1 (A Time Travel ) Chapter 1

A/N:I've been in a Tomarry mood for a few months and this is the result of it.This is my second ...no third story.I tried my best!

Also WARNING:This is hella long since I wrote it out of boredom. So I'm just saying that this is very long and I hope that it would not be boring to you when you read it.I edited it myself so please be nice when you see grammar or spelling errors. I don't want the comments to be filled with ' you got a mistake!'

Anyways, enjoy folks!Please review if you have time!

Disclaimer:I don't own Harry-Potter. All the characters goes to J.K. Rowling. I only own the plot.I also hope that this is not a repeat edition for all the Tomarry fanfics out there.

Tom Riddle disliked many things. He disliked the muggles. He disliked clingy people-be they magical or muggle. He disliked Albus Dumbledore (though the feeling was starting to blur into something more intense and spiteful at the rate the man was provoking him.)

But one thing he disliked above all - no, no, wait, this was no longer in the realm of dislike it had surpassed even hatred into pure loathing. Yes, loathing. That's what the feeling was.

One thing he loathed above all , was not knowing.

Not knowing his status had one led him to believe the jealousy and fear of the orphans that he was a... a..freak. Not knowing how to wield his power had led him to suffer torment as a young wizard child when he was amongst muggles. Not knowing the nuances of wizarding etiquette and customs had led him to once be mocked by his fellow housemates (though it should be noted he had straightened their smirks and taunts quite quickly.)

In a nutshell, Tom hated not knowing about things because that essentially made him vulnerable.

So, he was not really in the best of moods to find himself waking up in the middle of the Hogwarts Hospital Wing when he had no clue as to what brought him there in the first place. It was not helping him that it was barely a week into the start of school. To end up in the Infirmary itself was a disgrace. To end up here so early? Despicable.

"How are you, dear?" Madame Epione – the mediwitch of the Hogwarts – loomed over Tom, distracting him from his thoughts.

Tom gave one of his charming smiles.

"I feel fine, Madame Epione. But I don't seem to remember how or why I am here?" Tom looked over at his caretaker inquiringly.

Madame Epione frowned. "You don't? Nothing at all?"

Tom shook his head, suppressing his irritation at having to repeat. Honestly, he already said it once.

"Last thing I remember is eating dinner at the Great Hall and then leaving for the dorms."

"Oh dear," the woman walked to the counter beside Tom to pick up a vial and scrutinise it. "Curious. Very curious."

"What's curious?" Tom asked, a hint of irritation seeping into voice. The mediwitch turned, obviously catching the slip. She smiled in apology.

"I'm sorry, Mr Riddle. I got carried away. You must be feeling quite frustrated with your lack of memory. Let me explain. You were brought in last night because you had been influenced by a love potion and a lust potion. Thank goodness the student you accosted under its influence was of the decent sort. He brought you straight to me. Oh, and not to mention smart. Would not have been able to get you the antidote this fast had he not been helping me in making your enchanted self-cooperate."

Tom felt like gritting his teeth.

"Was he not the one to spell me then?"

"Potioned, Mr Riddle," Madame Epione corrected gently as she went over to her supply cupboard and took out a crystal vial that was red in colour. "And no, Harry was not the one to potion you. At least, that is what he said and I'm quite inclined to believe him, dear, considering if he were the one to potion you, he would not have brought you to me. At the very least, not until they were done with whatever malicious deeds, they wanted to do with you."

Tom tensed at the implication and anger swelled within him. So, somebody wanted to take control of him, hmm? They'll soon get their dues.

"Oh, don't worry, dear. I checked you thoroughly. You have not been," Madame Epione grimaced at having to say the phrase," violated – for a lack of better words – in any way. And when the boy brought you in, the potions within you had been administered for about ten minutes only. Not much time for anyone to do anything to you, Mr Riddle."

"But if he were not the one to potion me, why did I accost this Harry of all people?" Tom wanted to sneer at how plebeian the name was. He was not going to disregard the apparently decent boy. He would not until he confirmed that that idiot was not indeed the one to potion him. You could never be too sure. Sometimes, the ones who seemed innocent were the real culprits.

A small smirk rose on Tom's lips. He would know. The number of times he had fooled old Dumbledore still gave him a laugh.

Madame Epione's voice cut through his thoughts again.

"Ah it was a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Mr Riddle. Or perhaps I should say the right place at the right time, because I doubt it would have gone well for you if anyone else had been there instead of Harry."

I'll be the judge of that, Tom thought.

The sixteen-year-old plastered a sweet smile onto his face.

"I see...Madame Epione, could you tell me the name of my saviour then? I would like to thank him for helping me out. It is only right of me."

Madame Epione beamed at him. "Of course, dear. His actual name is Hadrian Rell. The new student from last year? He was sorted into the House of the Badgers."

"There you are Hadrian Rell."

Harry stilled in shock and immediately cursed himself for it. He was already in an isolated part of the castle. He did not need a confrontation of any sorts here.

Like the last time.

The young wizard turned around to face the owner of the dreaded voice, careful to keep his face blank. He knew the voice all too well. He knew it since he was a baby. Granted, it was no longer had the serpent like quality but it still retained the velvety tones as always.

Velvety tones of seduction that have led many to their deaths, Harry's inner voice warned. The boy repressed a shudder.

"Riddle."

"I've been looking all over for you, Rell."

"Were you, now?" Harry asked nonchalantly.

"Yes. I had to thank my Saviour, didn't I?"

