Chapter 1
Everything started when some prophecy made by a so-called seer reached a Dark Lord at his peak, it was predicted that "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…”. Said Dark Lord couldn’t bear the thought of being defeated whilst he hadn’t even achieved his goals. Voldemort needed to dispose of his mortal enemy, kill him before he gets killed, it’s how Voldemort survived all along, his immortality came at price after all.
On the sacred night of Samhain, Lord Voldemort appeared on the Potter Manor doorstep, the prophecy could’ve been about two different babies, yet he knew, he felt that Harry James Potter was his to kill. He entered the household taking by surprise James Potter who instantly told his wife to runaway with their one-year-old. James caught his wand the fastest he could, he damn well knew that he wouldn’t be able to survive against the Dark Lord, but he held on tightly with the thought of Lily and Harry surviving the attack, James Potter perished thinking of his family being safe.
Lily Evans-Potter couldn’t let Lord Voldemort destroy her family, deep-down she knew when she heard the stairs squeak, that she had already lost her lover. Lily had to save her son, regardless of its cost, her own life, she performed a blood magic ritual to give Harry the protection he’ll need, even if it needed her death to be completed. So, when the wizard crossed the door into Harry’s bedroom, she vainly tried to convince him of letting her baby survive, Lily fell on the floor after being hit by a killing curse.
The baby was confused, his green eyes were wide open looking straight at the Dark Lord. He was sat on his cradle mattress laying on top of a blue blanket. For a short moment, he almost thought of showing mercy, but he remembered that his immortality was at stake. So, Voldemort pointed his wand towards the kid then raised it to form a lightning bolt’s shaped deadly curse while he spoke “Avada Kedavra.” The spell, perfectly aimed, hit Harry right on the forehead and carved itself in his skin, a green light shone from his wound, the light attacked the Dark Lord as the spell rebounded. He fell on the floor, like the poor mortal, Lily, he killed mere moments ago. He felt his soul being painfully torn away from his corporeal body. By then Harry was crying loudly, calling for his parent to get some comfort, but it seemed that he couldn’t be heard, because no one came for him.
The next morning, as the sun was waking up, on the first November, the wind was blowing hard and the rain was slowly falling, yet on the ground of 4-privet drive’s doorstep, was laying a baby curled up in a soft, blue blanket, he didn’t seem to mind the cold. The baby’s cheeks were reddish from the cold, but he kept his eyes firmly closed, on his forehead, a bleeding lighting scar could be seen. When the blond lady opened the door to check the mail, all she could see was the letter which was on top of his blanket.
Petunia Dursley picked up the letter, then tried her best to decipher a tiny quill writing, she only understood the dreadful event that had had happened. Her younger sister and her husband were both killed and now their baby somehow made it to her home because they wanted her husband and her to take care of him. But the one thing that this woman knew is that her sister, Lily, was an anomaly and her kid could only be the same, so she had to get rid of it. That’s why her face only shifted to a disgusted look.
She called her husband out and explained where the brat came from, she stressed again to her enormous husband that they needed to “Ditch him far away for here!”.
He didn’t need to be told twice, the next day they welcomed his sister, Marge, who was supposed to go to Paris for her dog show.
As Vernon explained that the kid needed to be far away from them. He was aware of the newborn’s condition, and he couldn’t risk his own son catching the disease! The obvious solution was to get Marge to abandon the baby somewhere in France, they swore it was only for their safety, of course.
Marge couldn’t refuse to help her brother and sister-in-law.
Before she left with the kid, she only asked “What’s the brat’s name, Petunia?”
With her high-pitched voice she begun “I’m quite sure I read that his name was…” Petunia took a breath to remember “Henry?”.
“Henry what?”
“Huh…Henry…Evans.” Petunia said bitterly.
༺𓆩✧𓆪༻
“Well, Hello … Henry Evans! Aren’t you the cutest!?” said a petite nurse banding down to pick up the baby on the orphanage’s doorstep.
She gently patted his head while she looked at Henry with a sad gaze. Kids being left at the door of an orphanage wasn’t a common event yet, it still occurred from time to time. And it became their duty to take care of those abandoned children.
So, Miss Marie Rose, tightly embraced the newcomer as she headed to the newborn’s room, where he’ll spend the next weeks waiting to find some family related information, it was only the process, to make sure the parent gets punished for their actions.
Ms Rose unfolded the blanket of off Henry, the baby seemed to be immersed into a deep sleep, she almost thought he couldn’t wake from it if it wasn’t for his tiny eyes slightly opening. She couldn’t help but be stunned by the brightest green eyes she ever saw. Ms Rose swore she saw a glimpse of magic in those irises.
Weeks after, Mrs Dupain, the orphanage’s matron, informed Marie that nothing came off the investigation, nothing could be found anywhere about Henry Evans’ parents it was like they never existed. It meant he will have to grow up without any knowledge about his biological parent’s identities and why they left him there.
