New Blood: Return of Tom Riddle

Chapter One
First Meetings

Albus Severus Potter stared solemnly out the window of the rapidly moving Hogwarts Express that had only just left the station, staring aimlessly at the blur that was the wide landscape and scenery, feeling a mixture of emotions. He felt excited, happy, alone, and fearful. Excited and happy because he was about to attend the greatest wizarding school ever, but alone and fearful because there wasn't anyone sitting with him now, not even the other first years. He feared the fact that there was a slight possibility that he might be sorted into the Slytherin House, instead of the Gryffindor House he so badly wanted to be sorted into. James, his older brother, had evoked much apprehension, anxiety and fear in him during the holidays, and Albus had begun to fear the Slytherin House. His father, however, Harry Potter, had comforted him many a times during the holidays, and even before he had got onboard the Express had Harry given him his last comforting words. Albus remembered with much amusement that James had once started telling Albus the scary tales and legends of dark wizards that had once come from the Slytherin House, instilling much fear in the ten year old. Harry immediately interrupted and Albus had remembered him speaking of his godfather, Sirius Black, with much pride.

"I had a godfather, and he was a brave man indeed," Harry had said to Albus during the summer, "His name was Sirius Black, and his family had every single member going into Slytherin, and you would expect him heading into the same house as well. But did you know what house he was sorted into at his first year? Gryffindor, can you believe it?" Harry had exclaimed.

He remembered his father's expression, and it was one that was full of joy and pride, for Sirius Black must have been a very brave and outstanding godfather to his own father. Thinking back, Albus had begun to calm his fears as he sat alone in the train compartment. Alone, for he could not risk stumbling and staggering up and down the corridors searching for his cousins, Rose or Hugo, or perhaps even Teddy Lupin, the big brother he never had, let alone James Potter. James was probably sitting in a compartment full of his friends, not caring that his younger brother was sitting alone in an empty compartment, that he was feeling extremely left out. Albus couldn't really care much about his brother, and decided to hope that maybe Rose, Teddy, Victoire or Hugo would come running in any moment.

After fifteen more minutes of pure isolation and solitude, the compartment doors slid open. Albus turned around quickly, hoping it was one of his cousins, but there entered a boy with coal black hair and a charming and handsome face, followed by a girl with bronze hair and bright blue eyes. "Are we allowed to sit here with you?" asked the boy, who had a very young voice indeed, and if Albus hadn't known any better, he would have thought that the boy was a third year, or perhaps his brother's age. "Yeah, of course!" Albus was more than pleased to let these two strangers in with him, if it meant that he didn't need to spend the rest of the journey alone. The boy sat next to him, and the girl sat across the two. "I'm Tom Riddle," said the boy politely, extending his hand. Albus took it and shook it, smiling back at Tom. "I'm Albus," he replied, looking from Tom to the girl. The bronze-haired girl then said, "My name's Delilah Swan." Albus was immensely relieved that they were friendly enough, and that they were also first years as well. "I'm glad you two came in, I was beginning to feel bored," drawled Albus, leaning back against the seat again.

Tom merely smiled. "Oh, we wouldn't have come in here at first," said Tom, making Albus wonder whether Tom was being rude or sarcastic. "We had actually found a compartment to ourselves, but then a group of boys - I think they were second years - came charging in and took the compartment. I think one of them was named James." Albus wasn't surprised; that was so like James to bully other people. Harry had once said that James was exactly like his grandfather, who coincidentally, was also named James. "That's my brother alright," Albus said, arms folded, while Tom just kept his solemn expression. "He's a bit mean at times, but you'll learn to live with him." Delilah giggled at that, and actually added, "He doesn't look as bad as those other bullies though." Tom and Albus stared blankly at her, not sure of whether she had already taken a liking to the rogue James Potter. The dark-haired boy quickly cleared his throat and said, "Er - let's tell each other about our families, then. Albus, you go first." Albus was relieved at the change of subject, instead of having to contemplate whether Delilah had a crush on his older brother or not. It was revolting to think about it, really.

