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The Fate Changed Now What?	By : Krysania Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Tom Views: 8638 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I'm not JKR , not own Harry Potter, and consequently earn no money whatsoever.

Chapter List
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Leonard's pov

Charlus Leonard Potter stepped awkwardly out of the floo. Normally he had better grace than this but while he hadn't acquired a heavy injury at yesterday's battle, his body was still stiff from small aches and pains.

“Thanks, for allowing me to use your floo, Minnie,” he told his old friend.

Minerva rolled her eyes.

“Oh cut it out Leonard, like it was a big thing; how is Lady Potter?”

Leonard felt a tired smile stretching his lips, for all her cranky tone and bluntness Minnie was truly a remarkably caring person.

“Her injury is almost completely mended; the healers of St Mungo released her home with the stipulation of taking it easy.”

Some, so far unnoticed, tension relaxed on Minerva's face, but then she got a familiar, curious expression.

“Good, I'm happy that she's alright, but what are you doing here? Professor Dippet has already given permission to all the injured students to stay at their homes the last day if they wished to.”

He could have done with a little less nosiness though. . .

“I plan to take advantage of it, but there is something that I need to do first and yes, it is a big thing. I don't want anyone knowing that I'm in the castle, yet.”

Minerva frowned a bit.

“Of course I'd keep it quiet, but I hope you are not in trouble,” she told him to her best assistant-teacher voice.

Leonard thought for a moment: he was in deep trouble, the lives of his family were on the line, but Minerva had been his friend since first year, he trusted her. . . and could use her help too. . .

“Not in the way you mean, but I must see Evans. Is he still on the hospital wing?” he tried for casualness.

Minerva's frown deepened.

“Why would you want to do that tonight, its past curfew among other things?”

She was stalling for time, Leonard understood startled and something tightened inside his chest.

Minerva could chose her friends, Gryffindor, Slytherin or whatever. . . and he barely had the right to add his two Knuts. . . if he took into account the dating part it was a completely different matter. . . Unless it was a git that abused her he had no right whatsoever to interfere. . .

Also, whilst Evans was a decent bloke, it hurt a bit that he would be so obviously the loser from the comparison after that many years of friendship. It more than hurt, truthfully, and at some small part, it pissed him off. . .

“Look Minerva,” he said decisively, “it is essential that I will see Evans tonight, is he still in the hospital wing or has he left like usual?”

Minerva examined him carefully, almost suspiciously.

“Why is it necessary to bother him tonight?” she asked stubbornly, not backing down an inch.

Leonard barely held back an oath. This was getting ridiculous. It would have been better if he hadn't said anything and gone to search for Harrison later, with his cloak.

Still, he knew that expression pretty well. . .this was protective prefect Minerva to the forte. . . but why would Evans, of all people, need protection?

“I can't tell you, but I'm not going to hurt him,” he promised sincerely.

Minerva snorted back a laugh.

“Like you could.”

Leonard laughed too, a bit with self mockery, but a true laugh none the less.

“I know; I was there yesterday; he could slice me into minced pie in two seconds flat. . . but seriously. . . I need to see him. It's a family matter,” he confessed, almost desperate.

Minerva's face softened immediately, something like recognition passing in her eyes. Leonard couldn't help but wonder the extent she truly knew about the situation and how close she had to be with Evans to know it. He had started wondering how far this association went. . .

“What's wrong, Leo?”

Leonard tightened his fists - this was seriously dirty playing of Minerva, to bring forth his childhood nickname, only his mother called him that from time to time anymore. It brought back memories of the homesick child he had been and Minerva's support. He wanted to accuse her of manipulation but he knew in his heart and mind that it wasn't in her nature. . . she was sincere.

“I can't tell you, Minnie, not yet,” he said, using the exact same tone.

“But I will, as soon as I can.”

Minerva examined his face carefully for a moment and apparently was satisfied with what she found.

“Come with me.”

“What?” Leonard was stunned; he expected her help, but not something like that.

Minerva rolled her eyes and started walking hastily towards the door.

“Come on, if we're going to do this we'd better hurry.”

“Do what?” Leonard asked almost stupidly.

Minerva couldn't be doing what it seemed she was doing, was it? It was too reckless, even for a Gryffindor, and violated too many rules to be even close to character for her. . .

The Transfiguration assistant ignored him and left her quarters; Leonard threw his backpack to one shoulder and hurried after her . . .

She was doing it.

Leonard followed Minerva, with trepidation, to the empty halls, almost to the dungeons. He was all for the bold approach, but he couldn't afford it, cautiousness suited his needs much better. He was already worried about facing Riddle, let alone Harrison. If even a few Slytherins opened their mouths he and his family were doomed.

“Minnie, wait!” he almost pleaded.

“What?” she asked, more anxious than irritated, “I thought you said it was a matter of life and death.”

He hadn't said so, but she knew him enough to read between the lines.

“It is, but I can't be seen in the Slytherin common room,” he explained.

“I see,” again that look of understanding, Leonard wondered how deep she was in the whole mess, “I could bring him here, I suppose, or,” her face brightened, “you could come covered. You have your cloak, no?”

Leonard nodded his agreement and Minerva guarded the door to an unused classroom as he put it on. Five minutes later, they were standing before an empty wall. He was expecting her to knock, but instead she whispered something that sounded more like the teachers' overlay code than the normal password.

Leonard gulped down his guilt; she was going to get in much more trouble than even Riddle's bitching. . . not that Riddle's bitching was something to be taken lightly.

But, much to his surprise, none of the older years, still awake in the common room, accosted her - not even with words. It was like her presence there was almost a common sight. He wondered what other surprises his friend was hiding from him.

Probably more than he could ever guess. . .

That became apparent when his cousin Alphard immediately approached them.

“Babe, what's wrong, did anything more happen?” Alphard's tone was kind, Leonard could call it tender, but it certainly wasn't the tone of a friend.

Minerva's face and tone softened too, Leonard had never heard her more. . .feminine.

“I'm okay now, Alphard; you really don't have to worry.”

“But I do,” Alphard continued in the same tender tone.

Minerva blushed a bit and then retook her stern expression.

“I would love to hear you say such things until morning, Alphard, but I don't have the time, if Harry is not asleep can you bring him here? It's urgent.” she had tried to make her tone dry but both her delight and deep worry came clear though.

Leonard was surprised that Alphard had enough familiarity with Minerva's moods to not waste time with questions and after an “Alright love,” dashed to the stairs.

Even at a small distance from the Slytherins, Leonard didn't dare to query Minerva for the created questions of this small, but disturbing, talk with his cousin, but he couldn't help but ponder on them himself.

