Soon after coming back to Hogwarts, Thomas and Severus found themselves in Dumbledore's office with Minerva waiting for them already. Albus was seated comfortably behind his desk, "So, Tommy," the great wizard watched the boy amusingly, "Severus tells me that you'd like to go with Hagrid?"
"That's right, Albus," Thomas stepped forward and noted the way Dumbledore flinched when he failed to call him 'Uncle', "Severus reminded me today of why I was observing Harry for the most of this year..." Thomas held his head high, "If you want me to observe and protect Mr. Potter, then I think it's in your best interest that I'm one of the first people from the Wizarding World to meet him."
Minerva looked down, most likely ashamed at the fact that they were subjecting such a task to a boy as young as Thomas, exploiting his lack of family and friends to their gain.
Albus cleared his throat, "I see...well then, if Hagrid permits it, then I see no problem."
Thomas nodded, "Thank you, Headmaster. I'll take my leave then," the brown haired boy turned and was about to leave before Severus grabbed his shoulder.
"Aside from your attitude....remember why you are going in," Severus' tone was cold and his eyes were deathly serious, "You are to make sure Potter doesn't do anything stupid...Do you understand?"
"Yes...Professor," Thomas shrugged off Severus' hand from his shoulder roughly, "If you'll excuse me then."
The three elder wizards watched as Thomas left the room, Minerva was the first to speak, "Albus...Severus, are we sure that this is the only way? Thomas is barely the age of 11 yet...and something as delicate as this--"
"McGonagall, as much as this is....peculiar, it is the only way," Severus reminded her, "Potter is merely a child and will not trust us as easily as he would trust someone of his own position and age," the raven haired man watched the door his student left through, "The boy may hate me, but....if it is for the greater good, then I will gladly accept it...For the debt I owe to Dumbledore."
Severus fully turned now and left the room as soon as he was done, Minerva turned toward Albus now, "Headmaster?"
"The debt that Severus owes to me...is one that he alone cannot repay," the elder wizard got up and held Minerva's shoulder comfortingly, "It is the only way...We can only do so much, so if we must prepare Harry for any danger...then we'll need to know who he's friends with, how well they influence him...and how much the people around him make him take the higher route, the better route....where we failed with Riddle, we will not fail with Harry or Thomas."
Minerva looked down, "I suppose you're right, whatever plan this is, Albus...I hope you know what you're doing...and what you're going to do to that poor boy."
Dumbledore merely nodded and Minerva exited the room, Albus watched the door by which she left. He sighed and in that moment, for the first time in a long time...he looked defeated. 'Who am I?' he released a scoff, 'A so-called great wizard who strives for seeing young children live their lives...and yet, here I am hindering Thomas from doing the exact same thing.'
.....
Thomas is currently adorned in his black sweater, jeans and shoes as he approached Hagrid whom was getting his flying motorcycle ready. The old Harley had two passenger compartments attached on either side, as if he was already expecting Tommy to be with him for the journey.
Feeling the young boy's presence, Hagrid looked back at him, "So? What did they say, aye, Tommy?!"
Thomas smirked, "That if you allow it, we're going on a field trip!"
Hagrid bellowed in laughter, "Well, come on then ye' little bugger, we've got to get a move on! We're burnin' daylight 'ere!"
"Roger that!" Thomas got into one of the little passenger compartments on the side and was ready. "Onward and Upwards, Hagrid!"
"Right ye' are!" Hagrid hopped on the bike as well and ignited the engine, "Off we go!" they rode off at an impressive speed before the bike eventually took off into the sky.
Somewhere along the line, rain began pouring the closer they got to their destination, Thomas would have been soaked if not for the raincoat Hagrid passed him whilst they were on their way. When they eventually got to their destination, the giant went and knocked on the door, Thomas sent him a 'Really?' look.
"What? Too nice?" Hagrid asked as thunder bellowed in the background.
"Damn right that was too nice, knock the bloody door down!" Thomas gave him an encouraging pat on the back, "We've got ourselves a birthday boy to save!"
"Alright! Stand back then, would ye', Tommy?" Hagrid asked politely and the boy did as asked. Knocking more forcefully this time, the door fell off its hinges and the house broke into somewhat of an uproar.
"Wicked," Thomas said as he entered the house behind Hagrid, he saw Vernon with his wife in the corner of the room, shaking like a leaf in a storm, a rifle in his hands as if that could protect him, "Vernon you fat sod, did you get our letters?"
Immediately the overweight man pointed his gun, "Get out this--"
"Couldn't make us a cup o' tea, could ye'? It's not been an easy journey..." Hagrid cut off the currently pink Vernon whom was seething with rage. The giant strode over to the sofa where Dudley sat frozen with fear.
"Budge up, ye' great lump," Hagrid ushered toward the old couch.
Dudley squeaked and ran to hide behind his mother, who was crouching, terrified, behind Vernon.
"An' here's Harry!" said the giant.
Harry looked up into the fierce, wild, shadowy face of Hagrid and saw that his beetle eyes were crinkled in a smile.
"I demand that you leave at once, the both of you!" Vernon suddenly demanded, his rifle at the ready. "You are breaking and entering!"
"Ah, shut up, Dursley, ye' great prune," said the giant; he reached over the back of the sofa, jerked the gun out of Vernon's hands, bent it into a knot as easily as if it had been made of rubber, and threw it into a corner of the room.
Vernon made a funny noise, like a mouse being trodden on.
"Anyway -- Harry," said the giant, turning his back on the Dursleys, "a very happy birthday to ye'. Got somethin' fer ye' here -- I mighta sat on it at some point, but it'll taste all right."