Henry could be considered as a normal child, almost normal. Growing up in an orphanage is never easy and it’s even harder when no one ever wanted to adopt him. Even though, he tried his best: maybe he needed to be prettier (despite Ms Rose telling him countless time he was perfect the way he was), so he wondered if being the nicest kid would get him adopted, it didn’t. Getting the best grades and being the smartest? It didn’t do too.
He was so confused and despaired; his 11 years old mind couldn’t comprehend where the problem lied. At school, he was getting along with every child and even the teachers, but it felt like HE was never enough. If given the choice no one would choose him, he was certain of it. “Must be the reason my parent left me to rot here” Henry once thought, he was grateful of course but couldn’t help his bitterness. The dark-haired little boy couldn’t put a finger on what was wrong.
So, on the Sunday morning, when a lady came in the orphanage, he put his widest smile on in a last hope of being chosen since Ms Rose had told him that he’ll get private moments with her.
She had a long face with black hair put in a bun, her eyes were nut-brown and when she patted his head with a slim smile on her face as Mrs Dupain guided them to the meet-up room, Henry decided that he might really like to call this pretty lady his mom.
“My name is Anne, how about you?” She asked as she sat uncomfortably on the little stool.
“Henry, miss.”
“Well Henry, I was said that you were a really smart boy, is that true?”
“I hope I could be considered as such” he answered with a shy smile, the lady knew about him! It meant it could be his chance to have a family, he had to make sure he didn’t mess up.
“You sure are an interesting child, I was wondering if you would mind playing a game with me while I am here?” she suggested with a nice grin on her face.
They spent the day together; Henry had showed her some silly games he and kids were playing. Anne had looked really pleased with how Henry acted he was calm and tried to be the kindest possible, and Anne even complimented his “Amazing eyes!”. It was it, she was definitely going to adopt him, Henry tried containing his excitement. When Mrs Dupain came back she told Henry to go back to his dorm. But he knew better, the matron was going to interview Anne to know how she felt about him. When they both entered Mrs Dupain’s office, he put his ear on the thin door to spy as he was able to listen everything that was said.
“So, what do you think about him, isn’t he an amazing child” the matron recalled.
“He is! Henry is very well mannered, cute and smart compared to kids his age...” Anne explained, and Henry wanted to scream in happiness! She loved him!
“But…?” the matron asked.
“But, I don’t want to be mean or anything else but he is kind of … dull?” Henry heard as his world shattered right under his nose. He immediately redirected himself to his dorm.
When he sat on his flat mattress, it felt like he was pushed on the bed, he buried himself under the sheets. So, that was his missing point, he was boring and dull. His shiny green eyes flooded with tears and his heart was pounding inside his chest. It was a thousand lightning bolt were targeting him, maybe the scar on his head bounded him to this handless pain. Because it now became obvious that nobody would ever want him, as a child, a friend or else. If she could admit that he was “amazing” and had plenty quality, but it was still not enough to be liked, then it meant that she was probably right, he was indeed dull!
༺𓆩✧𓆪༻
Months passed by and the lady never showed up again, as Henry expected.
He made sure that all the caretakers and the matron knew that he didn’t want to get adopted anymore. He couldn’t bear the disappointment it gave him and everybody else in the orphanage. Sometimes he felt like a stain that wouldn’t go away from the fabric of beautiful garments. They tried to get him to meet up some couples, but he firmly refused each time. It became clear as ice for the staff that Henry would be one of those kids who will never experience what it’s like to have a family, he’ll never leave the orphanage before he hits is unofficial 18 years of age.
Henry mind had completely shifted by now, he was 12, but his head was full of high ambitions, and he’ll probably never admit that, in a certain way, he wanted to make people regret how they ignored him. If he wanted to exist, he needed to be better than anyone else. Ms Rose once told him “You don’t need to overwork to be seen by everyone, someday you’ll find many persons that will notice you, and they will love you.”
But Henry had learned the hard way that he couldn’t be sure of it, and he needed to fight for it. He wouldn’t stand being in the shadow or in a dusty corner. He was born to be seen, born to help, and surely born to be loved.
༺𓆩✧𓆪༻
Years passed and Henry was newly 18 when he left the orphanage it meant the dark-haired boy was forced to balance between his part-time job and his social science studies. Through the years, it has become obvious that he wanted to make a change, high ambition and all, he considered himself strong enough to handle the pressure. He knew that making a name for himself would be hard, especially in politics, but it felt like it as his destiny to work there. He was fighting for fairness and justice. Afterall, he achieved perfect exam scores and got a scholarship for a highly renown school. Nothing could stop him, right?
His low income allowed him to get a flat in Paris, yet Henry always had an empty fridge, the water in the shower was always cold and the shelfs were gathering dust. If that wasn’t enough, he didn’t have access to any phone or computer to work on.
