Harry followed Tom to the dinner hall, where a lot of children were already seated eating food, they were all dressed in mismatched sometimes too large clothes but they were clean and warm. He noticed a few were supporting the same red sores on their hands as he was, even some he noticed not sitting properly and he couldn't help but wince. In his time such actions were considered child abuse, but here it was a wildly acceptable form of punishment. When he went to Hogwarts Filch had mentioned how he wished they'd bring back those types of punishment, and often wondered if they had just stopped or had been for a long time and he was just trying to scare the hell out of eleven year olds for shits and giggles. Filch had always been bitter, but how could he be anything but employed at Hogwarts where he saw generation after generation of witches and wizards graduate knowing he would be able to practice magic never mind graduate.
He absently caught the wooden tray that Tom handed him, his hands were no longer sore, Toms magic was doing its work all too well and for that he was grateful, even though he could have healed it himself, Tom didn't know that but had helped him anyway. He hadn't realized Toms magic worked that way, his destructive magic he understand and had observed well enough. He had began to realize months into ending up in the past there was more to Tom than he had known - but it shouldn't have surprised him but it did. He had assumed he knew more about Tom than he did just because he was from the future but it was a lot of crap.
Harry was brought out of his thoughts, staring down at the food he had been given, what the hell was that? That was supposed to be his dinner? There wasn't enough to feed a toddler never mind him. Feeling suddenly sick now, he moved to sit down on one of the empty tables and stared at the food with a scowl. When he said he missed Hogwarts he bloody well meant it. Closing his eyes in realisation, the food rationing, they were only allowed so much when the Germans began bombing the submarines bringing their food supplies during the war. Even after the war ended the rationing lasted for at least a decade afterwards. He knew he had to eat, at least something people were going hungry out there to just leave it was just horrible.
Scooping up the white stuff, still having no idea what it was he warily tested it with his fork, before gagging as the fork clattered on the plate. That was a very foul version of eggs; he was surprised he could taste what it was beyond the repugnant taste it left on his tongue. Wiping the fork as much as he could to get rid of all traces he began to eat the carrots - at least they were safe. Carrot, egg and potato what an odd combination, but during war they had no choice. He tried to remember that as he forced himself to swallow the bland food. The small scoop of potatoes had no seasoning and he doubted hardly any butter or milk. He ate as much as he could, he really tried, but even the food the Dursley's so graciously gave him wasn't as bad as this. He turned to stare at the others, they all ate the food as if there was nothing wrong with it, and felt pity.
"We have two hours before we have to leave," Tom stated as if he was discussing the weather, but Harry knew he wasn't, he was observing him in that way he always did.
"Go?" Harry blinked staring at Tom owlishly, until he realized that Tom was smirking at him then he narrowed his own eyes. He was being played, Tom was trying to figure out for sure whether he had ever been in the Muggle world or not. As always Tom was completely unabashed when faced with the knowledge he had been found out.
"Yes, we will be sleeping down in the train station," Tom explained, "The orphanage was evacuated to the countryside while I was at Hogwarts but they were brought back when it got too full."
"I…see," Harry murmured, his brow puckered, how the hell was he so good at everything he did? Performing Legilimency on people at the age of fourteen when he, Harry couldn't even close his mind at fifteen. The control he had over his magic was amazing; he was in awe of him if truth be told. It was a good job he was able to actually close his mind to intrusion, Legilimency didn't come naturally to him until he was nineteen both abilities had been perfected due to sheer desperate will. Then he realized what he had said, sleeping in a train station? That hadn't been something he learned while bloody learning about the war. Although he knew a lot of people had Air Raid Shelters, and used them, although when the war got worse only ten percent of the population had stayed in London the rest left. How the hell were you supposed to sleep in the train station?
