Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Scoop of a Lifetime
Harry crouched lower, heart slowly beating in his chest as he did his best to remain calm. The anonymous note had said that something was bound to happen here, something he would be interested in capturing. He tightened his grip briefly on his photocamera, partly regretting coming out here, especially alone. Perhaps he should have told someone about the note, but like always he ignored those instincts and wandered into danger alone. Mostly because he didn’t like the idea of dragging anyone else into a mess or danger. Still, it made him wonder what could be happening here so late in the night?
The London Docks had become a dangerous place. The warehouses around here were partly destroyed and for a while there had been plans of tearing it all down and rebuilding this place. But the government did nothing, explaining they didn’t have the money to actually rebuild it, so it didn’t take long before shady businesses and meetings regarding the London Underworld took place here. The moment the workers stopped working, after their pay had been decreased once again, people started to avoid the docks like it was a plague. One of the workers had died two years ago and quickly thereafter the place had become deserted.
Harry frowned while he glanced briefly at his watch and he started to think the note was fake and there wouldn’t be anything happening here. He nearly jumped when two people appeared out of nowhere and he ducked further behind the small wall. Crouching forward, he peeked at them from behind the wall, not able to recognise them in the darkness of the night. Harry startled and let out a shocked gasp when suddenly there was only one person left.He swore he had seen two figures there just a second ago. His hands were getting clammy despite the cold night and he breathed out softly, trying to focus.
His heart was beating far too fast inside his chest, because now he realised this was far more dangerous than he would have ever considered. These people might not be ordinary people like him, but people with powers and if that was the case he might be in way over his head.
Still he raised his camera and took a risk. The flash of his camera lightened up the darkened area and Harry froze when he saw the face of just not a regular someone, but of the supervillain Marvolo face towards him in the blinding light. Harry yelped and nearly dropped his camera when something grabbed him by his ankles and he was suddenly dangling upside down, his glasses falling from his face. Harry closed his eyes and held his camera tighter, pulling it tightly against his chest and forced his eyes open, just to see a dark figure standing almost in front of him.
Harry held his breath. He was done for and knew it. He would be lucky if Marvolo only destroyed his camera and left him alive and well. The Supervillain was known to be ruthless, especially towards news reporters, photographers and anyone who wanted to uncover his secrets. “What do we have here?” Marvolo hummed lightly. Harry could already feel himself getting slightly light-headed from all the blood rushing to his brain.
“What is your name?” The Supervillain sounded almost amused and Harry pursed his lips, wanting to see the supervillain’s expression more clearly, but without his glasses and in the dark of the night he could only see a vague outline of the pale face in front of him as he dangled there upside down.
“Look... I am clearly in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Harry started and gasped when he felt the things around his ankles tighten. Harry closed his mouth and let out a yell when something wrapped around his middle and he was flipped again. “Not my camera!” He screamed when he felt and saw the darkness touch his wrists and hands.
Harry gritted his teeth when even his wrists were tied together by the black shadowy stuff. But he never released his death grip on his camera. This camera was a keepsake, a memory he held dear from his godfather and he didn’t intend to lose it. Harry stayed silent, wondering why Marvolo had not yet destroyed his camera or worse killed him… And thinking about it, he made perhaps the stupidest decision in his entire life. Harry pushed the button on his camera and once again a bright flash briefly illuminated the dark night.
Marvolo let out an irritated hiss and the black tendrils around his ankles and wrists disappeared. Harry let out a scream as he fell to the ground, disoriented he quickly forced himself up and let his left hand scrape over the cold ground in search of his glasses, feeling intense relief when his fingers touched the metal frame. As fast as he could he put them back on his face, the world coming back into focus. Harry scrambled up and backed away with wide eyes, but froze and stared at the empty place in front of him, swiftly turning around he noticed he was completely alone. Marvolo had left.
This was not what he had expected and with a horrified glance he stared at his intact camera. If this wasn’t some weird dream, there was now a picture of Marvolo on his camera, but still he couldn’t quite believe any of this was real and all because of a note he received. His gut instinct had screamed at him to stay away from this place, but his curiosity, like always, won.
