Current location:	circ desk ~ Wyndham Library
Current mood:	rushed
Current music:	magickmaker17 mocking me
Entry tags:	déguiser, fic, harry potter

FIC: Déguiser -- 11 -- PG13
Title: Déguiser
Author: batsutousai
Beta: magickmaker17
Rating: PG-13 for now
Pairings: HP/LV, SB/RL, Possible - HP/DM, Possible - NL/HG
Warnings: AU, an attempt to not copy the book, bit of Ron-bashing and some definite Dumbles-hate going on
Summary: When Albus Dumbledore leaves Harry Potter on the doorstep of the Dursleys, the last thing he expected was for an unknown relative to disappear with the boy for ten years. Enter Thomas Potter, a man who intends to change the past, the present, and the future.

Disclaim Her: It's in the first chapter.

A/N: Hm... I may have changed my mind a bit about you'd all find out about Thomas' past. For this chapter – the beginning, mostly – the stuff in italics is the past. Flashes of the past, really. Ah, you'll figured it out.

Also, people asked about whether Thomas was Voldie's mate before. Or whether Harry could have been his mate. -hums- Thomas answers that. Kinda.

-0-0-0-
Chapter Eleven – Thomas Potter
-0-0-0-

Hunting for horcruxes with Ron and Hermione. A vision from Voldemort of another prophecy. The real prophecy.

Flash

Finding out about the deaths of the other Weasleys. Ginny...

Flash

Dumbledore finding them after they'd questioned Trelawney. Her prophecy had been fake. Dumbledore's smile.

Flash

The truth. Dumbledore knew. He'd planned it all. He'd never really died, that had been a golem.

Flash

Ron jumping between Hermione and a flash of green light.

Flash

Hermione pushing Harry out of the way of a cutting curse. It hitting her throat. Blood...

Flash

Voldemort standing as Harry appeared in his office, almost dead. An offer of protection.

Flash

Fighting Dumbledore with Voldemort. Green.

Flash

Harry killing Dumbledore. Kneeling next to the dead Dark Lord.

Flash

Harry researching ways to change the past. A flutter of paper from his grandfather's book – Lisa Leland.

Flash

The Potter Family Tree, shoved in the back of a vault. A broken line to Lisa Leland from his grandfather and her dead son, Thomas.

Flash

Deals with the goblins. Money and papers to soothe his way.

Flash

The spell. The sense of the world falling away and coming back with a crash. Not the same.

Flash

A bitter woman. Lisa Leland. The truth of Harry's origins. A blood adoption. Thomas Leland-Potter.

Flash

Dark magic and bitter letters. Thomas Harold Potter denies his elder son.

Flash

Travelling the world. Ansy and her dragons. Marie and Jacob, vampire and werewolf, mates.

Flash

Lisa's death. Bitter knowledge and a broken heart. Thomas failed her.

Flash

Selling the house. Getting out of Europe. One war was too much.

Flash

The news of Marie and Jacob’s murders. A Ministry seal on the notice.

Flash

Harry's birth. The feeling of there being two of him.

Flash

Finally returning to England. Finding that James and Lily are already in hiding. The knowledge that he'd never meet his parents.

Flash

Harry. A choice.

Flash

Laughing. Smiling. Innocence Thomas never knew could exist.

Flash

The dragon. The gift stones.

Flash

The terror of Harry being killed. The relief of finding him hurt, but safe.

Flash

The return to France. Old wounds torn open and a hole where his second mother had been.

Flash

Adults and children. His friends. The fear of loss.

Flash

Getting the letter asking him to come early. The knowledge that Harry would miss him the most. Pride, love, self-hate.

Flash

The last task. Knowing what was coming. The horror that he'd changed too much. That Harry would DIE.

Flash

Relief – Harry's safe. Appreciation – Lucius had protected him. Not understanding why.

Flash

Fury. How DARE Dumbledore use Legilimency on Harry. On an innocent.

Flash

The glowing stones. The bitter knowledge. Fate mocks him.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Thomas looked away, feeling ill. All his secrets, everything he'd spent so long trying to hide. Voldemort knew it. He knew.

:Thomas?: Kaz asked.

:Yes?: Thomas replied, his voice as hollow as he felt.

