A/N: Hello Again!
I won't say I'm sorry (although I am, a little bit) as I told everyone that I would be going to a school in Australia for 7 months and would be mostly indisposed. I did mean to write a lot more... but unfortunately, it was a full-time school (24 credits) and it took up A LOT more time than even I anticipated. But, as a reward, I have developed a few new plot-werewolves that will hound me, full-moon night or not (Remus Lupin hounding me... yummy!). I AM CONTINUING ALL MY STORIES! I WILL NEVER DISCONTINUE OR ABANDON A STORY! Even if something awful happens (like Death or ::GASP!:: Real Life) I will either return from the grave or fight tooth and nail to be free from the quagmires of normalcy and banality to return to you, my faithful readers, and continue my stories.
Thank you for waiting patiently for me to return, and I hope that this rewards your efforts.
A/N About the Story:
This will be an utter and complete mix/mash-up of the Harry Potter timeline and characters. I've rewritten practically everyone - yes, even the Marauders - and reworked all the families (almost). Harry Potter will also be a part of the main Avengers Story-Arc. He will encounter Steve Rogers before The Freeze, may or may not meet Iron Man (but definitely his father), and will be a part of the Avengers Movie. Also, some things from Thor-Verse and Hulk-Verse will make themselves known/affect Harry... next chapter most of all.
Yes, I know I'm evil for giving you such a juicy yet un-fulfilling hint... NOW READ!
It's crazy what difference one small, insignificant choice can make.
Take, for instance, the choice that Thomas Gareth Riddle was faced with when his wife forgot to give him his weekly love potion.
There he was, standing in a ramshackle old house, faced with a horrid, grotesque woman, her stomach rounded and full with child.
Despite the horror and disgust that filled him at the knowledge that he had been drugged and used, Thomas couldn't bring himself to look away from the womb that held his child.
Was it a boy? A little terror with black hair and emerald eyes, all dimples and innocence even while covered in mud and sneaking worms and beetles in jars into the kitchen? Or would it be a girl? A little princess that would have him wrapped around all ten of her little fingers; who played with dolls and convinced him to do her hair and called him Papa?
And it was those images – those two perfect children who were his – that cut like a knife through his rage and illuminated his choice.
Because, no matter how rich he was or how blue his blood was – he had been brought up with a firm sense of responsibility and a wish for a family.
And, no matter the means or the manipulation, that little child, still growing – innocent and beautiful and perfect – was his child.
And he would do right by them.
That decision, that small, insignificant decision, changed everything.
Despite how much Thomas hated Merope, he made sure that she got the best physician that money could buy. Thus, Merope didn't die in childbirth, and the baby – a little boy with dimples and wide green eyes – was never put into an orphanage.
Unfortunately, Merope had filled in the birth certificate while Thomas was enraptured by his tiny son. Thomas had always wanted to name his first child Lucas, and he would never have even considered the middle name of Marvolo – but it was too late, his son was named:
Thomas Marvolo Riddle.
But, for some reason that Thomas wouldn't understand until much later, he didn't get too angry about the trickery with his son's name. For some reason, it just felt right.
As the weeks went by the madness that pervaded the Slytherin bloodline due to inbreeding became more and more apparent in Merope. Until, one day, Thomas came home from work to witness Merope lowering his screaming son into a cauldron; a potions book with a dark recipe to gain magic open beside her.
Thomas didn't even hesitate.
The fight was short, quick, and ended with Thomas burying Merope in the backyard at midnight; his now-calm and safely-resting son strapped to his chest.
Three months later and Thomas was sitting across from his little Tom, whom even now, at barely seven months old, stared with almost eerie attention right back at him. Tom was an almost perfect child; he always slept through the night, he hardly cried, and he learned things so quickly – studying it with almost single-minded purpose until one day – he would just do it.
Just like with Accidental Magic.