Harry tensed at the choice of word briefly.

"I'm no saviour, Riddle. I was just doing what was right. Now if you'd please move. I'd rather not be late for Astronomy."

Harry clenched his teeth as he felt a hand imprison his wrist as he tried to walk away.

"What do you want Riddle?"

"The truth, Rell. I'm afraid I can't remember much from last night. And you are the only one who can help me out."

Harry did not like the glint in the future Dark Lord's eyes. But before he could respond, he felt a push against his Occlumency shields. He tore his eyes away from the locked gaze they kept with blue orbs and wrenched his arm from the older teen's grasp.

"You – you!"

"Ah so you recognise Legilimency," Tom stated casually. "And know Occlumency. Well, how unfortunate. I wish we didn't have to do this the hard way, Harry, but I suppose I have no choice."

Harry's eyes widened at the implication.

"Legili – "

"Protego!" Harry shouted before turning tail and running for his life. He knew his limits. He had progressed much in his Occlumency skills but he doubted he was ready for them to be tested at the hands of one Tom Marvalo Riddle – a master at the Mind Arts, if he remembered correctly from the future.

This situation called for flight not fight.

Meanwhile, Tom Riddle stood up from sidewall where he had been blasted against, eyes trailing the disappearing figure of his quarry in hunger. Had it not been for his wandless shield, he was certain he would have needed another visit to the Hospital Wing. But what had him reeling was the pure amount of power in his prey.

A prey that was obviously restraining its powers.

The Slytherin heir gave a chilling smile.

"Well, well, if you want to have a game of cat and mouse, Hadrian...I'm all in for it," Tom murmured.

Harry was somewhat amused and frustrated at what he went through for the next few weeks. Riddle had sent his followers to help corner him, if the sudden increase of green tied students bumping into him were any indication. However, the perks of being often cast aside and being the "invisible" one was that it was hard for people to find him. Heck, Harry felt like he had made hiding within Hogwarts into an art of some sort.

Also, his fellow Hufflepuffs have been quite supporting in helping him hide. They were very much a refreshing change for the once hounded Chosen One. The beauty about the badgers were that they never pried unless you gave subtle hints at needing someone to rant to and they were willing to do anything for their friends without question, as long as it was not morally wrong that is.

And hiding away from unwanted attention was not morally wrong.

Still, he reminded himself not to get too confident. Harry was well aware his luck was often against him.

Which was why he cursed again as he caught sight of Riddle at the end of the corridor.

"Damn it! I almost made it into one month and two weeks of peace," the teen muttered to himself as he backpedalled instantly.

The teen ran about the castle, hoping he had lost Riddle for the day when someone tugged him into an abandoned classroom.

Harry whirled around to see his captor.

"Oh, it's only you," Harry slumped in relief for a moment at not seeing Riddle's face. But then he tensed. "Wait. Who are you?"

He took in the female. She was obviously a Pureblood, with the way she was sneering at him and trying to look all superior. Thankfully, her tie was not green but blue. Yet, Harry did not let down his guard down. He had learnt that sometimes Slytherins were not the only one who seemed to worship the ground the future Dark Lord walked on.

"Your nightmare, Rell," the witch spat, her blonde curls flying slightly in response to her obvious fury. "I've been trying to get you for weeks, but you are quite the slippery one, aren't you?"

Harry raised an eyebrow to that, unimpressed.

Seriously? I'm starting to get annoyed with all this drama. I've been running away from one psycho. I don't need another.

Harry absently wondered what he had done to gain this stranger's wrath.

"I'm a half-blood darling. And before you go all villainy on me, care to tell me what I've done wrong, Miss Your Nightmare?" He knew mockery was not the best move against an obviously angry (and maybe even insane) foe. But Harry was at the end of his patience. He had spent two weeks running around the castle avoiding detection. He had his own problems.

"Oh, don't act as if you don't know, mudblood," the witch spat. Harry felt his magic rise in anger at the insult, his frustrated state not helping him one bit to control it. But judging from the way the witch in front of him was still ranting, he knew she wasn't sensitive to it.

"You first interfere in my plans and now you're trying to steal my man!"

Harry blinked.

What?

"Um, I'm sorry. I don't follow," Harry deadpanned. "Elaborate please? This is my first time knowing of your existence much less that you are romantically inclined with some mystery man?"

"Why you! Don't act like you don't know! Do you know how hard it was to get the lust potion and love potions into Tom's goblet? And you dare walk in on him the moment the potions started to work after their time lag!" The Ravenclaw hurled hexes at him, some of them dangerously hitting too close to the Forbidden Arts category.

Harry's magic rose around him in a golden cage that was translucent, protecting its master without needing orders. Harry noted absently that it felt rather good to let it go free after spending almost a year keeping it in check to not catch the eyes of a power-hungry Dark Lord and his fanatics or the always interfering Dumbledore. His eyebrows' meanwhile, raised themselves high in shock.

"You poisoned Riddle?"

"Potioned! You dim-witted half-blood!" The witch – whose name Harry had yet to figure out – screamed. She was still hurling hexes at him, seemingly unable to understand they were not going to work on Harry.

"Poisoned," Harry repeated. "To control another's thoughts and actions is nothing but poisoning their will to wither away to give way for another's will. You may have used potions but you intended to poison Riddle, you utter idiot."

For a moment, Harry felt like he had turned into Snape of all people, at the way he was picking apart the crazed girl's actions. Harry shuddered a bit.

