Never doubt the ability of a Dark Lord to hold a grudge. Perhaps it was a requirement that all Dark Lord's have terrible tempers with the ability to hold grudges like there was no tomorrow. Harry had met his fair share of Dark Lords throughout his immortal life, hell he had been one at one point, and yes he could admit, if only to himself, he had had a terrible temper and he most definitely could hold a grudge.
(The poor man that had gotten on his bad side had been unable to rest even in death. Harry had taken great joy in cursing the wizards whole family line.)
So yeah, Harry knew a thing or two about grudges, thus, it was with this knowledge (and with some logic) that he knew that Gellert Grindelwald was going to try to invade Britain, his pride had suffered a heavy blow after all.
The German Dark Lord had been denied very few things in life, (he reminded Harry of a spoiled rich brat who couldn't take no for an answer) and when he was denied he tended to use any means necessary to obtain what he wanted. Just look at what happened when he was expelled from school.
Gets expelled from Dumstrang for using the Dark Arts in twisted experiments.
Goes on to plan muggle domination and starts a war.
Harry couldn't help but be amused, it seemed that like Tom, Gellert also had a flair for dramatics (he would never compare them outloud, Tom could bitch like no ones business). Gellert seemed to thrive with an audience. Harry was sure that whatever the man planned it would be in some public space or at least somewhere important.
The Master of Death briefly considered whether Grindelwald would try to attack Hogwarts. But surely the man wasn't that stupid. Not only were the wards of the school powerful but it was a school. The moment the aurors were informed that the school was under attack they would jump to defend it.
Then again Gellert had proven to lack common sense, he had grown cocky. Harry was sure it would be the blonde's downfall.
"You ready?" Harry shrunk his trunk and pocketed it before nodding, "Ready."
Tom wrapped his arms around the shorter man's waist, pulling him close before apparating with a barely audible pop.
Harry smiled as Tom attempted to look nonchalant as he inspected his lover's home. "You have a beautiful home Tom." and there was that familiar smug look he loved. Harry rolled his eyes but continued to smile.
"Show me the rest of the grounds?" the divination professor asked, green eyes wide with curiosity. Tom nodded before he proceeded to drag Harry around his home, the younger man tried to keep his excitement under control but Harry still saw it. Nonetheless he did not point it out, instead he enjoyed the warmth of Tom's hands and the smile that would sometimes grace his lover's lips.
Tom's home was beautiful if a bit too large for Harry's taste. The manor was aptly named Slytherin Manor and unlike the manors of other purebloods the house wasn't outright pretentious. The wealth of the Slytherin line was shown through subtle well placed reminders, you were reminded by the elegant wallpaper that was lined with gold, the dishes the food were served in and the richness of the rooms. It was in the little details and it was for this reason that Harry truly liked the manor. It wasn't like the Malfoy's home which practically shoved their wealth into your face and then tried to choke you with it. Even all these years later Harry couldn't quite get over the fact that Lucius Malfoy owned albino peacocks of all things.
After a delicious meal and a quick shower the two wizards retired to a cozy and private living room. Harry was wrapped in Tom's arms a content smile on his face, the fire crackling soothingly in the background, the immortal silently admired the handsome image Tom made. The shadows created by the fire made his lover look even more eye catching, his hair seemed darker, his skin glowed making the pale skin look smooth and delectable. Harry couldn't resist leaning forward and pressing soft feather light kisses across Tom's cheek before brushing his lips down his jaw and then to his neck. Running his tongue down the pale stretch of skin Harry was delighted by the shiver Tom gave. Biting and sucking on the man's neck he received a moan of appreciation as his reward.
Tom pulled Harry's head back and kissed him hungrily, little minx, he thought as he felt the smaller body rock against his already straining erection. Pulling back he proceeded to leave his own mark on the pale skin of Harry's neck, "I you don't stop rocking now I won't be able to hold back love." Tom warned.
Harry chuckled breathlessly, "But I don't want you holding back Tom".
Harry sighed, stretching as he took a quick glance to the other side of the bed. He released another sigh as he confirmed that Tom wasn't there, the sheets were cold. His lover had been gone for a while he was probably at the Ministry or perhaps with his followers.
It was as he was getting dressed and thinking about the message he had received from Gringott's that Harry noticed the new piece of jewelry he had acquired overnight.
Harry let out a chuckle as he lifted his hand to look at the bonding ring on his finger. He couldn't bring himself to be bothered by it, it was just so Tom. He briefly wondered when Tom had slipped the bonding ring on. It was with a smile on his face that Harry headed to Gringott's.