Harry stood there frozen in the London Docks, while he tried to understand what had just occurred. After the initial shock wore off he dropped to his knees again, his body trembling slightly and he inhaled deeply and exhaled, knowing he needed to calm down his racing heart, but feeling like he was unable to calm down. He vaguely caught sight of two thin red lines around his wrists and carefully rubbed his fingers over it, feeling a slight ache. Shaking his head he quickly checked his camera and when he found it was still in working condition he released a deep shaky sigh.
It didn’t take long before realisation hit in completely after that. He was alive and his camera was in working condition. If that was the case, the pictures he just took were on his camera now. Which meant that right now on his camera were the only pictures ever taken from the Supervillain Marvolo.
If Harry had known his life would change drastically after that one particular moment, he would have ignored that note. He would have continued living his life in the shadows instead of the spotlights he now found himself in.
Harry stared at the newspaper lying in front of him and resisted the urge to tear it apart. The picture on the frontpage was a very familiar one and yet he couldn’t stop staring at it and still see something new.
The green eye mask covering only half of the Supervillain’s face was so small that Harry was really surprised no one had ever uncovered Marvolo’s real identity, red eyes staring at him even from within this picture. He was still believing he was dreaming and none of this was even real. But the picture was real and the thin lines on his wrists, which were mostly gone now, had been proof of his meeting with the Supervillain 7 days ago. And if Harry really focused he could still feel the imprint of the black tendrils tightening around them.
Harry’s frown deepened as he stared at the picture which made his life a living hell. Because next to the picture he took of Marvolo was one of his. His eyes widened in slight shock as someone had called out his name and a second later a flash blinded him. Karma got him in the strangest ways, he guessed. Harry folded the paper, unable to look at it any longer as his privacy was nowadays non-existent. Besides he needed to go, otherwise Ron would never forgive him for making him wait.
Still this week going out the door was an adventure in itself when everyone recognised him as the photographer who took Marvolo’s picture and survived. Even the police had stared dumb-founded at him when he gave his report, never revealing the anonymous note. And the questions he had, had only increased. Who had given him said note? Why were Marvolo and the other person there? And who was the other person? Harry had only seen the person’s back and had explained that a person had just disappeared, to which the police officers looked increasingly troubled.
Harry grabbed his hoodie and pulled it over his head, hiding his black curly hair from sight with a sigh. A look outside showed him, it was raining. Perfect, because he would be able to keep his hoodie over his head and shield him from curious eyes. Picking up his key from the table, Harry sped out of the door and swiftly locked it behind him.
He didn’t know when Tom was coming back since he hadn’t heard from his flatmate for days, but from what he knew Tom was incredibly busy with something at Malfoy Enterprises. It happened once in a while that Tom disappeared for a few days or even weeks, only to suddenly reappear later, so Harry wasn’t worried. Though if he was perfectly honest with the mess of the last days, he would have liked Tom’s company. He would never say it out loud though. Tom’s ego was already big enough as it was and Harry would never hear the end of it.
Harry kept his head down while he walked through the streets, avoiding eye contact at all cost. If only one person recognised him, he would be screwed. By now Harry was hoping something major and new would happen, just so this would all be forgotten.
Harry briefly glanced up, staring at the sign of the cafe, the Leaky Cauldron, where he was to meet with Ron. Flashing a brief smile at a nearby male he made his way and quickly located Ron, already sitting at their usual spot. When he approached the table, Ron looked up and shook his head while his lips curved the tiniest bit upwards. “If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought I was meeting with a fugitive.” Ron greeted him with a grin.
“Haha, very funny.” Harry muttered while he sat down and let out a groan of irritation. Meeting Ron’s gaze he noticed the grin had faded and Ron looked serious and kind of worried.
“Hey, cheer up. In a few days people will have forgotten about it all. Just wait till Marvolo or one of the others do something big and the world will forget all about you.” Ron offered him a hesitant smile. And Harry knew Ron was just as awful at cheering others up as he was, so he couldn’t blame his friend.