Alphard had been honestly worried about Minnie, this was no play, and his cousin wasn't the type to worry for nothing, so something truly bad had happened to her. It wasn't a wound, he had watched her in the battle and she had fared pretty well, much better than him if he was honest. So it was something different. . . Leonard swore to himself to find out and do his best to help if he could. . .

But that wasn't the only disturbing thing.

It was obvious that Minerva was dating Alphard, but the last time he checked Minnie had been dating Evans. . . what had changed? Leonard had been alright with his best friend dating Harrison, even before his mother's Firecall. Harry may have been Slytherin and in very close association with Riddle, but there was something like integrity in the other.

Or so he believed. . .He trusted his cousin as well, to a certain point, but his dating escapades weren't rumours only. . .add that to the tales of how wild the Slytherin parties tended to be and Leonard was at the start of enragement. If Evans had passed Minerva around, like a plaything, he was going to find a way to make him pay, no matter how much he needed his help to protect his family. . .

He didn't have more time to analyse things, Harry was descending the stairs hastily, making much less time than Leonard expecting him. . .

“Hi Minnie, you need me for something?”

Harry was affable as usual and even more warm, but the attitude was strictly friendly, nothing more, Leonard didn't know if he should be relieved or not.

“I must speak to you about something; do you mind terribly coming out for a moment?” Minerva was again direct. . .

Harry didn't seem to mind.

“Let's go.”

Leonard noticed that he was indeed ready to go out; his hair was wet from the shower but he was wearing the school uniform, except the robe.

“Wait, you are going to return her to her room, right?”

He had almost forgotten Alphard, still, his cousin's tone held only concern, not suspicion or jealousy.

“Actually,” Minerva bit her lip.

“Would you mind waiting ten minutes and then coming to find us?” she asked, blushing.

Leonard didn't mind this at all, now that he thought about it he was relieved. Minerva was going to hit him upside the head if she ever heard it, but he didn't like the thought of her alone in the snake den.

“Gladly.”

Alphard beamed as he answered and Harry seemed to have fun with the exchange. Leonard wondered once more with their dynamic. . .

As the wall closed behind them Harrison raised two expectant eyebrows.

“So?”

Leonard couldn't bear another moment of waiting and threw the cloak back off his head and shoulders.

“I need to speak with you, Evans.”

Harrison didn't miss a beat.

“Okay, will the room of requirement be alright or do you have another place in mind?”

Leonard was a bit agitated from his reaction; Harry didn't seem at all surprised by his presence. Most people asked about the cloak, at least. He wondered once again how much Evans knew. . .

“The RoR will be more than okay.” he answered formally.

Ever since the possibility had crossed his mind he had lost even the little ease he once had with the easy going Slytherin. . .still. . .

“Minnie?” he started to ask if she would be alright there, but had to stop because Harry did exactly the same.

They looked at each other. . .then laughed.

“Sorry Min,” Leonard said at least, “But you've given my cousin a very loose timing.”

Minerva glared at them and it wasn't only for effect.

“Forgive me for not expecting you to immediately act like adult wizards, it's not like you extended the courtesy yourselves.”

Harry looked as chastised as him, from the reprimand, and Leonard found this hilariously funny, but he carefully kept his laugh hidden deep inside. As his father used to tell him: 'The first step of making a deal was making sure to not offend the other. . .'

“Guilty, can you forgive me?”

Harry looked like he recovered better though, if he was to be judged by his impish grin. Now Leonard could see them working as a couple a bit better. . .

Minerva tapped her chin.

“I could, if you allowed me to come with you; you promised me, once, that I could learn your secrets.”

Leonard wanted to complain but he held his tongue - he preferred Minerva uninvolved, and so safe, but if she was already drawn in (and it looked like she very much was) then she could support his case.

Harry sent him a look, examining his reaction, and then he took on a mock thoughtful expression.

“I could, I usually keep my promises, but what about Alphard? Would you leave him searching for you and worried?”

Minerva's bright smile was proof that she knew it was a game.

“We could wait for him?”

Harry shook his head.

“Not this time,” he turned his attention on Leonard.

“Shall we?”

Leonard nodded his agreement and raised his cloak up to make room for Harry. It would be a bit tight with two, almost grown, men - but it would work.

Harry smiled, a bit strangely.

“No need. I can disillusion myself, let's go.”

Leonard agreed, barely remembering to wave goodbye to Minnie, lowered his cloak and started for the seventh floor. Maybe he should have been more wary, Slytherins were known for playing games, but he trusted Harry, he was going to be at the RoR room.

What had shaken him was that nostalgic smile. Harry didn't simply know of the invisibility cloak, he was intimate with it. . . but from where?

Harry indeed kept his word; five minutes later they were facing each other at the room of requirement. Leonard gulped; what he had to say wasn't easy.

“I owe you my mother's life and my own. Thank you.” He started nonetheless. . .

Harry looked deeply uncomfortable.

“You owe me nothing,” he made a deliberate gesture with his hand, absolving the bond.

“It was a battle; I would have saved anyone on our side.”

Leonard observed him curiously: he spoke more like a Gryffindor now, and his moves were slower than usual as opposed to his usual restless energy. He'd probably got quite the beating and was hiding it under heavy glamours.

He decided to speak openly as well.

“That's why you took an Avada for me 1.5 years ago?”

There was a momentary surprise at Harry's face.

“You remember.” he said at last.

“I do,” Leonard confirmed steadily.

“I think I understand the reason,” a deep breath for the really hard part.

“But we must talk about it, even if you are my father's son and my brother.”

Harry choked on his own breath.

“Where the hell have you came up with that?” he asked, almost faint.

Leonard ignored the reaction; he certainly didn't expect him to admit it at once as Harry never made a move to get close to his family.

“My mother thinks that you are the son of Uncle James, but I don't believe it, for all that you remind me of him a great deal.”

But Harry had gotten over his shock and was regarding him with an expression of disdain.

“If this is the Gryffindor idea of joke I suggest that you stop, it is tasteless to play such games with an orphan.”

It was perfectly executed; the scorn, the bit of hurt, Leonard noticed though that everything was laced with the faintest touch of uneasiness, and decided to press his point.

“Where could I get the idea? Harrison James Evans Potter.”

This obtained the strongest reaction he'd got from Harry to date.

“Where did you hear that name?” he hissed with an undertone of menace, looking like a deadly, cornered, snake.

Leonard felt the first stings of fear - he had forgotten, with all that displayed openness, that this was Riddle's closest companion and not only for his looks or his ferociousness in battle. The last thing he needed was Harrison Evans for enemy, but it was too late to back out now. He bravely held his ground.

“It doesn't matter from where; it's your true name isn't it?” he pressed.