"Well, okay. My dad's named Harry Potter and my mum is Ginny Potter. Actually she was Ginny Weasley, but you know how it is when people get married... and I have a brother - you know him, James, yeah, and I have a few cousins as well. I'm not going to name them, but we might see them around Hogwarts sometime." As soon as Albus had finished, he had realized that Tom and Delilah both had peculiar expressions upon their faces.

"What?" he asked slightly worried that he had said too much. "Harry Potter?" Delilah repeated. "The one who defeated the Dark Lord nineteen years ago?" she asked, while Tom narrowed his eyes at Albus, with a hint of curiosity, admiration, and perhaps a little jealousy? Albus stared at her, bewildered. He didn't remember Harry telling him about him defeating this Dark Lord, whoever he was... "What are you talking about?" asked Albus, curious. Tom Riddle merely kept his mouth shut, his eyes narrowed, as if he were thinking about the matter as well. Delilah stared at him, mortified. "I can't believe you don't know! He's your father, Albus!"

"Hey, it's not my fault my dad keeps stuff from me!" retorted Albus. "He must have a pretty good reason, I reckon."

"Well, I think otherwise," said Tom suddenly, his tone almost close to an inescapable sneer. "Harry Potter was a famous guy. He did great things for our generation, and you're pretty lucky to have such a great dad."

Albus shrugged. "He seems normal to me."

"That's cause you don't know what he did!" whispered Delilah excitedly. "You can see his stories in the Daily Prophet and he's been in every single one!" Albus laughed derisively. "Don't exaggerate, Delilah! I'm sure it's not every single one!" Tom smirked from the corner of his lips. "Fine, then. I'll tell you what happened," said Tom, his eyes piercing Albus'. For the next few minutes, Tom spent the time telling Albus his father's heroic journey in defeating Lord Voldemort, spanning over a long period of seven years. The more Tom spoke of Harry as if he were a legendary hero, the more Albus grew to admire his father, but on the other hand, disappointed as Harry hadn't told him anything about this certain Lord Voldemort.

When Tom finished, Albus could only gape at Tom like an idiot. "Your father was so amazing," said Tom, with a hint of envy in his voice. Albus couldn't help but to feel a little proud of his dad, but he would leave the interrogations of the entire family – that probably knew – about Harry's past. "What about you, Tom?" asked Albus, wanting to know more about this pale-faced friend of his.

"My parents died even before I knew them," said Tom, his face and tone both equally expressionless. Albus exchanged looks with Delilah, and he hastily said, "Oh, sorry. W-What about you, Delilah?"

"My father and mother are both wizard and witch, and they've really tried hard to teach me the basics before I came here."

"So you know more than we know now?" said Albus, trying hard to be skeptical. Delilah shrugged. "I don't really listen to them, but I read the books in my spare time."

"In spare time?" repeated Albus, evidently aghast. "Who reads textbooks in their spare time?"

Delilah glared silently at him.

After they had changed into their robes, Albus, Tom and Delilah got ready to alight from the Hogwarts Express. Albus was terribly excited, and he could see the excitement on Delilah's face as well. Tom, however, seemed perfectly at ease – as if he had done this before and it wasn't his first year after all. "Tom, you don't seem pretty excited being a first year," commented Albus lightly. Tom merely smiled. "I wouldn't want to have a heart attack, now would I, Albus?" The three laughed, before they were interrupted by James and his pack of rowdy friends. "Hey Al, I see you got yourself a few friends!" he said, smirking arrogantly as he slid open the compartment door. Albus merely shrugged, and said, "Course I did." James waved at Tom and Delilah and said, "I think I was far too rude to you juniors back there. I'm James, Al's brother." Tom and Delilah waved back politely. "Well, good luck for the sorting, Al! You two as well! I'll be expecting the lot of you in Gryffindor!" As he and his friends alighted from the train that had already stopped, Tom turned to look at Albus.

"I don't like him much," hissed Tom. Albus shrugged again. "You'll get used to him. He's just like his grandfather, my dad always said. C'mon, let's go before we're taken back to London!"

