"Tom Marvolo Riddle's
Tombstone"
Harry ran north past Wisteria
Walk on his way to the park where he planned to circle around,
and then head back to Number 4. Breathing heavily, he passed another runner going in
the opposite direction. Harry nodded at him and continued on to Magnolia
Crescent, past the alley that brought cold memories, and then toward the swings
in the park. Deciding to take a breather, he paused, bending and putting his
hands on his knees. Allowing his breathing to slow to a steady rhythm, he closed his eyes and tried to focus on
the day he had scheduled. Running was completely new to him as a form of
exercise to strengthen him for the coming battles. He was also hoping that it
would help him to sort through his thoughts and plans.
The next thing on his agenda
today would be shopping. Remus was supposed to come and take him to the mall. Shopping was imperative
at this point because his clothes needed replacing - badly. Harry had also decided to
get contacts. He didn't want to have to worry about losing his glasses in
battle. Sighing, he took off once more, heading toward the drinking fountain on the
other side of the park. Dipping his head into the water fountain when he got
there cooled him slightly. After drinking deeply, he turned and made his way
back to Number 4.
Passing the alley where he had
encountered the dementors, he starting feeling irritable. Not because of the
memory. Harry was not fond of shopping
and didn't look forward to it. As far as he was concerned, clothes were not that
important - that is unless they were too short to wear - which was the case for
Harry. Growing four inches in the space of a couple of months could do that. Harry had been surprised when Remus had insisted
that he needed new clothing.
Coming around the corner onto
Privet Drive, Harry encountered an old enemy, Piers Polkiss. Groaning silently,
he slowed his pace because Polkiss was standing directly in his path. As he
approached, he decided that he would sidestep him and keep on moving.
"Potter."
Harry nodded nonchalantly and
moved to his left.
Polkiss moved in an effort to
block Harry on his new path. Sneering as though he was going to attack
physically, he said, "Scared, Potter?"
Harry stopped. Arching his brow,
he shook his head. "No, Polkiss. Sod off." Stepping around him, Harry
suddenly found
himself pressed against a parked car with Polkiss against his back, whispering in his ear.
"You're a freak, Potter. Why do
you keep coming back?" Polkiss was pushing and pressing against him in a manner Harry did
not appreciate.
Growling, Harry sent his head
back - hard.
Polkiss yelled when the back of
a stubborn Gryffindor head hit his nose, smashing it painfully. Releasing Harry,
he brought his hands up to find blood flowing through his fingers.
"Harry?"
Harry set his jaw and turned to
Dudley. "What?" Harry didn't hold his anger from his voice.
Polkiss was still yelling.
"Fucking freak! What the hell did ya do that for?" Pausing to gasp at the pain
and blood, he stumbled back away from Harry further. Anger spiking, he
included Dudley into the equation. "Bugger off, D.!"
Dudley ignored him, turning to
Harry. "Are you Ok?"
Harry's brow rose.
Dudley's rose also, waiting for a
response.
Harry snorted at his cousin, and then
nodded. "You should probably take him home. I'll see you later." Harry turned
from them and walked into Number 4 without a backward glance.
The doorbell rang, sending its annoying
chime through the whole house. Upstairs, Harry was staring at his reflection in
his mirror.
""It's about time you decided to do something
about your awful clothes.""
Harry snorted. ""What do you know? I always had
my reasons for wearing what I did. Even after I found out I had money, I didn't
want Uncle Vernon to find out that there is gold in a vault at Diagon Alley.
Besides, I hate trying on clothes in a store.""
Knock, knock.
Harry tucked Draco into his pocket quickly, and
then opened the door. "Hi, Remus. I'm almost ready."
Remus nodded. "Tonks is down in the car waiting.
Harry, what did you do to your hair?"
Harry shrugged.
""Told ya,"" Draco hissed out from Harry's
pocket.
Harry tapped his pocket, acting like he was trying
to remember something.
""Don't...stop that! Wanker!""
Reaching for his wallet that he had filled with
Muggle notes, Harry smiled. "What do you think?" He arched
his brows while looking over his spectacles at Remus.
Remus studied Harry's hair which boasted
Gryffindor red and
gold streaks within the black of his natural color. Shaking his head, Remus said,
"You look like James before a Quidditch match. Why did you do it?"
Harry smirked. "It's just temporary. I
thought I would shake things up a little. Come on, I want to know what Tonks
thinks." Leading the way down the stairs, Harry merely grinned at Aunt Petunia's
startled look at his hair. "I'll be back later, Aunt Petunia."
Nodding, she turned to the kitchen, mumbling
something under her breath.