Something like betrayal and pain crossed Harry's features for a moment, but the next second it was wiped out with stone cold anger.

“I advise you to leave and never address me again if you value your life.”

Leonard froze in terror at the deadly intent he saw in the eerie green eyes. What had he done? This was a bit too much even if Evans didn't want anything to do with his family. Then he understood, Harry believed that he had been betrayed by Minerva and the only reason he hadn't left the room himself was that he would probably go straight for her if he didn't calm down.

Suddenly even his cause for initiating this meeting became secondary, for the moment; the danger to Minnie was far more immediate.

“I didn't find out who’s you truly are from Minerva, I found it, or precisely my mother did, from the family tapestry not long ago. That's why we wanted to talk to you yesterday.”

Harrison's reaction was at best sceptical.

“Forgive me for not buying into that, after all you were the one that named Minerva,” he said frostily.

Leonard's nerves tensed at the tone but he forced himself to calm down, not only because Harry could best him in seconds, but because he was interfering in something the other wizard had worked very hard to keep private. . .or at least it seemed that way with such a fierce reaction.

He kept in mind the possibility that Harry was playing difficult to demand the most he could from him, but no, Riddle was quite capable of doing something like that but not Harry, not by everything he had seen of the man.

“I swear on my magic that Minerva hasn't told me anything about you. I gathered that she knew because she didn't fall from clouds when I mentioned it was a family matter.”

Something like acute relief flashed in Harry's eyes, but it lasted barely a second and afterwards he took his usual unaffected expression.

“Say I believe you about Minnie, what about the tapestry, why would recognise me now of all years? Sorry if I don't buy it.”

Leonard reminded himself that Harry, while powerful and with a mysterious knowledge of his family's heirlooms, was a half blood orphan, he couldn't know everything.

“Can I assume that you swore on your magic recently using your true name?” he started flippantly.

There was no verbal confirmation from Harry, but the sudden flash in his eyes was affirmation enough. Hearing no urging to continue but neither discouragement he set to explain the workings of the magical artefact.

“The magical properties of tapestries are set so that usually no new family member can be added if they're not named and recognised as such, but there is also the failsafe that if someone has enough family blood and claims the name in a magical oath that claim is recognised and the person's name gets recorded at the tapestry.”

“I see.” Harry didn't seem disturbed but neither did he seem particularly pleased by the revelation.

Damn the Slytherin mask!

“This sounds rather interesting,” he continued disinterestedly, “but I doubt that the pure blood families will be so open to the mistakes of their youth infiltrating their families and demanding part of the fortune reserved for the legal heirs.”

Leonard wondered if he was hearing some bitterness, it was more than possible if his father had rejected him, but he ignored it for the time being. Harry responded much better to the information offering than the bold approach so far.

The warmth was gone but so was the deadly anger.

“There is a safeguard; if the Lord of a house has a problem with his inheritors he can burn the name on the tapestry and disinherit either legal or illegal heirs, so there is no problem there.”

Harry shrugged.

“It seems rather pointless to me.”

He seemed more indifferent than ever, but to Leonard it finally looked like a reaction.

“Its not pointless, no one can take the name from someone recognised by a tapestry, even if they burnt it out, and if they manage to get Wizengamot's support they can challenge the disinheritance, or even simply come into everything in case they find themselves the only descendants of the house bearing the name.”

“Then it looks more than naïve for you and your family to approach me as kinsman,” Harry answered softly.

There was an edge of cruelty in Harry's barb but Leonard recognised it for the test it was.

“No, its not so, I would have been wary for some unknown kinsman, but I've known you for 2.5 years already. You've never acted without honour towards anyone, I trust you.”

Harry's eyes bore into his soul again.

“The honour of a Slytherin?”

Leonard held his ground.

“There is no true difference in honour between Slytherin and Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. I know certain Hufflepuffs who could easily stab a person to the back and Slytherins that haven't hurt a fly. Honour is a man's choice. I know you Harrison James Evans Potter and I trust you with my life.” he shuddered with the power of his informal oath.

A faint but kind smile graced Harry's lips.

“I wasn't fathered by either your father or your uncle.”

Someone else would have tore their hair out hearing that, believing they were making cycles, but Leonard recognised in the tone what wasn't said and let out a sigh of relief.

“I don't care if your father was Great Uncle Augustus, who died when I was three at a hundred and thirty; the only thing that matters to me is that you are a Potter and that I need your help.”

For a moment Leonard thought that he made the worst mistake of his life. Two minutes before Harry was threatening his life and now, in his enthusiasm, he was making demands.

But Harry didn't seem to mind and while he wasn't as relaxed as, say, he was when speaking with Minnie, the icy mask was gone.

“What do you need from me?” he asked, softly and far more open than before.

Fleetingly, Leonard thought that he must be dreaming - no one was that fast with his help, never mind a Slytherin. But then that open attitude, more than their blood ties, got him his courage today. He started explaining.

“Eight years ago, my uncle James was killed by Grindelwald, or his men, in the taking of the Austrian ministry. My father wanted justice and he allied our family with Dumbledore, who was already talking against Grindelwald by then.

The previous summer, after it became apparent that the end of the muggle war's didn't affect the Dark Lord and instead he started hitting in England even more often, Dumbledore asked my father to approach Grindelwald and spy on him with the pretext that he wanted to sell his merchandise.

A month later his hand, with the signet ring, was left at our door but no ransom was ever asked of us, no matter our inquiries. Dumbledore denied our pleadings to save him, saying it was too dangerous, and only by the tapestry that never wrote a date of death we do know he is still alive.”

He stopped to draw breath, as the recollection alone made him ill, never mind the concrete thoughts of what his father was possibly enduring. He met Harry's eyes and he had to clench his fists, else he'd cry at the compassion he saw there - compassion and a terrible understanding. Leonard was imagining what his father was suffering, Harry, somehow, didn't need to imagine. He knew.

It was that knowledge which made him open his mouth, confessing something he could hardly admit to himself.

“Sometimes I think that it would have been better for him if they'd killed him instantly, instead of that. . .”

Harry stayed silent for a moment.

“I can understand that, such prolonged torture can be worse than death.” He spoke in a matter of fact tone.

“I suppose that you want me to save him.”

It wasn't a question.

Leonard reacted violently, as if he had been slapped. He couldn't bear mockery in this. But as he raised his fist to strike, he saw only honest concern at Harry's face, not only for his father, but for him as well; his hand fell down as if by itself.

“No,” he barely managed to choke out, “I didn't come here to ask for this.”

The denial was killing him inside as he uttered it.

Harry tilted his head and examined his face with cooling but very penetrating eyes.

“You thought that I was your father's son, is that why you don't want me to save him?” he asked frostily.