With a sigh he straightened and removed his coat, but still kept his hood over his head, while he plucked his glasses off his nose and wiped the few rain spatters on his hoodie, so his vision was clear once again when he placed his glasses back on. “Yeah, that is what I keep telling myself as well.” He muttered.
"Well, what did you expect? You got that picture as if it was nothing," Ron shook his head, still in disbelief as well. "Marvolo looked at the camera too and you are still alive!"
Harry shushed him when Ron’s voice got a bit too loud nearing the end of his sentence and ducked his head, hoping no one around them had heard. He would probably never forget that moment. He truly believed Marvolo would kill him and he would be just another death body found in London. It was truly unheard of that Marvolo let anyone go. Marvolo always knocked them out from what Harry had heard and occasionally people ended up dead and the supervillain would be long gone and unable to track.
Harry closed his eyes with a groan as he dropped his head on the table with a loud thud. It hurt. Harry tried to make sense of why Marvolo had left him like that, not even knocking him out, and he didn’t like not knowing the reason.
"Are you alright?" Ron's voice broke through his thoughts. Harry numbly shook his head, still not raising his head from the table.
"Just kill me and end this suffering." He said even though he didn't really mean it. But to be honest Harry did consider leaving the country for the next few years. Paris sounded nice, or perhaps somewhere in Belgium or the Netherlands? Not too far away, but at least he wouldn’t be in London or England at all.
“Nope. You will get through this, mate.” Ron said. “We should really see if we can meet up with the three of us soon, but ‘Mione has been pretty busy.”
Harry straightened and forced a small smile on his face. “Honestly after everything that would be amazing. But I know she is really focused on work right now.” He hadn’t spoken to Hermione since the incident with Marvolo, mostly because she had called him in absolute panic and afterwards she went into workaholic mode again.
“She was really worried, you know,” Ron took a small sip of his tea and exhaled as he continued in a slightly more serious tone. “and told me to tell you that she would personally knock you out if you ever do something so stupid again.”
Harry snorted, knowing she would do just that. “She has to get in line. My mother will never let me out of her sight again, probably lock the door and never let me out. Or worse, tie me to my bed to keep me safe.” Ron laughed and agreed. It took a lot of reassuring his mother when she found out what had happened. But strangely enough she wasn’t as overprotective as she used to be in situations like this. Perhaps because he was older now and she knew she had to let him go. That he too would make mistakes in life and sadly she couldn't always be there to protect him.
After their catching up about Harry’s new life in the spotlight their topic changed, to which Harry was grateful. Ron told him about Fred and George and that the twins were finally on their way in creating their own shop. He knew it was one of their dreams and he hoped the twins would succeed. Harry blinked when Ron leaned in closer while looking guarded as he checked the area. “I’m also gonna meet my brother for the first time, you know the one I told you about years ago.”
“Oh, that is amazing!” Harry smiled at his best friend. He had heard a lot about Charles, or as everyone called him Charlie Weasley and he knew Ron’s older brother had left the country and was only sending letters. The reasons for leaving the country were unknown to most, but Ron had confided in him and told him Charlie had to escape because he had powers.
Everyone who had powers were always rounded up and locked away in Azkaban. It didn’t matter if they had done nothing wrong, having powers was reason enough to lock them away. The government kept saying it was to keep them all safe. But when Marvolo first appeared, doubt increased and some people in London started to follow those with powers more and more.
“Let me know how it goes, okay?” Harry asked and Ron nodded.
“He will be arriving this weekend and I’m really curious. I mean Percy acts as if he never even existed, but still he is our brother, right. He is family.” Ron muttered with a shake of his head. Harry smiled sadly, feeling like Ron’s family was just one of the examples of a family torn apart by differences. Percy had not shared his parents’ views and left when it became obvious his family was not on his side. If Harry wasn’t mistaken Percy nowadays worked as a high ranking worker for Cornelius Fudge, the prime minister.
“He is indeed. Powers or not, he is your brother. I hope everything goes well.” Harry was a bit worried that Charlie could get in trouble if he was caught back here, but it was clearly a risk Charlie was willing to take just to see his family again. After that they changed the subject again, more so because it was getting a bit crowdier. Afterwards they both went their separate ways and Harry felt a bit lighter. But still he kept his hoodie as he walked through the busy streets of London.