"You've never been in the Muggle world have you?" Tom said very quietly, his eyes narrowed in contemplation. He was too emotional, from what he had seen of the past year it took a lot to get Hadrian angry or even show surprise. Yet since he came here he had been jumpier than a grasshopper,
"Actually, yes, I have, I grew up in the Muggle world." Harry said honestly, his eyes sincere. Just not in this time he thought to himself, for the first time he felt guilty about misleading Tom. He could never tell him, he couldn't tell anyone, who would believe him? Plus he would just be used or worse Tom could decide he was a problem and try and get rid of him. Although he didn't like to think that way about Tom he couldn't help it, it wasn't as if he was comparing him to Voldemort but he also couldn't deny what he knew. Next summer or the one after that he was going to murder his father and grandparents and even Death had told him it would happen - nothing he could do would prevent it. There was just too much anger in Tom when it came to his parents. Although he wished he could tell Tom about his mum, and stop the image he had of his mother being weak. When he had trailed his hand along the wall he had been so surprised by what he felt that it had completely shocked him to the core. Protection, very strong magical protection left behind from the only person it could have been - Merope Riddle. It definitely wasn't Dumbledore; his magic didn't feel like that. It might explain his advanced magic but that was guess work, Death might have a better idea than him.
"I just didn't get out much," Harry added, "It wasn't exactly my choice either." sighing softly, shaking off his thoughts, Harry stood up picking up the tray and looking around finding the bin and the trolley with trays piled up. He was starving, that food hadn't been enough, not after three large meals a day at Hogwarts and able to sneak into the kitchen for other food at night.
Tom remained sitting for a few seconds before joining Hadrian, he was missing something, but he had always been missing something. Although he hadn't thought about it much at Hogwarts, too busy doing other things, now that he had absolutely nothing to do it was playing on his mind now. The most maddening thing was he seemed like he was telling the truth, unlike the others he couldn't get a read on Hadrian, his mind was blank, just like Dumbledore and the rest of the teachers and some of the older students. He had never tried to delve further not sure how it works; he just knew he had been able to do it for years. A smirk twisted his face as he thought about Amy and Dennis and the things he had made them see in the cave. They hadn't said another single thing about him after that. They should never have said his mother had died rather than have a son like him, his eyes darkened just thinking about it. Billy had said worse, that he was an abomination, a freak that didn't deserve to live, that nobody wanted him he had gotten him back too, hanging his rabbit from the rafters, and they all stopped bothering him. He liked it that way, nobody ever came near him, but the odd thing was he didn't just tolerate Hadrian like he did the other Slytherins he actually liked him from nearly the beginning. He was interesting, unpredictable, very strong magic even though he was a little too…friendly with the Hogwarts population.
Harry sighed wearily; "I need to get out of here." it didn't help that he was actually starving. He hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and that hadn't been a whole lot. He hadn't even thought about food restrictions, or the fact he would be getting such small meals, the worst of it was he had money, just not the right kind. All of his money was in galleons, although there wasn't supermarkets here, the entire ride had small shops selling certain things, like meat, vegetables, sweets nothing all together. It would probably take a long time to go shopping here in this time.
Walking out of the dining hall, he looked around curiously, he had a feeling the dining hall would be on the ground floor, so it stood to reason the front door would be around somewhere. He couldn't feel anything right now, he summarized the belated shock at his new situation was beginning to sink in. Despite having a mind that remembered being twenty-one years of age, his body was still only just fourteen years old. While he had known strife and worry, he had never known it quite like this. It didn't help that he was powerful; he didn't have the same control Tom did over his magic and emotions. Rolling his eyes heaven wards as he moved towards what looked to be the front door, constantly comparing himself to Tom was getting ridiculous. He couldn't help it though, especially when things like this cropped up, the blatant use of Legilimency, sating his curiosity about what happened while he was gone without having to ask anyone.
"Come on, I'll show you around," Tom stated, placing his hand on Hadrian's back and leading the startled boy from the orphanage and out into the fresh air. Ignoring the filthy Muggles that he had the unfortunate circumstances to have to live with. Fear in the ones that had suffered his wrath, those that seen him do something or suspected him and there were those that had been told. A sneer past over his features, causing them to flinch as they widened the berth between Hadrian and him as well as the rest of the orphans. Only to start in surprise when he saw Hadrian looking at him in bemusement, shaking his head. As they moved around the other side of the orphanage, Tom didn't once let go of him. Harry cautiously wondered what it meant, Tom didn't touch people more than necessary, and even then it was rare. At Hogwarts he would grab a hold of him so he followed, but didn't keep a hold of him for long afterwards.
