#paimpont

"It's curious, isn't it?" said Tom quietly. "This strange connection between us... I have felt it since the moment I saw you. I have never been able to see into someone's thoughts before, not like this. I wonder what has created this bond between my mind and yours?" I have often wondered about that myself, Tom. "It sounds odd, I know, but somehow it feels as if you are a part of my soul." Tom spoke softly, as much to himself as to Harry. A part of your soul? Something began to stir in Harry's mind. I am a part of Voldemort's soul? His splintered soul, whose fragments are concealed in the horcruxes he created... Horcruxes? Oh, God. No. Not this... No, it can't be... A horcrux? "Elias?" Tom's voice came from somewhere far away. "Are you ill? Merlin, you look as pale as death. What is happening to you? Are you going to faint? Come, let's get you back to school. Lean on me if you want, I'll help you back. Why are you shivering like that? Sit down, then, if you can't walk. I'll get help for you." Harry saw, as if in a haze, Tom pull his wand from his pocket. Tom drew his breath and whispered hesitantly: "Expecto Patronum." Harry watched, in mild surprise, as a shimmering silver form sprang from Tom's wand and ran in the direction of the school. "My first patronus," Tom said with a slight smile. "I think it's a stag... It should bring you help in a few moments." Harry nodded and sank down in the heather, trying not to look at Tom. A horcrux? He closed his eyes, but it didn't help. He could still feel Tom's gaze. The Dark Lord produced a patronus. I wonder what his happiest memory is? He felt his thoughts reaching out for Tom's mind, but the only recollection he could sense was that of his own laughter as he untangled Tom's curls from the heather.