Bound To You

Chapter 8: Playing Grounds

After a long hug, Tom pulled back to look at Harry properly. In the past few hours or so, he and Harry had been kissing, hugging, just spending time together. They were in one of Salazar's private chambers in the Chamber of Secrets. Severus was in another room altogether, seeing that he was just one call away. Jamila had gone back to slithering through the pipes, giving the two soulmates some time alone, because otherwise she'd just stay to watch over them. Tom wasn't very sure about snakes' -- or, well, basilisks' -- courting habits, but he was definitely sure that the mother watching over the courting pair was not part of the courting ritual.

Harry looked at him with curiosity shining in his eyes, the vivid green capturing Tom's dark red ones. It was such a rare shade to see on one's irises that it was slightly surreal. Harry was small, smaller than he thought should be healthy for a second year. His fingers on his back could trace his ribs no problem, even through the layers of clothing. Legs that straddled his felt right, yet not right enough. Yet. But it was a comfortable position for Harry, mostly, that made him want to keep him there.

But time was against them, and he they had to separate before the old coot would notice their disappearance.

"Harry," Tom said softly, his hands travelling up to his face so that he could cup those soft, soft cheeks. It occurred to him that at his age, there was supposed to be a few percent of baby fat, but it wasn't present, and he knew why... Only starvation could do that on someone, the extreme type of it at least. "We need to go," he said reluctantly. Harry clutched at his robes, twisting it in his hands as if he didn't want him to go.

"Why?" his voice trembled, and he sounded so young, so vulnerable... "Are-are you gonna leave me?" Eyes shone with oncoming tears, and Tom was quick to shush him.

"Just for now, Harry. No one should know I'm alive," he explained. "Imagine what would happen if everyone's favourite Dark Lord is now alive and kicking?"

"But... you promised that you'll save me..." he mumbled softly, looking at Tom's chest than his eyes. Tom remedied that by tilting his chin upwards so that their eyes would meet, but Harry averted his a second later.

"And I will," Tom said, conviction in his voice. "But there are some things that I need to do first before I could do so." Harry looked downtrodden, but nodded nonetheless. A peck on his lips made him look back up at Tom, and the older wizard smiled at him. "Don't worry, I've got a plan."

Harry just smiled.

Dumbledore jovially walked down the hall, making obnoxiously loud sucking noises on his lemon drop. He'd been away for almost most of the year, only appearing when it was necessary, but it was worth it, in his mind. He could finally track down Remus Lupin because he knew that Lockheart would be retiring before the year even ends. Oh, he knew about him, alright, about all the Obliviates and how his stories weren't even his, but the children wouldn't need to know that. He had a reputation to keep, and so did the Headmaster.

But Lupin on the other hand...

Yes, yes, everything was perfect...

"Heya, mate!" Ron said happily, watching Harry getting crushed by Hermione's hug with a laugh. "Too bad you couldn't come with us for Christmas..."

"Here, Harry, my Christmas gift for you," Hermione cut him off, eager for her first friend to open the gift she was sure he'd love. Knowing Hermione, everyone could guess what the gift was.

"Thanks 'Mione!" Harry tried not to tear up. Receiving gifts was something he still couldn't get used to, so he didn't know how to respond. But still, to be remembered like that touched him. Ron just pouted before grinning once more.