A week had gone by and it was two days had passed since Tom had finally agreed and had written to Professor Slughorn with one manipulative, heart pulling letter that would have made even the most battle hardened Auror give in - Harry could understand how Tom was able to convince so many people, when he'd said Tom would be able to convince Slughorn he had known it, seeing how he managed to manipulate the adults around him was admittedly awe-inspiring that letter took it to a whole other level there just wasn't a word for how brilliant he was. Tom had written the letter and he had Apparated to the post office in Diagon Alley, unfortunately it wasn't where he remembered, instead it was further along just short of being in Knockturn Alley, and in a smaller building, he'd paid the money and the owl was sent off to Professor Slughorn, he had no idea how long it would take. He had also spent some more money buying food, he couldn't handle going without, he was just so hungry he could only imagine how the other orphans were feeling with the small amounts they got.
He knew he had to be careful with the amount of money he used, he knew he would definitely have to do some betting at Gringotts to replenish his funds and make sure he had enough to see them through the summer holidays and with a little luck some extra money behind so he could get new robes this year and definitely new scales, the other second hand ones he had weren't accurate and it was causing his potions to be slightly off colour. He wouldn't bet too heavily, he didn't want to risk Tom being right and his presence here having changed that much that the outcome of Quidditch matches would be different. He would do one or two with a small amount that he could risk, and if it paid of then great. If not then he wouldn't leave himself completely skint, and would as always make do.
Each Air Raid that occurred didn't ease Harry's fear at all, but he was becoming more accustomed to it, he was able to stop himself from being overwhelmed at the sound. Although he had to stop himself from trying to help afterwards, as masses upon masses of buildings were destroyed mostly flats and buildings around shipyards. In fact a bomb had dropped onto one of the shelters killing an estimated one hundred people, but they still said it was worth it and continued going. Morale wavered but never once did it truly give in, and Harry always made sure Tom saw that.
The day the underground was hit was the day Harry had quite literally had to stop himself Apparating both of them away and staying within the magical community where it was safe. It had been too close to where they were for comfort, he instinctively knew Death wouldn't let anything happen to him, or at least warn him but faced with the horrific nature of war his thoughts didn't come into it. He didn't think he had worried so much before in his life, it was constant on edge fear, hell he hadn't even felt that much facing Voldemort not even the first time.
"Come on, you need to get out of here," Tom said, grasping a hold of Harry's hand and hoisting him off the bed. Then marching him out of the bedroom, one hand on his back.
Harry went as directed, once again wondering about that, Tom didn't touch people full stop, yet he was constantly keeping him near. Was it because he could use magic and get them out of there if anything happened? No, he had been doing it before he learned about that particular secret. Even at Hogwarts he'd been doing it, but not quite so touchy about it either. What alarmed Harry is how familiar it was becoming, he'd go so far to say he rather liked the comfort it offered him in this war infested world. "Where are we going then?" Harry murmured, muffling a yawn. He was sleep deprived, no matter what he just couldn't relax even with a cover with warming charms thrown over him. Then the bombs start going off in the distance causing the entire tunnel to shake with the strain that caused adrenaline to course through him leaving him nigh on exhausted by the time they returned to the orphanage. He got a few hours sleep then woke back up unable to rest again knowing soon enough the siren would blare and they'd be moving again.
"Not too far," Tom replied, grateful that no one was around, he didn't even have it in him to glare at any of them - he was too tired for that. Hopefully some fresh air would wake them up, he was beginning to lose hope that Slughorn would even reply, but as always he kept those thoughts to himself.
"Good, I don't think my legs can handle anything else," Harry admitted, rubbing at his tired eyes, they had chores to do later today as well. It was their turn in the garden to water the vegetable patch and add another lot to the expanding vegetable garden. It was better than washing all the clothes the orphanage went through then hanging them to dry in the kitchen. Which was ironic since everyone hated tending to the garden and would rather do the clothes, but Harry was used to the garden work and was able to do it without one of the caretakers breathing down his neck. He still didn't know any of their names either, well one, a young female worker called Martha but the rest were unknown still.
