Great another plot bunny that will never be finished. :( Hopefully not, jeez.
Anyways.…i don't own anything except for this small/big story idea, but that's it.
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Honestly, it was insane, just pure insanity. Thinking of such of an idea that can and could be broken to pieces. The near thought of it sent terrible shivers down Fate's spine. The idea came out of nowhere, but it could work if she really put some thinking into it. Changing the world and shifting it in her own way was a tricky thing. You could change one thing and it would turn things into a whole different route you would never expect. Then again, the humans did say she was tricky.
Fate didn't really want to really have to do it, but she saw so many other worlds and their fates: dark and light, abysmal and uplifting. She didn't see why she could not have a hand in the idea and alternate dimension that could be changed if she were to enter it. If she did it would be an experience worth everything for a little self satisfaction. To actually be involved in an alternate reality and shape it in her eyes, even if it is for a short time. (By her standards anyways)
Fate lived in a little pocket universe translucent to every world alternate or not to her. They all appeared as little pixels like the screens and TVs so many of the species of each world created and looked into. They were small, but were all visible to her alone no matter how small. Fate looked far and wide for a small alternate reality compared to its companions around it: one that would remain small and grow into something more eventually, with time of course. The world she was looking for was the one for the Boy-Who-Lived, or Harry Potter's World, as it was dubbed from a world far different from Harry's. How strange.
Soon enough it was well and done; the world she found was perfectly as small she wanted it to be. To Fate it just felt like something that needed to happen. For a much different story to appear, similar, but a bit different from the things she'd seen. She just hoped things wouldn't get too out of hand once everything started. Fate just needed a starting point, significant and powerful to put things in motion. For a few moments she was stumped trying to come up with ways to enter without overly changing Harry's World too much. Even when it did have more than enough differences such as the whole soulmate ordeal that a variety of worlds were fortunate to have. (More or less so depending on the person/species one would speak to.)
All of the sudden it came to her: the whole ideal for it to shift and move as she wanted. A world without change was a doomed one, but if done correctly (as much as possible, if there ever was such a way), it could be done.
It just all had to start with a little boy other than Harry, but one similar and just as well known, even if the boy did call himself a different name entirely once grown into a man. Any how, she would remedy that entirely her own way. Keep his heart and true ideals where they were and his future twisted to a fate (no pun intended) in a far more reasonable manner of sorts to be able to see a far better future than his less than ideal counterparts.
She was looking for none other than Tom Marvolo Riddle Jr. Oh yes. That's how it would start. And it was perfect.
—
—
Bang. Bang. Bang.
"Wake up!"
Great. People. Honestly Tom didn't know why dear Mrs. Cole didn't leave him to rest when there were adults looking to adopt. They would always choose one of the annoying, whiny brats over him. Tom really wasn't looking forward to being adopted, nor was he planning to be. He didn't blame them. Mrs. Cole even called him a devil child. That his mother was a good for nothing circus freak that left him on the doorsteps of the orphanage and he'd been there ever since.
In all honesty the orphanage was a pitiful place to live and raise orphans. With Mrs. Cole's temper and horrible dislike for them, Tom could never fathom why she ever did open an orphanage if she disregarded them like the families that left some of them behind.
Quickly getting ready, Tom tried dearly to not get in the way of any of the other orphans. Some ignored him, he was happy with that. On the other hand,(unsurprisingly) the whole majority treated him like the dirt under their shoes. It was, however, a satisfying experience alright, scaring the little fools into utter silence. Amy and Dennis were annoying to a fault: never shutting up and gossiping like the old ladies that lingered in their church pews. Tom relished the day he scared them out of their wits. They ignored him, mostly some days sending him hateful or terrified glances every once in a while.
Tom had done many other cruel things countless other times; from getting small animals to chase the other orphans to hanging poor Billy's pet rabbit from the rafters. It was utterly laughable hearing his screams all around the orphanage. Little Billy stayed silent for days. Still all good things did come to an end. Tom nearly got beat into a pulp a few days later by Billy and his gang, if it wasn't the snake that was near by to scare them off he knew he was as good as dead.
Still there wasn't to say he didn't have any other close calls before. There was the time he probably knocked one of Billy's gang members with a vase. It in all reality came out of nowhere, with the gang were more than willing to say it was Tom's fault. 'It was the freak that knocked him out.' 'He want ballistic Mrs. Cole he hit Jamie with that vase you love so much.'
Arg. Utter morons. It wasn't his fault it was Mrs. Cole's favorite. He got locked in his room for a week with almost little to no food. Big help that was. He also didn't get one bit of company from his snakes. They hung around the garden away from the company of the other orphans. With his poor luck he suspected that Mrs. Cole got rid of them with Billy and his gang telling Mrs. Cole of a whole bunch of things he'd done in that past. Snakes and stealing included.
Yes he did steal. It was really a whole bunch of random things from each orphan; from a chess piece to a raggedy doll. They were trophies of his own developed abilities. To get back any way possible at the other orphans. If they treated him like dirt, he would treat them just the same. Obviously.