Thomas remembered the things that Merope had snarled about Accidental Magic during her rants – about how her perfect brother could summon his food and send stinging hexes at her, but that she could do nothing, and would be starved for days in the hopes that it would kick-start some Slytherin-worthy magic. Sometimes, Thomas would begin to feel sorry for Merope. But then he would remember what she'd almost done to his perfect son, and any such feelings would vanish like dust in the wind.
But another thing that Thomas remembered Merope talking about was a certain pub called The Leaky Cauldron. And about the magical place that remained hidden behind there. A place called Diagon Alley.
And Thomas also remembered Merope ranting about the bank called Gringotts. A bank with the Slytherin Fortune sitting in a vault – a fortune that Merope couldn't touch because she didn't have magic.
Magic that little Tom had.
Now, just to clarify things, Thomas wasn't planning on using his son to gain a fortune for himself. No, quite the contrary in fact. After Thomas had married Merope and had a son through her, his family had disowned him. And when Merope had 'died' and Thomas was left as the sole caretaker of Tom (whom he refused to leave with a complete stranger during the day) he lost his job.
And so Thomas was now sitting across from his seven-month old son, whom had just used Accidental Magic to levitate the last of their food to his clearly-starving father.
And Thomas knew that he had to put aside his pride and go to this – Diagon Alley. He had to do right by his son – by his little Tom. And by Go-Merlin – he would.
And that, my dear readers, is when everything changed.
Thomas walked unsurely through the front doors of Gringotts, his eagerly observing, but still wonderfully quiet son, held tightly in his arms. Despite the evidence of magic that he had seen – both through Merope's potions and that one occasion where her brother had tortured him – he was still overwhelmed and shocked by the evidence that he could see around him. If it weren't for the precious bundle held tightly in his arms, Thomas would have left and never come back.
But Thomas steeled his resolve and approached one of the – were those Goblins?! – tellers. Ignoring the sneering look the beast adopted in response to his clearly bedraggled appearance, Thomas cleared his throat and declared, in his rich, cultured voice that made the Goblin raise his eyebrow in surprise, "I wish to see the manager of the Slytherin Accounts."
All noise in the bank silenced.
The Goblin leaned forward, an almost desperately hopeful look on his face as his sharp eyes alighted on the still-staring bundle in Thomas' arms. The father tightened his arms around little Tom in response.
"And what… business, would you have with the Moste Esteemed Manager of the Ancient and Royal House of Slytherin?" The Goblin asked, shocking Thomas with the list of titles. His son couldn't be that powerful, could he…?
"Mine and my son's business remains our own, Sir Goblin. As my son is the last Slytherin, I would rather not discuss such… delicate matters in public. Would you not agree?" Thomas sent a very pointed glance towards the surrounding bank customers, who had steadily been sneaking closer and were, even now, trying to crane and catch a glimpse of his little Tom.
"Hm. Of course, Mr…?"
"Riddle. Thomas Gareth Riddle. And this is my son, Thomas Marvolo Riddle-Slytherin." Thomas answered both the asked and unasked questions.
"Hrn. That remains to be seen, Mr. Riddle. You do know that we have ways of telling for sure – as well as punishing those who lie and wish to gain power that is not theirs to own."
The threat and promise in the shrewd, clever, sharp eyes of the Goblin was not idle; and Thomas prayed that not all of Merope's words were insane rants and mutterings. Nevertheless, he nodded, not allowing any of his fear or worry to show in his eyes; and merely followed after the Goblin as he was led through an ornate door behind the main desk.
The door thumped shut behind him with a note of finality; and Thomas prayed that it wasn't the sound of their coffin being nailed behind them.
Well, obviously, it was proven that Thomas Marvolo Riddle was the last heir to the Slytherin Line. However, it was the other discoveries that were the most shocking.
When little Tom had given a drop of his blood – without crying – to the Inheritance Potion, and when the Potion was poured onto the Blood Reveal Parchment – more than just Slytherin showed up.
The Lines of Merlin and LeFay also appeared. And, as the Slytherin Lines had never married into those previously-thought dead Lines, the Goblin insisted on doing an Inheritance Test for Thomas as well.