:What's wrong?:

Thomas choked. :What's wrong?!:

Kaz huffed. :Stupid. I knew you kept secrets. And you and Harry taste too much alike. I don't care. Sylvin doesn't either.:

:Snakes are much simpler than humans,: Thomas replied bitterly. :Surely you've lived with us long enough to have caught on to that?:

:Stupid,: Kaz replied, flicking his tail at Thomas' face. :Harry won't care. And the horrible mutt and his mate will like you anyway. Maybe more.:

:Kaz–:

:Listen to the snake,: Voldemort interrupted, leaning back in his chair and watching Thomas with sharp eyes. :Even I can see Harry would never hate you. Certainly not about this. Now, if you were to, I don't know, kill the Granger girl in front of him, then, yes, he might hate you.:

:Stupid snake-man is smarter than you,: Kaz pointed out.

:You will die,: Voldemort spat, levelling his wand at the snake.

Kaz stuck his tongue out, and it looked so ridiculous that Thomas found himself laughing. He covered his face with his hands and kept laughing, suddenly not sure what he was laughing about or if he was even laughing anymore because there were tears, but he didn't cry. He hadn't cried when Hermione or Ron or Voldemort had died. He hadn't cried when Lisa died, or he got the news about Jacob and Marie. He hadn't cried since he'd thought Dumbledore had died. Before he'd known...

Hands curled around Thomas' and pulled them away from his face gently. Voldemort wiped his tears away with an odd look on his face and murmured, "Don't cry."

Without thinking about it, Thomas leaned forward and rested his head on Voldemort's shoulder, feeling strangely like a small child in the arms of a caring parent; having never truly felt it before – Lisa was not the sort of person to give comfort, even if Thomas would have taken any – Thomas found it distinctly odd.

Voldemort's arms wrapped around him and Thomas felt confusion that wasn't just his own. Knowing he wasn't the only one lost helped calm him and Thomas closed his eyes. He felt tired, but...strangely at peace? How odd. Even as allies, he had never felt at peace with Voldemort. There was always so much to do and conflicting ideals. They had been so different then.

"I understand, now," Thomas murmured.

"What?" Voldemort asked, uncomfortably comfortable with Thomas in his arms.

"You told me once – before – that I couldn't begin to understand why you found death to be the best way to change our world. I always said there had to be another way. And you..."

"I tried," Voldemort agreed, bitterly.

"Yes," Thomas said.

They were silent, resting against each other and finding peace where it hadn't been before.

The candle on Voldemort's desk had burnt away a centimetre before the Dark Lord broke the silence. "Before. Were we mates?"

Thomas shook his head. "No. I–" Thomas choked and closed his eyes. Red hair and a loving smile. "We were...not meant for each other. I was too against you. And by the time I'd learned the truth, I'd already fallen in love. She died."

"...how?"

"We were never sure. We thought it was you – it probably was – but that was before we found out about the real prophecy. After...I never cared enough to find out."

"I'm sorry," Voldemort whispered, and it sounded wrong.

Thomas smiled against the other's shoulder. "It was war," he replied, as if it explained everything.

And, strangely, it did.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Thomas apparated to Malfoy Manor. He and Voldemort had continued to just sit for almost two more hours before Thomas realised he should probably reassure Lucius that he was alive. And maybe explain the mate thing.

Lucius was in his study, drinking a brandy, and jumped when Thomas slipped into the room. "You're alive," he breathed as Thomas slid into his normal chair.

"I am," Thomas agreed.

Lucius shook his head. "Dare I ask how?"

Thomas turned to the fire and shrugged. "I told you we had dragon blood."

"You did."

"He is my mate."

Lucius took a sip of his brandy and shook his head. "Thomas, that doesn't explain a damn thing."

Thomas winced, remembering how anti-love Voldemort had been the first time he knew him. "No, I suppose it doesn't."

Lucius nodded. "You mentioned the dragon?"

"The old one. At the reserve. He gave me two stones and said to give one to my mate when we met."

"Magical mates are strange things," Lucius commented.

"I assure you," Thomas offered dryly, "that as much as I prefer his side of things, the Dark Lord was the last person I would have chosen as a mate."

Lucius snorted. "Only my sister-in-law, I think, would argue that."

Thomas snorted himself. "Yes, but Bellatrix isn't all there."

"I shudder to think what she'll be like after Azkaban for thirteen and a half years," Lucius muttered, scowling.

"You don't want her out?"

"It would be kinder to just give her the Kiss. She's excellent with a wand, but her madness didn't help before Azkaban."

