How to Prevent a War

Snakes

Tom didn't talk to Harry at all for the following two days, and it drove the young time traveller mad. Most of the other Slytherin, of course stayed out of his way as well, afraid to invoke the wrath of their Lord. Only Alphard and Megan still bothered, with Avery and Michael often looking his way apologetically and the Lestrange brothers sometimes still talked to him as well, though they were careful to only do it when Tom wasn't around to see them.

Then, the most terrible thing happened: another victim had been found. Harry and Alphard watched from the side, along with many other students as the petrified body of Smith, the 6th year Gryffindor that had been harassing Harry along with McLaggen and McKinnon. Harry frowned deeply at the sight and turned away, walking from the scene with Alphard on his heels.

"Why does he do this when he knows you guys know it's him?" Alphard wondered out loud when they were in an empty hallway.
"Isn't he worried you guys will take action against him, or bust him? You know where the Chamber is after all."

"I think he's punishing me for something, but I don't know what I did to make him angry," Harry muttered.

"I guess we should ask him soon. Maybe we can make him stop," Alphard suggested.

"He doesn't even talk to me anymore, Alphard," Harry said frowning.

Eventually, they arrived at the Caretaker's office, where the rest of the group time travellers were already waiting for them. Ginny, as a flurry of red fury, suddenly appeared in front of them, her face red with rage as she stared at Harry.

"He's done it again!" she accused angrily.
"We agreed that if he went this far, we'd rid the world of him!"

"You want to kill Tom?!" Alphard exclaimed perplexed.

"I think it's time for plan B, mate," Ron said gently, looking at his friend worriedly.

Harry's expression hardened immediately and he balled his fists. The rest of his friends all looked away, most of them looking either very sad or guilty. Fred walked up to Harry and put a gentle hand on his shoulder, making the younger teen look up at him questioningly.

"If you want, we'll do it for you," the older teen said, smiling weakly.

"No," Harry muttered quickly, pulling away from his friend and instead wrapped his own arms around himself, glaring at the others in the room.
"If it comes to that, I'll do it myself, but it's not that time yet. I'll talk to him. I can make him stop before he kills Myrtle."

Alphard made a choking noise at that revelation and he stared at Harry in shock. The other dark haired teen ignored him however, and walked back out of the room. Alphard quickly turned on his heels, waving at Hermione before rushing after his Housemate.

"So, we'll try talking to Tom now?" he asked hopeful.
"I mean, I know Tom, and this isn't him, I promise! No need to kill him."

"I wish I could believe that," Harry muttered, smiling wryly.

. . . . .

Alphard had to run to keep up with Harry's quick pace, even though he was taller than him. It was an obvious sign of Harry's worry that he moved that fast. It was also a sign to Alphard that he was a lot more than he let on. His expression was hard, almost like a soldier going into battle and suddenly he realized that if it came to it, Harry would keep his earlier promise and kill Tom.

"We'll talk him out of it," Alphard said, more t himself than Harry.

They had to. Alphard really did care about Tom. He was his friend after all. Or he used to be at least. Alphard had been the first to talk to Tom, the first to accept him for his lesser blood even before his true heritage was revealed. But then the other started gaining a following, and Alphard became lost in the crowd. Tom had 'rewarded him for his loyalty' by making him his 'second in command', but only after Abraxas Malfoy had graduated two years ago.