When Harry opened the apartment door, shrugged off his coat while walking into the living room, he stopped in his tracks, seeing Tom seated at the table near the open kitchen. Harry had not expected to see him again so soon. "Oh, you are back." He said in greeting.
Tom looked up from whatever he was reading, placing his cup down and smiled at him. "Welcome back to you too. I did not expect to enter an empty house." Tom said in return.
Harry shrugged, hanging his coat on the hanger in the hall. "Tea?" Tom's voice asked him.
"No, thanks. I went out with Ron for a bit," Harry said to him as he sat down opposite Tom. "You already finished your project?"
Tom gave a nod while he closed the newspaper and it was then that Harry saw the headline and groaned.
Tom's eyebrow rose as he stared down at the photo of Harry. Next to it on the front page was the picture of Marvolo he took a few days ago. "I am impressed." Tom said with a grin as he folded the paper.
Harry leaned on his hand as he glared at the paper, hoping his gaze would be able to burn it. But sadly he didn't have any superpowers. "I hate it, you know." He muttered.
"You shouldn't," Tom said with a frown. "You are famous for doing what no one else did."
Harry sighed, shaking his head defeatedly. "I was at the wrong place at the wrong time and I just don’t understand why he just let me go like that?"
"Some would say you are lucky," Tom said thoughtfully and Harry saw how the other was watching him. "You don't seem happy with it." He added and his frown deepened.
Harry could see that Tom didn't understand it. He sighed as he tried to find the words to explain what he felt. "I am and at the same time I'm not. You have always stood in the spotlight, Tom. But unlike you, I don't like it. Everywhere I go people recognise me."
Tom smiled at him. "Don't worry so much. It will pass. News changes every day and soon they will forget about it."
Harry gave a small nod as he forced a small smile on his face. "Thanks." It was the same reassuring words as Ron’s and it still didn’t make him feel any better.
Tom inclined his head and they talked a bit more about what happened. Harry told Tom the same things he had also told Ron, Hermione and his parents a few days ago. How Marvolo had tied him, he flashed his camera and afterwards Marvolo was gone. Tom had looked slightly worried at the thin lines still around his wrists, which luckily were already fading and you had to look really hard to see them now. But as always, Tom only listened to him talk. Despite Harry's first impressions of Tom, he now knew Tom was an excellent listener, so he easily recalled everything while Tom stayed mostly silent.
Harry added he thought it odd that Marvolo hadn't destroyed his camera like he always did when he noticed photographers taking a picture. Tom agreed that it was rather strange, but Marvolo must have had a reason for letting him go free.
Neither Tom nor Harry just had any idea what kind of reason it could possibly be.
Harry hated the days when he was supposed to go grocery shopping even more. But to be fair he didn’t want to let Tom do everything, even if his flatmate actually asked if he was fine with it. It had been nearly three weeks since he had taken that picture and yet there were still people who recognised him. It wasn’t as bad as it was before and Harry had actually had a pretty decent talk with his boss Skeeter about it at all.
Skeeter had been surprisingly understanding of it all and she had given him a week paid-free after the incident. So there had been days when he didn’t leave the house at all. He had only visited his grandfather and was relieved to find out that grandpa Frank still knew him. In fact his grandfather had been nearly as worried as his mother had been. He could clearly see that it ran in the family.
Harry was relieved things had calmed down a bit after the first two weeks. Even the supervillains had not made any appearances in public. For a little while it seemed as if everything would be alright and Harry could forget he ever met Marvolo at all.
He was on his way back home from the grocery store and it was crowded in the streets today and Harry tried not to bump into people, but it couldn't always be avoided. "Ah, fuck." Harry cursed as he felt a sting against his hand, making him drop his plastic bag. Several bystanders helped him pick up his stuff, and luckily there hadn't been anything breakable in it, so Harry quickly made his way home, not thinking twice about the small incident. Occasionally he still noticed people staring at him, especially one of the females who had helped him pick up his groceries. There was no way he would ever get used to being recognised on the streets.