Rage filled Leonard at this, so intense that he'd forgotten who was standing in front of him and what he wanted from him.

“Listen here, you creep,” he growled, “I was upset, for my Mum's sake, when she told me about the added name, but he is my dad and I wouldn't discard him if he had ten bastard kids, not just one.”

A slow smile started stretching Harry lips and his eyes were again kind. It seemed that Leonard hadn't offended him with his outburst.

“Why not? I wouldn't mind trying.” he wasn't kidding.

Leonard's anger vanished completely. He had forgotten how biting Evans' words could be, having never felt that acidic tongue used against him before. But it was never used without good reason. Truthfully he was more than relieved that he had passed the test.

“You said it, trying. So don't even think about this, not as long as Grindelwald lives. I won't have your blood at my hands. No one has ever managed to invade Nurmengard, or come out of it alive. You and Riddle handed the Dark Lord his arse but it could have easily gone the other way, I don't want your death on my conscience.”

Thankfully Harry didn't press if his conscience was stronger that his wish to get his father back, Leonard had the feeling that his conscience would fail.

“Then I believe the next best thing will be your Mum's protection, right? If Grindelwald had it with your family she will probably be the next target,” he added completely business like.

Leonard let out an expletive. Damn he was good!

“And my little sister, Annette,” he admitted softly, “she is only seven. Will you do it? Will you put them under your protection?” he phrased it calculatingly.

Harry's eyes flashed in understanding.

“Of course I will,” he said with conviction, “what about you?”

Leonard flushed.

“What about me? I'm in school, I don't need protection.”

Let him buy this. . .

Harry snorted.

“Yeah right you don't, but then why the hell did you risk participating in the battle. You would have been pretty safe in the Three Broomsticks.”

Leonard winced at the sarcasm and looked at Harry dumbfounded, he, of all people, dared to speak of staying away from a battle.

“I couldn't, people were dying, I needed to help.”

Harry rubbed the back of his head, hesitating.

“I can understand that and I appreciate your intentions, but while you are good at classroom defence there is a difference between this and real battle. Your mother has it, but not you, not yet, and it could have cost dearly. . .”

Leonard wanted to die from mortification. This was the last thing he ever wanted to accept, much less publicly admit, as it shamed and frightened him deeply, especially because it was true. He had been so overwhelmed in the mêlée and it had nearly cost him his mother's life.

Yet, for Harry to care and talk to him about it, trying to be tactful to boot, meant that their blood ties meant something to the Slytherin, no matter how sparse.

It was good to not be the only man in the family; his mother was going to order him to stay motionless for hours to no end at a corner like a kid, or worse, if she ever heard of it, but his father had drilled to him since he was a kid that the female members of the family were to be cared and protected and it was his duty, right, and privilege to do so.

Still it stung, excruciatingly so, that he was unable to protect her alone, or even himself. . . never mind getting berated from Harry like a child.

“We can't all be prodigies in defence, never mind the dark arts,” he said almost snottily.

Harry rolled his eyes, unimpressed by his response.

“Who said anything about dark arts? Light magic can work just as nicely. What you truly miss is not spells' knowledge but the ability to cast silent and fast and a certain instinct.” he continued in a teaching tone.

“All those are normally attainable with fight experience, but it certainly won't hurt if you trained more, so don't you dare miss the next gathering here.”

Leonard shifted nervously; this was getting into dangerous waters and weirdly sounded more and more like his father's lectures. He wasn't sure if he loved this or hated it, so he let it go for the unanswered questions, like when and where did Harry learned to fight in real battles and even more bizarrely, when he was tortured? Godric! He was getting way off topic in his mind.

“I will. . . okay. . . once they are safe I won't miss a single lesson, but how are you going to protect them?” Good answer, directing things to something safe and useful. . .

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment.

“They will probably need watching all the time if they plan to continue to live openly, but unless they move to Hogsmeade it will be a bit difficult to do so as long as I'm a student.”

Suddenly Leonard felt stupid, had Harry not understood after all? His great idea after the panic of the battle now seemed rushed and not as well thought out as he believed it. Hastily he created another plan.

“Of course I don't expect you to guard them all the time, only if there is another battle, but you have friends that could hide them.”

Harry examined him carefully.

“Of course I have and I will ask anyone your mother and you think is proper, but wouldn't it be better if you seek refuge in Grimmauld Place? The Blacks are your blood and I have it in good authority that the wards are beyond measure.”

Leonard was shocked. Harry had understood perfectly what he was truly asking and demanded a payment, or at least the start of it. It was the form of it that was surprising.

“I doubt that uncle Cepheous will be alright with this, our families hadn't been in speaking terms for five years,” he confessed.

“Oh,” Harry looked mighty uncomfortable, “I'm sorry to hear that,” and in a lighter tone.

“Well that explains why you don't spend time with Alphard; I always wondered why you were not friends.”

For all the softness the comment was pointed, Leonard ground his teeth. He didn't want to think about Alphard. Even after all those years, the insult hurt the most because he didn't contest it.

“Is it not enough that he is a Slytherin and I'm a Gryffindor?”

“Nope,” Harry smiled cheekily; the most alive that Leonard had seen him this night.

“Because he is blood and you are here.”

Leonard sighed, aggravated. Busted!

“Can you tell me the reason of the feud?”

. . .Again with that sympathetic tone. . .

Leonard wondered for the nth time where a Slytherin could find such compassion, especially as he could bet his life that it was genuine.

His frustration was apparent at his voice.

“Because my dearest cousin, Walburga, had the gall to say in our face that mom had debased herself when she married my father and uncle Cepheous agreed wholeheartedly with her.”

Harry's eyes flashed, dangerously so, and he took an expression of such fury that Leonard almost stepped back.

“Why, the little bitch. . .” he took a deep breath, visibly calming himself.

“I understand completely, Grimmauld Place is completely unsuitable, but what's Alphard's place in the mess was?”

Leonard barely held his smile back to that violent reaction; Harry had his own reasons to despise his horrible cousin, worse even than his own. Problem solved! But then he asked again for Alphard. . . did he never give up on anything?

“He did nothing, okay.” Leonard clenched his fists. “He was my best friend, my cousin, and he did nothing while my mother was insulted, in her own house. How could I trust him ever again after this?”

He fell back, on the conjured chair behind him, panting. Leonard was surprised that it still hurt so much. . .

Harry sat opposite of him, only opening his mouth when he'd calmed.

“He was a kid, like you, barely thirteen. . . and blameless for that disaster. Maybe, and I can't believe I'm saying this, you should start to blame the adults and making your own decisions.”

