Thomas Potter-Love is a Different Dimension

Kiss Me Here

Harry's universe, Wool's orphanage, 1932

He was five years old for nearly a month now.

And surely, surely , Mrs. Cole will choose him this time. He has on the best donated sailor suit he can find. Streaks of blue upon yellowish white. Matching blue shorts and socks with just two holes in the soles of his feet. He shined his shoes extra hard, put extra cream in his hair, and combed it to the side. Not a hair out of place.

Practices his white smile in the mirror - after hours of scrubbing until his gums are red and raw- remembering how the others pulled up their lips, how the adults would swoon and pinch the other children's cheek.

He has memorized all his letters and numbers. And although he hates being forced to sing the hymn in church every Sunday, he practices under his breath to make sure the tune is right- just how the pastor tells them to.

Today is the day a mother and father will adopt Tom. He is sure of it. Mrs. Cole has to choose him now. He is perfect. Healthy, has on his best manners, intelligent, and a good churchgoer. A good boy.

He goes downstairs, dutifully standing with his arms behind his back.

The hall is separated by a door, and Tom can already hear the adults sitting in the meeting rooms, waiting to see them. Waiting to take Tom home.

Home . Tom can't wait to leave the Orphanage. He has no idea what one really does with a mother and father. No idea what a home looks like. What one does with a family. All he knows is that it is his ticket out of the dreary dark orphanage. He doesn't belong here.

Tom stands straight with the other boys, shoulders a little higher. There is a sniffling cry and Billy Stubbs comes trotting down with a red nose. Moaning at one of the matrons he lost his red ball. The matrons tell him to shut it and clean himself or he won't be picked. Billy grumbles and stands beside Tom. Tom can't help a small smirk on his face. Serves Billy Stubbs right for calling Tom names.

Mrs. Cole is inspecting the other boys and Tom watches longingly as one by one they are allowed through the door. Billy looks at Tom up and down, "What are you looking all proper for? Mrs. Cole not gonna pick you,"

Tom ignores him. Intent on being on his best behaviour. At least this once. He will deal with Billy after.

"I overheard her talking with the others," Billy says, rubbing his nose with his sleeve. Tom scorns in disgust, inching away. "Says something is wrong with you and that you can't be in a family,"

"You're lying," Tom says, facing Billy. The boy has always been a liar, telling tales on Tom and getting him in trouble, "I'll be picked today you'll see,"

"No really, is what I heard," Billy won't stop sniffing, "She says you're an abom? Ambom-in-thing?"

Tom presses his short crescent nails into Billy's arm, "Shut. Up ."

Billy cries out, "You're hurting me!"

Mrs. Cole glares fall on them. Tom releases Billy's arm and tries to feign ignorance, keeping his good posture. "What's this? Tom , did you do something to Billy?"

"No," He says cooly.

"He did Mrs. Cole, he hurt me real bad!" Wailed Billy, tattling.

Tom shakes his head to refute Billy. Mrs. Cole sees right through him and she gives him a disappointed tsk . "Upstairs now, and to bed without dinner, for both of you I think,"

Tom feels his stomach drop. No, no, no!

Not after all his hard work!

Tom pushes past her, runs to the open door. Billy's cries are getting louder. Tom doesn't care, he just wants to meet the adults.