I noticed that there weren't many fics with Tom Riddle and Harry that wasn't slash, so I made one. Enjoy it, or hate it, but I'd prefer if you'd enjoy it.

Summary: Harry's parents lived, as did many others, simply because Tom Riddle was only born three years before Harry. Now it's Harry's second year, and the Chamber of Secrets has been opened.

In a world where Dumbledore is the Headmaster during Riddle's reign at Hogwarts, will Tom Riddle be able to survive to become Lord Voldemort? And how does all this affect Harry and his siblings?

DISCLAMIER: I wished I was creative enough to own Harry Potter, but sadly, I am not.

Chapter One: Secret Abilities

Tom Riddle climbed the all too familiar spiraling staircase to the Headmaster's office. Although he was in the top of all his classes, and Prefect, Dumbledore never ceased to keep watching over Tom, especially now that the Chamber of Secrets was opened.

Dumbledore was the only staff member who wasn't charmed by Riddle; even the notorious Professor Snape seemed a little more lenient on Tom. No matter, the memory of Dumbledore's first meeting with the Riddle boy still disturbed the Headmaster. Tom only wished he hadn't revealed as much as he did. It would have certainly made things easier at Hogwarts.

At the top staircase was a small dark haired boy, pressing his ear to the door, desperately. Tom Riddle smirked.

"You won't hear anything," said Tom, watching with satisfaction as the boy jumped back away from the door, frightened. "The Headmaster himself has placed Anti-Eavesdropping charms around his office."

The boy nodded, nervously. No doubt he feared Riddle, as a known Prefect, would report this, but little did this boy know, Tom Riddle could care less about people spying on the Headmaster. In fact, he actually encouraged it.

"What is your name?" Tom demanded, causing the boy to stir a little, "and your year?" Although, Riddle thought he already had this one pinned to be a first year, as small as he was.

"It's Harry Potter," said the boy hesitantly. "I'm a second year."

Riddle nodded, not showing his surprise. A Potter, he thought. He had heard about that family, how the Potter's were pure bloods, that is, until the only son of an only son married a Mudblood.

"Are you going to report me?" Harry asked, an edge dangerous nervousness becoming clear in his voice now. It reminded Tom of himself at age twelve.

"Certainly not," Tom said.

"Oh," said Harry, relieved. He sat on the steps, though he looked at Riddle with his head titled. "Then why did you ask for my name?"

"I was curious." Riddle stated, growing impatient. If Dumbledore wanted to see him, at least he could make sure he'd be ready when Tom arrived.

Riddle leaned against the wall. Dumbledore should really have put chairs outside his office, if he was going to make a habit of having students wait outside his door. He watched the Potter boy rub his bright green eyes.

"So, kid," said Riddle, "what did you do?"

Harry stared back at Riddle. "I'm not allowed to say." And with that, Potter turned back around.

Obviously, this Harry Potter didn't know who he was talking to, but all the same, Riddle found himself rather liking the boy. When it was time to put his plans in motion, Riddle decided that this Potter would be at the top of his recruitment list. But that didn't mean Tom wasn't going to press the boy for farther information. He was only getting started.

Tom moved from his spot against the wall to the step Harry sat on, hoping that this would make the boy either open up, or become so uncomfortable he'd give Riddle the information he wanted to know.

"I'm sure dear Professor Dumbledore wouldn't mind if you told me," Tom lied, "I'm a Prefect, you know."

"Yes, I know who you are," Harry said, surprising Riddle even farther. If Harry knew who he was, why wasn't he more afraid? "Dumbledore doesn't like you very much."

Riddle hid his shock, and mild anger. "And how would you know that?"

"Just a feeling I get," Harry shrugged.

"Do you value his opinion?" Riddle asked, smirking, hoping to make Harry uncomfortable, but once again the boy surprised him.

"Not at all!" Harry said, sounding somewhat offended, and Tom's fondness for the Potter boy grew very much. "I would be insane to take thought to his opinions. He hates me more than you."

"Impossible," Tom thought, out loud.

"Even my parents hate me now." Harry said, looking towards the ground, biting his lip, as if he'd said too much.

"Why do you say that?" Riddle tried to keep the eagerness from his voice, and tried to sound as sympathetic as possible.

Harry turned his face back around, looking Riddle in the eyes. He made a screwed expression, as if he were making a difficult decision.

"Promise you won't tell," Harry ordered.

Tom nodded.

Harry leaned in and whispered, "I can speak to snakes."