"What?" Tom scowled but there was not much of a bite behind it.
"Nothing, but you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, as the saying goes." Hadrian murmured quietly. "Fear only goes so far, but real respect and loyalty goes further. Fear can make even the biggest coward strike out in the most extraordinary ways; loyalty would see them sacrificing their lives for you. Whether you are a Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, the whole world isn't divided into those houses you know. While its quite alright to let them know what you are capable of, so they don't think you're weak, continuing it in the long run…might be a mistake." he told him as they stepped into the woods behind the orphanage.
Tom leaned against the tree, going no further as he observed the teenager. "In the long run?" he questioned, suspiciously.
"Long run, we do have four more years at Hogwarts you know," Harry commented idly, as his fingers trailed from tree to tree as he moved along.
"And is that all you really mean?" Tom enquired, trailing to another tree so Hadrian was within view at all times.
"What else could I mean?" Hadrian asked, cocking his head to the side. Was Tom smart enough to realize he was from the future? Or would he just think he was capable of seeing things, he did take Divination seriously, he wasn't sure why but if anything had happened like his end of the third year exam, it would have probably convinced him. Although he didn't think the current divination teacher had any seer abilities, he wouldn't know - he hadn't taken it and quite frankly he never should have. Tom even as Voldemort obviously had believed it wholly - otherwise why would he have gone after a baby?
Tom didn't reply, merely gazed at Hadrian in a very raw visceral way, he would get it out of him one way or another.
"Snake Speaker, you're back," hissed a snake.
Hadrian stared down at the snake, keeping his mouth shut, there was no way he was revealing that he was a Parseltongue. Tom was already well aware of his Slytherin heritage, he knew he was the only one left, well with the obvious exception of his uncle and grandfather…didn't he? No, he had been looking for the Riddles and came across Morfin, and put the pieces together, or rather having his theory that his father was in fact a Muggle confirmed.
"It's a grass snake, it's not often you see them getting bigger than a metre, this ones slightly bigger," Harry said staring directly at Tom before staring back down. "Are we near a canal, Tom? They're usually found around rivers, its beautiful." it was olive in colour with black bars running down the length of its body, with a yellow and black collar around its neck. Relaxing when he never once slipped into Parseltongue, he'd never really been able to control the ability, always assuming it was because it was transferred, it wasn't, and it had been his ability since birth.
"Yes, come let me introduce you to my friend, he won't harm you, in fact he's fascinated by you,"Tom hissed, picking up the snake, facing the teen with smug superiority. Which of course slipped quite a bit when he saw that Hadrian was neither, scared nor overly impressed, just surprised. What he didn't realize was that Harry was just surprised by the manner he was speaking to it and the fact he had called 'Hadrian' a friend.
The snake flicked its tongue out, tasting the air around Harry, and Harry put his fingers up so the snake could taste his skin. He wasn't intimidated, or scared really grass snakes weren't poisonous, although he would bet one bite would hurt like a bitch. Once he was sure it had scented him, he stroked it scales, letting his fingernails scratch just lightly causing it to hiss out in pleasure at the contact. Harry smiled widely at the snake, as he continued to pet at it.
Tom watched him, his feelings growing further than he could process and understand, nobody absolutely nobody had shared his fascination with snakes. Of course, if Tom had taken the time to put any consideration into other people's feelings, he would have realized that they were simply scared of the creatures because they normally struck out at people - not everyone was a parselmouth. Even knowing that Hadrian was hiding something couldn't deter his feelings - caution had been thrown in the wind long ago. Well he was still cautious but the fact he had told him one of his secrets - one that only a few people knew was very telling. That and he had absolutely no control over Hadrian, not like the others in Slytherin - they were scared of him, Hadrian never was no matter what he revealed. The smile on Hadrian's face made him want to keep it there; he didn't think he'd ever seen such a sincere look of contentment on his face before.
"Is this your mate?"hissed the snake, the front of his body moving until he could see his snake speaker.