"No," Thomas agreed.

Lucius sighed. "Do you think he'll free them?"

"Certain," Thomas offered. "We can always mention our thoughts on your sister-in-law, however."

"The Dark Lord is not one to listen to his followers," Lucius said stiffly.

"Oh." Thomas ran a hand down his face. "I'll tell him, then."

"If anyone could talk him out of freeing her," Lucius said with an amused look, "it would be you. And not because of your being mates, either. You just have this...way."

Thomas snorted. "If you say so."

Lucius finished off his glass. "Will you be telling Black and Remus? Or Harry?"

"They know I'm with him," Thomas murmured, smiling faintly at Lucius' surprised look. "I had to tell them, after you protected Harry. Remus and Sirius aren't too pleased with me, but I think they're inclined to listen. Remus, more-so."

"He is the more level-minded," Lucius agreed. "Did you tell them where you were going, then?"

Thomas groaned and stood. "Yes. I should go let them know I'm not dead yet. As far as they know, I'm not on the Dark Lord's list of favoured people."

Lucius snorted. "If only they knew..." He sighed. "Will you tell them?"

"Yes."

"Good luck."

"I'll need it," Thomas replied with an amused look, then left the study.

-0-0-0-0-0-

"You were gone for three hours," Sirius stressed, walking out of the library as Thomas was taking off his shoes. "We thought you were dead."

Thomas cocked an eyebrow at him. "I'm not that easy to be rid of, Sirius. Your faith in me is heart-warming."

"I'll faith you!"

Remus grabbed Sirius' wand as the Animagus drew it and got between his mate and Thomas. "We were worried. It was a long time."

Thomas sighed and rubbed at his face. "Let's sit."

Remus nodded and half-pushed Sirius back into the library. "If I give you back your wand, do you promise to not curse him?"

Sirius ground his teeth together and shot the calm Thomas a furious look. "No."

Remus rolled his eyes and put his mate's wand in his own robes, then settled down on the couch with Sirius. The two turned to Thomas and Remus cocked his head to one side. "So?"

"Things are...complicated," Thomas started, feeling nervous. "Remus, you remember the end of last year?"

Remus frowned. After a moment's thought, his eyes widened. "No..." he breathed.

"But of course," Thomas replied with enough sarcasm to drown a cat.

" 'Complicated,' he says," Remus muttered, scrubbing at his face.

"What? What about last year? What's going on?" Sirius looked between the other two with narrowed eyes. "Tell me, damnit."

"Last year," Remus muttered, "was when Thomas talked me into talking to you, Sirius. And he's got a mate too, but he didn't know who."

Sirius blinked at Remus, then his eyes went wide and he turned to Thomas, paling. "No."

Thomas just gave him a tired look.

"But, I don't understand! How can– I thought he was human!" Sirius cried, looking between the other two men with horrified eyes.

"Hardly," Thomas muttered. "The thing that kept him alive the past year was the milk of his snake. He's part-snake now."

"I'm sure that'll be fun in bed," Sirius offered in a strained voice.

"Don't be crude," Remus snapped, frowning. "Thomas, did you–"

"Tell him? Yes. It was a bit unavoidable." He sighed and looked out the window to his left. "At least Harry will be safe."

"Says who?!" Sirius snapped, jumping to his feet. "Just because you're mates doesn't mean he's going to stop trying to kill Harry!" He reached for where he usually kept his wand and growled when it wasn't there.

"Sit. Down," Remus ordered, jerking on Sirius' arm.

Sirius bared his teeth. "Give me my wand, Moony. I want to curse some sense into him!"

:Don't make me kill you, dog!: Kaz cut in, appearing from beneath Thomas' robes. :I wouldn't let the stupid snake-man harm Thomas and I won't let you!:

Thomas covered Kaz with a hand and gave Sirius a dull look. "Black, look up mate-bonds and calm the fuck down."

Sirius' mouth dropped in surprise at Thomas' foul language. Thomas cursed, but never like that.

Remus tugged on Sirius' arm again and he fell back in his seat. "Will you tell Harry?"

Thomas groaned and got to his feet. "Yes. When he gets home. I'm going to bed."

Sirius jumped back to his feet. "Don't you dare leave lik–"

"Stupefy," Thomas intoned, then turned and left as Sirius slumped back onto the couch.