He either needed to: move out, but his school and work are near his flat, and there’s a major chance that he won’t be able to find something else as close, or he could find a flat mate, they could share the expense and the rent. Henry wouldn’t admit but he’ll also enjoy having someone to talk to at the end of the day, maybe even finding a friend. This wish couldn’t cross the path of his mouth, he kept it on the back of his head, as a secret, because he had made it clear that he didn’t need friends or family.
Henry had a lot of criteria for his future roommate. He wanted someone that wasn’t too old, preferably in a good financial situation, doesn’t got out too much, quiet and maybe, maybe someone well educated so, they might be able to debate. He wanted the perfect roommate.
So, when he had to read the countless letter with a poor grammar, his face was shaped with disgust, he wouldn’t even think about choosing them. But then, there were some profiles that seemed fine, sadly they looked like some extrovertive persons that would want to party, it dreaded Henry.
He spent over a month searching for the right roommate, he did some interviews, but each time he’ll either get a bad gut feeling or the person looked a little bit too messy. When reviewing the massive overflow of demands, he found what looked like the most perfect request.
Tom Riddle, a 22-year-old British man, moving to Paris for a career purpose, Tom wrote that he had a stable financial situation, yet explained he wanted to save money and thought being in a shared flat would be the smartest solution. He also stated that he was purely interested in his studies and nothing else. On the picture provided, Henry observed a charming man, with a well-trimmed hairstyle with some curls and warm dark-brown eyes. To be honest Tom looked like those models on the magazine. He instantly knew that he needed Tom to be his flat mate, so they planned an interview just to be sure that their personality and point of view were matching.
༺𓆩✧𓆪༻
In 1992, Lord Voldemort rose up from the dead. Following his resurrection, the dark lord decided to go under his former name: Tom Marvolo Riddle, he wasn’t very happy about it, but it felt like it was the best decision he could take. Indeed, the name Lord Voldemort still terrified the entire British wizarding world, the war that raged before the fateful 31 October 1981 left dreadful memories to every wizard and witch. Tom chose the wisest path, if violence and war wouldn’t change the wrong wizarding politics fast enough, it meant Tom needed to infiltrate the Ministry of Magic and when the time came, make a coup d’état, he knew it would take a long time, but if someone could do it, that person definitely was him.
Nothing was too hard for him. Tom knew that he was capable of extraordinary and remarkable magic. He saw, even in his youngest years, how people tended to shy away from him or hold their breath when he released just a bit of his magic. Everybody knew his never-ending power.
Some thought he needed to be put on a leash, they wanted to control him, they feared him and what he could achieve. But He could achieve greatness. If Dumbledore wanted to stop him, he’ll eliminate him like any other obstacle, he couldn’t be stopped, he fought for the wizarding world, they needed him to rule over the Ministry, even if they couldn’t understand it yet.
For the longest time it seemed that Albus Dumbledore was the only one that could beat Lord Voldemort until the damned prophecy about the Potter heir, that led him to madness.
When Dumbledore first came at wool’s orphanage to introduce Tom to the wizarding world, it felt like something was left unsaid. Maybe Tom’s wild magic and his parseltongue ability alarmed the older man, and maybe Tom felt Dumbledore’s distrust and defiance towards him.
Tom Riddle always knew he was different from the other kids at the orphanage but if his magic wasn’t enough to make him special, then he will be the greatest wizard. His ambitions only deepened when he actually entered the wizarding world. He felt quite bitter about his year mates attempts at bullying him, then he discovered blood purity and immediately knew that if he wanted to be respected, he needed to “prove” he belonged in Slytherin House. When his opportunity to flee the orphanage was demolished by Headmaster Dippet and Professor Dumbledore, Tom decided it only meant he’ll have the entire summer to perfect his plan at getting everybody (purebloods in Slytherin first) at his feet.
The key would be to prove his worth, he couldn’t be a mudblood since his magic was to pure and strong to be a muggleborn’s one, but Riddle wasn’t a wizard name so it meant his mother must have been a witch, but how come she died in labor like a weak muggle. Then everything would go according to his plan.
So, when his second year began, he couldn’t help but dive into Hogwarts purebloods family trees and histories. One could say he was overjoyed when he learnt that only the descendants of Salazar Slytherin could communicate with snakes, the next step was to find the family that came of Salazar himself. Finally, his eyes were drawn to Marvolo’s name so when he saw that he had two children, a son named Morfin, and a daughter who bore the name of Merope, perished the 1 January of 1927. It could only mean he found his place and his admired inheritance.