It was all Harry could do to stop himself from choking, as he tried to remain impassive, he could have patted himself on the back when he was successful. All amusement faded fast when he heard sudden blaring, his entire body stiffened in fear, it was loud grating and ominous sounding how the hell that could be he didn't understand it was just a sound.
"I have to go, get to safety," Tom hissed urgently to the snake as he quickly but carefully placed it back on the ground, the snake hissed in agreement right back before it slithered through the grass very quickly moving away until neither fourteen year old could see it. The snake understood the noise, Tom had explained it to him, all the snakes in the area knew Tom, had done since he was a young boy, and that was why they had no trouble approaching him or trusting those with him - although he had never had another with him before in the past they instinctively trusted that Tom - a snake speaker - wouldn't allow them to be harmed.
Harry grunted in surprise as he was yanked quite firmly out of the woods, almost tripping over at the speed Tom was going. Bloody hell he was fast when he wanted to be, he regained his feet and began to run with him, side by side, but he noticed that Tom didn't once let up on the grip he had on his arm. He noticed small lights he could see in the orphanage quickly being put out until the entire building was completely drenched in darkness. The brushed past all the huddled orphans with pillows and covers under their arms with a small square box that looked like old fashioned lunch boxes maybe? There was a box of them on a table at the side presumably each one held the same contents, but it was hard to tell seen it was so dark.
"Slow down, Tom!" Harry said as he tripped on the stairs, "I can't see where I'm going and I can't make my way around in the dark - I'm not familiar enough with the place!" instead of listening Tom gripped his shoulder firmer and continued but kept it at a slightly slower pace so Harry wasn't tripping up the stairs every moment. Harry tried to keep up with him, the slightly tugging and Tom's fingernails were digging into him quite painfully, although he didn't think the other teen was even aware of it.
"Do you have your wand?" Tom demanded as he grabbed his bag and began to place the things he held most dear into it.
"I never put it away," Harry admitted, moving to his end taking his black school bag from under his bed and swinging it over his shoulders.
"I hate leaving my trunk," Tom muttered angrily, as he slammed it shut his eyes boring holes into it as if he could simply wish it small and make it so. He didn't dare do too much magic while he was here, he couldn't risk Dumbledore getting him expelled - never did he want to give the old fool the power he needed to get rid of him. All just because he could speak to snakes and suddenly he was evil incarnate, he thought viciously, he hated the old man.
Harry stood there for one intensive and indecisive moment before he made his mind up, "Reducio!" he chanted, and the trunk immediately shrunk down to a matchbox size.
Tom's gaze snapped up to him horrified, "What did you just do?" he snapped utterly horrified, he'd just used magic - with his wand! Out of school! "You're not allowed to use magic outside of school!" he managed to get out incredulously.
"It's okay," Harry said, wondering why he was so horrified by it, unless he thought they could both be expelled or that he would be blamed? "I…did a ritual that removed the trace from my wand back at Hogwarts. When I do magic it can't be tracked by the ministry."
"You can do that?" Tom's face morphed from horror to surprising delight at the thought.
"Yes, the book about them is in the Restricted section, I stuck in and copied the book…I'll let you read it if you like?" Harry said quietly.
"You had better!" Tom stated, almost wishing that he could read it right now, until he remembered why they were here in the first place, he snatched his tiny trunk and flung it into his bag before making sure everything was taken with them and turning to leave. He felt slightly better that all his belongings were together. He couldn't believe Hadrian had kept such a big secret from him, but he did wonder if he had done it because he had also shared one of his secrets. Either way he was determined to get the ritual and do it as soon as he could, then he would never have to be without his magic. He honestly could have kissed Hadrian there and then; he had given him the means to use magic all year around. His only irritation at the situation was that he hadn't known before coming back here. His sneaky little Slytherin, he would need to keep a better eye on him.
Harry laughed a little, seeing Tom's anger at only finding out was negated by the fact there was a ritual that he could use to enable him to use magic whenever he pleased without Ministry interference. Shaking his head, entirely too fond of Tom, but before he could think further he was once again yanking his arm from his socket, flicking the switch off turning the light out before they were once more on the move.