"Oh shut it! You're not going to be able to talk much longer after I'm done with you!"

Harry did not bother to make the delusional witch aware of the fact that she was not even harming him. Instead he decided to prolong the conversation. It was funny to watch the witch spout her crazy. He knew for one that Tom Riddle was not one to be owned by the likes of what stood before him at the moment. The girl was not even on par with the future Dark Lord.

And to think she would succeed in controlling Tom Riddle? To keep in as a faithful lover or some sort of equally abysmal position. Not likely.

If there was one thing Harry was certain about, it was that Tom Marvalo Riddle was ambitious. Too ambitious. He would hate to leave his revolution for some whiny, clingy lover.

"Well, I'd like to correct your misconceptions, darling." Now, Snape would be proud at how much contempt Harry was putting into that word. "But I'm afraid I simply happened to chance upon Riddle when the potions started working. You should have timed yourself better."

Harry ignored the way the witch started sputtering at his taunting.

"Also, what was that bit of most ridiculous accusation you were spouting in the middle of the rest of your nonsense speech? I was trying to steal your man? Care to explain that delusion?"

"Oh, stop acting, Rell!" The still-no-name witch spat. Harry was starting to get tired of the same opening lines. The witch really was not creative. Or simply lacked better phrases and vocabulary. "He's been having all of us search high and nigh for your orphan arse! With no reason! You've spelled him, you treacherous swine! You've spelled him away from me!"

Oh gee, she really is a psycho!

"First of all, I don't even care for Riddle. Second, are you sure you have your facts right, sweetheart? I'm pretty sure Riddle was single for the whole year. Even longer."

Harry gave the witch a sweet smile that had a hint of pity in it.

He was not doing his House proud, honestly, with how cruel he was. But Harry really had run out of patience. All he wanted was a quiet life as he figured out how to return back to his own time. He had already been stuck in this timeline for more than a year. It was troubling enough that being in the past was giving him major culture shocks with how much things used to be better now than it would be in the future. He had even argued with the Hat for the second time in his life about where to place him. And he had successfully persuaded it to put him in Hufflepuff instead of either Slytherin or Gryffindor after so much pleading, cajoling and threatening.

And here was this witch. Ruining all his hard work at hiding by dragging him into a mess with Riddle just because she could not poison someone right (Pathetic, honestly).

Although, Harry would admit he was glad he found Riddle instead. He wouldn't want even his arch nemesis to be in such a disgusting situation where his will was bound from him. That was terrible for anyone to be in.

This is why I'm qualified for Hufflepuff too, Harry thought with a sigh.

He supposed his House would understand his cruelty if he told them the truth. They would never stand for such underhanded manipulations. At least, Harry supposed most of them would never. He was not naïve enough to believe all Hufflepuffs were good in deed.

"He's mine, you mudblood! He will be!"

Harry's retort was beaten by someone else.

"Last time I checked, I didn't belong to anybody, Martha Balustrade, much less to trash like you."

Harry whirled around to face the door. To his consternation, Tom Riddle leaned against the doorway, with two Slytherins guarding him from behind.

Malfoy and Nott, Harry's mind supplied.

From the way the teen was in a very much comfortable position, Harry could ascertain he had heard much of the conversation.

How much though?

Harry was not going to lie. If he had to prove his innocence to Riddle, he would snap. If the guy was going to eavesdrop, he had better have done it from the right moment.

The teen glanced back to the witch who he finally had a name to associate with – Martha Balustrade. She had gone quite pale from how Harry could see the veins in her neck and was thankfully distracted from hurling curses at him. Harry reigned back his magic, tucking it away inside him. It was risky enough that Riddle and two of his followers had obviously seen it. He didn't want to give them more chance to analyse it.

But the feel of hungry eyes appraising him from the doorway had Harry cursing internally, his hopes of discretion having been shattered. He started to seek out ways to escape this situation.

"You know Martha, I hate people who try to control me. And you have gone as far as trying to poison me to achieve it." There was a gleam of amusement in Riddle's eyes. Harry did not know whether he was supposed to be glad he would no longer be hounded for the issue or be miffed at the mocking Riddle was obviously doing to him.

It was poisoning no matter what anyone said!

"I – I – My Lord, I - "

Riddle's magic flared in annoyance and the witch flinched. Harry had to stop himself from crying out in incredulity.

So, she can sense magic?! What the hell, woman? Was mine not noticeable enough to break through your delusions?! Harry thought in slight affront. His magic itself was very much affronted but reigned in as it was within him (forcefully), it could not make its unhappiness known.

"Silence!" Riddle hissed with a discreet glance given to Harry who pretended not to notice. But internally, Harry wondered what had gotten the teen angry.

Was it her calling him 'Lord'? Harry's head tilted ever so slightly to the side. I supposed the future Dark Lord has yet to come out fully about his campaign to the world.

It would make sense. Tom Riddle was still the charming, brilliant Prefect who everyone adored, feared and worshipped within Hogwarts. With the exception of Albus Dumbledore.

Harry shrugged internally. Whatever. I don't care. I'd rather leave this drama right now. His eyes wandered around his surroundings casually.

He had the door – which was blocked – or he could jump out of one of the five big windows at the other side of classroom and pray he would not die for falling from seven stories.

Lovely, Harry thought at his restrained options. I wish I could just melt into the walls...

Footsteps distracted Harry from his thoughts. Riddle had started to walk towards the them, eyes narrowed upon the pale and shuddering Martha who had – Harry's eyebrows rose in exasperation – fallen to the ground to grovel and beg for mercy while sobbing uncontrollably.