Leonard was speechless; Harry wasn't saying anything profound, but he hadn't thought on that matter in years. In the start he was too angry and later, since Alphard had done nothing to bridge the chasm, assumed that it was better like this. But now, even if his cousin wanted nothing to do with him, he could try and keep his pride intact, as he was doing it for his debt to Harry.

Harry's knowing smirk was truly Slytherin and very irritating, Leonard did his best to ignore it. . .

But Harry wasn't one of those that wasted their time. . .

“Back to the matter at hand, Grimmauld Place is out. I wouldn't suggest Malfoy Manor, Brax is okay but his parents are so stuck up that they could drive people to Unforgivables.”

Leonard laughed, surprised; he was used to ridiculing the most pompous of pure bloods with his classmates, but even the brassiest Gryffindors used more hooded comments. Again, Harry was acting as anything but Slytherin.

“That bad, huh?”

Again that cheeky smile. . .

“You have no idea, talk about stiff,” Harry accompanied this with hand gestures, “we'd been invited during the summer for a small-soirée and I was never more bored in my life, Bins' lessons were party-like in comparison. . . thankfully, Tom impressed them and they shut up.”

Leonard was in stitches but Riddle's mention sobered him up. It could be so easy to become friends with Harry, but he couldn't afford it, not yet - secret allies yes, but never openly friends.

Harry of course noticed.

“He may be a bastard at times, but he's not that bad.” that had been said in pure frostiness.

Leonard winced. The last thing he needed to completely piss his life was to insult one, or even the both, of them.

“Believe me Harry,” he used the other's name as proof of his sincerity, “I have nothing personal against Riddle; especially in the last years, but the further I am from him the safer both of us will be.”

Harry's brows furrowed, but thankfully he didn't ask anything more, for now. . .

“Your best bet to stay is the Prince family; they are truly kind people and will take care of you. I will speak with Zev tonight to arrange it so that you could move there over the holidays.”

Leonard didn't expect something so fast but he knew that Harry was as good as his word.

“Thank you!” he said, overwhelmed.

“If it's bothering you to be indebted,” Harry started, taking his reaction for reluctance, “you can move to muggle Australia for a while or, at least, until Grindelwald bites the dust. If you can do it and not stand out like a sore thumb, that's it.”

“Muggle?” Leonard questioned faintly.

Harry shrugged, looking both uncomfortable and defiant.

“There's no need to get your y-fronts in a twist; it was just an idea and not a very popular one, even these days.”

“No, no, it was a brilliant idea,” Leonard almost babbled,

“I just didn't expect it from. . . you.”
Truthfully, to hear this from Riddle's partner, who turned green at the mention of muggles, went beyond surprising.

“I'm a half blood.”

Harry's measured tone sounded like a slap after the freer manner.

“I know and I'm sorry okay,” Leonard apologised eagerly, “but it's not easy to completely disregard Dumbledore's dictations.”

Harry's head tilted quizzically, his eyes quite intense.

“Why would you want to? Professor Dumbledore is quite acknowledged for his wisdom and allied to your family for almost a decade. . .”

That was a test if Leonard heard one, but even if it wasn't, the reply burst from within almost without his control.

“You are kidding me, right? The man sent my father to spy for him, totally without support, left him in Nurmengard to rot, without the slightest try to get him out of there, no matter our pleads and when Grindelwald was ready to bite the dust what did he do. . . he sauntered in, chatted him up and in the end he helped him escape!”

There was a small smile on Harry's lips, upon watching him ranting that was only slightly kinder than Riddle's own smirk yet knowing in the same infuriating way.

“Are you sure about that? Dumbledore may just have asked him to surrender, for all you know.”

Leonard fumed; the damn Slytherin was playing with his nerves.

“Oh please, I was there, it wasn't necessary to hear them to understand, body language was plain enough. That was flirting plain and simple.” he made a face: he had nothing against same sex relationships, but the thought of Dumbledore with Grindelwald was turning his stomach and not only for their age. The implications were staggering. . .

“So?”

The question seemed to have a thousand meanings. . .

He tried to decipher the other's tone, Harry wasn't smiling anymore and Leonard wondered if he had done something to offend him, then he got it and had to mentally kick himself. This went beyond stupid as a mistake.

“Oh, I didn't meant it like that; I don't have a problem with what he dates; only Grindelwald.” he blushed.

Agreeably, he wasn't much for tact, but he hoped this pointed things across. . .it didn't seem to, Harry's face closed further, obviously not getting where he was going.

“Will you please stop mentioning Dumbledore's love life,” Harry cut him hastily.

“It makes me want to barf.”

Leonard let out a barking laugh; this was something he could get behind. But the laugh almost immediately turned into an inward sigh. There was a reason he was a Gryffindor instead of Slytherin for all his mother's disappointment, he was pants at mind games.

It seemed he had to spell things out.

“I couldn't care to discuss this, even less than you, but if the supposed leader of the light is so close to the Dark Lord how can I trust him to not whisper to him to finish my father off if I show public support to you and your cause?”

Harry looked beyond shocked with this, now whether this was because he hadn't thought Dumbledore capable of doing something like that, or more probably for Leonard to think it, it didn't matter. . . what did was that his openness finally created a crack to the other's mask.

“Then he is probably already suspicious, he told Minerva that she should consider if she wanted to remain his apprentice.”

Leonard let out the worst swear word he could think of; this was indeed bad, no wonder Alphard was sick with worry.

“I can keep his suspicions at bay for a time, especially if I continue acting the same way as before and tell him that I sent Mum and Annette to the muggle world. Even he doesn't have the resources to verify or deny this.”

Harry's thick brows creased at this. He looked sceptical at the very best, distrustful at worst.

“I don't think it's such a good idea, Dumbledore isn't half as trusting as it plays it, you and your family will be much safer to the muggle world, it will be also safer if neither I nor Dumbledore have the address.”

Leonard was ready to yell at Harry for withdrawing his protection that fast, but at a second thought he realised that it wasn't the case, he was simply strongly encouraging him to stay safe while keeping himself so as well.

For it was becoming apparent that it crossed his mind that Leonard was setting him up, which wasn't as crazy as sounded - it was only months ago that he and the other Gryffindors called him and Riddle Grindelwald's apprentices.

Well, he appreciated the offer to get away from everything but he had made his decision, he was going to open his cards completely and whatever happened. . . happened.

Leonard fell on his knees.

“I Charlus Leonard Potter acknowledge you, Harrison James Evans Potter, as my liege Lord,” he started hastily, “and swear on my magic, my full allegiance, obedience and devotion. . .”

He didn't have the time to finish his oath. Harry grabbed his extended hands but instead of recognising his pledge raised him violently to his feet.

“What the hell do you think you're doing?” he snarled furiously.