They were down the stairs in double time, handed a box each by the matron who was tense and worried, much to Harry's surprise. The younger children were crying almost silently, the older ones were tense but pale faced and so petrified. They each had something with them that they obviously cherished, with the way it was clutched in their hands. Be it a book, a photo album, a small tin, one of them even had paper bundled up together? There were other adults there he hadn't seen before, Martha, Mrs. Cole obviously, and three men. Maybe a Gardner? A cook? And another watcher?
Mrs. Cole counted all the children, only relaxing marginally when she counted up the correct amount. "Now children, pick a partner and stick to them, nice straight line - come on!"
"We aren't going all the way to Kings Cross are we?" Harry whispered it would take forever.
"No, there is one closer," Tom explained impassively.
They remained silent the entire trip towards the station they were going to be sleeping in, the blaring continued, it wasn't one continuous tone, it blared for a bit then another bit then another. So there was silence between them, but it didn't comfort anyone, as they walked down the darkened streets to get to safety. In the darkened streets it was even more daunting, how had Britain remained so strong and undefeated in the face of this?
Then he saw the entrance, it was packed with people all lining up with items bundled up in their arms, families huddled together, older men and woman clutching each other close. Merlin help him, it was awful seeing this, Muggle or not, they were scared and there was nothing he could do for them. Seconds turned into long minutes as they all packed into the underground train station for shelter, there was barely room to move but that didn't even seem to perturb anyone. They just sat down, resigned, an older woman was knitting something in the corner, there was a train cart…sort of carriage thing with food and drink further up. The warble of music began in the distance causing Harry to try and peer around the bodies, a gramophone played some sort of song.
They say there's a troopship just leaving Bombay
Bound for old Blighty's Shore
Heavily Laden with time expired men
Bound for land they adore
There's many a airman just finishing his time
There's many a twerp just signing on
You'll get no promotion this side of the ocean
So cheer up lads, Bless Em All!
Harry sat with Tom, watching the woman wind up the gramophone again; there was a family next to them playing cards drinking coffee from a kettle they'd brought down. Despite what was going on, he felt inordinately proud, he finally understood how it was that they could survive, and it was just human nature, the thirst to survive. Although the smell wasn't pleasant at all, these people truly refused to give in. Part of him had wondered if it was just how they wrote themselves, fearless, but seeing this he knew without a doubt it had been written properly all along. They hadn't been fearless, but somehow they'd rise above it and never surrendered. They had never once given in to the Germans, remaining proud and strong in the face of adversary. You would think Tom would realize the resilience of Muggles after going through this; perhaps he could make him actually see them in a better light? He'd never like them and probably always see them beneath him…he didn't know Tom's plans right now, they might differ from his elder version. He doubted Tom would tell him though, would he? Could it hurt to ask?
Time passed but Harry didn't dare sleep, he was just too wired up - too tense. The gramophone was playing another song, but it was getting distorted and warbling more - obviously it wasn't going to last long.
Good Night, sweetheart, till we meet tomorrow
Good Night, sweetheart, sleep will banish sorrow
Tears and parting may make us forlorn
But with the dawn, a new day is born
So I'll say goodnight, sweetheart, though I'm not beside you
Good Night, sweetheart, still me love will guide you
Dreams enfold you in each one I'll hold you
Good night, sweetheart, good night
The gramophone wasn't wound again, instead she merely put it away, obviously not wanting to play further - or perhaps having no other songs with her. Then people further down the station began panicking, about something that had been on the radio? Just then there was an almighty whooshing and a thunderous bang that caused the entire station to shake on its very foundations, as tiles clattered from the wall and hit people. Harry shuddered violently, his tremulous eyes wild as his thoughts took on a distinctively hysterical edge, what if he had changed too much coming back? What if the bomb did kill them both? His presence here had changed everything after all.
Only Harry would forget that Death had specifically told him that he could not die - nobody else would have forgotten such a large detail.
