Work Text:
Warnings: Tomarry
...
Students rushed past Tom excited to be free from the End of Term exams. Tom did not rush as it was unbecoming of an Heir to an Ancient Noble House. His blue eyes searched the crowd for the one person he was looking for. It didn't take him long to find the one he was looking for.
Across the corridor was Harrison Peverell recently named Lord of the Peverell family. Harrison had black hair and Killing Curse green eyes. The angular features showed his pureblooded status. Like Tom, he wore green and silver robes and his Lordship Ring was on the index finger of his right hand. Benjamin Nott was next to him and they were discussing their NEWTs.
Upon seeing Tom, Harrison nudged Benjamin lightly. The Nott Heir turned slowly around his hazel eyes searching the crowd. Within seconds they fell upon Tom and he grinned. Neither boy was wearing a pureblood mask suitable for their station. Instead, they were wearing matching grins that made Tom want to slap them upside. How these two ended up being his Second In Commands was something only Mother Magic herself could answer.
Withholding his sigh Tom approached and asked, "Harrison, Benjamin you both look well. I assume your exams went well?"
It was phrased as a question but they knew it wasn't. They had better done well on the exams or curses would be thrown. He had spent a lot of time bringing Harrison's grades up to Exceeding Expectations in all of his subjects. If the other did not take the exams seriously he would personally throw Harrison off the Astronomy Tower.
Benjamin answered first, "I think I will get at least Exceeding Expectations on everything but Divination. But I don't really care about Divination, so I'm not broken up over it."
Tom nodded and said, "Well done then. Do you still plan on joining the Ministry?"
"I do," confirmed Benjamin, "I have already met with a few Department Heads. I will make my choice once my official results come in and let you know."
Perfect. Now about Peverell. The other's attention was on his fingers as he picked at the nails. He must not strangle Harrison. He must not strangle Harrison. He must not strangle Harrison.
Harrison said unaware of the annoyance Tom was feeling, "I believe I will have Exceeding Expectations on my exams as well. As for my plans, I will be traveling."
That part was said with a meaningful look at Tom. It was something they had been arguing about for months. Tom wanted Harrison to stay with him and help with the Wizengamot as they both had a forgotten seat. Harrison on the other hand wanted to learn about his abilities and practice them. Tom knew he didn't have all of the information on Harrison's abilities but he still wanted the other to stay.
"We still need to have a conversation about that, Harrison," Tom replied darkly.
There was a flash of defiance in the green eyes as Harrison snapped back, "There is nothing to talk about Tom. I will be traveling after school ends."
Tom's jaw worked with his anger but he didn't say anything else. Harrison's name was called by a Gryffindor fifth year and with that, he disappeared into the crowd. That was fine with Tom. He needed time to figure out a way to convince Harrison to stay with him.
...
It was the End of Year Feast night. Harrison had spent the last week avoiding Tom. Their arguments over him leaving England had become legendary. Even Gryffindors who were the bravest of the four Houses refused to go near them or risk being attacked themselves. Unfortunately for Harrison, he could not escape the final feast. So he sat with the other members of his House as it was announced they had won the House Cup. He was far away from his usual position in the middle of the table next to Tom. He was closer to the Head Tables as he wanted to avoid the questions and arguments that were bound to happen.
As dinner moved over to dessert Harrison grabbed his favorite sweet treacle tart. The sweet taste hit him and he hummed in happiness. He could feel eyes on him as he enjoyed his dessert. He didn't have to look to see that it was Tom.
"You can't avoid, Tom forever," commented Benjamin, "You will have to talk to him at some point."
"Watch me," sniped back Harrison before the Nott Lord gave him a look, "Fine. I don't plan on avoiding him forever. Just long enough to go traveling. I don't know why he's so against it. It's not like I'll be gone forever."
"He cares for you," said Nott, "I'm sure he worried about you deciding not to come back. Harrison, you're not exactly known for being the most reliable. If something catches your interest you very well could decide to stay."