Harry wanted to inch away but Riddle had already closed the distance. He stood still, letting the Slytherin heir finish his business with his prey, as he reluctantly resigned himself to be interrogated next.

He had no other escape for now.

Thank magic I took an oath to protect the secrets of the future, Harry thought. Who knew making an oath to your own self would actually work?

"I have much to deal out to you, traitor," Riddle hissed to the crying girl. "But I'm afraid I can't do it in front of our guest here."

Harry rolled his eyes. He had seen this wizard do worse in his time. Besides, isn't saying that already giving away that he was going to be doing horrible things?

"Abraxas, Theo?" Riddle called out sweetly to his fellow Housemates. "Take her to the dungeons, will you?"

The next thing Harry knew was that he was alone in an abandoned classroom with Riddle. The older teen flicked his wand and the door shut ominously, locking them in.

"What do you want, Riddle? Isn't it obvious I didn't do anything to you?"

"Hmm, so you say."

Harry stared at the wizard incredulously.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, well, Rell. For all I know, you could have staged this little confession from Martha, after seeing me looking for you," Riddle mentioned sweetly as he walked closer to Harry.

Harry instinctively walked back, not liking the invasion of his private bubble one bit.

"And why the heck would I do that? You really think I have the time and brains to waste on you like that?" Harry asked with a raised brow.

He cursed softly as he felt himself backed into the wall. Riddle chuckled. The feeling sent shivers down Harry's spine.

"Oh, I do not doubt you are capable of it, Rell. You are one of the top students of our batch. Second to just me but I have a feeling you are in truth equal to me in abilities if that last gorgeous bit of magic you did just now was any indication," Riddle murmured in his velvety voice.

Harry reeled with shock.

Ok so I did not hold back on my studies in this time but seriously? Equal to Riddle? Um..Ok...

"Oh, were you not aware?" Riddle asked innocently. "You should ask the teachers, darling, about you. Nothing but good things they have to say. Brilliant student. Brilliant mind. But so obviously holding back. They do wish you opened up more with your potential."

A sly smile overtook the young wizard's face.

"You are not as invisible as you believe."

Harry tensed. Riddle chuckled.

"As for reasons for your probable fraud. Well there are many reasons, Hadrian Rell. The most prominent one being you wanting to gain my trust?" Riddle stood toe to toe – literally – with Harry, looming down on the shorter teen.

"I have the trust of my friends, Riddle. I want nothing from you or your ilk," Harry snapped, feeling agitated at being cornered. "What do you want with me? We both know you know I'm innocent."

Tom tilted his head, contemplating. "Show me the memory of you finding me that night."

Harry gritted his teeth. "You are not rifling through my mind!"

"If you are truly innocent, you wouldn't mind," Riddle replied calmly.

"Try your manipulations on someone else. I am well aware of my innocence and I can give you an oath on it."

Riddle laughed. "Oh well, if you want me to go the hard way, I will."

Harry's eyes widened as he felt a sense of déjà vu at how the situation was turning out. But this time round, he was not fast enough to call his magic to his aid, cornered against a wall as he was.

Harry gasped as he felt a presence forcefully tear apart his Occlumency shields.

Tom would admit that he was impressed with the mysterious Hufflepuff. He was obviously self-taught from what Tom was witnessing. His shields were quite good too, though thankfully lacking in necessary refinements that would have made them infallible. Tom found himself passing through after a few minutes of good struggle.

He did not waste time to pry. He could feel resistance building within Rell's mind. He called upon the memory he was searching for.

"There you are Hadrian Rell!"

Tom raised his eyebrows at the way the conversation was similar to how he had approached the Hufflepuff after waking up from the Infirmary.

The emerald eyed teen tensed, whirling around to face the owner of the voice who had called him.

"Riddle?" Hadrian's voice called out; confusion prominent in it.

Tom narrowed his eyes at the way the teen's wand hand had shifted ever so slightly. So Rell was wary of him.

"What do you want? And what are you doing here of all places?"

Tom noted that they were in the part of the castle that was closest to Hufflepuff territory than Slytherin.

A vague memory of stumbling around and away from the Slytherin dorms' directions as his vision started to get hazy started to come back to his mind.

He smiled grimly at the confirmation that Rell had indeed not been bluffing his innocence.

"I came to see you, Hadrian."

The addressed boy raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I wanted to see you," Tom repeated, striding closer to the isolated teen.

Harry warily took steps away from the somewhat glazed-eyed Slytherin. He was starting to get nervous.

"Um, you don't know me, Riddle –"

"Call me Tom, Hadrian. And we can always resolve the problem of not knowing easily," Tom whispered, having come close enough to breathe into Harry's ear.

The younger teen – who has by now backed into the wall – pressed himself away from the Slytherin.

Tom would admit, watching from the third person perspective, that Hadrian was quite amusing to see flustered.

"Get out of my mind, you moron!" Hadrian's voice echoed faintly around him. "And it's Rell to you Riddle!"

Tom bit back a smile and continued watching the memory, clamping down on the resistance he could feel trying to kick him out.

"What the heck has gotten into you Riddle?" Harry whisper shouted to the teen standing face to face with him. "Have you had something funny to drink or –"

Emerald eyes widened in realisation.

"Oh god, you've been potioned," Harry whispered in dread.

"No, my little Raven. I've fallen for you," Tom whispered heavily into the teen's ears.