With every step Harry took, he could feel his heart beating faster and his body started to sweat, which was odd considering it was Autumn. So when he suddenly felt lightheaded and dizzy, Harry knew something was wrong. Was he getting ill? He needed to get back home, there was no way he would collapse on the street.
Several people walked by, but Harry barely noticed their curious glances as he stumbled. It was when he was near the apartment that he staggered and stopped next to a tree, unable to walk any further as the world kept spinning around him. He dropped the bag on the ground next to him and wheezed. The noise shocked him, because it sounded so unnatural.
Trembling heavily, Harry leaned against the tree while he tried to breathe in and out deeply. It didn’t help at all and the nauseous feeling and spinning only got worse. His breathing was irregular and in the distance he could hear voices and a pair of hands roughly pulling him away from the tree, but the ringing in his head and his breathing sounded far too loud.
Weakly Harry struggled, but a gruff voice shushed him. "Easy, kid. I mean no harm. I’m with the police." Harry just wanted to go home and tried to tell the person that, but his eyes fluttered shut and before he could protest, everything turned black.
When Harry slowly regained consciousness, he felt a strain in his neck and as he tried to move he felt that his body wouldn't cooperate. Something was inside his mouth, making him gasp, but it came out muffled.
Keeping his breathing even through his nose and his eyes tightly shut, he focused on his hearing, but it was deadly silent around him.
The first thing he found out was that he was sitting on a chair, which explained the pain in his neck. Slowly blinking his eyes open, he tried to move again, but found that both his wrists and ankles were tied to a chair. His glasses were clearly gone, which made his vision far too hazy to see anything at all. He instantly felt vulnerable without his familiar glasses on his nose and inwardly he cursed, many thoughts going through his mind when he realised someone had kidnapped him. Who would do this and hold him captive? He wasn't special in any way.
Curious, Harry tilted his head up, ignoring the throbbing he felt in his head. He glanced around the empty room, letting out a muffled hiss at the sharp pain in his neck from the movement. He could barely make out what he believed to be a door in front of him and one small window behind him.
Harry squinted his eyes, but even without his glasses he could see that the room was bare. Looking out of the window proved useless as it was one hazy blur of red. Probably the sun going down? Or perhaps up? He didn’t know how much time had passed. The last thing he remembered was him walking home from the groceries and feeling unwell.
Staring at the red outside the window Harry wondered if it could also be bricks, meaning that there was a house next to him. Harry bit down on the cloth, breathing deeply through his nose as he tried to move the chair. If he could get closer to the window or door, he could do something. Anything. But then Harry stopped moving. This wasn't like those movies he had seen. This was real and in most movies they always tumbled down with their chair.
Harry looked down and shifted, the chair creaked. It wasn't that sturdy and Harry glared down at it. Was there nothing he could do?
His heart thundered inside his chest and Harry screamed into the gag again, more out of pure frustration that he was so helpless than anything else.
Harry didn't know; why him? His family wasn't that wealthy and he had no real enemies. Not that he knew of, at least.
Harry breathed slowly through his nose, because he knew he needed to calm down. It wouldn't help if he panicked. In fact if he panicked, it would only make matters worse.
Harry needed to wait and see if his captor would come. Perhaps he would recognise the person or their voice. In that case he could get them thrown in jail after this. After this… Harry's mind came to a sudden halt. What if he didn't survive this? What if his body was dumped somewhere and never found?
No, Harry mentally chastised himself. He would be fine. All he needed was to have some faith, strength and hopefully luck on his side.
Harry's eyes shot open and he flinched as he heard a loud crash from somewhere underneath him, which meant he wasn't on the ground floor of the building. Someone screamed something and Harry's eyes widened further when he heard gunshots.
He wiggled, frantically trying to get his arms free. When he suddenly heard a voice. "Ah, there you are." Harry looked up at the source of the masculine, familiar voice. There was someone standing near the closed door, clothed in black and green.
But despite not being able to see well Harry knew who was standing there and he stiffened. Because there was only one person who wore a green eye mask and black clothes like that and even as blurry as his eyesight was right now, he could still make out the green mask.