Harrison glanced down the table at Tom who was now talking with Abraxas. Harrison wouldn't forget Tom. The other boy wouldn't allow him to forget. Harrison was sure if he was gone for too long Tom would come after him.
Nott continued quietly, "The other issue is the war between muggles and that Grindelwald is still out there. Grindelwald would like nothing better than to have you under his thumb as the last of the Peverell Line."
Harrison grimaced at the thought of the Dark Lord. Grindelwald had killed his parents when he was fourteen. It was what caused him to join Hogwarts late. If Grindelwald came after him he would be trying out family Magicks on him.
Nott narrowed his eyes at Harrison's look and said, "I know that look. Don't even think about going after Grindelwald. He'd kill you or find a way to enslave your power for himself."
"I won't go after him," promised Harrison.
Which was true. He would not seek out Grindelwald but if the Dark Lord found him he wouldn't simply surrender. He would fight with everything he had.
Before anything else could be said between them Dippet stood. The hall went silent as he announced loudly, "Another year has come and gone. I wish to give my congratulations to Slytherin who won the House Cup this year. For our graduating Seventh Years, I wish you the best of luck with your adventures. May you find happiness and success in everything you do."
There was a scattering of applause for the man's short words. It was their final speech from the man. With that, the feast ended and they returned to their Common Rooms. Once more Harrison avoided Tom by locking himself in the dorm room behind his wards on his bed. He didn't want to argue with his friend so he continued to avoid him.
The next morning came too quickly. Harrison shrunk his trunk and placed it in a robe pocket. All the seventh years had to meet up outside of the Great Hall where they would take the boats back across Black Lake. The cold misty morning made it difficult for them to see. Unfortunately for Harrison, he was unable to escape Tom who dragged him onto a boat. They were put in groups of two instead of the four that the first years were put in.
When they were far enough from the others not to be overheard Tom said, "I've accepted that you will leave. I don't like it but I understand if I keep pushing you to stay you will just leave without saying anything."
"Tom," breathed Harrison his green eyes widening in surprise.
He hadn't expected that honestly. If anything he expected Tom to fight him for every step of freedom he took. Tom wasn't looking at him but instead, his entire focus was out towards the lake.
Something in him softened and he agreed quietly, "Okay, Tom. I swear to you, I will come back."
Silence echoed around them. Harrison had to wonder what caused this. Did he really think Harrison wouldn't come back? Their arguments, in the beginning, had been bad sure. But that stopped during Yule when they finally found common ground. Their ability to speak parseltongue. Distant cousin and slow to become friends but Tom had spent the summers with Harrison rather than at the Orphanage.
Quieter so that even Tom couldn't hear him he vowed, "I will come back."
Unbeknownst to him, magic sealed the vow. There was no time limit but the need to return would always be there. One day.
...
Three years would pass. Harrison spent time in Germany, Russia, and India. Tom joined the Wizengamot with the help of Benjamin Nott. After a year he was a high profile figure within the Dark Faction. It was in that year they got a surprise.
Grindelwald and his Reapers had fallen. It was said that aurors from four countries arrived on the scene along with Dumbledore and an unknown wizard. The unknown wizard dueled expertly alongside Dumbledore. He had no issues with using Light or Dark Magic. It was with the help of this man that Grindelwald fell without any casualties on the Light Side. The Reapers soon followed and Grindelwald was trapped within his own castle with his magic bound by the unknown wizard. When the Aurors tried to question him, the wizard disappeared. No one knew his name but those that saw him said they felt like they had met before.
In recognition of his actions in the war, Dumbledore was named Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot as the Light took the majority. It was a close call between the seats and Tom was working hard to turn things in his favor. The Neutral Faction refused to choose a side for the most part.
It was the start of the Fall session of the Wizengamot. Tom sat in front of the Dark Faction. He and Dumbledore regularly stared each other down. The Neutral Faction with Ogden sitting at its head in between them.
Dumbledore announced as the door closed sealing them inside, "Welcome Wizengamot to the start of our Fall Sessions. Before we get started in business matters for today we are swearing in a new Lord. From the Most Ancient and Noble House with seven seats, we welcome Lord Peverell."
