Lettered

Disclaimer: J.K.R owns Harry Potter, not me. That's why she's making the big bucks, and I'm deciding between paying for books and buying food.



Warning: This is a Slash Story. That means boy/boy lovin'.



I'll reply to any and all comments in my livejournal, which is linked in my profile.



:Parseltongue:



------



September 14th



With that, Tom Marvolo Riddle did something he hadn't done since he was 15. He cried.



Harry held on to Tom as the older man cried. Eventually, once his sobs had slowed, the older man looked up at the young Gryffindor.



"Why do you trust me? I've never given you any reason. All I've ever done is hurt you."



Harry smiled, blushing a little, and tapped his scar. "Actually, I cheated. I can kind of feel your emotions, and I can tell when you're lying to me. I noticed it at first because I could tell when you were pissed off, but after a while, I could pick up on your more subtle emotions. And when you lie, your emotions don't match your words."



Tom let out a snort. "It figures. I try to kill you, and instead, it turns you into some kind of lie detector. And there goes my crowning achievement." He flopped his head back down onto Harry's shoulder. "You know, this is really comfortable. I don't think I'm going to move any time soon, alright? You're just going to have to stay here."



Harry rolled his eyes, pulled out his wand, and cast a quiet tempus. Looking at the smoky clock face that appeared, he saw that he still had several hours before he would be missed.



"Fine by me. Although, aren't you supposed to be working?"



"Who, me? Not really. Today's my day off, I just told the old man that I wanted to hang out here to meet up with a friend from Hogwarts. He's probably forgotten that I'm here. Besides, he's, erm, sympathetic, if you know what I mean."



Harry raised an eyebrow. "A supporter in the shadow of Hogwarts? Seems pretty precarious to me."



"Well, actually, he's more of a supporter of his brother who happens to be a Death Eater. Nepotism truly is alive and well." Harry snorted at that. "Hey, it's true! Haven't you ever heard the saying, "It's not what you know, but who you know"? Hell, I've been working off that premise for years. Or I was, at least, until Lucius got his arse thrown in Azkaban."



"Yeah, well, he deserved it. He's an utter git, and he almost got Ginny killed back in second year."



"I never said he wasn't a git. And yes, he did deserve it. Honestly, I feel sorry for Draco. The kid never even had a chance."



"Mmm-hmm" said Harry, stifling a yawn. "Hey Tom, not to say you aren't interesting and all, but I need to move before I fall asleep here."



"Yeah, yeah. Make me lose my pillow." Tom grumbled, sitting up. Harry stood up and stretched.



Suddenly, Tom stood up. "Hey, Harry, you want something to eat?"



Harry looked over at Tom. "Um, sure, I guess."



"Great. Stay here, I'll be right back." Tom grinned, and dashed up the stairs into the main store.



Harry just shook his head, and walked back to where he had been sitting before. Tom was strange, alright. Confusing. It was like he was trying to make up for fifty-or-so years of homicidal insanity in as little time as possible. Still, he was cute... Stop that, his inner voice admonished. Tom needs a friend now, not some hormone-driven maniac! Harry sighed, and wondered when his conscience started sounding like Hermione.



Tom came bounding back down the stairs, arms full of sweets. "One of the perks of working in a sweet shop, " he said with a grin, "all the junk food you can stomach!"



Harry chuckled and reached for a chocolate frog. Opening it up, he tossed the frog into his mouth before looking at the card he got. "Hey, it's the old coot." Tom looked up and snorted.



"You know, he'd have an absolute fit if he knew where you were right now." Harry thought about it for a moment, and started laughing.



"Then again, it might almost be worth it to see the look on his face." Tom joined in.



The two of them sat there, eating sweets and joking until Harry had to leave.



After Harry had gone back through the passageway, Tom sat down on the crates and smiled. Merlin, there's something special about that boy.



------



Severus Snape had seen a lot in his 38 years on earth, but never had he seen something like this. The Dark Lord Voldemort was... humming! And, when he wasn't humming, there was a big, silly grin plastered across his face! And most shocking of all, the man who's name sent shivers down the spine of the entire wizarding world, who was responsible for more mayhem and destruction than Severus cared to think about had just giggled! There was something desperately wrong with this situation, and the Potions Master thought he knew what it was.



"My lord, how are you faring in your new body?"