It didn't end with one, Harry unconsciously pressed himself back against Tom, and his magic would protect both of them if anything happened. He was sure of it, even if he had to use a spell in front of everyone he would make sure nothing happened. Harry froze; the orphanage hadn't been there when they went in the future. Could it have been wiped out during the war? No, when Tom had been eighteen it had still been there, by then the war was over.
Harry's gaze met Tom's and Harry swallowed thickly, he was deathly pale and sick looking, he had never seen Tom look so terrified except that one time when the killing curse rebound on him again when he was seventeen in his first life. That look had remained permanently etched until his resurrected parody of a body had begun to disintegrate before everyone's eyes. This was fucked up, it was little wonder he had sought ways to prevent himself dying if this was what his summer holidays were like. By the time this night was over, his arms were going to be black and blue with the way Tom's hands were continuing to dig into him like this. The deafening banging continued for hours, but the shaking of the train station became less intense as the bombs moved further away.
Mrs. Cole was making rounds, seeing to all her children, the majority of them were asleep, huddled together for warmth. Her eyes came upon a sight that she could scarcely believe never in all her years had she seen Tom touch another person. He always stood apart from the masses, never letting another close to him. Sadness lingered in her, unfortunately it was that way for most orphans under her care, and they were so used to being hurt that they just didn't want friends or family anymore. Some were more forgiving than others, and when the orphans should stick together they didn't, they were so cruel to each other. Tom had done his share of horrible things, how he had done them was anyone's guess. He had been punished for the events, as she knew she must. He couldn't continue that way, he had to be perfect if anyone wanted to adopt him, and it's why she nipped any horrid behaviour in the bud. Especially back chat, nobody wanted an orphan that was rude, although it was doubtful they would be adopted now.
This horrible war…nobody wanted to take on children when they were busy trying to survive. Which meant the older teens would probably be drafted into the war, the younger ones would grow up without parents, she thankfully didn't have any babies to look after, and now that would have been ten times more difficult. The youngest child in her care was five years of age. Watching Tom with pride, obviously his new school of his was helping more than she realized. Tom probably knew Hadrian had lost his parents to this war, but of course, she had no idea the letter had been wholly misleading. It had been phrased 'family' and of course 'died' in the war, but it wasn't their war, it was the magical one at least to everyone other than Harry. None of this showed on her face, as she remained impassive before reclaiming her seat once she was sure everyone was alright for the time being.
Harry moved only slightly and opened the box, more out of curiosity than anything else, and found a very small selection of foods. Two little sweets, a half sandwich and an apple. Grabbing the sandwich he opened it wondering what it was, dreaded it more like, but found himself pleasantly surprised, it was tuna. Taking a small bite, he relaxed in relief when it didn't taste absolutely horrid. He gobbled it down absolutely ravenous, it was little wonder everyone ate the food they were given. The sweets were toffee he soon realized, but quite a bit of the wrapper was stuck to the toffee but Harry persevered and made sure it all came off before eating it. "I'm so tired," Harry murmured, hopefully the food would give him much needed energy. The terror he'd felt had tapered off leaving him feeling shaky and exhausted emotionally, nearly everyone around them was sleeping. There was a radio going on in the background, but it was too far away to hear anything.
"We'll be heading back soon," Tom replied quietly, sounding just as tired. He didn't understand why Hadrian was reacting this way all day to everything that was happening if he had been in the Muggle world. The war had been on an entire year before he ended up at Hogwarts; surely he had experienced some of it even if he had been travelling. How they had succeeded was anyone's guess, travelling was restricted as far as he knew. He'd been terrified of a lunch bell for Merlin's sake. He acted as though the food he'd gotten was the foulest thing on earth - to be fair it was - but he should be used to it. He was so lost in thought, it took Harry's head falling against his shoulder to bring him out, he was asleep, and he'd never been this close to Hadrian before. He couldn't help but greedily take everything in, from his long eyelashes to his thin but plump lips. He absently moved the hair from his face until he realized what he was doing and dropped his hand back down. He had never cared about anyone before, what made him so special? He thought to himself, but he already knew exactly why.
And that was why Hadrian was his forever, natrually he didn't get a say - but Tom was convinced he could ensure it.