From an inside pocket of his black overcoat he pulled a slightly squashed box. Harry opened it with trembling fingers. Inside was a large, sticky chocolate cake with 'Happy Birthday Harry' written on it in green icing.
Harry smiled, but then up at Thomas for the first time, "You!" he state excitedly, "You were that boy from the zoo!"
Tom smiled, "So, you remember me, aye?"
"Of course!" Harry grinned, "You were in trouble too, but what for?"
"Well...let's just say a certain snake and I thought it'd be best if he had a vacation," Thomas winked at Harry, whose eyes lit up in admiration.
"So that means--" Harry began, but his statement was automatically finished by Tommy whom nodded, "Cool..."
Thomas chuckled, "Thank you, also--fun fact," Thomas leaned in closer to whisper to Harry, "Today is my birthday too."
Harry immediately stuck his hand out, "Well Happy Birthday then mate, I'm Harry....Harry Potter."
"Well, thank you once again, Harry Potter," Thomas shook his hand and the boys smiled at one another, "I'm Thomas....Thomas Donovan."
Hagrid then introduced himself and was asking Harry about his parents, the boy knew nothing of them being wizards, which enraged the giant...and rightfully so. Harry then read his acceptance letter and asked Thomas if he would be attending as well.
However, any further introductions were cut short by Vernon as he argued with the wizards about Harry's parents. As this was all going on, Thomas found that these muggles were beginning to reveal their cancerous nature more and more. From the way they disregarded Harry to their blatant distaste for his parents.
Eventually it came to a point where Hagrid was ready to leave and he beckoned Thomas, "Well let's get outta here, shall we, Tommy? It seems that these 'ere muggles aren't the very welcomin' types."
Thomas nodded and was about to leave before he regarded Harry once more with a sympathetic smile, "Now's your chance, Harry," he gestured toward the door with his head, "Come with us....attend Hogwarts, and become a part of something--" Harry looked between his family and the two wizards, "--something amazing, incredible even. Be somewhere where you'll fit in and belong, rather than neglected and abused," the brown haired boy sent a glare the Dursley's way.
Harry took a deep breath and nodded, "I'm in."
Thomas raised a fist to Harry's shoulder and gave it a little budge, "That's what I'm talking about." He brought in Harry and held him by a shoulder, "You're not gonna regret it, mate."
It was the first time Harry's ever been hugged in such a friendly gesture, "Well, what are we waiting for?"
Thomas chuckled and looked toward the Dursleys one final time. Dudley raised a shaky finger at Thomas...recognition and horror gracing his features. Tommy decided to mess with the child a bit, he raised a finger to his lips and 'shushed' Dudley.
The chubby boy fainted.
"Popkin!" Petunia cried and Vernon also broke into a panic as they tended to their 'darling boy'.
Harry and Thomas laughed as they left the old rickety house with a chuckling Hagrid. Hopping into the flying motorcycle, Hagrid warned, "Now, you just hold on, go' it, Harry?"
Harry simply nodded and they were off. While on the way to whatever destination they were going, Harry began asking many questions such as; who he was, what happened to his parents, who killed them and even inquired about his scar as well as the what happened to the person that gave it to him.
Both Hagrid and Thomas were quick to explain what they could to him, well...more Hagrid seeing as most of the Potter's questions were more personal. They boys however, were quickly taken to each other as if they were old friends, they joked and Tommy even gave Harry the basic logistics of the Wizarding World, though he was sure Harry would forget half if not all of it.
Eventually they came up on a hut and the boys piled out with Hagrid as the large man then proceeded to open the door for them. They both entered and collapsed on a sofa, the giant among them chuckled, "Alrighty then, I'll jus' be goin' to make some tea and sendin' an owl to Dumbledore, ye' behave ye'selves."
The boys shared a laugh, "Yeah, we hear ya, Hagrid," Tommy closed his eyes and slumped against the soft couch. Harry staring at him curiously. Feeling his intense gaze, Thomas asked--without opening his eyes, "What is it, Potter?"
"What's your story?" Harry finally asked him, the question had been burning in his skull ever since meeting the mysterious brown haired boy.
"My story?" Thomas turned his head toward Harry, whom was already nodding eagerly. He released a breath of amusement and looked down at the unlit fireplace, he took his wand out and lit it, "Incendio."
"Woah," Harry watched as the fireplace came to life in absolute awe, "That's brilliant."
"Isn't it?" Thomas twirled his wand in his hands, "You'll be getting one of your own soon, mate, don't fret." He winked at Harry whom broke into a smile upon hearing so. "However....we're not supposed to be using magic outside of school, bunch of codswallop I tell ya."
Harry nodded somewhat, "I guess....but, are you going to answer my question?"
Thomas hummed, "You're not gonna let it go, huh?"
"Nope, you know my story, I think it only fair if I know yours," Harry dragged himself closer to the fireplace. "I mean, you are my first friend so," the boy shrugged.
Thomas raised an amused brow, "Brave of you assume, aye Potter?"
"Too forward?" Harry scratched his head sheepishly, his cheeks painted cherry in embarrassment, he was trying to be cool, guess it backfired.
Thomas chuckled, "Nah, I'm messing with you mate," he got nearer to the fireplace and sat opposite to Harry, "Now, where to start?"
"From the beginning," Harry grinned and Thomas sighed. He was going to have to alter his story a bit....or a lot seeing as he couldn't tell Harry that he was basically the Potter's personal bodyguard and a spy for Dumbledore and Severus.
"Well...."