Remus groaned and shook his head. "Sirius, do you ever learn?" he asked his unconscious mate.

-0-0-0-0-0-

'Barty seems to think you know who he is and it's making him paranoid. I told him to leave your nephew alone. He will listen.
'I don't believe you will take my mark, but I will not leave you without a way for me to call you. Put this ring on and when it warms, I request your presence. And don't think this is a proposal.
'Come to me once you have spoken to your nephew, with or without him. Until I have reason to believe otherwise, I shall believe the prophecy to be invalid and the boy has safety with my people. His friends as well, unless they attack my people. Then I will show no mercy.
'LV'

-0-0-0-0-0-

Voldemort's letter went a long way to calming Sirius and Thomas was grateful, as the house before the letter had been almost unbearable. Remus had tried, but Sirius hadn't wanted to be calmed or read about why Voldemort wouldn't go against Thomas' wishes to protect Harry because of their mate-bond. Nor was the Animagus particularly likely to not hex Thomas on sight, so Remus had continued to be in charge of his wand. With the arrival of the letter, Sirius calmed back down and finally read up on mate-bonds. After that, he promised not to hex Thomas without due cause or in the spirit of a harmless prank and got his wand back. The rest of the day had found Thomas avoiding Sirius' many pranks and Remus laughing helplessly every time Sirius set one of his own pranks off.

Thomas had decided to not tell his house mates who he was. At least, not until after he'd told Harry. Kaz argued with him on the matter daily, but Thomas simply wouldn't budge. He finally said, :Harry is me and I am him. It's only right that he knows next, if anyone else must know. And no amount of ordering me to tell Sirius and Remus is going to change that.:

Dinner at the Malfoys' on the Friday before the train was to return ended with Lucius having Weasley-red hair and Sirius laughing so hard he turned purple. Literally.

Thomas thought the pranks were so funny that he refused to turn Lucius' hair back to normal and added to Sirius' purple-ness so it would last for another day. Remus commented that he wasn't sure he wanted a grape for a mate and was turned blue in retaliation to, as Sirius put it, "Join me in the fruit bowl, my lovely blueberry." Remus had just laughed.

The group was quite a sight the next evening while they were waiting for the train. Lucius had tried to fix his hair during the day and had gold stripes with the red as a result. Remus, Sirius, Narcissa, John and Elizabeth had to keep their eyes averted to keep from laughing at the furious Slytherin, while Augusta had cracked a few smiles and Thomas smirked the whole time.

The Weasleys had joined them ten minutes before the train was to pull in and, after the required joke from Arthur to Lucius and the resulting sneer, the two parents found themselves drawn over to the quiet conversations between Narcissa and Elizabeth; and Sirius, Remus and John. Talk of all things muggle started from the four men while the three women started whispering easily amongst themselves about things that Thomas was certain he was better off not knowing.

Lucius sneered at the two Weasleys from where he stood with Augusta and Thomas, which earned him an elbow in the ribs. "Yes?" he drawled to Thomas.

Thomas offered him a bored look. "It's more comical than anything else when you do that."

"Shut up," Lucius hissed, face reddening a little.

Thomas smiled knowingly. "The spell will wear off once you've returned to Malfoy Manor with Draco."

"That doesn't help me now, Thomas."

"Live a little, Malfoy," Augusta suggested primly. "Your reputation can handle red hair for half an hour."

Thomas snorted. "It could be worse, Lucius. You could be proclaiming your love to Arthur Weasley every time you lay eyes on him."

Lucius winced. "Ah. Please never teach that one to Black."

"I'm not sure he could cast it," Thomas replied dryly.

"Playing with a subject's mind is rarely Light," Augusta agreed with a faint smile. "Malfoy, your hair is twinkling."

Lucius' face tightened and his hand twitched towards his wand. "His death wouldn't be too much of a loss..."

Thomas snorted and waved his wand, then shot the crestfallen faces of Sirius and Arthur sharp looks. "Too many witnesses. I'd wait until everyone's forgotten you've a grudge to call in, then kill him," he added.

Lucius' lips twitched while Augusta coughed into her hand, shoulders shaking.

The train pulled in and the five families separated a bit to receive their various children.

The Weasley twins appeared first, grinning broadly. Their smiles seemed to grow when they caught sight of Lucius and he sneered at them in response.