Leonard gulped, on the verge of true panic under the furious green gaze of a very angry Lord and his rising magic, but he held his ground.

“You were ready to dismiss me, believing me a liar, I can't have that, and I meant every word. . . Dumbledore's manipulations have endangered my family for the last time . . . I don't want to run like a coward to the muggle world, I would rather serve you.”

Harry still looked a bit cross after he finished his small speech but it was rapidly changing into incredulousness.

“Are you out of your bloody mind?” he spluttered, “You want to exchange your freedom for servitude? And not only that, you go for it without securing anything in exchange. . .”

Leonard smiled; this reaction, more than anything else, justified his decision.

“I already got what I asked for, you promised to care for my family, and I'd rather play my part in this, supporting my beliefs and you, then stay uninvolved and a victim.”

Harry still looked exasperated.

“This is your freedom though; I can understand your reasons, all too well, but I don't believe you truly thought out what you are doing.”

He felt his own irritation rising. There was true empathy in Harry's words but he didn't believe that the reluctant Lord had a true understanding of his situation. He was truly between a rock and a hard place. . . Leonard tried for nonchalance.

“This is the wizarding world's way, there had been Lords and Ladies since ancient times. . . it doesn't degrade me to follow you.”

Harry pierced him with his eyes.

“What about your true beliefs?” there was a tinge of sarcasm in Harry's voice. . .

“Forgive me, but I thought that you were a Light wizard.”

Leonard stood proud.

“I am,” he smiled. “That doesn't mean I'm blind or idiot. Neither of us is typical and I chose you for a reason. . .” he took a deep breath, it looked like Harry wasn't going to quit until he knew everything.

“You speak like I truly have a choice, Dumbledore has been fixated on Riddle from the first year and even before, I believe. . . I'm far from a fan of the guy, but, at least then, he had been nothing but polite to everyone and the Slytherins constantly tortured him mercilessly due to his blood. . .

. . .Whatever he did to them to shut them up was well deserved. . . he was neither unprovoked nor mentally unbalanced. So there is but only one explanation for Professor's Dumbledore uncharacteristically swift judgement, he recognised that Riddle had to be a Lord as well and tried to stave the competition from the start, not exactly moral, yes?”

Harry looked ready to answer his half question, or add his own, but Leonard cut over him, not wanting to leave even the slightest doubts on where he stood.

“Now Riddle - It was obvious how stronger magically he was from the rest of us from the very start and how remote, although polite. There was an edge of cruelty there and viciousness against anyone daring to target him. A clash with Dumbledore had been all but preordained, even without Grindelwald on the game.

The last years that nastiness had been eased a great deal and I deeply respect his ideas and intellect. That doesn't mean that I'm sure of his honesty, regarding said ideas, and even if I was, there is still a coldness in him that doesn't allow me to follow him freely.”

Leonard met Harry's eyes head on for the last bit . . .

“You are my best bet. . .You are too immersed in the Dark Arts to be a Light Lord, yet you act like the best of them and are far more honest than Dumbledore as far as I can see. I will follow you to the death.”

Harry, who was deep in thought, blushed, surprised and uncomfortable, for a moment.

“You called me a Lord?” he chose the most obvious of Leonard's points to comment on.

Leonard was even more surprised. . . was it possible that Harry wasn't aware of the true extent of his powers? Well, it wasn't impossible, he didn't have the education of a pureblood heir and while well read he wasn't as intensely studious as say Granger or Riddle. More so, he doubted that Riddle wanted him to know.

There was no doubt he cared about his kinsman, the shift to his behaviour the last few years was proof of that, but Leonard had his doubts that Riddle was the type to willingly concede even a small measure of his control to other people.

“Of course you are a Lord,” he said light-heartedly, “there is no other word for your level of power, have you never thought about it? Did no one inform you?”

Harry shrugged a bit sheepishly.

“Not really, not in those terms, but Tom brought the matter up once.”

Leonard barely managed to not gape.

The fact that it was Riddle of all people that told him was making his head spin.

“Really?” he managed.

Harry glared.

“It's none of your business but yes, really.”

Leonard smiled almost giddy with relief.

“Then I was proven right in choosing to follow you.”

“How so?” Harry's voice was cool but not cold, he was deducing again.

“You just said that you've never liked or trusted Tom, why would his opinion, or acts, matter to you?”

Leonard didn't have a single reason to feel bad, or hide the truth. . . . Or so he told himself.

“He is a rising Lord, a Dark one. I spent half my teens scared to death of his open dislike of muggles and what he was planning to do with that. . . until you came, that is. . .” his admiration bled through and he blushed, embarrassed by it.

“I never expected him to willingly share power, yet he did. You balanced him out and slowly he changed his ways, not much really, but it was enough. No muggleborns were attacked by Slytherins any more, no insults were thrown. . .he even came to the point to shout publicly that he is a half blood. . .All thanks to you.”

Leonard didn't have the time to finish the last part; Harry's wand was at his neck.

“Where did you hear the last part? Was it from Orion, I have seen you two talk?” he whispered menacingly.

Leonard trembled as he understood that in his enthusiasm he said too much. It didn't help matters that he felt Harry's magic sizzling; ready to destroy him at a wrong word. . .

“No, it was Cy; but please don't hurt him, he didn't mean harm, he was just impressed,” he pleaded.

“He is a little kid,” Harry spat, “Of course not, but you are not, how dare you to use him? How much more do you know and how much did you tell Dumbledore?”

Leonard wondered fleetingly how he found himself in such a mess after managing to stay clean of it the majority of his Hogwarts' years.

“I didn't use him, we were simply talking, anyway I didn't say a word to Dumbledore and didn't plan to, for many reasons, one of them is that Cy is family and that is sacred. Believe me, please.”

The wand didn't lower.

“What exactly did you heard and what were the other reasons?” Harry was relentless.

Leonard steadied himself. In this he needed to get believed.

“Cy told me about Walburga's punishment and Riddle's speech about his plans for our world's future, I believe in magical equality. If Riddle believes half of what he said, I will gladly follow him as well.”

“Really?”

Harry threw the word back to him but with much more sarcasm.

“Yes really,” he said with as much sass as he dared.

Harry tilted his head in disbelief.

“You want to tell me that you're okay with torture? I believed you about your family but this is going a bit too far don't you think?”

Leonard winced, he much preferred to not think about that at all, but he was resigned to it all the same. Still his nerves got seriously tested with the pressure. Did he never quit? He couldn't believe he was thinking it but he gained a bit of sympathy for Riddle. . . Godric, where the world was heading to?

“I'm far from okay with torture, but I don't blame Riddle for this, Burga wouldn't have stopped otherwise. Also my mother is a Dark witch - who, the hell, am I to tell her what magic to use?” he explained with as much patience as he could.