Shivering slightly as a cold breeze hit him Harry cast a warming charm on his clothes before speed walking and climbing up the stairs to the bank.
"I would like to see the Peverell Family Vault."
"You can't only someone with key or the Head of the family is allowed access."
Harry rolled his eyes, "Fine I want to perform a blood test."
It was a shock for the goblins to note that the young man in front of them was a direct descendant of all three wizards, it was an impossible feat but blood and magic did not lie. "Key?" the goblin asked holding his hand out. Harry brought his hand up to the nape of his neck and wordlessly pulled out the 'key' the goblins weren't sure what type of magic the man had just performed but they did not question him.
Once inside the Peverell vault Harry dove into the tomes and read through them quickly, the spark of an idea making his eyes gleam in excitement, grabbing his cloak he rushed out of the bank, cheeks flushed and for the first time he allowed a bubble of hope to swell in his chest.
Gellert hoped that all British wizards were as stupid as the man in front of him. Pierce had offered his help for a price. Gellert could only be thankful that no one knew he had tried to take Hadrian for himself and had been rejected for half-blood of all people.
"You want the divination professor then?"
Pierce nodded, "Riddle sabotaged all of my attempts at courting him. Otherwise I would have already won his hand."
"You have my word." Gellert said solemnly.
The dark lord scoffed, he couldn't believe the man had taken his word, as if Gellert would be giving the seer to anybody when he could have him for himself. A dark smirk crossed his lips as he fingered the detailed notes on the wards, he signaled to one of his men, "Make sure Lord Pierce has an unfortunate accident." Peirce might be a fool, but he had been a useful fool.
He called for his ward master and handed the notes over, "Get your team ready I want you to be able to break through these wards. As soon as you're ready we head out. Don't fail me. Ja?" Gellert squeezed the man's shoulder before releasing him and waving him away, he hoped he wouldn't have to kill the ward master if he failed, ward master's were so hard to come by these days. Especially loyal ones. Humming under his breath Gellert wondered whether he should get the seer a collar, the man would look beautiful with one engraved with Gellert's name.
Godric's Hollow. Hogwarts.
With the short message from his spy Tom informed his men of his plans. He did not wait for a response as he apparated away, his lover was at Godric's Hollow.
The cemetery was deserted and the weather had not gotten better, Harry rubbed his hands together as he tried to dispel the numb feeling in his fingers. Another heating charm and he was once again warm. Harry crouched down in front of the grave and traced the sign of the deathly hallows, silently he pulled out his wand to collect the necessary ingredients he would need for the ritual he would convince Tom to do.
A single sheet of parchment would determine his next action and could either dash his hopes or make him the happiest man. Harry was almost afraid to look.
"The Deathly Hallows."
Harry froze as he recognized the voice his grip tightening unconsciously on the parchment in his hand.
"Legend has it that he who brings them together becomes the Master of Death. There are no records of anyone ever enacting such a feat. I can assure you however that the legend has some truth to it. After all I hold the Elder wand. But I do wonder why you are here are you perhaps also searching for the legendary objects?"
Harry hissed as Gellert summoned the parchment and he just barely managed to hold onto it.
"Stand by my side and I will share with you my power. I will give you everything you could ever want".
"The hell he is."
"Tom!" Harry looked at his lover in delighted surprise. Gellert sneered, "That's right how could I forget about the delightful Tom. Or should I call him Voldemort. Did you know dear Hadrian of what the man does? He just wants to use you after all what greater weapon than a seer on your side?"
"I would never! Don't listen to him Harry."
Harry raised his chin, "Of course I won't listen to him give me some credit Tom. I believe in you, I trust you always will just like I know you trust me".
"Foolish boy. It doesn't matter, I have always taken what I covet, I was going to allow you a modicum of freedom as my consort but now I think I'll just keep you as pet, but first I think Hogwarts deserves a visit from me."
Harry knew that Tom loved the school, it was his first home and he could see the anger burning in those dark eyes.
"Tom did you know you were a descendant of Cadmus Peverell."
Tom blinked at him in confusion but Harry continued, "Come, Hogwarts needs us, call your men. Gellert wont go down without a fight."
"Wait you can't-I mean please don't-"
"Tom, I know I'm your weakness but you are also mine. I don't want you to worry about me especially because I can't die." winking Harry apparated away.