"Absolutely wonderfully. Severus, you are an absolute miracle worker!" The dark lord grinned.



"And... everything else is going well, I assume?"



"Yes, yes. It couldn't be better."



"Alright, my lord. Is there anything else you need from me before I return to the castle?"



"Yes, actually. I have another letter- would you be so kind as to deliver it?"



"Of course, my lord."



------



"Mr. Potter, a word, if you would?"



Harry, who was on his way to lunch, groaned. He was not in the mood for another lecture from Snape. Really, the man gave the same lecture each time he delivered a note! The least he could do would be to offer some variety.



Harry turned around and followed his potions professor, who made his way to the nearest empty classroom.



-------



Draco Malfoy was having a bad day. First, he had been forced to deal with Pansy Parkinson, who had been planning their wedding since they were 8. Honestly, if he was going to be forced to marry some vapid bint, at least it should be an attractive vapid bint! Then, Crabbe and Goyle had attempted to start a conversation with him. That was always a torturous experience. Now, finally, he had escaped from all of those idiots by hiding in the corner of a classroom, and who should show up but the head of his house, with the golden boy of Gryffindor in tow! At least, he thought, I might get some entertainment out of this.



------



Snape quickly threw up privacy wards before exploding at Harry.



"Potter, what exactly is going on between you two?" Severus roared as he paced. "First, I'm sent to deliver letters back and forth like a bloody carrier pigeon. Now, I get to Riddle House to give my report, and I find him humming. Humming, Potter! The Dark Lord does not hum, nor does he wander around with a big, silly grin on his face. He's been like that since the Hogsmeade trip last Saturday. I know you weren't in the castle then, so tell, me, what exactly happened?"



"Nothing! I mean, we just sat and talked for a while, and he ranted a bit, and then got hyper, and then we sat around and talked a bit more. That's all!"



------



Draco nearly fell over when he realized the implications of this. Potter and the Dark Lord - talking? Spending time together? He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice the dangerous amount of pressure he was putting on the bookshelf.



------



*CRASH*



"What the fuck?" Yelled Harry.



"Who's there?" Severus ran over to the toppled bookshelf. Sitting there, amongst the spilled books and splinters, was a very frightened Draco Malfoy.



"What the hell are you doing in here? Bloody idiot!" Screamed Severus at the cowering blond. "Sneaking around and eavesdropping, what are you, a child? Little brat, you're lucky it was me who caught you!" Taking a deep breath, Severus continued, much quieter. "You would be wise to forget anything you heard here, young Malfoy. If any of this were to get out, I could not assure your safety. Now, get out of my sight!"



Draco didn't need to be told twice. Rising to his feet, he made his way out the door in record time.



"Are you sure he'll keep quiet about this?" Harry asked, concerned.



"He's a Slytherin, Potter. He'll keep quiet out of a sense of self-preservation. He knows what's at stake otherwise."



"So, Tom's really wandering around grinning?"



Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes, Potter. He's been wandering around with a big, stupid grin that looks a lot like yours. Here, he wanted me to deliver this to you."



Harry snatched up the letter. "Thank you, sir! If that's all, I'll be on my way, then?"



"Yes, yes, Potter. Go, get out of my sight."



Severus shook his head as he watched the Gryffindor wander away, head in the clouds. Honestly, he was surrounded by absolute idiots.



------



"Hey, Ginny!" Harry called to the girl as he stepped into the common room. The red-head turned towards her friend, and smiled.



"Hey, what's up?" She looked Harry over, noting the grin plastered on his face.



"Oh, nothing much. Can I talk to you, alone?"



"Yeah, sure, just let me pack up my stuff. Owlry?"



"Sounds good, I'll meet you there." Harry practically bounced out of the room, causing Ginny to grin. Oh, yeah, he definitely has to share.



------



"So, spill it. What's got you all bouncy?" Ginny smirked at her surrogate brother. She hadn't seen him this happy in a long time- since before Sirius had died, as a matter of fact.



"Oh, nothing much. Apparently, Tom's been wandering around humming and grinning like an idiot since Saturday, and Draco Malfoy is deathly afraid of me. It's been a good day."



"Wait, back up." Ginny frowned."What's this about Malfoy?"



