Hostile Takeover

Chapter 3

The entire school year Harry spent either studying with Hermione and Ron or conversing with Tom about various aspects of magic. It wasn't until the winter holidays when Ron and Hermione were out of the castle that Harry finally managed to bring up a rather touchy subject to Dumbledore.

The man was sitting behind his desk, eyes twinkling brighter than the stars he studied in astronomy.

"Harry, what would you like to talk about?" And Harry talked.

He told Dumbledore about the meditation and finding a version of Tom in his head that wasn't mad and how he thought that Tom might be able to be saved if they manage to make him reabsorb his horcruxes.

"A rather interesting theory. I don't see why it can't work, but you must be aware that Voldemort reabsorbing the shard of his soul that resides in you could very well kill you." It didn't take long for Harry to respond, since he'd already come to the same conclusion.

"I'm willing to take the risk if it means Tom gets to reverse the mistakes he made." Dumbledore just sat there, eyes twinkling with something akin to pride.

"My boy, you always were too kind to others. I would like to think that Tom would rethink his old ways and continue down a new path, but I just can't help but think that he'll just have a newer and more invigorated body in which to continue on torturing and killing people. What's got you so convinced he won't revert back to thinking the way Voldemort currently does?" Harry thought for quite some time about the question he was just asked. It was more than just a feeling, it was a gut instinct-and those were never wrong where Harry was concerned. The trick was figuring out a way to articulate it.

"I've...grown to...appreciate Tom's more...intricate feelings. If I focus rather hard I almost get echoes of what he's feeling when he talks about certain things. Like different branches of magic, he's always feeling curious about those. And when he talks about what he's done-well, about what his counterpart has done-he feels regret. I know because I feel it too. And I know it's his feelings and not mine because I don't regret the things he's done, I only feel sorrow and pain for the people who had to endure it." Dumbledore heard him out without interrupting.

"While I agree, those do point to the validity of what you're saying he believes, I still think trying to do anything like what you're suggesting is too dangerous. I'll see if I can't find another solution, but for now I simply want you to focus on your studies."

Harry nodded, trying his best to simply look dejected. "Yes, sir." He got up to leave and just as he was about to open the door, Dumbledore stopped him.

"Oh, and Harry?" He turned to face the Headmaster. "My door is always open should you wish to talk further about Tom and his escapades." Harry nodded and practically shot through the doorway.

He managed to find himself in his dorm room rather quickly and instead of sleeping, simply started meditating.

Tom greeted him with a cup of tea already prepared.

"So, tell me how your first day back has gone." Harry recounted the train ride, the excitement at seeing the castle again, and even told Tom about his meeting with Dumbledore after dinner.

"I see. Well, he never did trust me. I don't see why he'd suddenly start now." Harry glared at the wall. "Why are you making that face?"

"He doesn't trust me either. He says he does, but he's always discounting my thoughts, worries and even takes my ideas and just says he'll find a way to make a better plan. It's like I'm never good enough to let him trust me, but I'm good enough to save the entire world from certain destruction? If that's the case, why not even hear me out? What's the point in being the saviour if coming up with a way to save everyone is never good enough?"