Harry looked at him surprised, even after everything it looked like this was too much.

“Suppose that I accept this, for how long can I expect this compliance to last?”

Leonard had enough.

“For Godric's sake if you'd just accepted my oath you wouldn't have a reason to doubt me.”

A strange flash passed from Harry's eyes but Leonard wasn't able to decipher it this time.

“Maybe, but I prefer to surround myself with free willed people, I find that I can trust them more due to initiative.”

Leonard was ready to start hitting his head in sheer frustration. He tried one last thing.

“Fine,” he gritted out. “Quit your games, you can't trust my mere words and don't want my oath. . . alright. . . one of your best friends is a future potions' master, can't Prince brew veritaserum for us? I will cover the expenses.”

Harry laughed openly at this and Leonard at last recognised the light in his eyes, the devilish but not malicious amusement.

“Finally, I wondered how long it would take for you to act completely natural. I couldn't trust you otherwise, oath or not. When we’d come to a final agreement it will include veritaserum but it won't be necessary for you to pay,” he said calmly.

Leonard was incredulous.

“You waited for me to snap at you?”

Harry smiled.

“Of course, you are a Gryffindor, that and to show some initiative. I hate toads I don't trust them and they are truly useless to me. . .”

Leonard could understand that, still, something smarted.

“I never toadied to you or anyone,” he protested proudly.

Harry nodded his agreement.

“No you didn't but I wanted to be sure. You were desperate and desperate people will agree too many things they will regret later and try to take back.” He flashed him a smile.

“Think about it, you didn't even insist to find out how we are related.”

Leonard doubted that he could ever get on top on a war of words with this man, but he still tried.

“Would you have told me if I had?” he asked, truly curious.

Again that flashy smile. . .

“No, not really, if you insist I will after the final agreement.”

Leonard relaxed.

“Alright, I will wait, but just so you know, as you mentioned the useless part, there is more I can give than a fighter and spy which you find insufficient, so tell me your demands and I will make my offer,” he only half joked.

Harry nodded gravely; even if he humoured him he wouldn't do it for long.

“Fair enough, we will need support on the Wizengamot and for you to start nudging your friends if they can come to our side. Those are for after you're ready and your family is safe of course, but also in the further future. What is sorely needed now is someone that will either take the wounded away in a battle, or make sure that the innocent bystanders will stay away.”

Leonard wondered irritably at how useless Harry believed him to be, the demands were so logical that they were insulting.

“My fighting style can improve so don't count me out yet and I can do better than simply support you on the Wizengamot. I can step down so someday you will become Lord Potter and even as an Heir you will have much more respect than before.”

Harry looked at him like he was crazy.

“Will you stop that, what are you a Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff to give power over yourself just like that? Thanks for the offer but it won't be necessary.”

Leonard looked at Harry with bemusement; either the orphan part was a truly sensitive matter or he was way too noble.

“It will not cost me as much as you think; even if I die you will need mother's support to claim it, so no chance to back on your word, but even if you don't accept it your children with Minnie will inherit the title as I'm sterile.”

This got a reaction out of Harry.

“This is incredibly generous of you,” he said, clearly at a loss.

“But you missed that Minerva is dating Alphard now, not me, and even if she was I'm surprised that you will support it as you have made it repeatedly clear to the whole school that you believe that me and Tom are a couple.” Harry's voice rose in obvious anger at the last part.

Leonard was at a loss too. The guy was an enigma. . . how could he be such a player while keeping this kind of naiveté?

“What's the one got to do with the other?” he asked, very carefully as he had a feeling that there was no guarantee that Harry wouldn't kill him this time.

“You two have plans for a career to the Ministry, if not more, everyone can see that. But you will need a wife, preferably pureblood, for that, you already know it. Why not Min? You are very close friends and she gets you.”

Harry looked at him like it was the very first time - it was an upsetting feeling.

“Assuming that I was alright with the innate deceit of such a staged marriage, as it could benefit me, what possible use could Minerva find in this, especially compared with Alphard's interest. . . a man who offers the same things but for much more genuine reasons?”

Leonard was forced to lower his eyes. Harry was the Slytherin and he the Gryffindor, but at that moment he felt lower than a scum. Still, while such a Hufflepuff naiveté was admirable, it was also misplaced, time to set things right.

“Firstly, who spoke about deceit? Minnie seems to already know what she gotten herself into and looks alright with that. Secondly,” and he had to bite his lips, it was a long time since they last spoke but he hated saying bad things about Alphard.

“While my cousin really likes Minnie, and is probably truly in love with her, the moment he brings the matter to the family uncle Cepheous will play the disinheritance card and Alphard will be cowed. The only thing he could truly give her is to make her his official mistress, a bit of poisonous offer, no? As, even if he guarantees that the only kids he will have will be Minnie's and so there won't have that particular heartache, things will be far from ideal for her.”

“Because, even if she is crazy in love with him, she will miss the most important thing in the world for her: her career. . . The mistress of a rich pureblood will find work, probably as secretary, to the ministry but a vocation in Hogwarts and education in general is totally out of the question,” Harry finished for him in a blood freezing voice.

There were some warning bells in Leonard's mind due to the tone, but these were ignored due to the relief that Harry had understood and agreed with his position.

“Then you will do the right thing and protect her?” he half demanded, half pleaded.

Harry's expression wasn't complimentary.

“Of course I will. I will make damn sure he marries her and if he can't, I will. No one is going to insult her. . . but I wonder why you haven't offered her your own hand as you care so much.”

Leonard gulped and barely managed to not open his collar, he thought that only Riddle was capable of that particular silky tone.

“I can't, Min is like a sister to me, but also I'm engaged to Melissa Longbottom. I like Meli very much, I wouldn't give her up even if Minnie fancied me,” he confessed almost shyly.

Harry's glare didn't ease.

“That approach explains why you believed I'm your brother but not why not your cousin. You implied a certain similarity between your uncle and me, but it can't be that, as sexual preference seems to be irrelevant, except if been sterile is a usual affliction to the Potter line.”

Leonard flushed in a mixture of shame and anger. Harry's brutal tongue was totally unleashed but he had to admit in a small part of his mind that he brought it to himself with all that probing, time to pay the piper.

“I wouldn't know if my problem is common in my family, “he said, utterly embarrassed.

“But Uncle James can't be your father because he never accepted Father's probing to marry and stayed faithful to his partner, Uncle Axel, to the very end. I don't believe that he could betray him after such fight and even less, in the crazy chance he did, would desert the result of this act.”

Harry nodded tensely, accepting. The matter was closed. But Leonard felt too humiliated to simply accept it.