Marvolo moved closer and Harry let out a muffled scream. "When they said they had taken something precious from me, I didn't think they meant you, little photographer."
Harry stared wide-eyed at the villain, frozen in horror while gentle fingers grabbed his chin, tilting his head up. He faced the villain and even up close Harry was unable to see the male's features clearly.
He did see the green eye mask clearer now and two blurry holes where the villain's eyes were and Marvolo was staring into his, without a doubt.
Harry didn't know what the villain was looking for. But just as suddenly Marvolo let go of him. Harry blinked, wondering what Marvolo was planning to do. "Since they were nice enough to tie you up for me, I can hardly leave you now, can I?" Marvolo asked.
Harry couldn't see it, but he had a feeling the villain was grinning down at him and between his gag he snarled, eyes narrowed. He didn't care who, as long as someone did save him.
And if it was Marvolo, whose hands were undeniably stained with blood, then so be it. "Hm, I can't exactly understand what you are saying?" Marvolo said and Harry's frustration grew, especially when he heard running footsteps coming from behind the door. This couldn't be. Harry had known that Marvolo was evil, but still. On the other hand the villain gained nothing if he did save him.
Harry sagged in the bonds. "Oh, don't look so sad." Marvolo whispered and Harry let out a yelp when the Supervillain suddenly broke the ropes and he was picked up.
A key rattled behind the door and Harry stared with horror as it opened. But the next second his stomach turned and all he could see was darkness. And yet he had a feeling he was moving, rocking as if he were on a ship.
Harry forced his eyes closed, but it didn't help as soon he felt nauseous again. But he couldn't throw up with the gag in place.
When it all stopped and Harry felt ground under his feet, he carefully opened his eyes. His hands and legs were freed and a familiar pair of glasses was pushed onto his nose.
Hastily Harry grabbed the gag, pulling it out of his mouth and breathed in and out as he fell to his knees, shaking.
"I would say you will get used to it. But then again this was a one-time occurrence." The voice of Marvolo made Harry remember he wasn't alone, even in his distress.
Harry looked up, still heaving. Marvolo was looking down at him with a thoughtful stare. "What?" Harry managed. Getting up, he looked around and instantly knew where they were.
This was the roof of the building from his and Tom’s apartment. But how? Harry turned to face Marvolo, only to find the Supervillain gone.
Harry trembled, staggering backwards while he looked in every direction, but there was no trace of Marvolo to be found. As if he had never been here at all. He clenched his hands into fists and stared down at them, he was still alive. All thanks to Marvolo apparently.
Part of him was grateful, but another part of him was terrified.
Harry had always been curious about Marvolo and the odd powers the man had. Especially as Marvolo always seemed to escape, even when cornered. It was as if the villain could disappear into thin air and slowly but surely the British Ministry was getting scared. Marvolo made ridiculous demands and wanted to rule Great Britain.
Harry had felt those powers up close now and he was awed by it, even though he would probably never admit it to anyone. The surrounding darkness that seemed to shift around him had been weird and he had no idea what it had been.
What kind of power existed in the darkness like that? In his 22 years of life Harry had read several comics with superheroes and villains. But this was a power that eluded him entirely.
It was as if Marvolo had travelled through the darkness and they had disappeared from the odd room and the next second they were on top of the building which housed his apartment. Which raised another question. How did Marvolo know where to bring him? Or more exactly; how did Marvolo know where he lived?
Harry had been slightly numb when entering the building and going down the stairs towards his apartment, not bothering to look up at all.
"Ah," Harry staggered back as he collided with someone and his head shot up and wide eyes gazed at Tom, who had grabbed his arms to stop him from toppling over. "Tom!" Harry exclaimed. His flatmate raised his eyebrow and Harry had never been happier to see him.
"Care to enlighten me where you were? Your mother even called and I had to tell her, I had no idea where you were." Tom said before Harry could utter one word.
Harry stood gaping in the hallway, before he found his voice. "How long have I been gone?" He finally muttered.
"More than a whole day by now. I called you in sick. Besides, your boss sucks." Tom said as he let go of Harry and took a step backwards, eyeing him.