They soon rounded the orphanage and into the small forest at the back of it, the same place he'd come on the first day. Remembering the snake, his eyes couldn't help but dart around looking for it; he certainly didn't want to step on it. Chances are he would hear it before he saw it. It should still be alive, since the immediate area was undamaged of course - since no bombs had fallen this way. It was a water snake, so it would naturally stray towards rivers and such. Yawning tiredly he looked around until he came upon something he could sit on; it was an upturned tree that looked like it had fallen down a long time ago, judging by the moss covering it. He tested it only to slide down slightly, with a little tired laugh.
"I wonder where Slughorn spends his summers," Harry mused thoughtfully, "I wished I had known him better, so I would have a rough idea on how long we'll have to wait. For all we know he's abroad at some conference or party! Which I really hope isn't the case."
"So he's still the Potions teacher in your time?" Tom asked curiously, leaning against the tree keeping Hadrian within view at all times - as always.
"Temporarily, just for a few years," Harry admitted shrugging his shoulders as if it hadn't been a big deal. He wasn't entirely sure how long Horace had remained at Hogwarts after Voldemort's defeat; he had been on the run from all things magical by then. He's saved their arses - quite literally went to his own death and for what? For them all to turn their backs on him and call him the next Dark Lord. He wasn't sure why, maybe it was his ability to speak Parselmouth, the Horcrux or something…or the Deathly Hallows, either way they'd turned on him. It was too much to hope that they would treat him decently, that he would be given the same adoration as Dumbledore. Without money he'd been hiding out wherever he could, which included Riddle mansion where he had read a lot of work the wizard had done and for the first time realized just how smart he was.
Tom nodded unsurprised, he was young after all, at least for wizarding standards, and magical people had the ability to live over one hundred years. Although he must leave at some point, since Hadrian had said 'temporarily' which implied he had retired before his time. Sixty years was a long time, it would made him really old by the time Hadrian came around, which by the way he was still getting his mind around even a week later. What got to him was the fact Hadrian got away with it, but maybe they were relatives that had died and he knew that due to the fact he knew quite a lot about this time he must have been really good at history. He hadn't asked yet, but he planned on it, he'd been asking a few small things here and there just to gauge how much Hadrian would actually tell him. Only a Gryffindor would come outright and ask everything, no he would build up to it, and catch him off guard enough to answer he thought with a triumphant mental grin. Of course, it was different from his usual tactics which usually just had him intimidating people into getting a proper answer. For some reason he wasn't sure why, he didn't think it would work with Hadrian. With his comments after he'd punished Avery that one time…he'd always known he knew, but baffled him how it could be…not anymore. Which made him wonder just how well the wizard knew him. It was obvious to him they had to have had at least some contact.
"If he doesn't get back in touch we could go to one of the ones in Knockturn Alley," Harry blurted out feeling like an idiot for not thinking about it sooner. "They don't really care about permission or the age restrictions, money is money to them and they'd take it. There should be one next to Borgin and Burkes, I don't know if its here now, I don't want to go too far in, I don't fancy having to fight off vampires…they'll see us as easy pickings." they didn't kill of course, they were randy buggers who tried to feed and have sex with anything that moved! The younger the better in fact, and who would be younger than them both? At fourteen and nobody would help them either, after all everyone should know better than to wander down there when they weren't off-age. "Added benefit of actually being cheaper, all the shops were due to the fact half the magical world refuses to go down there and Aurors are always closing them down because of their 'questionable artefacts and dark art section'."
"I've never heard of anything like that happening," Tom said suspiciously, "Maybe it only happens in your time." which seems utterly disgusting, just what had happened to the magical world in sixty years? It seems as if the Dark Arts was becoming even more of a taboo - it went against all he wanted for the future. He would find out for sure, well without giving away Hadrian's secret of course, but he was good at getting information he wanted without giving his own thoughts and feelings away.
"It wouldn't surprise me," Harry shrugged, the hold Dumbledore takes on the magical world was very deep, his belief became everyone's with the obvious exception of most pureblood families who all have books on the subjects and learn it before Dumbledore can get his claws into them. Something had to be done about that, but he wasn't sure just how he could prevent it, he was just one wizard after all - and Death said he was capable of it but was leaving it up to him to do. He appreciated that deeply even if it irritated him slightly, but if he asked for advice then Death would give it to him he just seemed to like him doing the deciding on his own. "Could the owl have come during the night and when it was unable to get to us return to Slughorn?" Harry mused thoughtfully changing the subject at ease.
