Meeting Tom
4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey
1988
Harry's eyes widened in shock and he dropped the mirror he was holding. He could have sworn he had heard somebody talk to him. Spinning around, he looked frantically around the room but no one was there. Harry then heard laughter and it sounded as if it were coming from within his head.
"Harry only you can hear me because I am inside your head," said Tom Riddle in an amused voice.
"Am I dreaming?" asked Harry in a shaky voice.
"No Harry, let me explain some things to you," said Tom Riddle.
"Magic is real and you are a wizard."
"But that's not possible-"
"It is Harry. You are a wizard just like your parents before you."
Harry's thoughts began to run wild. Magic was real?
"Harry, I am a blessing from your own magic, here to help you escape from the Dursleys and to guide you into becoming a great wizard."
Harry sat in shock as Tom began to explain to him about the Wizarding World. It felt surreal as he sat there and learned about things that were only in Dudley's long-forgotten books.
"So, Tom, will you help me learn magic?" asked Harry quietly as Tom finished his explanation.
"Of course, Harry," reassured Tom in a smooth voice.
Now Tom of course was not being very honest to Harry. His plan had originally been to possess the body, but the protection from the mudblood Lily Evans prevented him from doing so. So, he decided his best course of action was to act as Harry's mentor and friend, and rise to power through Harry until he could get his own body. The protection of Harry's mother, unable to determine intent, allowed Tom to continue this course of action.
Harry smiled then jumped, startled, as he heard a loud grunt from behind him as his uncle slowly rolled over, finally awake. Vernon's eyes began to widen dramatically as he saw his beautiful home in disarray.
"BOY!" yelled Vernon, awaking both Petunia and Dudley. Harry began shaking with fear until he heard Tom whisper to him quickly.
"Listen here Uncle Vernon," said Harry after a moment's pause, his voice shaking. "I know that I'm a wizard and I will no longer be your slave."
Vernon's eyes narrowed and his face purpled. "You will do as you're told boy or you'll meet the same end as your parents. Blown up and dead!"
Harry felt a wave of shock roll over him and shouted, "You told me they died in a car accident."
Harry felt Tom shift uneasily in his subconsciousness. Vernon merely snorted and went to grab Harry. At this, Tom told Harry to stick his hands out and push. Tom channeled magic through Harry and knocked Vernon unconscious for the second time this week.
Petunia shrieked.
"You killed him!"
Harry looked at her startled, but composed himself and replied, "He's merely unconscious."
"Aunt Petunia, I won't take it anymore," said Harry his fists shaking slowly at his side. "I'll be moving my things to the second bedroom and won't be doing any more chores."
Petunia nodded hesitantly, her thin face paling, as she watched the boy become the very thing she feared and hated the most.
"What about Vernon?" said Petunia her mouth now an almost invisible line.
"He'll wake up in a couple of hours," said Harry without turning back.
Harry nearly ran up the stairs, his heart racing with adrenaline. "Was that good Tom?"
"That was most impressive Harry, I think you scared them extremely well," said Tom. And so, a bond was formed.
Tom Riddle was in a curious position. The boy reminded Tom so much of himself that it was almost scary. Even the conditions of their home life were similar. Two powerful wizards abused and mistreated by muggles. Tom had retained all of his memories up to that fateful Halloween. He was also able to view and sort through all all of Harry's memories as well. The boy was certainly not what he expected.
It had been six months since he achieved sentience and had given Harry Potter a new life. Harry turned out to be extremely quick in picking up magical theory. He also seemed to have a natural aptitude for small amounts of wandless magic and was even a parselmouth. Tom's original plan to use Harry for simply a body no longer seemed wise.
"A possible heir," he thought to himself. A decade ago, such a thought would never have crossed the mind of Lord Voldemort. But Harry was different.
Harry on the other hand thought that Tom was the greatest thing to ever happen to him. He was someone that he could always trust because he was always there! Life had never been more different for Harry. After Harry used magic, the Dursleys didn't even bother him. Dudley didn't even bully him at school either. Tom had taught him so much and Harry was quite proud of himself.
"Harry! Pay attention, do you want to learn how to cast stupefy or not?"
Harry smiled and focused on the motions that Tom had taught him.
Life was good for Harry Potter.
Somewhere in France
1989
Vinda Rosier was the right hand of Grindelwald, a position she quite literally fought for. She had been the first one to rally the troops after Grindelwald's capture and the last one to admit defeat against the Allies. After the war the ICW launched an international manhunt for her, but to this day she had been able to remain one step ahead of the authorities.
Just last week the French aurors had caught her at one of her old chateaus. It was a shame, she thought, it had been entirely devoid of filthy muggles. But she welcomed their continued pursuit all these years later, it kept her on her toes. As she sat back in her armchair, she reminisced on the old glory days. They said Dumbledore had bested her Lord. But she knew that one day he would escape and that they would have their vengeance.
It was then that a knock at the door startled her out of her chair. Only a small handful of people could get past those wards to even get to the door. Wand in hand she crept towards the door.
Then suddenly the door swung open to reveal Gellert Grindelwald.
"My dear sister Vinda, I hope you have remained faithful."
With that, she fell to the floor in shock.
"Rise Vinda, it is unbecoming of you to grovel on the floor," said Grindelwald grasping her forearms as he helped her up.
"It is time to return to the wizarding world. But first I will need you to contact your family. I believe they are still based in Great Britain?"
"Of course, my Lord. The Rosier family have remained pure in Britain since the foundation of the Sacred-28," whispered Vinda in a reverent voice.
"To Britain, we shall head then, I have most urgent business there."
Vinda looked confused. "My Lord, shouldn't that be the last place you should go, Albus Dumb-."
"Albus Dumbledore could not stop me from escaping Nurmengard. His last victory against me was exactly that, his last victory. Our duel was a fluke, and he will not detect my presence in Britain," said Grindelwald calmly, cutting her off completely. "Do not doubt my powers, Vinda, it would be most unwise."
"Of course, my Lord," said Vinda bowing deeply.
Grindelwald waved her off and said, "But first my dear, we have a few more people to visit. Do not worry, the Acolytes will rise again."
1989
Hogwarts
Albus Dumbledore buried his face in his hands when he received the news.
"Gellert Grindelwald Escapes! 55 ICW force members dead!"
Gellert had played him again. Albus had truly believed that Gellert was on the path of redemption, but alas his silver tongue had fooled him again. "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me," thought Albus as the Daily Prophet showed pictures of the carnage that Gellert had left behind.
Albus knew that this was all his fault. He had been far too lax with Gellert. This was no longer the man he had fallen in love with. He told himself the man he loved died years ago at Godric's Hollow. This was a monster. HE vowed to himself that he would not allow Gellert another chance to hurt others.
But during all of his self-disparaging, he forgot an important detail. He had told Gellert far too much about Harry Potter.