“But it wouldn't be the same case for you,” he continued, more bravely than he felt.

“Riddle may have gotten engaged as a social necessity, but you have dated and you are too honest to have simply used them, so you must like girls too. I've watched you; you have a definite weakness to strong women, not only strong but ambitious ones, else you would have tried to date Augusta Wilson or Muriel Prewett, before she graduated. Your preference is the feminist ones, like Granger, Pierce, Bones, or our Minnie. Come on admit it, why would you want to lose that part of your nature?”

“Or,” Harry said offhandedly, a clear warming, “you have finally realised that Tom and I are only close friends and you simply don't want to admit that you made a mistake.”

It was a warning indeed, but Leonard was so shocked by the absurdity of the suggestion that he paid no heed to it.

“You are kidding me right? I know couples, deeply in love, that act less couple like than you two, no way is this only friendship. Always looking at each other's eyes, lost on your own little world, always dragging each other off to somewhere, holding hands, even when you don't touch each other each and every move accommodates the other.” he whistled.

“The only thing you two haven't done is to publicly snog in the great hall. . . !”

He was totally amazed now that considered every single detail.

“Enough.” Harry's voice was sharper than a whip.

Leonard raised his head, totally stunned by how huge this thing was. Harry's eyes were glittering madly but he didn't pay the due attention, still lost in his understanding.

“It's certainly not only on your way, why else would Riddle would get betrothed to a muggle born, or mudborn, as is the new Slytherin word, and so bossy a mudborn too. . . he could snatch a huge dowry, why would give that up if not for-”

Leonard didn't finish his words, a powerful fist crashed into his lips and he found himself on the floor with his mouth filled with blood and two separated teeth, not to mention how many of them were moving.

“I said that was enough.”

Harry was standing above him with a face white as sheet, bloodless lips and crazy eyes; his magic was almost totally, violently, unleashed. He helped Leonard on his feet, none too gently, and shook him aggressively.

“You will never speak of any of this to me or anyone else,” he instructed carefully, “do you understand? Especially not a word about Hermione. . .”

Leonard shook his head to clear it and spit the teeth and blood. He raised two placating hands.

“Alright I won't, I swear, but what is the deal with Granger?” he was resigned that his curiosity was going to be the death of him.

“She is a muggleborn if I ever saw one, and I could call her American with such ideas she has, if she had even a smudge of accent. Definitely not a Prince, with the way your friend Zevi is looking at her.”

Harry looked even madder with this. He shook him once more and grabbed his collar, cutting partially the airway.

“None of your business; now listen carefully, if you spill a word of this again I will find you and whatever you ever feared Tom doing to you will be nothing compared to what you will suffer in my hands. Am I making myself clear?”

Leonard believed him and nodded trembling.

Harry, with what it seemed a Herculean control reined back his magic.

“Good, you may go now; I will either speak with you tomorrow about the all clear with your mother and sister moving at Zevi's or will write you soon after.” He shook his head warningly for Leonard to not open his mouth.

“Don't worry, I won't forget it.”

Leonard counted for the door, still dazed, and if he was honest, surprised he got away with his life. Anyone that said that Harry was the easiest of the Slytherin duo didn't know what he talked about.
. . . he hadn't gone five steps when Harry spoke again. . .

“Oh, and Leonard, I forgot, I have a couple more questions if you don't mind.”

Leonard didn't, but he doubted at this moment if it mattered. He turned back.

“Shoot.”

Harry seemed determined and not mad anymore.

“How long have you kept an eye on Tom for Professor Dumbledore?”

Leonard wasn't that sure that the danger was gone, the utter formality of the question was worrying him, but what would be the use on lying now?

“All those years, I wasn't exactly happy with this as a kid but as the years passed and Tom darkened more and more I came to terms with it.”

Maybe he shouldn't have said the last part, but except a very brief flash to the green eyes, there was no reaction. Leonard let out a sigh of relief.

“I see, and something more. . . you mentioned something about Dumbledore's interest on Tom before Hogwarts. . .care to elaborate?”

Leonard felt covered in cold sweat from head to toes, this was a loaded question, if he heard one, but he couldn't afford to lie. . . they were all dead if Harry or Riddle heard of this from someone else. He steeled himself.

“The last New Year's Eve before I started Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore came to feast with us. He was very disturbed and they sent me away so that the adults could talk in my father's office. No one expected that I would overhear, they didn't even bother with silencing charms, but I heard my name shouted. Dumbledore was speaking about a very weird boy, who was doing horrible things, and was going to end up in Slytherin. He wanted me to keep an eye on him in case I ended in the same house.

My father pointed out that if he was that disturbed maybe he should simply check the kid to St Mungo's to take care of him instead of allowing him to Hogwarts. The professor said that he hadn't done enough, yet, to warrant such a measure. My mother asked if, in that case, it was better for a child with such delicate condition to stay in a magical house, instead of such a dreaded orphanage, and offered ours.

Dumbledore asked her if she was ready to handle the case he snapped and hurt the little baby she was expecting. . . the matter was dropped immediately. Then they called me in and asked if I wanted to do it, I was curious, I agreed.”

The silence was so oppressive that it was deafening.

The previous time Harry's breaking took place a tiny crack at a time, now it occurred all at once. His face came close to animalistic, such was his rage. . . every control on his magic snapped and filled the room, almost to destructive capacity. Leonard was filled with atavistic terror and was incapable of doing a thing when an almost random burst of power blasted him to the wall.

He crashed with a huge crack and then slid down in a tangle to the floor. There were for certain broken bones, he only prayed that it wasn't his spine. Oddly, that seemed to momentarily break Harry from his psychotic break. Leonard saw real comprehension in his eyes for a moment. Then the blind rage was exchanged with grief.

The anguish was so thick that he could taste it and so potent that it was a form of madness in itself. Harry let out a blood freezing, agonising scream and curled into himself in foetal position, well beyond help, as his own magic turned against him.

Leonard prayed that they would die soon.

But it had been only a couple minutes, at most, when the room's doors broke open and a staggering Riddle burst inside. He ignored everything in the area except Harry and somehow managed to reach him.

He examined his vitals rapidly and then took him protectively in his arms. Leonard didn't need to know snake language to understand the meaning of the words. After a few moments even the whispering stopped, Riddle just stayed there holding him. . . but some indefinable time later the uncontrollable magic calmed down and some time after that Harry's breathing did as well.

Riddle laid him tenderly on a bed and started advancing towards Leonard decisively.

Leonard himself was aware of only two things: one, he was hurting terribly everywhere, something that, he was sure, had almost nothing to do with his broken bones and two: he was probably still approaching his last moments.
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The Fate Changed Now What?