening to spill from them, met her emerald. She pinched her eyes closed, and he saw two tears escape. Her chest heaved, and she let out a sob. The windows shattered around them, causing him to whip his head around. When Tom turned to check back on Hara, she was gone. The sound of her little feet sprinting down the hallway met his ears.
Voldemort pounded his fists against his desk and then spun on his heels to chase after her.
"Hara!" He yelled after her. He saw her onyx black hair fly around a corner. "I'm not angry with you! Hara!" He skirted around the corner and nearly lost his footing. More little rapid footfalls stamped into the ground. Voldemort could hear his blood rushing in his ears. Then, a heavy grate slammed shut somewhere up ahead. He slowed to a walk and reached the library. Walking over to Nagini's passageway, he bent down and saw large bright red and yellow eyes staring angrily back at him.
You have upset my hatchling! Nagini angrily snapped at the gate where Tom stood.
"I WON'T DO THIS NOW!" Tom thundered. "Accio Hara!"
Hara flew out from the grate into Tom's arms, still crying and struggling to get out of his grasp. Nagini struck forward to follow them, but Tom flung a sticking charm on the grate before she could get out.
I'll bite, I'll tear, I'll rip, I'll squeeze!" Nagini attacked the grate over and over again.
"ENOUGH!" Tom yelled again. Nagini went silent. Hara's sniffling was the only sound in the room. Tom backed into a wing-backed chair and held onto her tightly still. "Enough..." He whispered and hugged her. He held her for what seemed like ages. Her body still trembling ever so often with a sob. She carefully pried her face from his shoulder and dared a glance at him. Tom's gaze was fixed on the floor. His eyes were no longer red, now their standard cerulean blue. Tear streaks stained his face, and a few tears threatened to leave his eyes at any moment.
Hara put her hand on his cheek, wiped the stain away, and then wiped a tear of her own. "I'm sorry..." her voice squeaked.
"No, little one, I'm sorry..."