Harry gasped as he felt a pressure near his lower abdomen. Riddle shifted ever so slightly, brushing against him knowingly if the glint in his eyes were any indication.

"Oh dear, don't tell me there is a lust potion in the mix!" Harry muttered to himself.

"I'm going to make you mine, Hadrian. Mine forever."

"Look Riddle, I swing for both teams yes, but I'm not interested in you –"

"I will be the only one you will be thinking of, little Raven, if you want pleasure," Tom hissed darkly. "No one else!"

Tom felt conflicted. He was not sure if he should be proud that he still retained most of his qualities even under potion influence or feel humiliated at acting like a lovelorn fool in front of someone.

"You know, you're pretty strange," Harry's voice echoed around the mindscape.

"Why would you say that?" Tom asked irritated.

"No one I've seen under love potions are ever this possessive. Rather they should be eating out of the palm of their infatuation..."

"I do not submit, Hadrian. I dominate," Tom replied evenly, voice a mask of superiority to hide the fact that Tom knew what Hadrian was talking about. He was surprised himself that he was not falling all over Hadrian in the undignified, mindless way that most love potion influenced people do.

"Smug git."

Tom smirked.

"I'm not looking for relationships in the first place," Harry muttered softly, out of hearing from the enchanted Slytherin who was still too close for comfort.

"I'm going to make you mine. Mine forever Hadrian!" Tom repeated, his hands pulling the Hufflepuff's robes upwards.

"Wait no!"

A tense silence filled the isolated corridor. Harry licked his lips and immediately regretted it as he felt a pair of eyes focus upon the action.

"Ri – Tom," Harry corrected himself. "Before any of that, how about we go somewhere else."

Harry gently pushed the taller teen away from him. He didn't succeed by much as Tom remained grasping him by the waist, even though he had moved back slightly. Harry took joy in the fact that the boy was no longer looming right in front of him. Small victories are still victories, his mind supplied weakly in an effort to be optimistic.

Blue-Grey eyes locked onto emerald ones.

"Do you want to be somewhere more romantic, little Raven?"

Tom felt Hadrian's exasperated frustration at that line. Seeing what the teen was going through, Tom couldn't blame him for the reaction. It was a pretty pathetic line too. Tom felt his only saving grace was that he was not in a right state of mind.

"Yes, yes but before that, I have something to finish at the Infirmary. Let's do that and then we can have the rest of the night to ourselves."

Harry tried not to squirm at the increased pressure he was feeling pressed against him down south.

"Are you trying to get me to drink something from there?"

"No," Harry replied, affronted.

"You are under the assumption that I am potioned, little Raven," Tom muttered to the Hufflepuff.

Harry rolled his eyes, irritated.

Tom had to hand it to the boy. He was a good actor.

"Thanks," came the sarcastic echo around him. "Get out of my mind!"

Tom narrowed his eyes in annoyance and flicked his hand, sending a burst of magic at the increasing pressure he was feeling to leave Rell's mind. A short cry of pain was all he heard before he felt the presence of Hadrian disappear completely.

Tom's eyebrows creased in concern.

"Hadrian?"

There was no response. Then –

"That hurt, you moron!"

Tom let his attention fall back onto the memory.

"Look, I need to collect back my Potions essay from Madame Epione. I always ask and refer to her after writing it because she is a Healer and I'm interested in pursuing the same career. You can either walk with me or stay here by yourself, Riddle"

Harry pushed Tom away in his "anger" and started walking away.

Tom smirked. That was a wrong move when with him, potion or no potion.

Harry gasped in shock as he was roughly pulled back into his cornered position against the wall. He looked up to find himself face to face with a pissed off Riddle.

"You are mine, Hadrian! Don't dare walk away from me, little Raven."

The Hufflepuff pressed himself back as far as he could, turning his face away from the boy, playing the part of a saddened lover.

"You're really good," Tom muttered.

"Shut up you privacy invading prat. Those were the worst moments in my life. You ruined a really good evening!"

"Are you sure? You must be secretly happy to have me around."

"I am not! You be glad I was kind enough to get you to the Hospital Wing, instead of leaving you to fend for yourself in your lust induced state! Want to bet if the next person to have stumbled across you in that state would have let slip the opportunity to use you?"

Tom wisely kept his mouth shut. He was well aware what some people would do to him.

Tom sighed. Harry stilled as a finger held up his chin, forcing him to look back into blue-grey eyes.

"If you want to collect the essay first, then sure. I'll walk you there, little Raven. On a condition."

"What?" Harry whispered, warily.

"I want a kiss," Tom smirked. "Just one, love, for now."

Harry's control on his Occlumency slipped and a blush coated his cheeks.

"Oh. O – ok."

Tom narrowed his gaze into emerald orbs.

"No trying to run away, Raven. I won't be so nice as to you the next time you try to leave."

Harry's gaze turned slightly sheepish. He had obviously been considering the option.

"I won't. I promise. But just one kiss? And then the Infirmary?"

"Yes."

Tom smirked again. This was getting more amusing.

"Oh, Hadrian darling. Did you obliviate me? Too mortified to face the fact that you kissed me willingly?"

"You little piece of shit! I have done no such thing. As if I'll bow to your stupid demands! Watch for yourself."

Tom's smirk widened at the wizard's frustration.

"I will."

Harry felt Tom relax against him and watched as the Slytherin bent his head towards him.

~ Three breaths away ~

Harry let his hands fall from the wall to touch the boy's hips, letting them wander upwards as though wanting to curl them around the boy's shoulders.