When they stepped outside, Harry instantly
learned Tonk's opinion of his hair when a whistle cut through the summer air.
Grinning, Harry returned it as he gazed admirably at the car Tonk's was sitting
in. "Whoa, when did you get this?" Harry's eyes caressed the red convertible as
he hissed through his teeth.
"Wotcher, Harry. Like the hair. Got the car last
week, get in," she grinned wickedly, "let's see if we can add some wind to your
look."
Harry climbed into the back seat, moaning with
decadent pleasure at the feel of leather around him.
""Hey,"" Draco hissed from Harry's
pocket, ""there's only supposed to be one thing that
makes you sound like that.""
Harry snickered.
"What, Harry?" Tonks asked, starting to back
out of the drive.
"Nothing," Harry replied, leaning back
enjoying the comfort.
Tonks smiled. "WestSurrey Center is this
way right?"
Harry nodded, and then put his head back, allowing
the summer sun and breeze to caress him.
Philippe D. LeBatel, Optometrist.
Harry read the sign painted on the glass that faced the small eye doctor's
office where they had decided Harry should get his eyes checked and
purchase some contacts.
"It'll be fine, Harry." Remus was studying
him closely.
Harry nodded. "It's just that I haven't had
my eyes checked in a long time. The last time, I got a really bad headache
afterwards."
Tonks smiled. "Harry, if you get a headache
this time, I can fix it for you." She arched her brow, and then pulled her long
braid around to her front.
Harry knew that she had her wand hidden
within. Sighing, he nodded and pulled the door open.
"Hello." A young woman was behind the desk
smiling at him. "Do you have an appointment?"
Harry shook his head. "Do I need one?"
"Just a sec, I think we had a cancellation."
Looking in the book that opened on the desk, she hummed under her
breath. "There's an opening at 11:30. Do you want me to set that time for
you?"
Harry nodded. "That's okay."
Remus was looking at the samples of glasses
around the office. "Harry, look at these, they are just like the ones James
wore."
Harry walked over to see.
Fingering the glasses that Remus handed him, Harry shook his head. They
brought the memory of the Mirror of Erised to the forefront of Harry�s mind.
"Yeah," he whispered, "just like them. I
need to get contacts though, Remus." Giving Remus a significant look, he
placed the glasses back on the shelf before them, biting his lip
thoughtfully.
"I know, Harry." Remus patted him on the
shoulder.
They took seats and waited since it was close
to 11:30. Harry picked up a magazine and leafed through it.
Draco started squirming around in Harry's
pocket. ""What's going on, Potter? Where are we?""
Biting the inside of his cheek, Harry stood
and made his way back to the displays of glasses. ""I already told you,""
he whispered, ""I'm
getting contacts. I have an appointment...don't know how long this will
take. You need to be still.""
Draco hissed with annoyance, ""I don't like
being closed in, Potter.""
Harry sighed. Reaching into his pocket, he
stroked Draco. ""I could've left you at home. I didn't think you'd
like being there by yourself.""
Draco nuzzled against his fingers.
"Harry?"
Harry turned to see Tonks looking at him
funny. Shrugging at her, he arched a brow.
"Mr. Potter," the young woman at the desk
said. "Dr. LeBatel is ready for you."
As far as Harry was concerned, the eye test
was arduous. He hated every minute of it. It didn't help matters that Draco
kept muttering things like, ""Sod off - prat - nosy much?"" At one point,
Harry had bumped his elbow down on his side when Draco's mouth got carried
away with annoyance at the doctor's questions.
"What school do you go to?"
Harry answered with a noncommittal sound in
his throat.
Grunting, Dr. LeBatel arched his brow. "Just
wondered. Thought maybe your hair had something to do with it. I was a
Coventry Comet myself - blue and gold."
Harry nodded noncommittally.
"Got a girlfriend?" The doctor was writing
some notes as he asked this. Looking up to Harry expecting an answer, he
smiled.
Harry gave a slight shrug, shaking his head
silently.
"Okay, we're almost done. Read the second from the bottom line."
"F, D, P, L..."
"Excellent, seems we've found your
prescription."
Harry sighed in relief.
Dr. LeBatel smiled. "You've never had
contacts?"
"No sir."
""Would we be here listening to your gaff if
he had?""
Harry bit the inside of his cheek as the
doctor explained to him that he would not have any problems adjusting to the
lenses.
""...ya da ya da ya da...""
Harry placed his hand over his pocket in an
attempt to silence Draco - only because he was afraid he would start
laughing any moment. "Thank you, sir." Standing, he followed the doctor
to the small room where Lissa would help him with his contacts.