"Oh, he overheard part of the conversation me and Snape were having, and then knocked over a bookshelf when he heard that I was spending time with Tom, and now he's afraid I'll set Tom on him if he looks at me wrong." Ginny started to laugh, she couldn't help herself.



"And what about Tom?"



"I don't really know. He sent me a letter, though, I'll tell you after I read it." Ginny looked over Harry. Hmm, maybe they'd be good for each other. I wonder... Harry noticed the look she was giving him.



"Ok, Ginny, what is it?"



"What's what?" Ginny smiled innocently. Harry, who had seen that innocent smile before on numerous occasions, wasn't buying it.



"Whatever you're planning, count me out." Ginny pouted at Harry, who just laughed and threw his arm around her shoulder. "C'mon, Gin, it's a beautiful day. I'm sure you have better things to do than try to plot out my life."



Ginny just smiled.



------



"Hey, Potter, we need to talk." Harry looked around for the source of the familiar drawl. Spotting it, he nodded.



"Can I help you, Malfoy?" Harry stood up, earning shocked glances from Ron and Hermione. The trio were in the library, working on a Herbology essay. Ron's shocked expression quickly turned into a scowl.



"Sod off, Malfoy, we're busy here."



"Now, that's not nice. I only want to speak to Potter for a moment. Alone." Ron's face started turning red, and he was about to add something else to the conversation when Harry stood up.



"Fine. Make it quick, I don't have all night." Hermione and Ron gaped. "Don't worry, I'll be right back." Harry rolled his eyes as he followed Draco to an abandoned section of the library.



Tossing up a quick privacy charm, Draco turned to the Gryffindor. "I want to make a truce. No more fighting, no more tricks, no more baiting each other, just a truce. We can stop fighting, and I'll even stop insulting your friends over there." Draco babbled nervously.



Harry snorted. "And would this have anything to do with a certain conversation you overheard yesterday? Tell me, if you hadn't heard that, would you still want to call a truce?"



Draco blushed. "Look, I'm sorry I overheard that. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, I swear. I was just trying to avoid a couple of idiots," He glanced meaningfully at Crabbe and Goyle, who were standing not too far away, "and I never plan on telling anyone. Look, just think about it, alright?"



"We'll see," came Harry's reply as he walked back to his friends.



Hermione waited until Harry had sat down before asking the obvious question: "So, what did he want?"



"A truce." Ron snorted, and Hermione looked puzzled.



"Yeah, right. The git wants a truce. There's a pile of bullshit if I ever heard one." Ignoring Hermione's elbow to his ribcage, he continued. "So, did you tell him where to stuff it?"



"Actually, no. I think this may be legit. I'm letting him squirm a bit before I give him an answer, but I think it sounds like a good idea. At least it's one less person I have to fight, anyways."



"What? You know he's probably in cahoots with V-Voldemort. This is probably some kind of trick, you know, to lure you in, then they can kidnap you, and sent you to the great evil git himself!"



"Or, maybe, he's just sick of fighting. You know, we've been fighting over the same things since we were 11, maybe it's time to grow up a little."



"Whatever, mate. Just don't expect me to like him or anything." Ron sighed, turning back to his essay.





------



Harry and Ginny approached Malfoy the next day at lunch.



"Hey, Malfoy, we need to talk." Malfoy looked quizzically at the young red-head, but followed the two out of the great hall and towards an abandoned classroom anyways. Harry pulled out the Marauder's Map, and, ignoring Malfoy's questions, checked to make sure that to room was empty. Only once he had done that did he relax.



"So, what's she doing here?" Draco was bewildered. There was no way a Weasley could be in on this, could there?



"You'll see. Alright, Malfoy, exactly what do you want?"



Draco looked at Ginny, and Harry nodded. "She knows already."



Taking a deep breath, the blond began. "I want a truce. No more baiting each other into fights. No more random, spiteful name-calling and pranks, and," he swallowed, "when we do get into fights, it's between us. No outside parties, no tattling, and once we settle it, it's over."



"In other words, if we get into a fight, you don't want a dark lord breathing down your neck." Draco nodded.



"And who does this truce extend to?"



"You and your friends, Granger and Weasley, and I guess, Ginny here too." Harry nodded. "And on your side?"



"Me, of course, and Crabbe and Goyle. The rest of Slytherin house aren't likely to agree to a truce, per say, but they all follow my example, so they should behave. So, do we have a deal?" Draco asked, extending his hand.