The results showed that Thomas was the last son of two minor Squib Lines that had been kidnapped from their families ten generations ago. As a matter of fact, there was a law that said that, if no one came forward to claim an Ancient Line before the end of the tenth generation, the gold and artifacts automatically went to the Ministry of Magic. They were going to be very upset when they found out that the gold was literally snatched from them – and completely legally.
The Slytherin Manager was nearly giddy with glee.
As soon as the truth came to light, the best personal tailor was summoned to outfit both Thomas and little Tom. The best foods and wines and juices were imported from Gringotts banks around the world – and all complimentary (if that was any indication of how thrilled the Goblins were. After all, if the Ministry took all the gold it would be pumped into the economy and spent within a fortnight, and thus gold would be worth less and the accounts would immediately stop gaining interest. The Goblins had been stewing over the loss for years – until Thomas Gareth Merlin-LeFay-Riddle and Tom Marvolo Merlin-LeFay-Slytherin-Riddle showed up).
Thomas went ahead and claimed the Merlin and LeFay Lines, while keeping the Slytherin Line in Stewardship for his son. And, when he passed on, his son would also receive the Merlin and LeFay Lines. Unfortunately, Thomas would be unable to have any more children to pass those lines on to, as Merope had snuck a potion into his food that would prevent him from sleeping with anyone other than her.
As Thomas stared in amused and slightly dazed disbelief in the actions going on around him, a small hand tugging on his shoulder-length hair brought his attention to his green-eyed, remarkable little son.
"Be 'kay, Papa." Little Tom spoke his first words, and Thomas didn't even have enough shock left in him to be surprised.
All he could think was, 'Look out Wizarding World. I have a feeling that a lot of things are about to change."
And eerie, mischievous green eyes agreed with their Papa.
That was just the beginning. Thanks to the excellent recommendations of the Goblins, Thomas found a comfortable home for himself, his son, and their three House Elves Peridot, Topaz, and Garnet. They were House Elves of the Royal Pedigree, bred specially to serve those descended from the Ancient and Royal Houses of Slytherin, Gryffindor, Merlin, LeFay, and Morgana. All were named from different jewels/precious gems – after all, as Royalty, who would expect any different? Thomas now had one Royal House Elf for each he was Master of/Steward over – Peridot for Slytherin, Topaz for Merlin, and Garnet for LeFay – whom would be tasked with finding and hiring new Elves in the task of renewing the Family Holdings and Name, in addition to taking care of their new Master and his Heir. They had a lot of work to do.
The house was located in Slytherin Terrace… not a stone's throw away from the Potter Manor. Following the Goblin's advice, Thomas sent a letter to them with his new owl – a Screech named Horus – informing them that he was new to the area with his infant son, and did not mean them any harm; but could they, perhaps, meet for tea sometime?
Thus a friendship was begun between the Muggle previously known as Thomas Riddle, and Charlus and Evelyn Potter. But, more importantly, the newly-born James Potter and Tom became friends – the best of friends, and even closer… they became brothers.
Oh yes, my dear readers, a great many things were going to change.
Over the years, as 'Jamie' and Tom grew up, a few new people came into their lives. The Potters, being a Light Family, had close connections to the Prewetts, and soon invited little Lillian Prewett (Lily and Petunia Evans had been blood-adopted after their Muggle parents had died in during the Grindenwald War) over to play with their sons, and often Molly Prewett – being seven years older – would babysit and watch over the three hellions. Of course, Petunia Prewett had been invited as well, but the girl was far too spiteful of the fact that her twin, Lily, had magic, where she did not. (Petunia – of her own choice – would very rarely be seen beyond the walls of Prewett Manor until she would come of age, where she would disappear from the Wizarding World; much to the distress of her loving parents and sisters.)
Often enough, though, the adults catch James and Lily in screaming matches, yelling back and forth about 'cooties' and how 'gross boys are' and 'I hate you snot-face/carrot-top!', while Tom would watch with the amused disinterest of the set-upon (which is a hilarious expression for a five year old to have). And the Potters and Prewetts would share secret, amused, knowing smiles as they separated the two friends.