Riddle was absolutely ecstatic. It was crazy, two Parseltongues in Hogwarts at the same time! Riddle didn't know what to do with this information. He thought that only the bloodline of Slytherin could have that ability. Surely, the Potters weren't related to Slytherin.

"Do you think I'm a freak, too?" Harry asked, clearly worried when Riddle did not say anything back.

"No, not at all," said Tom, "And since you told me your secret, I'll tell you mine."

"Okay," Harry said, cheerfully.

Riddle took a deep breathe, thinking that he would regret telling this to Harry too soon, but at the same time reminding himself that he must gain Potter's trust.

"I can speak to snakes, too." Riddle made his announcement proudly.

"Really?"

"Yes," Riddle assured, "but you must not tell anyone, just like I won't tell anyone about you."

Harry nodded, a little too quickly.

"You must also know that being a Parseltongue is not a bad thing," Riddle continued, "no matter what Dumbledore, or your parents say. Being a Parseltongue is a rare gift that we must hide only because it scares people and makes them jealous."

Harry seemed to be a little more cheerful after Riddle's confession, and that he took time to explain Parseltongue in a non-biased way. The more Riddle explained the more Harry hung on his every word.

Suddenly Riddle jumped up, "your parents are on their way out. Dumbledore must not know we were talking. He wouldn't like it."

"Don't you think that's a little paranoid, Tom?" Harry asked, innocently, making Riddle smile. If only Harry knew the plans Riddle had. If only Harry knew how far along Dumbledore was in discovering all Riddle's secrets.

Harry too, stood up, as James and Lily Potter finally came out of Dumbledore's office, looking some where between confused and relieved. The young Potter gave a small wave and smile at Riddle before descending the staircase with his parents.

"You may come in now, Tom." The voice inside the office sounded tired, which was good. The shorter the conversation was, the better the outcome. Riddle made his way in, and sat in his usual spot opposite of Dumbledore.

"Why is it that you called me here, Professor?" Tom tried his hardest to sound polite, even though he knew charming the Headmaster would never happen. Not after the orphanage incident.

"I simply wanted to talk to you, Tom." Dumbledore said, gently. It was a fake gentleness. He was trying to get Tom to let his guard down. That too, would never happen.

"Okay," said Tom, not letting any emotion out in his voice.

Dumbledore stared at Riddle for a moment, in which time Riddle prepared his mental shields. He knew what the old fool was doing! It didn't take rocket science to notice Dumbledore was an expert at Occulmency, but Riddle was almost an equal match. Finally, after getting nothing from Riddle's mind, Dumbledore broke the stare.

"Is there something you wish to tell me, Tom?" Dumbledore asked, kindly, but Riddle knew that this was not kind words. This was a threat. Dumbledore was on to him and his Chamber, and he wanted Tom to know it.

"Nothing, Sir," said Tom, as kind as ever. Dumbledore wasn't the only one who could play the pretend game.

"Very well," Dumbledore sighed, "you may go."

Tom Riddle wasted no time getting out of there. He would never admit it, but Albus Dumbledore had to be the only he ever and would ever fear.

Outside of Hogwarts, Lily bid her children goodbye. She gave them all one last look before telling the twins, Aydan and Ally, to leave her and Harry. They both gave her hugs, and ran off to play with their friends.

"Harry," said Lily lovingly, "I just want you to know, that your father and I love you no matter what."

Harry frowned, although it did feel good to hear his mother say this. "Dad hates me."

"He most certainly does not!" Lily said, passionately.

"Then why didn't he say goodbye?" Harry questioned, "Why didn't he stay to eat with us?" Lily was afraid that Harry might get the wrong impression about all this. The last thing they needed was for Harry to think that his father hated him.

"He is very confused about all this," Lily said, "as we all are. Everyone had thought the only wizards and witches who could talk to snakes were a descendant of Slytherin."

"Until me," said Harry, though now he was wondering about Tom Riddle. Riddle couldn't be a Slytherin, could he?

"Exactly," said Lily, "and since Potters are known descendants from Gryffindor, this raises a lot of questions."

"Mother?" Harry asked, "Does Professor Dumbledore think I'm the one behind all the attacks?"

"Of course not," Lily said, "Albus was simply surprised about your ability, that's all. He was concerned."

Harry rubbed his head. "Oh, that makes sense."

Lily regretted having to leave her first son so soon, especially now, when he was clearly having doubts about the people around him, but she really had to go. She had to make sure James was okay.

She hugged Harry goodbye, and told him she loved him. Then she made her way to the gate, while Harry waved as she stepped through, and apparated.

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Author's Note: Review, review, review. Feedback makes me happy. Should I continue this one?