"Yes, I think we do. " Harry took Draco's hand and shook it.



------



Hermione frowned."So, Harry, when you said you and Draco made a truce, what exactly did you agree to?"



Harry counted off on his fingers. "No baiting each other into fights. No random, spiteful pranks and name-calling, and when we do get into a fight, we settle it without running off and getting anyone else involved."



Hermione nodded. "I think we can all live with that." Harry smiled. He wasn't sure how his friends would take the news. Lately, he wasn't as close to them as he used to be, and he could never read them as accurately as he could before.



Ron looked up, curious. "What happens if he breaks his end of the bargain?"



Harry grinned. "Trust me, Ron, he won't."



Ron just shook his head, turning back to his plate. "Bunch of nutters, the whole lot of you."



------



Harry smiled as he re-read the letter Snape had handed him earlier that day. Tom was bored again, and couldn't wait for Harry to visit, pointing out that Harry, with his knowledge of the school, didn't have to wait until Hogsmeade weekends to come and spend time with him. Harry snorted at the oddity of the situation. He was in one of the safest schools in the world, where he was sequestered to keep him safe from a dark lord. Unbeknownst to the administration of said school, he was considering breaking out to go spend time with the dark lord, who really wasn't that much of a dark lord after all, just really bored. He was still thinking about it when he heard shouting coming from the common room. tucking the letter back into his trunk, he ran downstairs to see what the commotion was.



He was shocked to find Ron, red-faced, screaming at Seamus and Dean.



"You fucking perverts! What the hell is wrong with you? Bloody hell, I've been rooming with a couple of poofs! There is no way I'm staying in that room with you sickos any more! Unnatural freaks!" Ron turned away, storming out of the portrait hole, likely to find Professor McGonagall. He was followed shortly by Hermione, who was quite pale.



Harry turned to Ginny, shocked. "What happened?"



Ginny blanched. "Seamus and Dean just... admitted that they're going out, and Ron, well, he took it bad. Shit, why do I have to have such a prick for a brother?"



Harry turned to Seamus and Dean, who were still cowering. "Are you blokes alright?" Dean nodded, but he was still shaking. Seamus was a pasty shade of white.



"I never thought that Ron would be so... so..." Dean couldn't finish the sentence. Harry went over and reached out.



"Ron's a git." Looking up, he frowned as he noticed that all of the occupants of the common room were staring. "Alright, the show's over." A murmur rippled through the crowd, and soon they were gossiping animatedly. Harry sighed. At least they aren't staring any more. "You sure you're fine?" The two boys nodded, seeming a little more sure of themselves. "Alright, if Ron comes back, me and Ginny can deal with him. Don't worry, he's an arse, but I'm sure we can knock some sense into him... literally, if we have to." Seamus smiled at the joke, and, taking his boyfriend's hand, walked up the stairs to the dorm.



------



"Bloody Hell, Ron! What's your problem?" Harry glared at the taller red-head. Ron had stayed out for several hours before he had attempted to sneak back into the tower. Hermione had, wisely, decided to stay out of this argument.



"My problem? We've been sharing a room with a couple of bloody queers! It's gross! I mean, what would have happened if they had tried to make a move on one of us?"



"Well, first of all, they're still Dean and bloody Seamus. The same guys we lived with for how many years now? They haven't changed or anything. Second, are you incapable of saying no? Is there some reason that, should some guy hit on you, you can't tell them that you aren't interested?" Harry was absolutely livid at his room mate.



"That's not the issue! They're perverts! And why are you defending them?" Ron sneered at the brunet. "Are you a bloody poofter, too?"



Harry gaped. "You know what, Ron? You're unbelievable. I don't know why I even bothered." Harry stormed off up the stairs to the dorm.



Ron turned to his sister. "And you! I though you had a thing for Dean! Why are you defending this?"



Ginny rolled her eyes. "Because I'd rather see my friends happy. Obviously, you couldn't give a shit about your friends, though. The only thing you give a rat's arse about is snogging your girlfriend!"



"Just because I don't think that two guys-" Ron started, but Ginny interrupted him.