The trio got off the train, and immediately, a loud, thunderous voice resounded through the station. "Al, hey, Al!" yelled Rubeus Hagrid, gamekeeper of Hogwarts. He waved to the young boy that was Harry Potter's second youngest child, and noticed that he already had two friends tagging along from behind. "Hey Hagrid!" exclaimed Albus, hugging the large giant as tight as he could. "Well, now, it's good to see yer, Al! How's mum and dad?" asked Hagrid, smiling broadly. Albus grinned. "They're fine. Look, I want to introduce you to my two new friends, Delilah–" The bronze-haired girl waved cheerfully. "– and Tom!" finished Albus.

Hagrid stared in horror at the pale boy Albus had introduced as Tom. He was the spitting image of the boy he had met back in his days in Hogwarts as a student, and it was the very same boy that grew to become a much feared Dark Lord for many years, until Harry had stopped him…

"Hagrid? Are you alright?" asked Albus, shocked at Hagrid's sudden look of terror on his face. Hagrid looked back down at Albus and smiled nervously. "Well 'o course I am! Happy first year, kids!" he said, chuckling. Tom continued to glare at the gamekeeper, and began to wonder if there was something the insolent man had wanted to say to him at the very mention of his name. He looks like a foolish man, Tom thought shrewdly as he eyed Hagrid. But I've seen him somewhere before… like out of a dream…

"Well, keep movin' the lot of yeh! The boats are awaitin'!" yelled Hagrid, trying hard to address the rest of the first years rather than Albus and his friends alone. As he watched them get on the boats, Hagrid couldn't help but to notice how eerily alike Tom and Voldemort had been. As long as he wasn't a Riddle, Hagrid had nothing to worry about. "Many coincidences," Hagrid told himself, "many damned coincidences…"

It took Albus, Tom, and Delilah about twenty minutes to arrive at Hogwarts, and they followed the crowd of first years up the steps to the grand castle. As soon as they entered the castle, they were immediately awed by the magnificence of the interior, and the many portraits of past wizards and witches that smiled down warmly at the young first years. "This is so amazing!" whispered Albus with a smile on his face. He knew that Hogwarts was wonderful from what his parents and James had told him and Lily, but he didn't realize it would be so spectacular. "Well, firs' years, head up the stairs and Professor McGonagall will meet you for the sorting!" yelled Hagrid from a few feet away from the awe-struck first years.

The first years were led, surprisingly enough, by a daring boy with striking blonde hair, and Albus began to wonder if that was Scorpius, Draco Malfoy's son. Nevertheless, they made it to the entrance of the Great Hall where McGonagall was waiting, smiling warmly at the newcomers. "Welcome to Hogwarts, first years! If you will please follow me, we will begin with the sorting shortly," she said, clutching a scroll which bore the names of every single eleven year old in front of her. The large doors opened, revealing more students, second years to seventh years, and the teachers in front all sitting in a row, with the Headmistress' chair empty. McGonagall, Albus had guessed again, was the Headmistress of Hogwarts.

And so, the sorting began.

"Potter, Albus!" called McGonagall, seemingly pleased to see the miniature version of Harry Potter step up to the chair, evidently worried. He sat down as she placed the sorting hat on top of Albus' head. "Hmm, another Potter!" exclaimed the hat triumphantly. "It's pretty obvious where you're going, boy!" Albus swallowed hard. Was it Slytherin, or was it Gryffindor? He could see James' sneering face, but he knew all that would change once he was sorted into…

"Gryffindor!" yelled the hat. Albus broke into a wide grin as he stood up and ran over to the Gryffindor table and sat down next to his brother, who ruffled his hair. "I knew you'd make it," said James, with a grin on his face. "I was just scaring you a bit." Albus didn't respond, he was anxious for his two other friends, Tom and Delilah.

When it came to Delilah's turn (after a few students or so), the hat immediately shouted, "Gryffindor!" She leapt down from the stairs and sat in front of Albus, next to a tall but familiar Gryffindor to Albus, who shook her hand warmly and said, "Name's Fred." Fred, the son of Albus' uncle George, turned to Albus and grinned. "Uncle Harry would be happy to know," he said to Albus. The last name on the list was inescapably shocking to the staff.

McGonagall stared wide eyed at the name for a moment before stuttering out, "T-Thomas R-Riddle!"