Harry, Hermione, Neville and Draco came shortly after the twins, each lugging their trunks behind themselves and smiling happily at their families. Harry and Hermione both chose to drop their trunks a few feet from their families and run to Thomas and Elizabeth with laughter. Neville and Draco both finished dragging their luggage over, then gave their caretakers stiff greetings.

"Love the hair, Lucius," Harry teased once he'd been passed between his family for hugs. "It looks good on you."

"Your fashion sense leaves much to be desired, Harry," Lucius replied stiffly.

Harry snickered. "Who got you, then? Sirius? Or Uncle Thomas?"

"Your godfool," Thomas offered, eyes dancing. "I just put a time-limit on it."

"And added the gold streaks," Sirius half-whined. "I didn't do that."

"No," Augusta offered with her small smile, "I did."

Everyone gave the upstanding woman astonished looks. Thomas was the first to burst out laughing and everyone else followed. Lucius shook his head with a smile, then nodded to the woman. "Well played, Madam. Well played."

Draco leaned over to Neville and stage whispered, "Did you know your grandmother had a sense of humour?"

Neville shook his head, just as shocked as everyone else.

"We should be leaving, Neville," Augusta said, snapping her grandson out of his stupor.

"Oh, er, right." Neville's cheeks reddened. "Well, see you later this summer, Draco, Harry."

"Have a great one, Nev," Harry said with a grin and a quick hug. Draco nodded agreement and shook Neville's hand, which earned him a snicker from Harry.

"Bye, Hermione!" Neville called to where Hermione was trying to act as translator for her father and an enthralled Arthur Weasley.

"Oh!" Hermione hopped over her trunk and ran over to give Neville a hug. "Have fun, Neville."

"I will. Get outside once in a while," Neville replied, then glanced at Thomas. "See you, Thomas. Sirius, Remus."

"Have fun, kid," Sirius suggested, grinning. Remus smiled gently next to him.

Thomas reached over and ruffled Neville's hair. "Come over any time, Neville," he offered.

"I will, thanks!" Neville said, then grabbed his trunk and let his grandmother apparate them away.

"I believe that's our cue to leave as well, Draco," Lucius said.

"You just want to get home so your hair's blond again," Sirius commented.

"And?" Lucius shot back, earning him an evil grin.

"Sirius, leave Lucius alone," Remus said, rolling his eyes.

"But, Moony..."

"Have a good summer, Draco," Harry said over his godfather and hugged his friend.

"You too," Draco replied, then let Hermione hug him with a long suffering look. "Don't spend your entire summer doing homework, Hermione."

Hermione laughed. "Only when you stop being a stuck-up pureblood."

Draco gave her an insulted look.

Thomas snickered and leaned forward to ruffle Draco's hair. "Take care of yourself, Draco." He glanced up at Lucius and his eyes seemed to convey the same message.

Lucius nodded in understanding and glanced at Harry, whose smile had turned sad. "Take care of yourself, Harry," he suggested.

"I will. And thank you."

"You're more than welcome," Lucius replied, then turned to a confused Draco and held out his hand. "Come along, Draco."

"Okay..." Draco shot Harry a worried look, then let his father apparate them home. Narcissa had gone over to say her good-nights to Elizabeth, then left with Draco's trunk.

"I missed something," Hermione muttered as her parents came over. The Weasleys waved their good-byes, then left through the barrier.

"Of course you did," Harry said cheerfully. "It's Lucius." Then he turned to his three care-takers while his friend shook her head. "So, should we do it the same as last year? Sirius, you take Hermione, Remus you take John and Elizabeth. Uncle Thomas and I'll go together."

Sirius glanced at Thomas, then Remus. "Yeah. Remus and I'll probably eat out tonight, so you two eat dinner alone, right? We'll probably be back late."

Thomas blinked in surprise while Remus smiled and the others gave the Animagus confused looks. "Thank you, Sirius," Thomas said, then turned to Harry, whose eyes lit up with understanding. "Ready to go, Harry?"

Harry traded hugs with Hermione, then offered Thomas a smile. "Yeah. Let's go home."

-0-0-0-0-0-

Dinner had been quiet, as neither Potter really wanted to ruin the meal. Or talk over it at all. Thomas considered, as he and Harry were cleaning the dishes, that the house seemed too silent without Sirius. He was quite surprised to realize how much he missed the loud man.

