The Love Story of Harriet Potter and Tom Riddle

Chapter 109 - Thanks for the Help

Thank you for reading! I don't own any of Harry Potter! Please let me know if you enjoy! Updates every Saturday!
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Harriet opened her eyes that June morning to find Tom staring at her as he laid on his side, waiting for her to wake.

"Good morning." She smiled sleepily, "I suppose today's the day, isn't it?"

"Yes." Tom purred, kissing her fingers as he lifted her hand to his lips, "Today's the day, sweetling."

Instead of saying much else, Harriet cuddled into his chest for another wistful moment, in a quiet rebellion against the inevitable travesty of rising from bed.

What could they say to one another about the occasion?

That they finally had a child graduating from Hogwarts?

That they couldn't wait for the next one?

Tom and Harriet had missed both of their daughter's Hogwarts graduations, for reasons they both preferred not to dwell on.

Mark's would never come.

"Shall we get ready then, my darling?" Tom asked as he nuzzled Harriet softly.

As she lifted her head and pressed a soft kiss against his lips, they both took shelter in their exchange of affection against the unfortunate truth.

Thomas James Riddle III would be the only one of their children to ever graduate from the prestigious magical school.

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The Minister for Magic was determined to make the day special for his entire family.

Dressed in his finest suit, he escorted his parents, wife, and youngest son to Hogwarts an hour after waking.

While the families of most graduates elbowed each other for space on the crowded stands that had been erected for the day on the castle's lawn, the Minister sat with his family, the Trendells, and the Weasleys in their own, private section.

"All Lily talks about now is the wedding!" Amelia laughed as she sat next to Harriet.

"It's on James's mind as well." Harriet chuckled, "I think Tom and I hoped they'd put a bit more time into their careers first, but we can't say much. We were married around the same age."

Behind her, Amelia's husband smiled as they slipped their hands into each other's while she nodded at Harriet, "I don't think we mind much, as long as they're happy."

"As long as they're together, I don't think we'll have to worry about that!" Harriet laughed.

On her other side, Tom pressed himself protectively against her.

The passing years had brought challenges, but his chest still swelled with pride to listen to his mate talk about their children.

While the families chattered on, Mark excused himself from the stands to walk across the lawn and buy a Butterbeer from the vending cart that had come to the castle for the day.

Not keen on talking with people he didn't know, he nervously turned the silver sickle over in his hands as he patiently stood in line.

In front of him, a group of adults, all clothed in their long, brightly-coloured robes reminisced about their own Hogwarts' graduations before they began to share proud anecdotes about their niece, son, daughter........

Mark frowned as he thought.

As his anxiety increased while he waited his turn to purchase his treat, the silver sickle accidentally escaped his grasp and dropped to the ground.

Silently berating himself for his own foolishness, Mark quickly leaned down to retrieve his fallen currency, but as he touched the sickle, another hand covered his.

His green eyes widened as he suddenly found himself staring into a set of bright, blue eyes.

Those bright, blue eyes seemed to shine as a wide smile danced on the lips of the girl who gazed at him.

"Sorry!" She laughed as she took her hand off of Mark's, "I was going to grab it for you.....I hate it when I drop things....which I do all the time, I'm quite clumsy."

"Oh, um.......thanks," Mark nodded as he instantly straightened back up.

The girl did the same, but Mark's mouth went dry as he noticed she seemed to be about his age, with long, black hair, and those striking, sapphire eyes, set right in the middle of her fair face.

From the simple, blue dress she wore to the friendly smile she gave him,  Mark was helplessly rendered speechless.

Girls talked to James, not him, never him.

"Are you here with your family too?" The girl asked, " I think it's going to be a bit of a long day."

Her decreased enthusiasm about the event gave Mark hope that perhaps she was as much of an outsider as himself.

"Yeah." He nodded, "I'm really proud of my brother, but it's a little weird being here, you know, being a squib and all."

The girl gave Mark an odd look as if she were studying his every feature before her blue eyes widened in realization.

"Oh!" She gasped, "You're Jame's brother, aren't you? You look just like him! You should have mentioned I was talking to one of the Minister's sons!"

"Is it that important?" Mark frowned, ".......I take it you know my brother, then?"

"Not really." The girl shook her head, "I'm just a third year, but......everyone knows of James."

"Oh........" Mark said as his expression fell, "You're a Hogwarts student?"

The girl, sensing Mark's disappointment, nodded slowly as if she were admitting to some sort of embarrassing misdeed.

"Well........thanks for.......the help." Mark awkwardly nodded as he turned and walked up to the concession stand as the people in front of him left with their purchases.

Once Mark obtained his Butterbeer and passed by her without another word, the girl returned to her family heartbroken.

Mark hadn't meant any personal offense to his admirer, but he longed for the day when someone would see him for who he was, who he really was.

He hadn't yet told his parents about his dream of living amongst the muggles one day, after he and James had made enough of a profit from their business.

Mark Riddle didn't want to be known as James's brother or the Minister's son.

Mark Riddle just wanted to be...........Mark.

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It surprised even Tom, the sudden rush of overwhelming emotion that washed through his soul as he held Hartriet's hand while they watched James graduate.

Harriet had one hand in Tom's and the other arm wrapped around Mark's shoulder as happy tears welled in her green eyes as they watched James collect his diploma from Professor Dumbledore, who stood to personally greet each graduate as they walked forward once their name was called.

"You did well, sweetling. He's an impressive young man." Tom whispered as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to Harriet's cheek.

"You mean 'we' did well." She whispered as she gave him a quick, gentle nuzzle.

Tom smiled at his wife as she nodded, "He's ours, Tom........Yours and mine."