And it’s exactly how he learned about the rumor of the chamber of secrets. He only became obsessed with the idea of finding it, he’ll be able to get rid of some mudblood to prove his superiority to everyone else. Plus opening the chamber would prove is inheritance, which meant that the pureblood won’t be able to stop themselves from kneeling before him. It’s how he will get a future pre-built, with endless opportunities and several open doors dedicated to him.
Years passed by and Tom still couldn’t find the damned chamber, yet he got the respect he earned from the slytherins and everyone else in Hogwarts, he worked harder than anyone else and is work finally rewarded him. He was perfect since his fifth year; he already knew he would be Head Boy the year following. Everyone admired him, some secretly worshipped him. When he passes through corridors, he heard whispers about him, from his outstanding grades to his looks to some jealous talks. Tom enjoyed it dearly, so he let them talk. In class his mates fought to work with him as he was the best student. And when the teacher congratulated him, he had to hide his sly grin.
Lately Tom has been building a wider range of followers and kept working in the shadow, but recently he’s been forced to seek for some information about his key to immortality, Horcruxes. The connections he carefully built served him right when Slughorn told him everything he needed to know about those horcruxes. After his success, he roamed aimlessly around the castle, when he was weirdly drawn towards the girl’s bathroom. He let his instinct guide him to the sink. His mouth opened itself to whisper in parseltongue “Open”, the sink moved to let an entrance appear before him.
He left his books and bag down on the cold floor as he jumped in and finally arrived the chamber, he couldn’t believe it. He summoned the monster that was supposed to rest there. When a Basilik arrived, Tom wouldn’t admit, but he panicked then answered “Yes” when the snake asked him if he was going to let him eat. The Basilik left, confused, Tom fled the chamber.
Back in the bathroom he observed as the snake attacked a whining girl who was on the corner of the room. Dread filled him as he hadn’t planned the event at all. The girl was laying dead on the floor with blood dripping from her body, drowning the ground under her, before he could do anything. The Basilik was quietly awaiting orders as Tom was calculating what he should do. He woke up from his thoughts and told the snake to go back to sleep in the chamber.
Tom picked up his books and took his diary out of the stack. He silently moved the girl’s body pulling her by the hand to put her in the middle of the bathroom. Tom then took a moment to remember each step of the ritual he had learned moments ago, he finally started as he let his magic fill the room.
He fell on the floor beside the girl when he felt a part of his soul being painfully torn away from his body, burning his inside out like fiendfyre, Tom convulsed but stayed focused as he redirected his soul to his leather diary. When the ritual ended, everything was quiet, and everything was hurting. Tom got up after he gathered his entire strength, he carefully closed the entrance of the Chamber of secrets, cleaned the room and made sure of not letting any evidence of his presence. Tom Riddle picked up the rest of his stuff to throw it in his bag, but he kept the diary close to his chest.
༺𓆩✧𓆪༻
Tom was currently running for the Minister of Magic place as Lord Slytherin, no one knew of his former name except for his death eaters and Albus Dumbledore. A lot of Great-Britain’s wizards were adamant in their supports for him, his new ideas and politics were attracting to wixens. He wanted to change Hogwarts curriculum as well as including a pre-school were (especially) muggleborn could learn all about the wizarding worlds and its culture. It was also important to fully embrace their magical inheritance by allowing darker magic’s spells, potions and artifacts, without forgetting about giving more rights to some creatures. The secrecy statue should also be protected by vows, so that wizards’ existence wouldn’t be threatened anymore.
The issue was Dumbledore and his order of the phoenix, they knew who he was, they kept trying to find evidence of his life under the feared name of You-Know-Who, as Tom had made sure of letting no proof of his former identity, The order’s new goal was to capture him to make him confess his countless crimes, to confess that he was Lord Voldemort. Some aurors, under Dumbledore’s advice, started to investigate some of his death eaters’ manor, he knew he had to face the issue.
Tom found the perfect solution; he’ll make an official announcement where he will explain that he’s taking a political trip to Paris to meet the French wizarding’s government while he will hide in the muggle city. He’ll be able to focus on his politics and freely meet-up with educated French wizards. Thus, the order will search for him, but they’ll surely think that he went to the wizarding parts of the city, therefore Tom will be completely safe although his power could protect him just fine, he didn’t want to have constantly to think about where he’s going, who could be hiding in the shadow…
However, he wouldn’t admit that he just wanted a haven full of freedom, just for a little while.
He decided that the best way to hide, would be to live with a muggle, as no one would suspect Tom Riddle of cohabitating with one of them.
He carefully searched for the offer of someone that didn’t look plainly annoying, that’s when he found Henry Evans, an 18-year-old muggle, studying politics balancing with a part-time job, he looked quite naïve. He seemed like the perfect flat mate for Tom, he wouldn’t be much of a bother for him. Tom paid close attention to Henry demands and sent the letter he was surely waiting for.
And that’s how Tom Riddle and Harry Potter met once again seventeen years after the deadly night of the 31 October 1981.