The two Potters settled in the library with tea. Thomas spent a long moment watching Harry, who was smiling around the room, as if happy to be home. When Harry met his eyes, Thomas sighed. "Harry, I..." He rubbed at his face and set his cup down. "I'm sorry. I haven't been completely honest with you."

Harry blinked. "About siding with Voldemort? I've already forgiven–"

Thomas was shaking his head and Harry fell silent. "No, Harry. I've lied about who I am."

Harry blinked and shook his head. "You're my uncle."

"Only by adoption and a little chance," Thomas replied, eyes dark. "Your real Uncle Thomas died before he was a year old because Lisa Leland didn't have the money to care for him when he caught the flu."

Harry sighed and settled back into his chair with a frown. "Well, fine. Who are you? And why do I care?"

Thomas blinked, surprised, and Kaz added, :Told you.:

:Shut up, Kaz,: Thomas replied, then glanced over at Harry, who was giving him a curious look. "I'm you," he said simply.

Harry shook his head. "Me? But...how is that possible?"

Thomas rubbed at his eyes. "I'm from the future, a future where you never had an Uncle Thomas and grew up with the Dursleys. In that future, you trusted Dumbledore implicitly until he betrayed you. Draco and you would have sooner killed one another than been friends and while Hermione was still your best friend, Neville wasn't. Instead, you had Ron for a best mate. Sirius was in Azkaban until your third year and died in your fifth."

Harry was shaking his head again, eyes wide. "Sirius?" he whispered.

Thomas nodded. "It wasn't a happy time."

Harry stood and walked around the table to sit in Thomas’ lap and bury his face in his uncle's chest. "I can't lose Sirius."

"You won't," Thomas said with certainty. "Because if I have my way, no one will be going to the Department of Mysteries and Bellatrix Lestrange won't even be freed. Ever."

Harry sniffed and looked up at Thomas with wet eyes. "I can't lose you, either."

Thomas felt his throat tighten and offered Harry a smile. "Thank you, child," he whispered.

Harry rested his head against Thomas' chest. "You're my uncle now. I don't care who you were. You take care of me and protect me. That's what matters. Right?"

"Yes," Thomas murmured, and rested his head against Harry's.

The two sat cuddling for ten minutes or so before Harry asked, "Why?"

"Why tell you?" Thomas clarified, and Harry nodded against his chest. "Because Voldemort found out, and it's only fair I tell you too."

Harry pulled away enough to give Thomas a confused look. "How'd he find out? You'd never tell anyone willingly," he said with certainty.

Thomas grimaced. "He's my mate. I rather didn't have a choice."

Harry snickered and settled his head back against his uncle's chest. "I feel sorry for you."

"Brat," Thomas returned good-naturedly.

Harry smiled. "Is he any different when he's not trying to kill you?"

"Very. We made a truce, when I wasn't much older than you. When we had the same goal, we got on rather well. That's not to say we agreed on everything, no. Voldemort and I always fought over some of the stupidest things, but we were friends. Sort of."

"Not mates?"

"No. The girl I loved, before, died during the war. Voldemort and I weren't destined to be anything more than allies back then," Thomas said, and was glad Ginny's death no longer hurt. He'd thought about her more in the past week than he had in the past twenty years.

"I'm glad," Harry said. "I can't imagine what it would be like to both be mated to him."

Thomas choked. "Merlin, I hadn't even considered that. Harry, don't ever suggest that again."

Harry snickered, then adopted a hurt voice, "You mean, you don't love me?"

"Harry–" Thomas tried, but found himself with no words that would cover his thoughts on that comment.

Harry laughed and offered his uncle a grin. "Couldn't resist."

"You've spent too much time with that godfool of yours," Thomas grumbled, then proceeded to tickle Harry's sides.

Harry laughed helplessly and squirmed in his uncle's grip. "No! Ah! Stop! Mercy, mercy!" Thomas stopped and they both took a moment to catch their breaths. "That was mean, Uncle Thomas."

"You deserved it," Thomas replied with a chuckle.

"It was still mean," Harry replied, shifting so he was resting comfortably against Thomas' chest again. "Are the Dursleys really as bad as you always said?"

"I was their servant," Thomas replied, bitterness still colouring his voice even after all the years he'd been rid of them.

"I'm glad you got me, then," Harry said softly.

Thomas wrapped his arms around Harry and kissed the top of the boy's head. "So am I."

