Chapter Text
“…. And what happened that day, it was Voldemort. I wasn’t in control of my body. Hell, I wasn’t even conscious.” Tom finished. Both Harry and Nico were looking at him in shock, concern and a little bit fear too, much to his dismay. Yet, he understood why. This whole situation with him was frightening.
Harry seemed to come out of his shocked state and said, “I…. why didn’t you tell me about any of this, Tom?”
Tom sighed, knowing that Harry will ask him this.
“Honestly, I was scared. Scared that you will leave me once you know about it.”
And it was the truth.
He had hoped that this would lessen Harry’s anger a little bit. But Harry’s lips thinned and he looked furious.
“What…. What is it, Harry?”
“Were you ever planning on telling me about it?”
“Yes.” Tom said hesitantly.
“When?”
“For a few years, I had been thinking about-”
“No, Tom. Tell me exactly when were you planning to do it?”
“I really-”
“No. Tom! Were you just always thinking about it? We have been married for 13 years now! I get that this is something very private, but 13 years? Even when we had a child? Did you not, for a second, just think about what would happen, if maybe, this Voldemort guy would come out when you were alone with Nico? Or after the accident? Eight years. And I would’ve been likely murdered in my sleep?”
Tom looked down helplessly at his hands, knowing whatever Harry was true. These similar thoughts had been haunting him for the past week. What could he say? That I was worried that you would hand over to the authorities? When he voiced his thoughts timidly, Harry looked at him indifferently, and spoke.
“If you thought that I would’ve talked about this to the Aurors, you are right. I would have.” That stung. Those words almost brought tears to his eyes.
“I would’ve, before we married. Considered it before Nico was born.” Harry looked away continued. “But after Nic was born, I wouldn’t have, Tom. Not even thought about it. And that’s just not because of Nico. No, Tom. No. I would’ve done that because I love you. When I said that I accept and love every part of you, I meant it.” Harry wiped his cheek, swiping off the stray tear.
Tom gulped, putting his hands on his eyes, to stop the tears from falling. Was this that easy? All he had to do was just be honest?
He felt Harry’s hand on his knees, and looked up.
“What?” He asked desperately, trying to project his emotions in a single word. He did not know what to do next. He did not know anything, if he was being truthful to himself. He just wanted to be free. Free of Voldemort. Free, with Harry, whose eyes sparkled every time he smiled. Free, with Nico, who would always make him proud, even with most little achievement. He was just so tired now.
“You will not give up now. Not after everything. This Lord Voldemort, we’ll not let him win.” Harry said to him, his eyes shining with determination. Behind him, Nico looked uncertain and…. Was that guilt?
“It’s impossible.” He whispered. He had tried everything he could, gone to the best Healers of the world, read every paper regarding the subject. But nothing worked.
Harry cupped his face in his hands and said, “No. Nothing is impossible, as long as you don’t give up. And remember Tom, a true Gryffindor never gives up.”
Tom smiled weakly at Harry, and for the first time in his life, felt confident about curing himself.
Harry nodded, but then a steely look came across his face. “Look, my love, my heart, I will always stand by your side.” He took a deep breath and said, “But there’s something I won’t forfeit. The safety of our family, first and foremost.”
Tom nodded, knowing that Harry won’t back down on this, and frankly, Tom himself wouldn’t have.
Eight years later….
Nico groaned as Thauddeus Nott and Octavian Diggory, or Diaz and Vian, as he liked to call them, jumped around their shared dorm like monkeys, searching for their misplaced belongings.
“Nico! Are you sure that you haven’t seen my tie?” Diaz yelled, throwing off the mattress from the bed.
“It’s here, you idiot!” Vian said, throwing the tie towards Diaz, who looked at him in horror.
“It’s my graduation tie, you fool!”
“Should’ve thought of that before keeping that thing under Shasha’s cage. ”
“I did not put it there!”
“Yesss, he did.” Shasha said, glaring at both his best friends.
“Don’t mind them, my dear.” Nico said, to his beloved pet, who he got during his first year at Hogwarts. He turned towards his best friends (sometimes he wondered why he even befriended these idiots). “The graduation ceremony is in 30 minutes. I have been telling you to pack your things for the past week, but no, you two wouldn’t listen!” He tossed Octavian his socks, and continued, “If I am late to deliver my valedictorian speech because of you two idiots, think yourself lucky to even cross the wards around the school with your skeleton structure intact!” He yelled, shutting Vian’s trunk with a loud click. “And yeah, best of luck handling Adele’s rage.” Both Thauddues and Octavian paled at Adele’s mention.
Speak of the devil.
“IF YOU THREE IDIOTS AREN’T READY YET, I’LL HEX YOU MYSELF!!” Adele Warrington, a muggleborn, and his third bestfriend, yelled from outside their door.
“It isn’t fair that girls get to come here!” Vian said, scampering to collect his remaining books.
Five minutes later, Nico, Octavian, Adele and Thaddeus stood in the Ravenclaw Common Room, dressed in their graduation robes.
“Can you believe that this is the last time we’ll see this place.” Thauddeus said, his eyes trailing over the statue of Rowena Ravenclaw.
“I’ll miss this place.” Nico said, taking in the familiar room.
“Yeah.” Adele and Vian said at the same time and entwined their fingers together, smiling softly at each other.
“So let’s go. Nico still has to give his speech.” Octavian said.
They laughed together and exited the common room for the last time.
“Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure.” Nico murmured and smirked lazily at his friends.