Hagrid stared in horror as the same boy stepped up to the chair and sat down, waiting to be sorted. The same pale, yet handsome face, and his coal black eyes and hair… it was almost as if he had come back again! "Your mind is difficult to see, young one… although I have heard of a boy with your name… long ago. How uncanny it is to see you here… a clone of sorts… but," it paused for a while, creating an eerie silence, "I could never know any better than you do… Tom. Very well then, let's see how you do in…"

The suspense almost gave Albus the urge to scream, "Gryffindor!"

The hat sighed, and said, "You, Tom Riddle…"

Tom wasn't scared. He merely hoped to be sorted into any house other than Ravenclaw, or the weak Hufflepuff. "A brave heart, but a cunning mind… oh alright, Gryffindor!"

The whole Gryffindor table burst into applause, for none of them knew of the last Tom Riddle that ever studied in Hogwarts, the Tom Riddle that grew to become Lord Voldemort. The teachers stared, mortified. What was going on? Why did this boy, this Tom Riddle ever appear again in their lives, after the incident that happened twenty years ago? McGonagall turned to the teachers, equally shocked. He went into Gryffindor… but he couldn't… Voldemort? Or perhaps this is just pure coincidence? McGonagall thought hard, as she returned to the Headmistress' seat.

The feast was quite delicious, especially for the first years. Tom ate in silence, while Delilah and Albus continued to speak excitedly with Fred, James and the rest of Albus' cousins and relatives. "Hey, Tom, why aren't you talking?" asked Albus, nudging his friend. Tom shrugged. "I dunno. I feel weird," he replied. "You sick?" Albus asked, suddenly concerned. Tom shook his head. "I doubt it." Albus shrugged as well and nudged him again. "Well, I want you to meet my cousins, and you've already met James, so…"

Tom looked up at Albus' cousins. They were all smiling at him, and Fred outstretched his hand first. "Fred Weasley. Pleased to meet you," he said, and glanced at the teachers' table, "You made quite the impression on the teachers."

"Oh shut up, Fred! That's not a very nice thing to say," said Rose, glaring away.

"You have a big family, Al. I envy that," said Tom.

Albus grinned, his mouth filled with pudding. "Ish all righ', you can marry into our family," said Albus foolishly. Tom laughed. "I'm not going to marry anyone that soon!" he said, his mood lightening. Fred winked at Tom and said, "Well, maybe Rose here would…" Before Fred could finish, a spoonful of pudding was thrown at his face. "Now, now, Fred, no influencing the little children before they're of age!" teased Victoire, wiping the pudding off her cousin's face. Rose giggled and said, "Better watch your words, Fred, if not it's more than pudding that's coming to you!"

Fred raised his hands in surrender. "Come on! Teddy's marrying Victoire, isn't he?!" The whole group laughed, while watching Victoire turn red. "Look, he's nineteen and I'm only seventeen," said Victoire, knocking him on the head, "we're not getting married!" Albus leaned closer to Tom and whispered, "Ted graduated two years ago. He's Victoire's boyfriend, and my dad's godson."

After they had said their goodnights, Tom, Albus and Delilah headed their separate ways to the boys' dormitory and the girls' dormitory respectively. Albus and Tom stayed up a bit to talk for a while, seeing as how everyone isn't turning in that early yet; His cousins and siblings were down in the common room. "I think it's going to be great here," said Albus. Tom nodded; he was terribly excited, even if he didn't show it in his face. "Defense Against the Dark Arts are first period tomorrow… my dad used to tell me that it was his best subject!" announced Albus proudly.

Tom glanced out the window and said, "I guess your dad was the greatest wizard, second to Dumbledore, of course."

"Yeah, I know. Dad always talked about Dumbledore at home."

Tom Riddle felt a pain at the back of his head, and decided to turn in. "Well, I wanna get some sleep tonight. You can go back down and join your family, Al. Night."

Albus felt slightly disappointed; he had wanted to speak with his friend a little while longer, but decided it was best that he left Tom to his sleep. He jumped out of bed and headed down to the common room, where Ted, Victoire and his cousins were.

That night, Tom Riddle had a terrifying nightmare.

Author's Note:

How's it? Do comment! (: I think I screwed up at some parts, because I realized that Ted was 19 at the time and he already left Hogwarts, and changed it a bit too hastily :x