At the same time, the Goblins encouraged Thomas that, as Slytherin, Merlin, and LeFay were all Dark Families – families that had nearly died out – he should start making contact with other Dark Families who could teach his son how to control his predominantly Dark Magic.
Thus, Thomas came to meet the Malfoys and Snapes.
Annie Fortescue (sister of Alice Fortescue, whom was in a Triad with Bellatrix Lestrange and Franklin Longbottom), was referred to as "The Malfoy Wife" by those stuffed shirts who were of the opinion that she had married far above her station, and thus must have done something scandalous to ensnare the powerful Abraxas Malfoy to marry her. But Annie was, in reality, a petite, lovely witch who loved her son Lucius and her husband as much as they loved her in return.
The Snapes, however, were a far more interesting story. Eileen Prince's father had died young – at the early (for a wizard) age of fifty. Unfortunately, the Prince Head could only be passed to a male heir, and Eileen was his only child. Thankfully, he had thought ahead, and had named the stable-hand Alexander Snape as Steward of House Prince. Alexander was a wizard of lesser nobility, but also a wizard of kindness, honor, bravery, and cleverness. Alexander was tasked with keeping Eileen well provided for, and to keep the Prince Estate and Name in pristine condition until the next male heir came of age. Alexander did all of that and more… just a bit more permanently than the late Prince might have guessed. Him and Eileen eventually fell in love and married, and had recently given birth to their first son – Heir of the Great and Noble House of Prince – Severus Princeton Snape.
Both Severus and Lucius were the same age as Tom, and they hit it right off. Thomas had been curious why there were so many children the same age as his son, and was told that a great war had just ended – a war in which an evil wizard named Grindenwald had tried to enslave the Wizarding World. Thankfully, he had recently been vanquished by another powerful wizard – Albus Dumbledore – and as such there was an incredible baby boom in the population; as those who were afraid they might not live through the war or didn't want to bring a child into such dangerous times were free to procreate without fear.
Unfortunately, James contracted a rare type of Magical Core Sensitivity that would recognize any magic that he was unfamiliar with as a foreign attack, and his magic would lash out in response to the threat. The Healer had told them that it wouldn't wear off until he turned eleven, when his magical core would receive an extra boost of magic to prepare him for his magical education, and would purge the damage to his core. Since Tom was practically a brother to James, there was nothing to fear. However, Lucius and Severus, whom both were Dark, and hadn't yet met James, could not meet him until Hogwarts started; which greatly hurt Tom, as he now had to divide his time between his soul-brother James and friend Lily, and his soul-brothers Lucius and Severus.
But somehow, they managed, and as Thomas sat back and took a sip from his Firewhiskey (he'd immediately taken a shine to the magical liquor after Abraxas had introduced him to it) and Peridot cleaned up after five year old Lucius, Severus, and Tom's latest sleepover bombarda, he smiled; and decided that, if given a choice whether or not to marry Merope, he'd do the whole thing again.
Because there were different kinds of Changes. Changes that threw everything for a loop. Changes that only affected small things. There were Changes that people dreaded, and those that people anticipated with bated breath. There were Changes that, in reality, changed nothing. And there were Changes that changed everything.
And, once in a while, there were Changes that did all of that and more. And, despite (or because of), all that, there was a happy ending at the end.
And Thomas Gareth Merlin-LeFay-Riddle knew that he was very, very happy.
But what Thomas didn't know was that this was the end… it was the beginning.
For he had forgotten the most important kind of Changes… the ones that take time. The ones that spread outward and upward – like a mix of a butterfly's wing-beat and the ripple effect – the repercussions getting larger and more apparent as the small things became great.
And he forgot that, like most things in life, Changes will get worse before they get better.
And Thomas Riddle was merely the smallest and largest piece in the Changes that would affect one small, not-even-born boy.
For this was his story. The story, of Harrison James Potter.
The Boy-Who-Changed.