Harry smiled, then frowned when something occurred to him. "Are you going to tell Remus and Sirius who you were? Or Lucius?"

"Kaz wants me to tell Remus and Sirius–"

:Damn straight.:

"–but I'm not certain. And I don't really have a reason to tell Lucius. He's my friend, yes, but he doesn't live with us, so it's different," Thomas finished, acting as if Kaz hadn't interrupted him at all.

Harry hummed. "I'm rather inclined to agree with Kaz, but it's your secret, so it's your choice."

Thomas smiled. "We'll see."

Kaz huffed. :Make him tell them, Harry.:

:No,: Harry replied. :Stop pestering Uncle Thomas. It's his choice.:

:Maybe the stupid runs in your blood.:

:I have no qualms about locking you up in a box, Kaz,: Thomas commented dryly.

Harry snickered. :Has he been like this all week?: he asked his uncle.

:Worse. He actually insulted Voldemort into trying to kill him. Twice.:

:Kaz!:

:Thomas wouldn't let stupid snake-man kill me,: Kaz replied.

:I should have,: Thomas muttered, then sighed. :Voldemort asked that I come see him once I'd spoken to you, Harry. You're welcome to come along, but you don't have to.:

Harry sighed. :He won't harm me?:

:He'd better not,: Thomas replied, arms tightening around Harry briefly.

Harry smiled. :Yeah, I think I'll come with you.:

:Alright. Up, then. Let me write Sirius and Remus a note.: Harry crawled from Thomas’ lap and Thomas got up with a faint groan. After writing a quick note to the other two members of the house and charming it to appear in front of Remus' face as soon as they got in, he pulled out two black robes with big hoods and gave one to Harry to wear. A quick spell to re-size Harry's cloak – Thomas still had about half a foot on the boy, though not for much longer – and Thomas dubbed them good for Slytherin Manor and apparated them away.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Voldemort glanced up from his book with a touch of surprise when his room door opened. He was certain his wards would keep anyone else out, unless...

Once the door had closed behind him, Thomas pulled his hood back and offered the Dark Lord a smirk. "You taught me how to get past those wards."

Voldemort sneered. "How foolish of me."

"Rather," Thomas agreed dryly, then took the free chair across from the Dark Lord and motioned for Harry to join him, which the boy did after he'd pulled back his own hood. "Harry, Voldemort. Voldemort, Harry Potter."

"Er, hi," Harry offered, sitting in Thomas' lap.

Voldemort sniffed and set his book to the side. "Thomas told you?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. About him being me and you two being mates." He settled back against Thomas' chest and grinned. "Uncle Thomas needs someone, so it's okay."

"Harry..." Thomas groaned.

Voldemort snorted. "Were you this bad when you were his age?" he asked Thomas.

"I'd like to say no, but I think I was worse," Thomas muttered.

Harry's eyes glittered. "And that's without growing up with a prank-prone uncle and Sirius."

"No, I just had no sense of what was proper," Thomas replied smartly. "Be silent, brat."

Harry snickered, then shot the Dark Lord a sharp look, which had the man raising a hairless eyebrow. "If you hurt Uncle Thomas, I'll castrate you," he threatened.

"Harry!" Thomas said, shocked.

Voldemort, however, chuckled. "The resemblance is uncanny. Tell me, Harry, what do you know about mate-bonds?"

"That you can't cast harmful magic on your mate and you feel strongly about treating them well and not harming them in any way, but if you feel you have cause or you're angry enough, you can still say hurtful things or beat each other up like a couple of muggles," Harry replied, then glanced back at the helplessly amused Thomas. "Hermione and I looked it up after Remus and Sirius got together last year."

"Why am I not surprised?" Thomas muttered, shaking his head.

"Because it's Hermione?"

"That would do it, yes."

Voldemort snorted. "Harry," he said, and Harry glanced back at him with a faint smile, "I don't intend to hurt Thomas."

"Right now," Harry clarified.

"Yes," Voldemort agreed. "The future is not so easy to anticipate."

"Not even if you've already lived it," Thomas agreed. "And where in Merlin's name did you learn a castration hex?"

"Sirius left one of your books out," Harry said, referring to the shelf of books in the library that Thomas had spelled to keep Harry out of until he was older. His very own Restricted Section, which was much less legal than the books they had at Hogwarts.

Thomas groaned. "I'll kill him later."

Harry grinned.