Tom visibly startled at that question, he hadn't even thought about that possibility. The air raid siren or even the bombs may have scared the owl into returning to its owner, it would depend on when he sent it. Or worse killed during an attack, there were many possibilities he supposed. He wasn't entirely sure how owls worked, he hadn't owned one, and had no plans to do so either. If he ever got a pet it would definitely be a large snake, maybe two. "Maybe. Either that or he just doesn't care." Tom stated coolly. He was used to adults around him not caring so it wouldn't surprise him the slightest.
"Hmm, no, I think he will reply even if its to say no," Harry said thoughtfully, although when cornered Slughorn liked to back away, so maybe Tom was right and he wouldn't reply if he didn't want to help them. Although emotional blackmail seemed to work, but he'd had liquid luck rushing through his veins when he did that, so maybe normally it would be the other way around he wasn't sure of the particulars of the potion. Whether it worked due to the manipulation or if the potion had made him act out of character. All the book said was it made them lucky and that it was extremely difficult to brew also that it was banned during Quidditch matches, tests and such, also toxic if consumed repeatedly.
Tom snorted every so slightly, looking amused at the thought, honestly Hadrian's belief in some things were extremely hilarious. Not only because of what he'd been through (what he knew about at least) and still defended the Muggles but also his belief in other things. That was one thing he was determined to get out of Hadrian, who his relatives are…or will be as the case may be, he didn't care how long it took. He would torture and kill them for daring to treat a wizard (especially HIS Hadrian) like a lowly House-elf and he was pretty sure there was more to the story.
"I guess we best head back, otherwise we'll get into trouble," Harry grumbled, normally he didn't mind gardening, in fact he found it relaxing but today he just didn't have the strength.
Tom grimaced as if something foul had waved under his nose; he absolutely loathed doing anything in that orphanage, especially something like digging in dirt.
Harry laughed at the look on Tom's face, more often than not Tom would just stand there while he did it all anyway. Well the garden at any rate, the rest they did as they were supposed to - Harry wasn't about to let him stand around while he did all that! He wasn't a push over, but he absolutely sucked at gardening, made more of a mess at it than anything else. With a quiet sigh they both began wandering back to the orphanage taking their time; now that they were outside they found it much better than being up in their cramped room. Say what you liked about the orphanage it was clean, although dark and gloomy but that might only be because of the war. Everywhere he went the windows were boarded up to the max.
Just as they began walking up the steps, they found the matron waiting for them at the door, in her hands she had buckets with everything they'd need in them. One with a small spade and rake the other filled with water (which Harry took). With a stern look she passed them over, both of them took the buckets and turned around before going back the way they came - unfortunately not all the way. "Well, at least it means they'll eat more, I honestly have no idea where they get their energy," Harry said wryly, watching the youngsters play with what looked like a tire and stick as well as skipping ropes, one girl had a pull along dog that's tail was wagging around as it moved, some had little airplanes that they imitated as they flew around in the orphanage playground a few had dolls that looked bloody creepy if he was honest. Inside there was a large farm set that they were forbidden from taking outside. It stayed in the 'common area' with all the books and other toys. Not that he considered what the orphanage had as a lot, after growing up with his cousin, nothing seemed excessive, two bedrooms packed with stuff, yes, nothing here was excessive. They also had some board games, like Tiddlywinks; there was even a wagon in there.
"Yes, because vegetables will fill you up," Tom muttered sarcastically, rolling his eyes as he glared at the vegetable patch in distaste.
"You water, but keep away from the bit I'm digging up; I need to get the seeds in first before it gets wet." Harry told him, dropping to his knees and beginning to carve around a large square chunk of earth in front of him. Harry didn't need to look up to see the disgruntled look on Tom's face or to look over at the windows to know the Matron was watching them with a close eye. "Eat enough potato and you'd be full for days, Tom," Harry pointed out.
With a much put up on sigh, Tom dug the little watering can out of the bucket and ducked it into the other bucket and began to water the budding vegetable patch was growing under everyone's watchful gaze. The people in the area were handing in different seeds to the orphanage so they could grow their own vegetables, probably expecting them to grow it so they can eat it without having to do any of the watering.