Tom had been furious when he had realized Harry was alone with Gellert, he had been afraid that the man would take his lover from his side. A small part of him was frightened that Harry would betray him. Then his wonderfulstupidlovely Harry had told him he would always trust him, that he believed in him unconditionally. It had made Tom happy, even though he hadn't shown it. Of course Harry being Harry had just told him he couldn't die like it was no big deal. Tom decided to do the only logical thing he could, ignore it. Or else he would drive himself insane wondering how his lover was immortal and why he had decided to tell him now of all times.
Tom arrived at Hogwarts and caught sight of Albus and Gellert dueling, it was impressive, both men were powerful in their own right. Tom wasn't sure why Gellert had allowed Albus to duel with him one on one but, he wasn't going to give up this opportunity to study both men's technique's.
"I must admit I admire Albus for being willing to stand up and fight."
Tom frowned at Harry's statement "Why would you admire that?"
Harry gave him a soft smile, "Because it takes a lot of strength to fight against someone you love."
Tom's eyes widened at the implication before mulling over the idea. His eyes shifted to the man standing beside him, would he be able to point his wand at Harry if they ever stood on opposite ends? Tom decided not to dwell on this question because it would never happen. The pit in his stomach at the thought of hurting Harry had nothing to do with his wish to ignore said question. The implication of the feeling frightened him but he would never admit it.
"Oh Albus, you should have known better after all I hold the Elder wand. Any last words?"
" I am quite looking forward to my next grand adventure."
"You always have been fearless old friend. Avada Kedavra."
Gellert turned to his army, "We are taking the school. Don't hurt the green eyed boy he's mine!"
The Ministry had sent a small number of auror's, not really believing Grindelwald stood at the gates of Hogwarts, the wards were impenetrable after all. Of course as soon as the auror's saw the army behind the German Dark Lord they called for back up.
Tom had his followers on his side, they were dressed in black wands out and ready to protect not only the school but the children who lay inside. If Hogwarts were to fall the Ministry would soon follow. Tom wouldn't allow it to happen not only because he refused to fail but because Hogwarts was his first home and more importantly failing meant losing Harry.
"Grindelwald has a large army our people will be overwhelmed if we don't get backup." Tom nodded at Harry's observation, it was true but that didn't mean they didn't stand a chance, his men were well trained.
"I could buy us time but I probably won't be able to show my face in Britain for a long, long time." Harry added a mischievous twinkle appearing in his eyes. Tom knew that look and he wasn't sure whether he should feel sorry for himself or Grindelwald.
Gellert led the attack, the wards shattering under his ward master's assault, curses began to fly with the auror's taking the front lines. Tom was the first one to spot the Inferi Grindelwald had brought, he was also the first one to notice how they began to change.
Harry thought that he might as well as put his imagination and powers to use. He changed the Inferi to become what he believed a zombie should be, a corpse with the need for human meat, evolved to hunt its prey, none of that slow shit, more of a fast and violent type. They no longer listen to Grindelwald's command and the enemies soon found themselves being attacked and chewed on by the corpses. Harry found that this fell short to how he imagined the fight would be, especially after they started burning them. So with a wiggle of his fingers he had the earth tearing open as dead bodies pulled themselves out of the ground (he could have just brought them into existence but where was the fun in that?) a small smile graced his features as he heard the screams of horror as some of the more creative dead decided to just pull the person underground. Why leave their comfy home when they could bring the food to them?
Harry rolled to the side, his eyes narrowing as the spell just barely missed him, he returned fire with prejudice.
"What a gem. A seer, and a necromancer what else is that beautiful body of yours hiding?" Gellert purred.
Harry smiled in sardonic amusement, "That is something you will never know."
He called off his creations when he heard the pops around him, the backup had arrived. Not that they needed it as the number were now even and the fight in their favor, but who was he to look a gift horse in the mouth?
Tom didn't know how it happened but one moment he was fighting a group of Dark Wizards the next he was being thrown back by an explosion. Getting up quickly he found himself face to face with Grindelwald bringing up a shield he barely managed to block the spell thrown his way. The explosion had been caused by Gellert's attempt to trap Harry, his lover had basically blown up the magic dampening cage the man had tried to trap him in.
The duel that followed would go down in the books, everyone stopped to stare, Albus had been powerful but he had stuck to light and neutral spells. Tom on the other hand fought with spells that ranged from dark to light, he had a vast repertoire and the air crackled and fizzed with magic. Many found themselves shuddering in fear and awe at the magical display. This was true power.
