It had been a terrible, painful process, becoming what he used to be. He had gone through the fires of hell, deep drowning darkness, endless journeys during which he had been blind, tortured, put through impossible suffering. He had screamed and writhed, cursed in his fevered sleep. But now it was over.
Voldemort smiled to himself as he looked into the mirror. He saw a sixteen-year-old Tom Riddle, tall, dark-haired and good-looking. He was going back to school.
Harry Potter dusted his robes down and smoothed his hair. His last year at Hogwarts. He had decided to go back after all, as Voldemort hadn't made any trouble for a while. Besides, the Headmistress had specifically requested for him to return and finish his schooling before joining the search for the missing Horcruxes as a fully-qualified wizard. He grinned at Ron as they leapt down from the carriage and made their way into the castle. Ron grinned back, as gangly and ginger-haired as ever.
Hermione and Ginny joined them a while later in the Great Hall. The atmosphere was slightly strained but they ploughed on with the conversation. Ron looked worriedly at Harry and Ginny, sensing the tension but not knowing what to do about it. He decided not to say anything – break-ups were a tender matter.
Harry glanced over at the staff table. Professor McGonagall's were furrowed and she looked rather troubled. Harry wondered what it was that was worrying her. If only he had known. For the week before, she had received a letter from a Mrs Robertson, a Muggle living in Reading. It had read as such:
Professor McGonagall
Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Dear Professor,
I am Jane Robertson. I am of non-magical descent, but I write this letter on behalf of my newly adopted son, Tom Marvolo Riddle a.k.a Lord Voldemort. He has gone through much trouble to be sixteen again. I am pleased to announce that my son has renounced his evil ways and would like to resume his schooling. He feels great remorse for his actions.
As such, please allow him to join Slytherin House as a seventh-year student in the coming year. He does not need to be a student leader. As my request is quite simple I hope that you will understand and make a place for him. He will report to school when the term opens.
Thank you very much.
Warmest Regards,
Jane Robertson
P.S. He is a very sweet boy who is good with animals, especially snakes.
She had forwarded the letter to the Ministry. They had approved it after some deliberation, as part of their "Give Young Criminals a Chance" campaign. They had even spared him a trial, given his minor status. They had also agreed not to disclose details of his enrolment. So here she was, with a mass-murderer on her hands. And Harry Potter hadn't even graduated!
Obviously, the boy hadn't arrived yet. She fervently hoped that his mother had decided to transfer him to some Muggle school like Eton or something.
At that moment the door of the Great Hall opened. In strode Tom Riddle, his hair neatly parted. He smiled at Professor McGonagall and walked towards the Slytherin table. Pandemonium arose. Harry leapt onto the table and screamed out a hex. This was crazy. Lord Voldemort was in his school. He didn't know what was going on and why, but he had to do something. Tom flicked it aside lazily and glanced at Harry, holding his gaze for a moment. Harry felt his resistance ebbing away for some inexplicable reason. What magic was this? He couldn't tell.
"Don't fight me, please. I'm a good boy now," said Tom quietly. Harry couldn't help noticing that his voice was very low and mellow. The Slytherins edged away as he sat amongst them. Harry clambered down from the table, weak from shock. Ron and Hermione were looking stunned, but many of the rest looked scared but resigned. They knew, then. They knew. And no one thought to tell him, Harry Potter.