~ Two breaths away ~

He felt Riddle's hands slacken around him own hips. One hand of the Slytherin travelled up to tug Harry's hair and pull his head backwards.

Harry raised himself on his toes.

~ One breath away ~

Harry pushed Riddle away with all his might, reversing their positions and then immediately backing away.

"What the – ?"

Tom raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously Hadrian. Why are you such a spoilsport?"

Tom suppressed a smile as he felt the other wizard's indignation roll around him in waves.

"You ungrateful, little nincompoop! You should be thanking me for not kissing you while you were cuckoo!"

Tom gave a knowing smile.

"So, you would kiss me if I were in the right state of mind?"

"NO! I would not!" Hadrian's voice snapped back, frustrated. "Get out of my mind, you pervert!"

"If you want a kiss, Tom," Harry whispered, walking backwards, "You must earn it."

Harry raised his left hand, twirling a wand that was not his.

Tom's eyes widened in surprise as his hands searched his robes.

"You stole my wand!"

Harry shook his head slightly, still inching away from the Slytherin.

"No. Merely keeping it away from you. Wouldn't want you to play cheat with magic."

"You promised me a kiss, little Raven." There was a hint of darkness in the Slytherin's voice. Harry shivered. "I'm not merciful to those who break promises to me."

"I'm not going to break it. Like I said, Riddle. If you want a kiss, you are going to have to earn it."

Tom took a step forward but stilled as he found his own wand pointed against him.

"How would you like me to earn it, love?"

Harry gave a cheeky grin.

"Expecto Patronum."

Harry watched in satisfaction as Tom's eyes widened in surprise at the silver stag that erupted out of the wand, illuminating the slightly dim corridor.

"Gorgeous," Tom breathed.

He felt Hadrian's embarrassment and smiled slightly.

"Thank you. Prongs was always a magnificent sight."

But little Raven, I do not think my love-lusted-self had found the stag as fascinating as the sight of you, Tom thought silently, keeping the thought carefully to himself. And looking at how Hadrian was cast in the silvery light, glowing with excitement at seeing his Patronus with his emerald eyes shining and a smile full of pure joy, Tom could understand why his memory self was drinking the sight hungrily.

Harry bent down and whispered something to his stag. The silvery creature gave an affectionate nudge to the teen before galloping away.

"You want to know what you have to do, Riddle?"

Harry flicked the wand elegantly. Ice formed on the floor between Harry and Tom preventing the older teen from closing the distance between them faster.

Tom took in the silent casting with approval.

"Come catch me Riddle, if you want a kiss," Harry called out in a sing-song voice.

With the challenge posted, he turned and sprinted away into the darkness, ignoring the shiver running down his spine at the sound of a dark growl.

"Oh, bad choice, Hadrian. You should not run."

"Oh, don't be so smug, I beat you to the Infirmary," Harry's voice called out.

"Yes and how did that go?"

The landscape shifted.

Harry gasped as he made it through the entrance of the Infirmary.

"Madame Epione!" He panted out at the waiting mediwitch. "Did you get my – oomph!"

Harry winced as he collided onto the bedpost he was holding for support as a weight enveloped him from behind.

"I don't like it when what is mine runs, Raven."

Harry shuddered at the husky voice that promised dark things.

"Riddle I –"

The hands around him tightened in warning.

"Tom," Harry corrected. "You're not in the right state of mind!"

"Stop giving excuses, Ra – "

A clearing of the throat interrupted the Slytherin. The pair of teens jumped apart in instinct and whirled around to face the amused-looking Madame Epione.

Harry did not waste the opportunity to escape. He ran behind the matron.

"Help him!"

"I do not need help. Hadrian come back here."

Tom flicked his hand once more to push away the resistance that was trying to kick him out of the memory.

"Riddle that hurts. Get out of my mind!" Hadrian's voice was starting to sound tired.

Tom ignored it.

"I'll be the judge of that, Mr Riddle. Now how about you take a seat and let me clarify Mr Rell's concerns, hmm?"

Madame Epione raised a hand to silence the protests from the Slytherin prefect.

"If you are so sure of the fact that you are not under influence of potion, you shouldn't be afraid."

Harry watched from behind the woman as the teen looked conflicted. Obviously, the potion influence was fighting against Riddle's logics.

"If you give an oath to me right here, right now that you will let Madame Epione do her work and help you out in the case that there are potions in your system, I'll give you an oath to kiss you after she diagnoses you."

A silence hung in the air.

"So if she does diagnose me with potions?"

"I'll still give you the kiss as long as you want it."

"I do," Tom took a step forward, trying to get around the mediwitch who was too stunned to move.

"Oath first!" Harry shouted as he used the frozen mediwitch as a human shield.

Tom sighed. "My wand?"

"No. We both know you don't need it. Do it wandlessly."

Tom's eyes narrowed in anger and Harry knew he had thwarted a cheating effort.

"So little faith in me," Tom murmured. "I would have simply given the oath."

"Say that story to someone who would believe you."

"How do I know you aren't lying, Hadrian?"

Harry sighed.

"I hereby give the oath, with magic as my witness, to grant Tom Marvalo Riddle one kiss if he is willing to cooperate with Madame Epione and allow her to check his health and help him out if need be."

"I, Tom Marvalo Riddle, hereby give an oath to allow Madame Epione to do her duty and administer antidotes and other relevant help on my person if she finds influences of harmful potions in my body this evening. I would not interfere or be uncooperative. So I speak, so mote it be."