Harry looked down. He was dressed in the same clothes he had gone out with. A simple blue jeans, a light blue shirt and a dark hoodie, his coat was gone.
Harry met Tom's eyes once more. "I…" Harry didn't know what he could say. What was safe to say? If he admitted he had been kidnapped and that Marvolo had saved him, people would call him insane. Marvolo was a supervillain, not a superhero. There was no way Marvolo saved people.
"I stayed at Ron's." Harry lied and Tom crossed his arms over his chest with a disappointed glare.
"Care to try again? And you should know by now, I hate liars." Tom stated.
Harry let out a groan and gestured towards their apartment, wanting to go inside and forget everything from the last 24 hours preferably. A hot shower sounded nice as well, but he knew Tom wasn't going to let him go without a proper explanation and maybe it was good to tell at least one person.
So Harry recalled everything after Harry sat down on the couch and Tom on the armchair. Tom asked questions whenever he found something unclear and Harry even told about the sting and had shown his hand. Tom's hand warm underneath his while Tom observes the tiny wound.
"A needle most likely. You feel fine now?" Tom looked back up at him and he nodded.
"Whatever it was, it is out of my system now." Harry told him as he pulled his hand back and stared at the small wound, which was already hard to see now.
"What do you remember from when the drug started to affect you?" Tom questioned him.
Harry frowned, thinking back. A tree and a man's voice who said he was with the cops. When he told Tom that, his flatmate's eyes narrowed.
"A cop? But a cop would have brought you back home or to safety, at least? A cop wouldn't have kidnapped you." Tom said with a thoughtful look.
Harry knew Tom was right and he shrugged. "For all I know, he could have been lying."
Tom's eyes gained a faraway look at his words and Harry pushed his chair backwards, getting up. "Now if you are done questioning me, police officer Riddle. I would like to take a shower and go to sleep."
Tom snorted. "Don't forget to call your mother." He told Harry as the black-haired male walked towards his bedroom to grab clean clothes or perhaps already his nightwear. Harry groaned and raised his hand, waving at him, making Tom grin.
Tom's grin faded quickly as his fingers drummed absentmindedly on top of the armrest. He stared at the closed bedroom door for a few seconds. Then Tom got up and decided to make at least something for Harry to eat before he fell asleep. Tom heard Harry enter the living room and walk towards the hallway. The bathroom door closed and the sound of the shower starting made him feel relieved that Harry was alright.
Still Tom had a terrible feeling that this was just the start. But if those fools thought they could ever win, he would prove them just how wrong they were.
He shouldn't have allowed Harry to take that picture. Curse his stupid feelings for getting in the way, but he knew damn well how much that one camera meant to Harry. So he had felt himself unable to take it away or destroy it. He could have taken the role out and destroyed it, but the way Harry had protectively held the camera and screamed at him made him unable to even touch it and then Harry had surprised him with that stupid light flash and he knew he could better leave before he did something stupid. But now there was no doubt inside his mind that Dumbledore and his stupid police force would hunt Harry down again.
He would be forced to play a hero in that case and the mere thought made Tom cringe. But it would paint them in a bad light if the public found out about the police force kidnapping someone. Of course, Dumbledore would turn it around and state that it was necessary because there was a link between Marvolo and Harry Potter.
Tom leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing at the thought of Dumbledore using Harry against him like this. He recalled when he received the news that the famous photographer Harry Potter had been kidnapped and a letter was delivered to Marvolo, left at Malfoy's enterprises. Tom had been furious.
The letter was burned to ash and for a few hours he had debated what to do. It was clearly a trap to lure him out and even though he didn't think that they would hurt Harry, the fact that they had taken him was awful enough. But he had also made a promise he intended to keep.
Tom's unseeing gaze focused as he heard the shower being turned off and he picked up the kettle to fill it with water. Some tea and a sandwich wouldn’t fix it, but at least he would feel better knowing Harry had eaten something. Including that he should track down and find the one who gave Harry the note about that meeting. There were only a few who knew about said meeting, so it wouldn't be hard to find out who wrote it.