Chapter Text
Hermione:
Hermione was not one who used profanity, nor was she one to buck against authority, yet here she was cursing the name Albus Dumbledore as she furiously wrote out a long letter to her best friend.
At the end of the year the headmaster had pulled both her and Ron aside and told them things were changing and to keep Harry safe it would be safe to not be sending owls all the time, they would see each other at the end of the summer and until then Harry would be safe.
The headmaster was either blissfully delusional to Harry’s home life or he purposely didn’t care. Harry wasn’t exactly safe, locked up, hit, and starved most of the summer. Either way it really didn’t reflect well on the man she had once blindly adored and respected.
Harry deserved to know what was going on and after the hell he had gone through in the tournament, not to mention witnessing Cedric’s death as well as witnessing Voldemort return, he needed to know at least one person was in his corner. And she was determined to always be that person.
She would include a two-way journal, that way the headmaster wouldn’t get suspicious of any owls coming or going once she arrived at this mysterious location, they would be spending the summer at and she would be able to keep in touch with Harry, so he didn’t feel quite so alone or abandoned. She also tucked a bit of food into the box knowing he probably wasn’t able to eat much.
Finishing her letter Hermione quietly slipped out the door of her parents’ home she quickly found the closest post box and slid the package and a few knuts as payment into the secret magical side of the box.
Satisfied with her accomplishments, she quietly went back home so as not disturbed her parents. In the last few years her relationship with her parents had slowly deteriorated into more roommates than anything else. Hermione knew they loved her, but they hadn’t been the most hands on when she was a child, and it seemed they had just gotten used to having an empty next most of the year. So, when she was home things were stilted.
Saying her brief goodbyes to her mum and dad she went outside to wait. Mr. Weasley tended to be a bit overbearing and intrusive with his questions and always made her parents uncomfortable. It was much easier this way. Taking a deep breath in she started to prepare herself for a very long summer.
Harry:
Harry sighed and stretched out before running his hands down his face trying to wake himself up. It was still early but he had no doubts that the Dursleys would be up soon demanding breakfast before doling out his list of chores for the day.
Standing up and popping the crick in his back he opened the window before turning in search of something to wear. Maybe he would finally hear back from Ron or Hermione today. It had only been two weeks, but he was starting to get a bit desperate. It didn’t help that Dumbledore had pulled Harry aside before their year had ended to inform him, he would be staying with his relatives a lot longer this year ‘for his own good and safety’
Harry snorted to himself as he pulled a ratty old vest on. It was a load of bullshit. Dumbledore didn’t care about his safety, he only cared about getting rid of Voldemort. Not like that was a bad thing but at least the old man could be honest with him instead of continuing on with the whole grandfatherly bit.
Pulling on a pair of old jeans he turned just in time to see a small brown owl land on his desk and dropped a small package hooting softly.
Harry smiled and handed him a few treats before grabbing the box and quickly opening it. His smile grew even more as he read the letter from his witch before it dropped. Dumbledore had told them not to write to him. How could he do that?!
Feeling the sudden anger rise up in he tried to shove it back down. It had been happening more and more lately. This intense anger would just climb its way up his body demanding he unleash his magic and those around him. The soft voice in the back of his head whispering about revenge and retribution.
Taking in a few deep breaths like Hermione had taught him Harry turned back to finish the letter. Smiling he picked up the diary, of course his bright little witch would think of something so brilliant. She would never abandon him, never leave him to rot away. She had even included some snacks.
Smiling even more to himself he headed down to the kitchen to start on making breakfast. He would have to make it up to her. Maybe buy her something nice. A book or maybe he had something in his vaults he could give her? Something to make her feel special help her understand he truly saw her.
This would definitely be a long summer but at least he had her, he had always had her, especially over all the shit he had gone through last year. She had never once left his side. The two of them against the world, always.
Tom:
Tom had been waiting two years.
During the whole fiasco with the chamber, he had gained just enough power to recognize the sliver of his soul that had attached itself to the boy. He always knew that the boy would destroy the diary, so when he was distracted with the basilisk Tom had quickly shoved himself into the boy’s mind and shoved the other bit of his soul out. A quick swapping ritual and it was done.
Then he just had to bide his time, taking only little glimpses of the outside world and what he saw he wanted. A girl with wild hair and an even wilder spirt. He could practically taste the strength of her magic. It helped that the boy also had a mild attachment for the little witch that he could exploit.
His time was coming, he could feel it. he had been pushing more lately, whispering into the boy’s head. With the old man practically abandoning the boy and the witch reaching out Tom knew he would not be denied once he finally made his offer.
Soon he would have the world, and she would be by his side when he took what was rightfully his.