The right path

Twenty five

It was now the last weekend before summer break, and the spirits in the Slytherin common room could not be higher. They had won the quidditch cup, and they were on their way to winning the house cup too. 

Most of the final exams had already been done, leaving the last few days for the students to relax. Of course, Harry had passed everything with flying colors, as well as Tom, both of them getting the highest marks in every class.

As of now, Harry was playing a game of wizarding chess with Orion. The both of them had become closer ever since the spring break, when they spent most of their mornings flying or playing any sort of magical games. That is, when Tom wasn't 'tutoring' the boys, moments that Harry spent with the Gryffindor quidditch captain, after he finished her broom's improvements.

And well, all of the quidditch players got them too when they caught wind of it. Even some non players did, because, who wouldn't enhance their brooms given the opportunity? That's how Harry managed to get a little fortune, without him really trying.

Orion was one of the non quidditch players that got the enhancement, too.  Because, according to him, 'if you can have a better broom without buying a new one, you are making good business'.

It was strange how quick Harry and Orion had clicked, just as quick as it had been with Ron. One day they started talking about quidditch during breakfast, and just continued it with a flying session later on. Harry couldn't help but think that he had gotten himself a good male friend, at last.

Even when he considered the Prewett twins, Hagrid and Tom as friends, they weren't what he would call 'his best mate'. Sure, Orion wasn't in the same level as Ron, either, but that sort of things come with time, and mutual experiences, of course. Yet, although the relationship between them feels like what it did with Ron, their interactions are not quite the same. Orion is way more sarcastic and active than Ron, but he is always graceful in the pureblood way, which is incredibly different to Ron's table manners and lazy attitude.

Either way, Harry enjoyed his company very much, it allowed him to remember how good school could be when you have a friend and confidant. And it made him realize how much he was missing by focusing entirely on his academics and experiments. Sure, he still spent most of his afternoons hanging out with Tom, and studying with him, but now he had Ner and Orion to rely on, to have his back through thick and thin. His best mates this time around. Who would have thought?

Soon enough, Orion had defeated Harry for the third time that day, which was surprising for most people. But, in all honesty, Harry was not good in chess, all of his knowledge in that area came from playing with Ron, and now with Orion, both of them being absolute strategical geniuses. Still, he was improving slowly but surely, managing to almost beat Orion twice that week.

"Merlin, Hazza, being the genius you are one would think it would be easy to crush me. Now I don't know if I should be proud of this victory, or scared of the moment you surpass me."

"Oh, shut it."

That was another thing he missed. The playful teasing. Even with Ner, it was very rare when this episodes happened, seeing as she was strict even now, but with Orion it was a common occurrence. And Harry loved it, there were not many people who had the guts to do that, considering how Harry could hex them all the way to Sunday if he got offended. Of course he wouldn't do that to a friend, but apparently not everybody knew.

When they were rearranging their pieces to start a new game, the entrance to the common room opened, revealing Tom Riddle. He had  gone to the Headmaster's office to discuss 'personal matters'. Harry suspected it had something to do with his reluctance to returning to the orphanage, but he couldn't be sure. Although they had developed the anti-trace pendant, Harry doubted living in a muggle orphanage would be pleasant, even with your magic at hand.

"Potter, the headmaster wishes to see you."

Now, that was something Harry wasn't expecting, but it made perfect sense. After all, he himself didn't know where he would spend that summer, it all depended on the advancements the ministry had on his case. But he had a feeling that the case was still far from closing, because he hadn't received any information suggesting a close ending. The last notice he had was that auror Smith was sent to Russia to investigate his 'background' some months ago.

"All right. See you later mate."

"See ya, Hazza."

With that, Harry stepped out of the common room, expecting Tom to stay behind. Little did he know Tom was also needed in the office.

"Well, hurry Potter, it's almost lunch and I don't want to miss it."

"Calm down, Riddle, I'm already here."

If Tom was this tense about the upcoming talk, then Harry was right about assuming he would end in an orphanage for the time being. Headmaster Dippet may even suggest to send them together to the muggle world, and Harry could not decide if it was a good or a bad thing, yet.

When they arrived to the office, Tom stayed at the back of the room, pointedly avoiding Harry's gaze. He had never told anyone about his living arrangements, and he sincerely didn't want the only person he found tolerable to think less of him because of that. But then again, having Potter at the orphanage might make it more bearable, with all of the abuse the matron imposed over him, even if it was selfish of him to want that for Harry as well.

"Ah, Mr. Potter, welcome. I assume you have an idea as of why I called for you?"

"Yes, sir. My living arrangements for the summer I presume."

Harry was portraying a very valiant front. He would not let Tom see him vulnerable, ever, even when it was absolutely frightening to go fend for himself in the muggle world during bloody world war two. Sure, he knew exactly what the outcome would be, but he also knew about the bombings, destruction, death and terror. And there was no guarantee he would survive that, he was not master of death, James was.

"Yes, and it pains me that you have to abandon the castle to go to a war plagued world, but as I have explained Mr. Riddle, the law forbids me from giving you permission to stay. The best I could do was to send you two together to the same place, so you can have each other's backs. And even though I am not supposed to tell you this, just remember the law allows you to use magic in a life-threatening situation. Remember that my help is always open to you, if you ever need my assistance, you shall send me a letter."

"I understand, sir. Thank you."

It surprised Harry how much Headmaster Dippet cared about his students. It was genuine concern, not faked like what Dumbledore did. And it made him wonder how different the future would be with a better man in the headmaster position. Certainly, Harry wouldn't have been in the need to save the sorcerer's stone.

"Don't thank me, I wish I could do more for you, Mr. Potter, Mr. Riddle. After all, my main concern is the safety of my students. Now, if you don't mind, I would like Professor Slughorn to accompany you to the orphanage, for my peace of mind."

"Yes, sir."

The both of them agreed to the arrangements, and excused themselves from the office. Neither boy was looking forward to the summer break, but at least they knew they had each other, something they didn't have before.

For now, they would enjoy their last week before summer, given that hard times were approaching at a rapid pace.