The Shadows Solace Book I: The Growing Years Prequel

Chapter XIX: Harry's 2nd Birthday I

(A/N: The picture reminds me of a scene from another Tomarry story I read a while back, but for the life of me; I can't remember it's name!)

As the days past by them after the articles slowed some, it became clear to Petunia that Tom had something on his mind very heavily, and that Harry seemed distressed by it though quiet over it as he couldn't exactly pinpoint the problem. So as Harry was gently laid for his usual afternoon nap within Tom's room and Tom sat next to the cradle with a book; she hesitantly knocked on the door softly and waited for him to allow entry.

Tom watched Petunia with some confusion; the woman seemed conflicted right now. Like she didn't know how to speak of this and didn't want to cause anger or problems. Augusta had by now taken Neville and herself back to the Longbottom Mansion. With Sirius and Remus in tow; to begin planning a party for Harry's upcoming birthday.

Lucius and Narcissa also having gone back home to Malfoy Manor with Draco. The house was much...quieter and peaceful without quite so many people there.

Augusta had decided; after much debate with herself, that as much as she wanted to do a joint party for Harry and for her grandson...Tom needed this birthday; for it to be about Harry this time. Needing to experience the special feelings that come with growing a single year and it being celebrated by those who cared for you.

To be a part of Harry's special day and feeling for himself of the child's happiness for his part in it and for being there for it.

Something she now was aware that Tom never had personally experienced on his own; his rearing at the orphanage being unable to even provide such a thing. Not that she thought the matron would have celebrated it; the vile woman that Miss Cole was, she had come to hate Tom for being himself. And she had warned Petunia of her thoughts to this as well; which was why Harry's party was for himself.

The regent for House Longbottom; she knew that Tom's followers likely did something for him when older if they were close enough to him and had known when his birthday even was, but by that time...Tom was distanced to the notions and closed off to them all. With his new soul intact; now was the time to show him the experience first-hand.

Augusta was going to have a small celebration with Neville all by herself this year and show the boy some very special plants that she knew he would smile at. It was clear to her; as young as Neville was, that he had inherited the inherent Longbottom gift for Herbology already.

Not necessarily earth elemental affinity yet; Neville is too young yet to really show it for sure, but Augusta knew that time would show her of other abilities and if his affinity for elements ran towards the earth.

Petunia slowly eased herself to one of the chairs in the room and eyed the blue water beyond the open deck doors. She watched the waves a moment before turning to him and spoke softly, "I noticed that you've been thinking over something very heavily the last few days. Something important."

Tom eyed her and she saw his fingers tense at the edges of the book.

"I didn't want to pry; I wanted to let you try and resolve this by yourself. But Harry...he's been quietly distressed about whatever this is. You've gone off alone and left him behind; Harry doesn't seem to like it, and he tends to be noisy when that normally happens.

Yet..." She scrunched her brows together, "Yet, he's been silent this time. Watching with ill-hidden sadness from a distance. Like he senses wherever you are and that there is something to you about it that he doesn't like, but he cannot actually pin it down to try to help.

And by his silent gestures; I am sure he wants to help you." She eyed him warily and hesitant, "Is there something I can do? To help? To help you both?"