Trust No One

:I shouldn't let you sleep for a week.:

Harry grimaced, rubbing his forehead. :You knew I'd end up here, you knew about the portraits - why didn't you say anything?:

The pain intensified, and Harry winced, gritting his teeth.

:Well I truly am sorry, Harry, that I did not attempt to account for your severe lack of sense and inform you of something that is completely obvious.:

:You're...apologizing to me?:

:No! You stupid, stupid child.:

:I know, I'm sorry! I already said so! It's done now though, isn't it? And it's not like we were going to keep it a secret forever...someone was going to find out eventually, after all.:

:Then perhaps you should just kill the little cretin and be done with it - he will die eventually, after all.:

:That's not what I meant.:

:That's exactly what you meant. How many times must I tell you not to speak without considering your words first?:

:At least a few more times, probably.:

:Insufferable child.:

:At least I didn't mess anything else up.:

:I will be the judge of that. Tell me, what transpired in my absence?:

:What do you want to know?:

:Everything.:

:Don't you trust me, Tom?:

:I trust no one.:

Harry pouted. :Fine. Well, I got on the train early, like you said, and I tried all the spells in my diary -:

:Did they work?:

Harry looked indignant, at that. :Of course they did. I also tried out the first chapter of my charms book, too. I managed all of those, too, in case you were wondering.:

:Are you under the impression that I owe you congratulations for this?:

Harry huffed. :I started the second chapter too. Anyway, I realized I couldn't practice them on my own, so I recruited help.:

Tom raised an eyebrow.

:Ron Weasley, the youngest boy in the Weasley family, asked to sit with me. I...lied about my name, but I think we're still on good terms.:

:Did you meet anyone else?:

:Draco Malfoy, I think he's Lucius Malfoy's son, I met him, but he was under the impression that I was a muggleborn, and dismissed me immediately.:

Tom sent him a withering look. :And how did he fall under that impression?:

:I may have introduced myself as Tom Evans. He found out my real name later, of course, and he's still rather cross with me, I think.:

:Well, I hope you had your fun, because in a few days you'll be regretting it.:

:You think so?:

:I have no doubt that Draco Malfoy is a self-righteous, entitled little devil just like his father and grandfather before him.:

Harry grimaced. :...splendid.:

:Indeed. Do enjoy the fruits of your labour. I trust they will be appropriately bitter.:

:Right. Anyway, I met Neville Longbottom, in passing, and a girl named Hermione Granger, who I'm 80 percent sure is a muggleborn, which is odd, with a first name like Hermione...but I spoke to no one else on the train.:

:And after the sorting?:

:I had a short conversation with Theodore Nott and Tracey Davis, and spoke in passing with Blaise Zabini, Milicent Bulstrode, and Daphne Greengrass.:

:Thaddeus Nott was one of my original Death Eaters. He was one of the few who managed to stay out of Azkaban without pleading the imperius curse...he always was good at covering his tracks. I by no means approve of your carelessness, but it was for the best that his son was the one to discover your secret. If he is anything like his father, he'll keep his mouth shut.:

:He seemed pretty agreeable about the whole thing.:

:That is because you terrified him.:

:I really didn't mean to.:

:This is for the best as well, Harry. If Thaddeus Nott is anything like the man I knew, then his son is no stranger to fear. He will know what to do with it.:

:What's that supposed to mean?:

Tom ignored him. :The Zabinis and the Greengrasses are both very wealthy pureblood families. Remain on amiable terms with those two.:

:I don't need money, Tom.:

:Don't argue. I had little association with the Bulstrode and Davis families, so do what you will with those two.:

Harry nodded slowly. :...right. Oh, and there was one more thing, about the Welcoming Feast...:

:Which is?: Tom hissed impatiently.

:Professor Dumbledore, he specifically asked us not to go up to the third floor corridor. He told us we might die a most painful death if we did.:

:Did he now?:

Harry nodded. :Right before sending us off.:

:...curious. Very curious indeed.:

:That's what I thought.:

:Did he say anything more?:

:No, I think he fancies being a bit more on the mysterious side.:

:Yes, the old fool was always annoyingly indecipherable.:

:I kind of like it,: Harry said thoughtfully, and then yawned. :Can I sleep now? I'm tired.:

Tom sighed. :No more blunders, Harry. Or the both of us could meet an early grave.:

:Aren't all graves early?:

:Indeed they are.:

:Are you afraid of death, Tom?:

:Goodnight, Harry.:

.....

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