"Lunch time." Tonks grinned when Harry came
out of the back room. "Humm," she said, looking closely at Harry
without spectacles.
Harry blushed, ducking his head; he made his
way to the desk to make a follow-up appointment. Lissa was totaling his bill. Looking up she asked,
"Sign right here, Harry."
Harry smiled, and then picked up his receipt from the desk.
"Thank you."
Lissa smiled and winked. "Have a good day,
Harry. You look great."
Blushing once more, Harry said, "Er,
thanks, you, too. Have a good day, I mean."
""What are you doing?"" Draco's voice sounded
very annoyed at Harry's very brief and innocent flirtation.
Tonks was grinning and tsking as she led them
out into the main area of the mall.
Lunch turned out to be very fast because
Tonks couldn't wait to get Harry into the shops to play dress up.
Harry groaned.
Draco sniggered in his hiding place.
Remus smirked as he ate his chips.
They were walking through the western end of
the mall when Tonks got a very ornery grin on her face. Reaching out and
pulling Harry forward, she laughed when he protested.
"No, Tonks."
Remus laughed and shook his head. "Don't
fight it Harry. Take my word for it; Tonks inherited the Black stubborn
streak. She could out do Sirius in one of his worst expressions."
""What??"" Draco's voice was astounded.
Harry cleared his throat. "Tonks, I don't
want..."
"Trust me, Harry. You'll love it." Tonks was
grinning as she pulled Harry to a rack loaded with different styles of
leather trousers.
""Potter, what did Lupin mean, Black? Hey, I
smell leather.""
Harry growled under his breath. It didn't do
much good because Tonks had already found him a selection to try on and was
pulling him back to the fitting rooms. Remus wasn't much help; he selected
some tee shirts and moved through the jean section before joining Harry and
Tonks at the fitting rooms. Harry was arguing with Tonks. "This is so
impractical; I can't believe you want me to..."
"Harry," Remus said. "Just try them on. If
you don't like them, you don't have to buy them."
Harry sighed and entered the fitting room
grumbling under his breath.
""I wanna know why Lupin said that about
Tonks.""
""Later,"" Harry hissed softly.
""Potter...""
Harry made a strange noise like, "Grugh!"
Shaking his head roughly, he undid his front fly and dropped his baggy jeans
to the floor.
""Ow, damnit, Potter! Don't drop me!""
Harry snickered softly, and whispered, ""Shut
up then.""
"Harry, are you alright?"
"Yes, Tonks, I'm fine although I can't
believe these trou..." Harry's voice trailed off as he stared at his
reflection in the mirror.
""Fuck, you could go freeballing in
those."" Draco's voice was tinged with awe.
Harry coughed, trying to hold back a laugh.
Damn, Draco was right. The fit was perfect for him. The back rested across
his ass just right. Everything in front was comfortable while still looking
awesome. Harry sighed. He could get used to this.
"Harry..." Remus' voice was laced with
amusement as silence continued on Harry's side of the door.
"Yeah, Remus?"
"Harry, come out so we can see."
Harry groaned.
Draco snickered as he slid back into his
hiding place in Harry's jean pocket that was still on the floor.
"Harry," Tonks coaxed, "come out so we can
see how delectable you are."
Muttering under his breath, Harry slowly
opened the door and stepped out.
Tonks' whistle drew the attention of several
patrons and employees.
Harry blushed and growled.
Tonks reached out and turned him. "Oh yeah,
that'll work."
"Work for what!?"
Remus laughed and handed Harry several tee
shirts. "Here Harry, try these on."
Harry hissed through his teeth when Tonks
turned him back to the fitting room and patted his arse in play.
Draco was laughing from Harry's pocket. ""I
like Tonks - except maybe I'll have to have a talk with her about handling
my property. Everyone knows I don't share.""
Harry was an epitome of restraint. What he
really wanted to do was transfigure Draco and Tonks into rocks and leave
them on a high mountain somewhere. Growling again, he pulled a dark green
tee over his head. Another perfect fit. Hurriedly pulling it back off, he
tried a white one next. His breath hitched. Although it was a tee shirt, its
fabric was extremely soft against his skin. Combined with the black leather
trousers, he looked amazing.
""Fuck, Potter, you're beautiful.""
Harry looked down at Draco, shyly shaking his
head. ""Tell me that at a better time, okay?""
"Harry..." Tonks sounded impatient.
"Not right now." Harry sat down on the small
bench that was on the side of the fitting room. Taking Draco into his hands,
he whispered, ""This is so hard, Draco."" He spoke softly so no one on
the other side of the door would hear.