The Dark Lord cleared his throat. "Harry, I don't know how much Thomas told you, but you are safe with my people. I've ordered them to not harm you, under any circumstances. I've also told them that your friends are to be left alone unless they attack first without due cause. And I get to pick what due cause is."

"In other words, they won't attack any of the others unless Voldemort tells them to," Thomas translated dryly.

Voldemort sneered. "One can hope."

"Ah, that reminds me," Thomas murmured, then gave his mate a sharp look. "Are you planning to free your people from Azkaban?"

"Eventually," Voldemort replied evasively.

"Don't free Bellatrix."

Voldemort's eyebrows rose. "Why not? She's faithful."

"She's also madder than a schizophrenic," Thomas shot back. "Not to mention that I'll probably kill her on sight. We've never gotten on, Bella and I."

"She killed Sirius. Before," Harry said to the frowning Dark Lord. "And wasn't she one of the ones who tortured Nev's parents?"

"Yes," Thomas said tightly. "As well as killing Neville. She also never listened when Voldemort said we were allies. I spent almost as much time fighting her as we did plotting against Dumbledore."

Voldemort growled. "You would have me kill one of my loyals?" he demanded.

Harry winced and touched his scar. "Ouch."

Thomas' hand covered Harry's scar and he narrowed his eyes at the Dark Lord. "When you're angry, you hurt him. Calm down."

Voldemort looked away, visibly forcing his temper down. "I don't have enough people to simply kill the mad ones, Thomas," he said through gritted teeth after a moment.

Thomas shook his head. "You have more allies than you think."

"Do I now?" Voldemort sneered at his mate.

Thomas gave him a bored look. "They might actually be willing to admit it if you weren't such a grumpy prick that threw around the Cruciatus like it was candy. And stopped killing everyone who looked at you funny."

"You dare–" Harry winced again and Voldemort bared his teeth and got up to walk over to the window. After a long moment of silence, Voldemort said, "We will have this conversation when your nephew isn't here."

"Just because he's not here doesn't mean you're not hurting him," Thomas muttered quietly, then sighed. "Very well."

"It's not that bad, though," Harry said, glancing back at his uncle.

Thomas pulled his hand away from Harry's forehead and showed the boy the drops of blood on his hand. "Harry, I had a scar too."

Harry sighed and buried his face in Thomas' chest. "Damn it."

Thomas wrapped his arms around the boy and glanced up to find Voldemort watching them with a blank expression. The Dark Lord looked back out the window and Thomas closed his eyes, feeling old. "We should probably return to the house," he said.

"K," Harry agreed, pulling back to stand up.

Thomas glanced over at Voldemort again. The man was still looking out the window silently. "Voldemort?"

"Go home," Voldemort said dully to the glass in front of him.

Thomas felt like someone had punched him in the gut and, before he knew it, found himself next to the Dark Lord, wrapping his arms around the taller man's waist. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Voldemort closed his eyes. "Tomorrow," he replied softly.

"Yes," Thomas agreed, then let go and returned to where Harry was standing silently. "Come on, child. I think it's past your bedtime."

Harry snorted. "I'm too old for a bedtime, Uncle Thomas," he said as Thomas pulled his hood back over his head.

"You're never too old for a bedtime," Thomas shot back, pulling his own hood up. Then he led Harry from the room.

Voldemort watched them leave, allowing a bitter smile.

-0-

-0-

A/N: Delete my scene breaks NOW, FFN. *sticks out tongue*

Merlin, Thomas and Voldie just don't know when to stop arguing. *grumbles* At least Kaz stayed quiet. The moron.

So, right! This is a question for you readers: Should I make Voldemort 'pretty', or keep him as old snake-face?
Voldie himself won't care how he looks – the uglier, the better to terrify his minions, right? – but Thomas might care. If you really want me to make him 'pretty', then I'll see if Voldie and Thomas will agree with me, but if the opinion's not overwhelming, I'll probably leave Voldie like he is. So, it's up to you. (And if you vote to make him 'pretty', it won't be for a while, just so you all know. Right?)

Eventually, I'll pull my scanner out from under my table and scan my timeline in and post it so you all can see what we're actually working with, here. (I'm not making another one on the computer, though. That was too much of a pain, and I've got one all drawn out on paper already. I just have to get my scanner out. Easier said than done. *sweat*)

That's all, folks! See you next chapter! (And please review? *kitten eyes*)
~Bats