#non native without beta

M | 770 | Harry Potter / Tom Riddle Additional Tags: Pre-Relationship, Minor Character Death 30min Challenge and can be read as prequel of Why So Serious?

Harry’s earliest memory was of being alone, crying in the dark. Until he wasn’t anymore. All he would ever need was Voldemort.

With a last caress of his face, Harry dropped his hand to grasp Tom’s and pulled him to his feet. 

Finally, Tom could see the origin of the heat, the crackling sounds, and the smells. Over an enormous fire, there was a cauldron even taller than himself. 

Harry led him to a construct of stairs at the side. They took step after step until they reached the top. The leavings of Harry’s preparations still laid on the workbench but Tom couldn’t focus on them. His whole attention was zoned in on the brightly yellow, bubbling mass in the cauldron beneath him.

Harry tugged at his hand, and Tom turned around; his back to the potion and like usual, his sole focus on Harry. 

„Will you let me help you?“

I want to help you. 

Tom lifted their joined hands and placed a kiss on Harry’s. Never breaking eye contact Tom took a small step back, and another, till he could feel the edge under his feet.

He smiled wistfully, let go of Harry’s hand and-

He let himself fall over the edge, his eyes never leaving Harry’s and Tom felt free.

.

.

.

There were fingers on his face again, tracing softly all lines and edges. He hummed and the fingertips disappeared only to be replaced by a hand. 

“Welcome back, love.” 

His eyes fluttered open and he saw Harry leaning over him, relaxed and content like he hadn't seen him before. Tom didn’t even try to curb his desire a second time and leaned into the touch. 

The hand felt intense on his skin, as if it had never been touched before. He turned his head slightly to place a kiss on Harry’s palm, never losing sight of his face. 

Harry smiled sweetly but let go of him to help him stand up again. 

„Who would have thought… now you have the face fitting for the name Lord Voldemort.“

Tom shivered in the cold air of the cave that had seemed so hot before. Harry wrapped him in a simple robe and brought him over to the edge of the lake. 

He let his eyes wander over the surface, took in the small boat a little distance away, and a minuscule patch of land in the middle of the lake. He refocused on Harry who smiled sweetly and looked pointedly at the still water directly before the. Tom followed his gaze and-

For the first time in his life, he saw himself. 

Tall and thin, all fat seemingly burnt off him. Gleaming white, nearly silvery skin - not with scars, like Harry had wanted to gift him before, but with scales. And his eyes… the same red he had imagined on Harry a few times.

Before he could dwell on the differences he caught sight of Harry. Sweet innocent Harry who looked again like he wanted to eat him alive. A faint blush high on his cheeks.