Harry had to stifle his amusement, the look on Tom's face every time he had to do something so ridiculously 'Muggle' was hilarious really. He would sort of miss this place when they left, whether early or at the end of the summer. Not the muggle world, not even the orphanage, but it just being him and Tom against everything sort of way. That and getting to see him so normal…amongst the Muggles, doing normal things, like doing the watering or their usual chores. In a few years time there would be no force on earth that could make Tom do anything like this again.
"It is not funny," Tom stated staring at Hadrian who was busy with his task, doing it with efficiency that he didn't possess when it came to gardening. He was able to do it quicker and neater than their gardener! It's probably why the matron had given them this duty four times already. He was moving the grass into sections and rolling it up and away from the patch.
"Huh?" Harry said looking up, his face impassive but his eyes were sparkling.
"I know you're laughing at me," Tom told him, his eyes narrowed but they didn't hold any malice.
"How's that?" Harry enquired; he knew Tom couldn't read his mind.
"Your eyes are twinkling," Tom informed him, watching him begin to frown evidently he didn't like that. "Not like Dumbledore," he added with a sneer aimed solely at the Transfiguration teacher.
"Thank Merlin for that," Harry muttered returning to his task hoisting the last mount of grass on top of the other mounds he'd removed. Brushing the dirt off his hands absently, he dug into the bucket and removed the small shovel and packet of carrot seeds then began the painstaking process of digging holes and putting the seed in before repeating the process until every single seed was gone. Grunting exhaustedly, he sat on his backside, taking the pressure off his legs and knees that had gone stiff and numb, before claiming the watering can and watering the entire dry area he'd just created. He made sure to soak it thoroughly, or as well as he could with what was left, he was not heading to the kitchen to fill up a bucket of water and trail it through the orphanage. "There, done." he sighed before flinging everything back in the metal bucket. "It must be near dinner time, I wonder what they'll have today."
"It will taste nicer, it always does on the day they go to the shops," Tom informed him, it took hours, he'd been dragged along once when he was younger, shop to shop to shop of course he stole along the way, which was the only fun he had on the damn trip. He'd made Martha pay for taking him, by being utterly annoying all the way there and back, he hadn't been picked to help her again afterwards much to his satisfaction.
"That I'd like to see," Harry snorted handing over one of the metal buckets before he stood up, he was covered in dirt. He would need to change; he didn't want to spend all night underground with damp dirty clothes on.
"It's nothing like Hogwarts food, but it is better," Tom conceded, "For here at least." he added disdainfully as if he couldn't bring himself to say anything half way decent about the orphanage.
"I'll take your word for it," Harry replied as they began walking back, hopefully the air raid siren wouldn't go off until he'd been able to eat dinner and some of the food he'd bought for them both at the Leaky Cauldron. Lunch had consisted of cheese sandwiches. Although he'd take that over what he had yesterday, it was what the matron had called 'dripping sandwiches' which was the most foul thing he'd ever tasted in his entire life. In fact he'd gone straight to the toilet and puked everything back up. Crusty bread with bacon fat mixed in with a few other things he couldn't and didn't want to name, he could have sworn he tore the lining of his stomach bringing it back up. The most horrific thing about the experience was everyone else had enjoyed it! He had to wonder if his was different from everyone else's the way they were going on. He vowed never to touch it again, no matter what.
Once they were in the entrance hall, Harry and Tom dumped the buckets for the matron to move - they weren't allowed in the kitchen and if they tried they were punished so nobody even ventured in there to put the buckets in.
"I need the toilet, I'll be right back," Harry said just as they were at the dining hall doors, that and he needed to wash his hands, no doubt the matron would whack him with her stick if he showed up looking like he did right now. He ran up the stairs and turned left and into the toilets and quickly relived himself before washed his hands thoroughly to get the mud that seemed caked on off him. His stomach all the while growled at the prospect of food, he kept all his food from the Leaky Cauldron until after dinnertime when the hunger was always at its worst. Although the porridge was filling, even he had to admit that, but they didn't have it every day, other times they had jam toast which definitely wasn't filling for a grown person.
