Fear [ Tomarry

Laliophobia I

La•lio•pho•bia
(n.) fear of speaking

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This is an AU where Harry's parents were killed by Grindelwald, not Voldemort. He was sent to live with the Dursleys still.

This is not an AU where the Dursley's are angelic. They abused Harry so much that he suffers from major laliophobia to the extent where he's selectively mute. Please, this is not to romanticize the subject! Don't do this!

Ron and Hermione are Head Boy and Girl.

Tom is actually a foreign exchange student from America ('cause why not) and transferred over in both his and Harry's seventh year.

Takes place in 1942-43 (and a little in 1948).

Harry's POV.

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Harry was sitting silently in the Great Hall for the Welcome Feast. Five minutes ago they had been unloaded from the carriages and now everyone was settling into their seats— Harry sitting in between his friends in Gryffindor.

Even seven years later, Harry couldn't believe he had been placed in Gryffindor. It valued courage and bravery, for Merlin's sake! Harry knew he wasn't brave. The Dursley's made sure of that for him. And yet he was still placed into Gryffindor. Of course, no one else was surprised with the outcome, seeing as he had supposedly 'destroyed' Grindelwald when he was a baby. Now he was back and... well, Harry definitely wished he had some Gryffindor courage in him.

"Are you excited for this year?" Hermione asked. "I heard we get free periods now. I can't wait to have all that time to study! And the fact that Ron and I are Head Boy and Head Girl make it even better!"

Ron groaned from Harry's other side. "You can't be serious! Would you really spend all that time studying?" he paused. "Actually, wait. Don't answer that."

Hermione sent Ron a glare. "Yes, I will most definitely be studying! We have N.E.W.Ts this year and I will not be studying last minute! They're important, unlike whatever you lot do! You agree with me, don't you, Harry?"

Harry sent Ron an apologetic look before he nodded. Best not get on Hermione's bad side this early in the year— he had learnt that the hard way.

Before anyone could say anything else, Professor Dumbledore swung the main doors open and lead the first years in between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables. Harry was expecting to only see little tiny eleven year olds, which he mostly did, but with the exception of one really tall boy who looked to be more Harry's own age. Looking closer, Harry nearly fell off his seat.

HE LOOKED LIKE A GOD. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Harry could feel his face heat up as he watched Adonis (that's his nickname now, according to Harry) waltz down the Hall. Those cheekbones looked like they slice the air whenever he walks. He looked deliciously tall and broad, and as a teenager, he would only grow more, much to Harry's appreciation. Every second spent looking at him, the more Harry felt as though this year was now going to be very interesting.

He didn't even notice his friends until he heard Ron yell in his ear. Jumping slightly, Harry blinked before looking at the redhead. "You looked like you were hypnotized, mate," Ron said. "You alright?"

Harry nodded his head. He was better than fine.

He didn't pay attention until all the first years were sorted and Headmaster Dippet started talking again "As you all can see, we have another Wizard attending Hogwarts who isn't a first year. I would like you all to give a warm Hogwarts welcome to Tom Riddle, our new Ilvermorny transfer student, whom will be staying with us until his graduation!"

The small Gryffindor leaned on the table with his hand supporting his cheek as he gazed at the new student, Tom, who was settling onto the stool. American. Harry heard that they were really brave. Maybe Harry would be brave if he lived there instead of Britain. And as he mused, he couldn't help but notice how a front view of Tom was somehow so much better than his side. Harry was so fucked. And if he wasn't then, he hoped he would be soon.

"Slytherin!" The Sorting Hat shouted. Everyone clapped, and Harry would be lying if he said his hands didn't hurt afterwards.

"A new snake, huh?" Ron mused. "This one better not throw anything into my potions, or so help me..."

Harry nudged his friend, which earned him a slight glare before the food appeared and distracted Ron. So what, he was a Slytherin. It's not like they're all inherently evil. Besides, he came from Ilvermorny, which meant he was technically raised in a different fashion— how mysterious!

As Harry glanced at the American while biting into his bread roll, he couldn't help but scold himself. Tom was way out of his league. Harry was a cowardly Gryffindor. Tom looked like he was carved by the gods above. And Harry hasn't spoken for eight years now. How could he ever get Tom to like him if he was too scared to even speak? And what was Tom like, anyways? This crush was based only on physical attributes, and even though they were good on Tom, Harry couldn't imagine someone would be physically attracted to himself.

He reached down to get a couple chicken legs before looking back up to gaze at this wonder piece from across the Great Hall, but was shocked when Tom's face was looking straight at him, his eyes boring into Harry's. When Tom gave him a small wave and a smile, Harry ducked his head down and bit a huge chunk out of the drumstick. This is going to be a long year, Harry thought to himself.

--

It turned out every single teacher wanted to make his life a living hell. In every class, Harry was partnered up with the new American exchange student. At first they didn't talk at all (not like Harry ever does) and only exchanged silent looks. That was, until they were partnered in Divination (seriously, Harry had no idea why he had chosen this in his N.E.W.T year) and Tom decided to make a move.

"You come here often?"

Harry turned around in enough time to see Tom's eyes widen. "Wait! Shit, sorry I-I didn't mean that—" he didn't say anything afterwards, but his cheeks had a red tint to them.

'It's fine,' purple bubbles appeared above Harry's head, spelling the words for him. "I would have asked you the same thing.'

After he had read it, Tom smiled slightly. "Well, that saves me some embarrassment," he joked. "But what is with those bubbles? I'd enjoy listening to your voice."

Screaming. Crying. He wasn't very happy with me telling a neighbour that I could talk to snakes. It was beat into me to stay silent. Do not speak. Not even when spoken to. Don't aggravate him. Stay safe.

Shaking the thoughts away, Harry smiled. 'No you wouldn't,' he shot down, 'I stutter a lot and my voice is very high. I'm not much for speaking.'

Tom frowned. Harry didn't like that look on him. "Can you speak?" he asked. "I mean not to force you into answering me or anything, I don't mean to overwhelm—"

Harry lifted a hand and shut Tom's jaw before he could say more. After a second he released it, only for the jaw to open again in shock. He giggled while Tom's ears turned a bright red. 'I'm not that easy to overwhelm, Tom. And... no, I can't speak.' he didn't specify why he couldn't. He mentally could not bring himself to speak.

"I didn't mean to say you were... I just-I!- Sorry," he composed himself for a moment before raising his right arm towards Harry. "Hello, I'm Tom Riddle."

Harry smiled and took the extended hand to shake it. 'Hello, Tom Riddle. I'm Harry Potter.'