Draco blinked at him. ""Yeah, it is, but you
are a bloody Gryffindor and for some damn reason I think you can handle
it.""
Harry shook his head. ""You're wrong.""
Standing up, he said loud enough, "Remus, didn't you find some jeans? I'd
like some black ones with large pockets. I'll be out in a sec."
Remus said, "Okay, Harry, I'll get you some."
The rest of the afternoon shopping went
smoothly although Harry was hiding deep melancholy about his situation with
Draco. Having him around as a snake was fun - sometimes. However, there
would have been better reasons to have just Draco.
They celebrated Harry's new wardrobe at a
pub. Tonks had wanted to take them there ever since it had first opened a
month ago. She laughed when she pulled into the parking
lot of Harry's Bar & Grill.
Remus rolled his eyes.
Harry muttered, "Damn," from the back seat.
Tonks had just pulled into the
drive at Number 4 when an owl came down and landed on the back seat next to
Harry.
"Harry, don't."
"It's okay, Remus. It's the twin's
owl."
Remus arched his brow at Harry,
and then returned his gaze back to the owl.
Harry reached forward taking the
message from the owl's leg. "Thanks, Nike."
The owl ruffled her feathers and
took flight.
Harry studied the folded
parchment in his hand. It was folded over repeatedly and held closed with a
Muggle paperclip. Harry's brow rose at that as he flipped the note over. On the
backside, there was a short note written in green ink.
Harry,
These are plastered all
over Diagon & Knockturn Alleys. Just thought you otta know.
Fred
Harry looked up at Remus with a vague shrug. Unfolding the parchment, he opened
the final fold feeling tense. Gasping, he dropped the parchment in shock.
Remus reached around the seat for
the parchment. "Harry, what is it?"
Tonks frowned at both of
them.
Harry shook his head rapidly,
emerald eyes round and very obvious without spectacles to hide behind.
""What is it, Potter?"" Draco
squirmed in his pocket.
Remus picked
the parchment up from where it had fallen to the floor, stared at it, and then
whispered, "Merlin." Handing the parchment to Tonks, he asked, "Did you
know about this?"
""Potter...""
Tonks took the parchment in her
hands. Shaking her head and gasping, her eyes went to Harry. "Where is this?"
Harry swallowed. Holding her eyes
for a moment then turning to Remus, he whispered, "It's a tombstone, Tom
Marvolo Riddle's tombstone to be exact. I guess Voldemort wanted to make a
point." Harry's hand moved up his leg nervously, pausing over the trembling
snake in his pocket. Draco became extremely quiet and still all of a sudden. Pulling his eyes
away from Remus with a shake of his head, Harry said, "I think I want to go in
now. Got a lot to do..."
Remus nodded. Getting out of the
car, he helped Harry carry his packages up to his room.
Harry closed the front door after
Remus left, grateful that Aunt Petunia and Dudley weren't home. ""Fuck, fuckity,
fuck! Draco...""
No answer.
""Damn it, Draco - talk to me.
This is no time to go silent."" Harry ran up the stairs returning to his room.
Reaching into his pocket, and then sitting on the bed when Draco was in his hand,
Harry scowled down at him.
Draco slithered onto the bed and
curled up.
Harry was sure he could see him
shaking. ""What happened?""
""You saw what happened.""
""No Draco, I saw the results.""
Harry leaned closer, stroking Draco. ""What. . . .""
""I was there...""
Harry hissed out angrily.
""The Dark Lord was angry that
Sev was the one who killed Dumbledore instead of me."" Draco was shaking. ""I
- I don't know why I'm
still alive.""
Harry picked him up, holding him
close.
""Sev stood up to him, fought
bravely - almost Gryffindor-ish. I - - I didn't know he was a spy.""
Harry shook his head; he had
never heard Draco stumble over words before.
""It was
horrible. The Dark Lord said he would make an example of Sev. We were all in a
circle. Aunt Bella was there. She was the one who started the cutting curse...sh--she cackled like a loon."" Draco slithered to the edge of the bed
dropping to the floor. ""I don't want to talk anymore."" The tip of his tail
disappeared under the bed, hiding in the darkness beneath.
Harry sighed and laid back. In
all of the years he had known Severus Snape, he had never admitted that the man
had done any good when he spied for Dumbledore. After killing Harry's mentor,
Harry had actually thought that Snape must die - but not like that. Closing his
eyes, he tried to fight with his mind, attempting to erase the gruesome image of
Professor Snape, tied to the very same tombstone he had once been tied to. Cut to
ribbons - nearly unrecognizable. Harry shuddered, thinking, What now?