Peverell? Tom sat forward wondering if his friend had truly returned. Next to him, Benjamin leaned forward a stupid grin forming across his face. For once Tom didn't chastise him for breaking his mask.
The doors opened and a man with short-cropped black hair and piercing green eyes walked in. He wore the traditional Wizengamot robes with the crest of Peverell on the shoulder. He looked up right at Tom and grinned. Tom's heart fluttered in his chest followed by annoyance.
Harrison couldn't have warned him? It had been over three years and not a single owl from him. All he had to go on was rumors of people who may have seen him.
Dumbledore continued cheerily, "Lord Peverell if you will take the oath."
Harrison with his right arm crossed over his chest and his hand over his heart he swore, "On my honor and magic I, Harrison Peverell Lord of the Peverell Family swear to uphold the laws in the best way possible."
The room glowed grey with his vow. His magic lay heavy upon the area making it difficult for the weaker-willed members to breathe. For Tom it was intoxicating. With the oath given he made his way towards the seats. Without even a glance towards the Light seats, he went straight for the Dark.
The Prewitt Lord snapped, "Lord Peverell, this is your first day here. So maybe you don't know the way our sections are broken up. You are headed right for the Dark Section. You should come over to the Light Section where you belong."
Tom bristled at the insinuation. This man dared insinuate that Harrison didn't know what his actions meant?! The urge to break his mask and curse the fool was strong. By the twitch from Benjamin, he felt the same way. Prewitt dared when his brother the previous Lord of the Family had sworn himself to Grindelwald.
Dumbledore added cheerily, "Lord Prewitt is right Lord Peverell. After all, you were the young wizard who helped fight against Grindelwald and his Reapers two years ago. You fought side by side with me."
He did what?!
Harrison turned to face Dumbledore and gave him a grin that could only be described as malicious, "Ah but Chief Warlock I am Dark. Dark does not mean evil and I proved it when I dueled alongside you against Grindelwald. And Lord Prewitt, do remember who your brother swore himself to. The only reason you are Lord Prewitt was he fell alongside the other Reapers. If he had not died he would be in Azkaban and you would not be a Lord."
Both men seethed as Harrison stood next to his seat to Tom's right. Benjamin moved down allowing him to take his rightful place by Tom's side.
There he declared, "I, Lord Harrison Peverell do swear my seats to the Dark Sect."
Magic flashed again. Only a moment later Dumbledore was thrown from the Chief Warlock's seat. The Favor of the seats had turned in the Dark's Favor.
"It seems a new Chief Warlock must be voted in," Harrison said in a sing-song voice.
If looks could kill Harrison would be dead. Actually, he would be incinerated by that hateful glare. Tom for his part was barely able to withhold a chuckle. Three years passed and Harrison had not changed at all.
Tom leaned over and whispered, "It's good to have you, Harrison. I hope you will agree to have lunch with us after the meeting."
Harrison bumped his shoulder lightly as replied, "Of course, Tom. I promised you I would come back and this time I won't leave."
With the majority, they were able to get Lord Malfoy who had not transferred his Lordship over to Abraxas as the new Chief Warlock. The look on Dumbledore's face, when he was forced out of the chambers was to die for. Tom felt vindicated as they were finally in control.
When the session ended they headed outside. The trip was made mostly in silence. Benjamin left them. Several of the Light Wizards glared at them as they passed. No doubt they disapproved of the Peverell Like associating with the Slytherin Line. Idiots, they had gone to school together. Of course, they were close.
Harrison asked Tom scratching the back of his neck in uncharacteristic uncertainty, "Tom would you like to grab some lunch with me? To catch up?"
Tom startled slightly before agreeing, "I would like that Harrison. The Golden Stork?"
A faint blush ran up the back of Harrison's neck as he nodded. Why did he... Oh. Tom had never really considered their relationship. Friends yes. Allies certainly. But Tom had never considered dating anyone. Harrison though? He could see himself with the other wizard. So he took Harrison's arm and apparated them away.