How to Prevent a War

Argument

Harry returned to the common room with a heavy heart. He'd been looking for Tom the past hour, along with the help of Ron and Hermione, but the Dark-Lord-to be was simply nowhere to be found. It worried Harry greatly and he couldn't help but wonder where the other had gone off to.

"Harry!" Alphard called from where he and his friends were seated.

Rosier, who sat next to the young Black grinned and waved. With a sigh, Harry walked up to the group, existing of Alphard, Rosier, Yaxley, Avery, Nott, Dolohov, Mulciber and the two Lestrange brothers. Only one girl, but that too was something Harry was getting used to. Megan Yaxley was just the type of girl to hang out with boys instead of other girls.

"Hey," he greeted the group of baby Death Eaters.
"Has anyone seen Tom? He just disappeared after class."

"He said he was going to do some research," Rosier told him.

"You know how Tom is, right mate?" Avery said grinning.
"Always studying and all. Like he isn't bloody smart enough yet."

Harry frowned in thought and sat down next to Yaxley. The girl raised a brow at his upset expression and put a gentle hand on his shoulder, sliding it upwards to his chin to force him to look at her. The action only made Harry frown even more.

"You look distressed," the girl noted slightly amused.
"No wonder, really. I heard you were hit on by that Huffelpuff mudblood."

"July is a nice girl," Harry noted annoyed.

"I bet! She's bloody gorgeous if you ignore her background," Nicolas Lestrange snickered.
"But just for fooling around with a few times. No one can be serious about a girl that insignificant."

"What idiot came with that idea?" Harry asked frowning.
"Lots of people can be very serious about someone like her. She's pretty and really sweet. Just because she's not a pureblood doesn't make her any less of a great person."

"Whatever makes you sleep at night, mate," Avery snorted.

Several of the others were all staring at Harry with doubtful expressions, clearly not liking where he was going with the conversation.

"You're not honestly interested in her, right?" Alphard asked.
"I mean, I'm not bothered with it as much, but I just don't think it's a good idea. Tom-..."

"What does Tom has to do with my bloody love-life anyway?" Harry asked angry.

"I am madly in love with you, obviously," came the dry reply from behind Harry.

The green eyed teen turned his head so fast he almost had a whiplash and he glared at the tall teen standing behind his seat. Tom just smirked down at him, but the smile had an edge in it Harry hadn't seen before. Somehow, the casual act seemed artificial, and that made shivers run down Harry's spine. Still, he squared his shoulders and glared at the Slytherin heir.

"And where were you anyway?" he asked.
"I've been looking all over for you."

"Library," Tom replied with a shrug.

The teenage dark lord rounded the sofa and sat down on Harry's side, shoving away Avery for the seat. Harry scowled but kept his mouth shut. He knew that Tom was lying. They had searched the library just like anywhere else in the castle, but no Tom to be found. To be calling him out with all these baby Death Eaters around would be a bad idea though, so Harry opted to wait his chance.

"Why were you looking for Riddle anyway?" Nott asked curiously.

"I just thought he might want to know Slughorn invited me and 'Mione to his club," Harry shrugged.