Coming down the stairs Tom paused. Mrs. Cole standing in front of him stern, face wrinkled with stress of taking care of one too many children and old age.
"Yes, ma'am?" Tom muttered.
"We are to have a special guest. I want you to stay in your room." She inquired.
It was strange. Mrs. Cole never told him such a thing before. Sure there was always the reluctance having Tom in the same room as the people adopting for a great number of reasons, but to keep him from it was never done. Why was this time an exception?
"Al-alright. I will."
Mrs. Cole warned him, "Good. Don't come out. Unless. I ask of you to."
Tom didn't answer again, quickly complying to her demand. He may have not liked the old caretaker, but he just knew when to comply and when not to.
—
—
Meanwhile in the other room...
Fate was...well actually... She now dubbed herself with a different name for safe reasons of course and to fit in with everyone else. Humans. Funny little things they were. Any who the name she so dubbed herself now was 'Alana Blackwood'.
As she sat in the other room Alana pondered on the time she spent learning and listening to everyone else of both the 'muggles' and 'magicals' of the universe. She had spent nearly 20 years learning all she could. From the clothing, cultures, history, stories, and lore of all kinds. The same went for magic as well. It was fairly easy grasping the knowledge and theories of magic; it was absolutely fascinating. Every world was different with small changes here and there. She just needed the time of her own to learn it. She never really bothered much when she was back in her own realm since there were so many worlds to keep up with.
This world seemed to have an abundance...or...well most likely a hand full of changes was more like it. For one thing she made for sure was to see the true and completed story of Harry Potter's life and seeing it compared with this world was interesting to say at the very least.
For starters Tom's parentage. It seem to have a whole different, but just as tragic story to it. Still true to its word Tom was left in Wool's Orphanage when his mother died giving birth to him. It was only that he wasn't conceived under a love potion, but a deal gone wrong with his parents. With this, it led to the following of a whole other difference. Soulmates. Just soulmates. Few universes had them, some impacted the world greatly, others not so much. This one seem to have it pretty good with reasonable rules and circumstances. But some people didn't always seem to follow the rules. Tom's parents were no exception.
While Alana did her research she always seemed to find people's dominant hand's wrapped up or gloved. Be it the left or right (sometimes both) she found out about soulmarks. Everyone or at least almost everyone had a person or persons matching soulmarks on their wrists. Everyone had a soulmark at birth that was quickly covered up, until their 18th birthday. For then it would be uncovered with a beautiful design with the initials of the soulmate/soulmates. There were a select few who had none. (She luckily happened to be one. Obviously) The few that didn't have soulmarks around their wrists were given black and silver wristbands that would give everybody a clear message.
Sadly most of the marks less one were shunned by both their peers and family leaving them behind. Luckily there were helping houses that helped such people, but very few. Kinda like the squibs for the Purebloods, except for maybe the helping homes sort of. The Ministry helped, if only to a certain degree of watching over them like patrol guards.
Suddenly a voice came to Alana's attention. It was faint, but she quickly focused herself.
Mrs. Cole called, "Miss. Blackwood?...Miss. Blackwood?..."
Alana asked quickly, "Yes? Is there a problem?"
"No...no. I want to know if you wanted me to guide you upstairs. I would gladly guide you to the children's rooms one by one."
She was confused, "Don't the children normally gather down here to be seen and chosen when visitors come by?"
"Yes we do-"
"Then why is now the exception?"
Mrs. Cole frowned. She expected the young lady to be just that a lady, but by god was she rude. Mrs. Cole curtly answered, "I thought it would be nice to see for yourself each of them without interruptions of each of them..."
"...'each of them' what?"
"-Ne-never mind. Would you like to start?"
Alana was still for a moment. She knew Mrs. Cole wasn't too overly kind to the orphans. She knew that just by looking on the outside of the dingy orphanage. Alana insisted, "Yes I would. With one exception of course."
"What will it be?"
"I would like to see your least likely adopted orphan here. I want the truth not just some child that may pass for one, but one the children may dislike most in this orphanage."
Mrs. Cole stood aghast, she had never heard such words from anybody before. She prayed that this devil of a woman was sane or at the very least not damned.
"If that is when you want. Then so be it." The caretaker said quietly.
The orphanage was more quiet than it usually was on any given day. From children whispering quietly to each other to others running around even when the caretaker told them one too many times not to. Briskly walking up the stairs Mrs. Cole guided the odd lady Blackwood to the middle room on the left wing of the orphanage. She knocked on the door then opened it.
"Tom there is someone to see you." As quickly as Mrs. Cole said the words she left. Quickly heading over the stairs balcony giving them privacy. It was strange Alana thought, but thoughtful.