Harry gave the mediwitch a light nudge. Madame Epione blinked, startled and then nodded, regaining her composure.

Harry distinctly heard her mutter "Children these days."

The trio waited in bated breath as the mediwitch started casting diagnostic charms. Tom made his way to Harry since he no longer had the protection of the adult witch.

An 'Oh dear' from the mediwitch alerted the teenagers that the diagnostic test had completed and she was reading the verdict.

"Kiss now."

Harry sighed.

Tom frowned.

"I thought you said we didn't kiss, Hadrian."

"Why, are you hoping we did?" Harry's voice echoed sarcastically.

A fresh wave of magic shot at Tom, intending to kick him out of the mindscape he was invading. Tom brushed it aside to the frustration of his host.

"I'm getting tired," Harry muttered, voice sounding exhausted. "Please leave Tom."

"We are almost done Harry," Tom smiled smugly at the use of his first name.

"And so is my energy."

Tom was a little concerned at how raspy the other boy's voice was getting in exhaustion.

Harry walked closer to the other wizard.

"Mr Riddle –"

Tom turned his head, distracted by the worried tone of the mediwitch.

Harry took his chance. He tiptoed and planted a chaste kiss on the Slytherin boy's right cheek and immediately backed away.

A hand shot out and caught Harry's right wrist.

"That's cheating, little Raven."

"But a rather cunning move. Sneaky little Hufflepuff."

Tom glanced around in confusion at the lack of reply from Hadrian.

"You never mentioned what kind of kiss, Riddle," Harry shot back.

"You know what I want –"

"If you two boys could listen for a moment."

Harry tried tugging away his hand but found the effort to be futile. He sighed.

"Mr Riddle, come over. You have love and lust potions within your body. Not good. Not at all."

"I don't –"

"You are oath bound!" Harry warned.

"You cheated, Raven!"

"Are you listening? You have potions in your system. You don't like me this way! Heck you never even saw me before this!"

"I am not lying – "

"Mr Riddle, come sit here instead. You need antidotes –"

Tom turned angrily to the mediwitch without relinquishing his hold on Harry.

"I don't need those. I need this idiot to realise I love him!"

"Mr Riddle – "

Harry rolled his eyes heavenward in exasperation at the bantering going on. A sudden heat rising around him though had him worrying.

The teen looked at Tom Riddle to find him to be source for the rising temperature.

"Oh no, the oath," Harry thought.

With a silent apology and prayer to the deities above that Tom Riddle was not going to curse him when he woke, Harry lifted the Yew wand that he still clutched in his left hand.

"Stupefy."

The teen moved quickly to catch the falling Slytherin.

Looking up, he shrugged at the stunned mediwitch.

"What? It was either this or let his own magic bind him in an effort to keep his oath in a humiliating manner."

Harry lifted the unconscious teen onto his arms, hooking a hand under his legs and cradling the Slytherin's head to his chest.

He walked over to the nearest bed and laid him down gently.

"Please help him. I'm pretty sure Riddle would be mortified to be left in this state."

He placed the wand he was carrying onto the nearby desk. "That's his wand by the way. I'm going to leave now."

"Do you know who administered the potions onto Mr Riddle?"

Harry shook his head.

"No clue, ma'am. I found him near the Hufflepuff territory after the crowd of students coming back from dinner thinned. Or morel like he found me and harassed me," Harry muttered at the end. "I really need to head back before curfew, Madame Epione. Just get him out of the potions' influence.

The memory ended.

Tom came back to reality and immediately found a weight on his chest. Surprised, the teen found himself with an armful of an unconscious Hadrian Rell.

"Oh oops," Tom muttered as he saw the teen suffering from a nose-bleed from the Legilimency attack.

Flicking his hand twice, Tom cleared the bleeding problem. He was about to shoot a 'rennervate' at the teen when something stirred in his memories.

Tom stumbled against the wall, clutching his head at the agony he was feeling. He felt a hazy presence take control in his mind and started fighting against it. But it was too strong.

His magic flared, rising in frustration. It swirled around him, partly wanting to help but not knowing how and partly feeling trapped by the mysterious invasion of a new will that was not its master's.

Tom felt himself losing most of his control. Faintly he heard footsteps hurrying towards where he stood. His self-preservation did not need hints that whoever was coming was not his ally.

With the last bit of his energy, the Slytherin heir reached out to the castle, seeking help.

A stone shifted in the wall he was leaning against. Next thing Tom knew, he was falling through said wall.

He looked up to find himself in a dimly lit corridor that was very much isolated. Except for a lone figure walking away.

Tom's magic flared, seeking out the stranger, for a bizarre reason, happy. And then Tom lost control.

Tom Riddle blinked.

"Huh," he gazed down at the teen in his arms. "Curious. So very curious."

Tom bent down slowly, taking in every inch of the unconscious teen's face. Something stirred in him.

The sixteen-year-old let out his magic experimentally. He observed as it spread out at his command, turning golden and red in the air to let him see it with his naked eye.

Tom watched in curiosity as it brightened in excitement at the sight of the teen in his arms and dove to him. The next moment, another set of magic – in the colours of silver and emerald – rose.

Hadrian's magic.

Tom watched as their magic danced together. Wherever the other teen's magic touched his, Tom felt a surge in his magical power and a sense of completion wash over him.

He stared at the display in confusion.

"What are you, Hadrian Rell?"

The unconscious teen did not answer.