Tom came out victorious but something was wrong. Harry wasn't sure what Grindelwald had done but Tom, no Voldemort stood there fury written all over his features. Harry used his own magic to knock out the rest of the army and Voldemort's followers, they didn't need to see Tom lose control.
"Tom, Tom please come back to me. What's wrong talk to me." Harry barely managed to avoid the spells thrown at him, he wrapped his arms around the man.
"Did you plan to use me? Did you lie was it all a lie!"
"Tom goddammit listen to me. You idiot!" pulling the man forward Harry gave him a searing kiss, "I love you. I love you even if you are a bloodthirsty egotistical prat who thinks way to highly of himself." Harry said between kisses, "And I would give you the world on a silver platter if that made you happy".
Tom let out a shuddering breath, "He said you only wanted this." Tom pointed to his family ring, "That you were looking for the deathly hallows and were only using me to your advantage."
"You idiot you were the one chasing after me. Plus I have no need for those objects. I can't believe you even thought I would betray you!"
Tom buried his face into Harry's neck, "Forgive me." he asked.
Harry gave a pained laugh, "Yeah I forgive you. Tom-"
"Yeah."
"You better take care of me." Harry muttered before passing out. Tom caught Harry as he slumped forward it was only until then that he noticed how pale he was, pulling his lover slightly away from his body he noticed the blood soaking Harry's robes. Panic made his throat constrict and without putting much thought into it he apparated away, leaving behind the still passed out auror's, incapacitated enemies and Grindelwald's body laying on the grounds for everyone to see.
Only Tom could forget that Harry had explicitly stated he couldn't die.
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better but you know what would make me feel even better?"
"What?"
"If you would come to bed. You look tired. I'm fine and you need to rest".
Harry ran his hair through Tom's hair, "Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"About you being unable to dieā¦"
"Ah yes. Don't freak out-"
"That's not very reassuring."
"-but I am Death's master. I'm completely and utterly immortal."
"And I can make you immortal too."
Tom opened his eyes, "What?"
"Well Death informed me that I had a soul, something I thought I no longer had, our souls and magic are very compatible. The Peverells had done extensive research on the state of the soul and thanks to their work and because you're a descendant of Cadmus Peverell I am able to bend a few rules. I could pick one person and only one, to remain by my side and give them immortality but if you don't want to I guess I could always find someone else."
"Don't you dare!" Tom hissed eyes blazing, "You're mine!"
Harry smiled, "Yes I am and don't think I've forgotten about the ring on my finger. That was sneaky."
He was given an unrepentant smirk.
" So you don't mind being immortal?"
"No. I was thinking of finding a way of being immortal but I didn't want to be immortal if I would one day lose you".
Harry knew that this was as good as a declaration of love and it warmed him to the very core. "Well I was also having a hard time. I was feeling a bit depressed at the thought that I might one day lose you."
Tom kissed Harry softly, " I noticed you were very quiet the last few days before break, but I figured you would tell me if it was important. So what's it like being immortal?"
"Well at first it was terribly exciting. You get to see and do a lot of stuff. Time is but a concept that does not apply to us. After a while I began to get bored and began to mess around with human live's."
Tom raised an eyebrow in question.
"I may have a brought the end of the world once or twice out of boredom and to piss off Fate." Harry admitted. "Oh I also led a rebellion. It was called the Squib Revolution."
Tom let out a snort, "Really?!"
"Yes and you know what the best part of it was?"
"What?"
"We won!"
Tom stared at him incredulously, "Really?"
"Yep" Harry said smugly, "and I didn't even have to use any of my powers!" Tom smiled as he Harry chattered on, pulling his lover closer he buried his nose into the silky strands. If this is what he could have for all eternity he would most definitely not mind living forever. A grin suddenly spread across his features.
"Hey Harry"
"What?"
"Can we travel back to my years as a student?"
"Sure but why?"
"I always wondered how it would have been like if I had seduced you and had taken you in your classroom." Tom's eyes glinted, "Do you think we could shag over the Headmaster's desk?"
"I like how you think Mr. Riddle."
"Why thank you professor. So what do you say we start now?"
Harry grinned as Tom rolled on top of him, "I think that's a brilliant idea." as Tom sealed their lips with a kiss, Harry wondered how many places they could christen before they ran out of space. Meh, it didn't matter, he had all eternity to find out after all.
Death rolled his eyes as it observed his Master and his mate, he had totally shipped it first.
That is a wrap! I apologize for taking so long and I have no excuse.
I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Thank you for your patience, your reviews and your support!