"It's not just that, you moron. What about your other friends? What about Harry? Remember him? The bloke you claim is your best mate, but you barely even talk to? The bloke who came back to Grimmauld Place black and blue last summer, but you didn't even-" Ginny shut her mouth. Fuck! Harry was going to be pissed off about that slip.



"Wait, what? What do you mean, he came back black and blue? I didn't notice anything!" Ron looked at her, confused.



"That's exactly the point." Came Ginny's cold reply, as she stalked off to her dorm room.



------



"Hey, Harry, wait up!" came the call as Harry walked toward the great hall for breakfast. Looking back, he saw Ron running to catch up with him.



"What do you want? Come to scream a little more?"



"Harry, I'm sorry-"



"No, Ron. I'm not the one you need to apologize to." Harry glared at the taller boy.



Hermione came up to Harry, and put her hand on his shoulder. "Harry, we need to talk, really. You've been distant, ever since this summer. We're sorry for avoiding you and ignoring you, but we're here now. Now, tell me, what happened this summer?"



"What do you mean, what happened?" Harry turned to the girl.



"Well, we were arguing with Ginny, and she mentioned something about bruises-" Harry broke in.



"It's none of your business. Now do me a favor and sod off." Harry started to turn.



"Harry, we're worried about you! What happened to you?"



"Nothing that didn't happen to me every other summer." Harry ended the discussion, stalking away from the great hall. He had lost his appetite.



------



Hey, Tom,



I need to get out of here for a while. Meet me in the cellar in 20 minutes?



-Harry



Harry blew on the note to make sure it was dry, before tying it to Hedwig's leg. "Give this to Tom, will you, girl?" The owl nipped affectionately at his finger, and was off.



------



Checking the map one final time, Harry tapped the hump of the one-eyed crone and whispered, "Dissendium." Climbing into the passageway, Harry made his way through the tunnel into the cellar of Honeydukes. Clambering out at his destination, he made his way to the crates he had used as a seat last time.



He had been sitting in the dark for probably ten minutes before someone descended the stairs into the cellar.



"Tom?" he asked, quietly.



:Shh, Harry, : came the response in parseltongue, :there's an auror upstairs. The metamorphmagus, what's her name? If she caught you here...: Tom trailed off.



:Oh, shit, I'm sorry. I just needed to get out of that bloody castle before I end up strangling someone.:



Tom let out a quiet snort, moving to sit beside the younger man. :Is it Malfoy again?:



:Nah, we decided on a truce. Of course, that didn't come until after he overheard a conversation between me and Snape. Now, he looks like he's about to piss himself whenever I look at him funny. It's really amusing.: Tom chuckled at the picture. :Actually, it's Ron. The guy who claimed to be my best friend for over 5 years.: Harry quickly described everything that had gone on over the last two days, ending with Ginny's slip-up and Hermione's nosiness.



:...And now, I just really don't feel like dealing with any of them. Besides, I was looking for an excuse to sneak of and talk to you. You're much better company than most of them.:



:Only most?: Tom asked.



:Fine, Tom, you're the best. However, you're only much better than most.: Harry stuck his tongue out at the older man, who responded by reaching over and mussing Harry's hair.



:Hey! I finally go it to sit flat, you wanker.: Harry pouted. Tom chuckled, and tossed him arm around the younger man's shoulder. Harry heaved a sigh. He really did like it when Tom touched him. Now, if only he would do it more often, and maybe, more intimately...



:Harry?: Tom jerked Harry out of his train of thoughts. :You alright?:



:Yeah, just thinking.: Harry looked up at Tom.



:Well, don't hurt yourself.: Tom grinned at the Gryffindor.



:Har-dee-har. Aren't you just hilarious?: Harry grumbled.



:Oh, come on, smile, it was funny.: Harry rolled his eyes, but his lips did move into something resembling a smile.



:Well, I guess that will have to do: Tom leaned back against the crate behind him, trying not to think about how cute the young man leaning on him was. I'm old enough to be his grandfather, for Merlin's sake! I shouldn't fancy him!



:Knut for your thoughts: Harry broke in. Tom blanked for a minute, before saying, :I was just wondering if that auror was still here.:



:Sure you were.: Harry tapped his scar. :Liar.: He leaned in, even closer. Tom swallowed roughly. Nope, I shouldn't be doing this, I should stand up, I should- oh, Hell he thought as he felt Harry's lips on his own.