Tom startled as he heard the sound of shifting stones. Turning to his right, he found the wall of the castle adjusting. And suddenly there was a mirror within the wall.

Tom tensed. He knew magical mirrors were things to be wary of. Things like the legendary Mirror of Erised were capable of destroying men with hopes.

Carrying Hadrian up the same way the teen had once carried him in the Infirmary, Tom approached the mysterious mirror, taking care not to see into its eye. He read the rune inscriptions decorating its frame. Future

Potential

Paths

"Divination-inclined hmm?" Tom muttered, relaxing slightly.

Divination was not a set-in stone matter. It showed one possibility out of an infinite number of possibilities.

Tom shifted to face the mirror directly.

The mist within swirled. An image took form.

It was him and Hadrian. They were obviously older. Still bickering. But happy. Very happy. And in their clasped hands were two matching rings, shining from where they rested on each of their respective ring fingers on their left hands.

Tom drank in the sight. A yearning he had long suppressed as a child returned with a vengeance. Stronger than even when he found his Slytherin heritage. He stared down at the unconscious teen in his arms.

Will it even work? There was obviously a strong possibility. But not all possibilities come to pass.

Tom frowned.

No matter, he thought. I know one thing for sure. He is mine. If the castle and magic itself are approving of this, then it is only right.

Tom's hand tightened around Hadrian, staking claim.

He went back to their previous spot, gently settling the Hufflepuff back onto his feet and positioning him against Tom's chest.

Tom reigned in his magic, watching with slight disappointment as Hadrian's magic sunk back into its master in response. Then the teen shot an 'Enervate' at the unconscious boy. Tom watched in amusement at the way emerald eyes opened groggily, widening after a beat in confusion and then mortification.

"Gyaaa!"

Harry pushed himself against the wall and then groaned as a headache attacked him from nowhere.

"Ow, what did you do to my head Riddle?"

Tom waved his wand once more. Harry blinked as the pain receded in his head.

"Huh. Thanks."

The boy shuffled in the sudden awkward silence.

"So, are you convinced of my innocence now?"

"Yes," Tom replied.

"May I go now, Your Highness?" Harry asked mockingly. "Are you done with me now?"

Tom walked closer, invading the boy's personal space again. A predatory glint shined in his eyes.

"No."

"What – " Harry started incredulously but was cut short.

By a pair of lips claiming his.

Emerald eyes widened in shock. Harry tried to push the teen kissing him away. Tom's magic flared in response and launched itself at Harry.

Harry stilled in surprise as he felt his own magic rise without command at the sight of it.

The two magics clashed.

Harry gasped, unprepared for the overwhelming sensations of right that tore at him with his magic's fusion to Tom's magic. Tom smirked and swooped in at the opportunity, invading the smaller figure's mouth.

Next thing Harry knew, he was in a fight for dominance with the Slytherin heir. Tongues clashing and passion heightening, Harry melted into the kiss.

Hands wandered under his robes and Harry moaned at the fiery sensations shooting up his skin at every lingering touch he received from one Tom Marvalo Riddle. His own hands curled around the other wizard's neck and head, pulling the boy closer while simultaneously tugging the teen's hair.

Tom growled into his mouth. Harry smirked against his lips and received a possessive bite to his tongue in response.

When air became necessary, Tom pulled away and Harry blinked opened his eyes in confusion.

Both wizards were panting hard. Harry blushed a deep shade of crimson to find himself supported against the wall, with his legs curled around Riddle's waist. One of his hands had also abandoned their position by the other wizard's neck to wander under his robe, shyly exploring muscles. He could very distinctly feel both of Riddle's hands under his robes, caressing his hips lightly. He shivered at the sensation.

His blush deepened.

With a cough Harry jumped down from where he straddled Riddle's hip and pulled away his hands. His eyes averted away from intense blue eyes in embarrassment.

To his consternation, Riddle's hands did not leave his body. Harry tugged them away, ignoring the way his magic dimmed and seemed to be sad.

Silence hung over the duo.

"What was that for, Riddle?" Harry whispered out, breathing still heavy.

Tom raised his left hand to caress the blushing teen.

"Claiming, little Raven," Tom whispered back into Harry's ear.

Harry stilled, confused. Riddle chuckled.

"I told you, Hadrian, that I wanted a kiss. Did you really think I would let you get away without fulfilling your promise?"

Tom rested his forehead against Harry's forehead.

"I did warn you that you are mine. And I take what is mine."

Harry frowned.

"I'm not yours Riddle –"

Harry groaned as his words were cut off in another searing kiss. Thankfully this lasted for but a few seconds.

"Would you stop – oh!"

Harry found his eyes closing instinctively in pleasure as soft, butterfly kisses were littered across his neck.

"Riddle what –"

Tom bit the teen's neck, eliciting a pained cry from Harry.

"Tom. For you it is Tom, Raven," Tom whispered, tone dark and seductive.

"Are you still under the potions, mate?" Harry deadpanned.

In answer Tom locked his gaze with Harry, sending over the memory he had regained from that night he had been potioned.

Harry stilled.

Tom gave a small smirk.

"I don't know who or what you are, Hadrian Rell," Tom Riddle whispered into the air between the two. "But if magic itself ascertains you are mine; I will not question it. Instead I will take you as mine, completely."

Tom pressed a chaste kiss to the stunned Hufflepuff.

"Start getting used to me, darling."

And with that, Harry was left alone in an abandoned classroom to his thoughts.