A Change of Heart

Chaptee Twenty Nine

Someone was saying his name over and over again.

"Harry! Harry, wake up!"

"Jus' a minute" Harry muttered groggily.

A hand shook his shoulder. "Harry?"

Harry opened his eyes and closed them again as he wondered what woke him. It was still dark. He was in Gryffindor Tower in the boys' dormitory. The next day was a Sunday and so, he could sleep in if he wished...

"I know you are awake," a familiar voice spoke from the side of the bed.

Harry opened his eyes and sat up. "Tom?" Tom put his glasses on him and Harry could see him clearly.

Tom smiled at him, but it was a really hesitant smile. Like he was nervous.

"Hi," said he. "You hadn't written as you said you would. So I thought I would pay you a visit."

Whatever anger Harry held, all melted away at the sight of Tom and his slightly nervous smile.

"I've had a rough year," he said. "I'm sorry I didn't write, but the owls..."

Tom nodded. "I know about the ministry reforms."

"Yea, they're crazy," Harry took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes and put them back on. Tom caught his hand with a sharp intake of breath.

"What is this?" His voice was flat, totally devoid of all emotion.

Harry cursed himself for forgetting about the scars. But he did not want Tom to do something rash.

"It's... nothing, Tom. It's fine, really."

Tom lifted Harry's hand to read the words etched on to the skin. His lips thinned. "Who did this?"

Harry drew out his hand from Tom's grasp and put it on his arm. "Tom, I am not going to tell you if you are going to do something nasty to whoever did this."

"Don't tell me you're not angry!"

"I am, but it's between us. I don't want you interfering."

"You can't expect that from me."

"Then I'm not going to tell you anything."

Tom looked like he was struggling with something. Finally he grated out, "Fine! I won't do anything to this person. Now who is it?"

"Umbridge," said Harry.

"The ministry witch? She's the one doing this illegal thing?"

"Yea, she's the High Inquisitor now, inspects other teachers and Trelawney's already on probation." Harry paused. "She's also given me, Fred and George a lifelong ban from playing Quidditch."

"Give me back my promise," demanded Tom.

"Why?" Asked Harry. "Because she banned me from playing Quidditch?"

"I am not interested in Quidditch, never have been. And I don't know Fred and George from Adam. But I do know that this game and these people mean a great deal to you. So, yes, I would like to have my promise back."

Harry shook his head, still smiling. "Too late."

"But I must vindicate you at least," said he, lifting Harry's hand again. "They call you a liar. I must at least prove you are not."

Harry's breath caught. "Tom! What are you planning to do?"

Tom looked at Harry. "I won't harm anyone, but I do intend to put some fear into them." He kissed Harry's hand, on the scars of the words that Umbridge had forced him to carve into his own skin. "Don't worry."

"If I told you that, would you listen?"

"Probably not," sighed Tom. "But it's not the same."

"Yes, it is," said Harry.

They were both silent for a while. Then Tom said. "You went to bed early today? Dumbledore had sent a message."

Harry flushed. "Um... I was not in the mood... it was today, you see.. the ban... and then we went out to see Hagrid, because he just came back today..."

"Hagrid," said Tom in an odd voice.

"If you're going to say anything disparaging about Hagrid, I'm going to kick you out. It's because of you that he's never had a chance to finish his education!"

Tom went pale. "I regret it," said he quietly.

Harry snorted. "Next you'll say you regret opening the chamber of secrets too. At least, make it believable Tom!"

Tom went even paler. "You don't believe me?"

Harry's eyes softened. "I believe you care for me, Tom. But anything further than that," he shook his head. "Sorry."

Tom nodded. "Fair enough." He rose. "I should be going." He bent down and kissed Harry on the forehead. "Good night, Harry."

Harry sighed as he lay back down. He hoped Tom would not do anything foolish.