He left the bathroom and was just about to start making his way downstairs when he was yanked into what he would realize in a few moments was a broom cupboard by what he assumed was the orphans before he was completely drenched as someone flung cold water at him before the door snapped shut with a click indicating that it had been locked from the outside. Harry narrowed his eyes, what were they five years old? Bloody hell, now he was soaked through and through and cold. He thought about using magic, but what if the idiots were still there? He couldn't hear them, turning to the side he pressed up against the door - nope, nothing wait…there, faint laughing. He definitely couldn't use magic, damn it, he did not like enclosed spaces, thankfully he wasn't claustrophobic who could be after growing up in a cupboard three times smaller than this one he was in?
Harry felt around for a light switch, to see if the cupboard at least had one, but he sort of thought it was probably too early for them to be installed in cupboards. Heck the Dursley's had installed that especially for him when he was a kid, although why was anyone's guess the more miserable he had been the better mood they were in. He couldn't feel any switch so assumed he was right, rolling his eyes, he contemplated what to do, the thought of giving the idiots any satisfaction wasn't appealing, he was an adult Merlin's balls! He shouldn't have to endure this that was it, if Slughorn didn't reply back he was leaving, this was just ridiculous.
He was just raising his fist to start pounding on the door when he heard the lock turning, and the door swung open. He wasn't wholly unsurprised to find Tom standing there. "Normally I would mentally complain about you reading other peoples thoughts but right now is not going to be one of those times." Harry admitted his hand slumping to his side as he swiftly walked out of the cupboard with a grumble, before quickly making his way to his and Tom's room to get a change of clothes.
Tom just raised a surprised eyebrow, he hadn't ever told anyone about that particular ability, and somehow it didn't surprise him that Hadrian knew what he was doing. He was already planning his revenge on those boys, they should have known better than to mess with his Hadrian. He was his, and would learn that in time. The others had to pay, had to learn not to put their hands on Hadrian. He wouldn't stand for it. Shaking off his thoughts he followed him to the room, by the time he got in he was already dressing in warm clothes, Goosebumps evident over his arms. He was disappointed but didn't show it when he was covered back up in a thick warm jumper.
"We best hurry up before it's gone," Harry scowled, he felt like that's all he'd done all day, run around like a headless chicken.
"You might want to dry your hair before you end up sick," Tom pointed out tapping his foot impatiently.
"Nope, let's go!" Harry said and they both quickly got down the stairs and into the dinning room in record time. Slightly out of breath but they were determined not to miss dinner, even though they had something up the stairs to eat. What they had left wasn't enough to consider an entire meal, so they would also eat what they could here.
"Hmm, it does smell better," Harry admitted as they grabbed a tray each. "But that might be my hungry imagination," he added sarcastically.
Tom pursed his lips, despite that they twitched slightly showing Harry he was amused by his words.
"Tom," called Mrs. Cole, standing at the doors a pointed look on her face.
Harry and Tom turned to face her, Harry absently wondered what was going on, she rarely called him out on anything, just silently reminded them of their chores before going on her way.
"Yes, ma'am?" Tom said politely, gazing at her in confusion.
"Follow me," she insisted.
"I'll get our dinner," Harry said immediately taking his tray, as Tom left without another word. As he filled their trays he began to wonder what Tom could have done, they'd been together nearly all the time so if he was accused of something…there would nothing he could do they wouldn't believe him. It couldn't be anything good, she didn't acknowledge their existence unless they did something wrong. She did care about them though, they were always dressed and well fed and in a clean environment. Nothing in what he had always thought orphanages would be growing up with the Dursley's. That wasn't to say he wanted to stay here, he just had to acknowledge that it could be worse - a lot worse.
He piled the tray on top of the other, before very slowly making his way over to their usual seats and sat them on the table. Sliding Tom's drink over he sat down and took a few gulps of his own finding himself extremely parched. At least he had warmed up after the impromptu bath from the bloody idiots - he hadn't even gotten a good look at them so he couldn't say who had done it. It wouldn't take much to figure it out if he looked around and if they were there.
Tom appeared in front of him so quickly Harry could have sworn he Apparated - but that was just impossible everyone was still eating calmly. Blinking again he noticed Tom's rather triumphant look, he frowned wondering what the hell had caused it. "Um…everything okay?"
Tom then smirked and put a letter on the table.
It was from Slughorn.
"He said yes, then?" Harry deduced quickly.
"Yes," Tom said smugly, as if he'd never had a doubt.