Slowly walking through the threshold of the door. She looked around the room. It was simple as she expected it to be. A small ratty bed, single window, a drawer, and small shelf to the side. Half the wall made of mahogany wood and the other cement like structure as was the rest of the orphanage. Looking around Alana found Tom hiding in the only corner open in the room; right in front of the closet.
Alana closed the door leaving only a crack open. She could feel Tom watch her every move. She sat down next to him, his dark eyes staring intensely into her hazel ones.
"Hello." Alana greeted.
Tom echoed, "Hello."
Talk about an awkward start. Its not everyday someone would go up to Tom willingly and so freely. She was a strange, yet beautiful lady in front of him. She had a very young face no more than 23 years old, dark brown hair, and eyes that seemed to stare right into his soul. It was a bit unnerving. He knew he could do the same to anybody else, but Tom could feel she was different the moment she walked into the room.
She huffed, "My name is Alana BlackWood. What's yours?"
"Tom Riddle ma'am."
The answer put a quirk at her lips. Smart boy, she knew he was and a gentleman, she was glad for that, but she always knew he was no matter the universe.
"I hope I'm not intruding on anything. It seems like it's a lot quieter than normal in this small orphanage."
"Not really, and yes it is. Normally the others and me would be down stairs for this. I don't see why this time is any different."
Alana's continued, "I tried to ask too, but the old lady out there flat out ignored me." At this Alana could see a small pull at Tom's lips. She wouldn't lie to herself and say she was every bit proud at herself for being able to do such a thing.
"I don't blame her you are strange and very young to be adopting. You don't even have a man at your shoulder. Shouldn't you have one? Every lady does."
Alana laughed, "Not me, but yes I am I guess if you say so yourself." The reaction surprised Tom. He always got disdainful looks and quips when he opened his mouth around other people, this was something different. The laugh pulled at his heart a little.
"Then why you here?" His voice sounded desperate, Tom didn't like it when people laughed at him.
Alana's smile faltered a little. "For many reasons, but my main reason is to adopt you."
"What?!" Talk about blunt. The words were like a kick to the gut, possibly worse than Billy's kicks all together. Nobody ever adopted Tom, no one ever liked him for that matter and he was fine with it. To suddenly just hear somebody actually wanted to adopt him...well. The room felt smaller and the room was spinning slightly.
"Tom...Tom...hey...hey. Listen you're fine. You'll be fine. You'll be safe with me. No more bullies, no more dingy awful people you hate to socialize with.
"I. Don't. Socialize." He insisted, "Why would you want to adopt me? Everyone hates me, no one has ever chosen me. How do I know you're not some type of awful person that eats children for fun?"
"Because I can see you're special and in a good way. I know people don't choose you because I told Mrs. Cole to show you to me. Also why would I? That's an awful thing to do and to pretty much anybody. I'm not a cannibal."
Shallow breaths flowed through Tom was shock to point the obvious. He heard her answer he just didn't know how to answer back. Would he like to be adopted? He knew she was right...well at least he thought so. Her voice seemed to project the promises clearly, but adults do lie. After several moments Tom asked, "How do I know you're not lying?"
"I guess you just have to trust me. I know it's not the best answer anybody wants to hear, but its something. Hopefully."
Tom guessed he would have to for now, it was the least he could give Miss Blackwood. "What did you mean by 'special' and 'in a good way'?"
The strange lady's smile returned in full bloom her eyes staring off in thought for a few seconds. "I'm going to have to show you that."
She offered her hand to Tom, hesitantly he reached for it. Pulling him up she noticed he was only as tall to her waist. She guessed his age had to be somewhere between six and eight years old. Then again she was pretty short herself in this body only being five feet. She pulled Tom to the other side of the room towards the drawer. On it was very little comb, a night shirt, and pants neatly folded next to the comb.
Tom sat on the edge of the bed Alana quickly joining him, holding his comb. He stared at it dubiously. He wanted to ask what she was going to do with it, but choose not to, going with watching instead of interrupting.
Taking in a deep breath Alana effortlessly turned the comb into a wooden carved wolf. Glancing over at Tom's face it was blank. She chuckled he seemed to be having a more eventful day then he thought he would. Enjoying the moment she turned the wolf into a turtle...still in shock...a panda bear...shock still there...then a snake.
Every transformation felt and seemed surreal to Tom, like it was from a fairytale book the other children loved to read. He watched Mrs. Blackwood transform his comb into each animal. Each one made everything she did felt more real.
"It's magic. It really is. I know you don't believe in it or at least don't seem to be registering it all right now, but whatever is happening right now. It's all real Tom." Alana paused for a moment giving him time to think. After a few of minutes she then asked. "Do strange things ever happen to you? Like when some of the bullies are at you something goes flying or multiple things do."
"Yes." The answer was quiet barely audible to Alana's ears.
"You don't have to be afraid. It's like I said before I can keep you safe. Always from bullies and people far worse than me. I'll leave it to you, but I do and I truly want to adopt you Tom. I'll be right back, Mrs. Cole would want me to see the other children. I've been here as long enough as it is."
