AUTHORS NOTE: Ok, this story is going to go b/w POVs. So when u see HARRY under the chapter it'll take place in Harry's pov/time. When u see TOM it'll take place in Tom/Voldemort's pov/time. You'll understand as the story continues.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, the genius J.K. Rowling does

Chapter 1 Harry

Harry was tired. Tired of the war, tired of being 'The Chosen One', tired of being the 'Boy-Who-Lived', tired of losing people close to him. Since Sirius' death he'd been a bit of a loner. He had tried to have a few relationships, but he could never get them to work. He'd finally decided not to let anyone get too close, that way he wouldn't have to deal with the pain of losing someone…again.

Which is why he is walking back to the Leaky Cauldron in the rain, alone. He leaned against a brick wall and let the rain hit his face. It was rather refreshing to have the cold water soak him. It gave him a sense of peace, of being alive.

He opened his eyes and saw a dark figure across the road. The figure was leaning over something, Harry couldn't tell what. And then he saw a flash of red hair.

"Hey!" he called out impulsively. The figure turned, but Harry couldn't see the person's face because it was hidden under a hood. The figure stepped aside an apparated.

Harry ran across the street to see who the person was and if they were ok. When he reached the person, he found that it was a young girl about his age. She had a gash in her head and was bleeding. She was also soaked and very cold. He picked her up, deciding to look after her until she regained consciousness. Wondering the whole way whether she was a witch or muggle.

"Good Merlin, Harry! What's going on?" Tom the owner of the Leaky Cauldron asked in bewilderment.

"I don't know, but will you bring some hot tea up to my room? And some bandages? I think we're going to need them," Harry said, making his way toward the stairs.

"Sure, sure."

"Thanks." Harry climbed the stairs up to his room. Thank goodness it was late and most of the guests were asleep; he really didn't feel like explaining this to anyone right now.

He laid her on his bed once he'd gotten into his room. He said a quick spell that dried her completely, hoping it would help. By the time he'd changed into some dry clothes Tom was at the door.

"Thanks Tom, I know it's late," Harry said as he prepared the tea.

"It's no problem, glad I could help," Tom replied, somewhat distracted since he was bandaging her forehead.

"You wouldn't happen to know who she is?" Harry asked. Now that they were inside, and that she was dry, Harry could see her a lot better. Her hair was actually more orange than red and had straw blonde highlights going through it. Her skin was very pale, but had gained some color, since coming inside. She was quite pretty…and there was something oddly familiar about her.

"Yeah, I've seen her a few times," Tom said, interrupting Harry's thoughts.

"Really?"

"Yeah, yeah," Tom continued. "She's really sweet girl, but she's always coming through here with some wound or another. I used to think she was abused, but I found out that she is an orphan. So…I just don't know. Pity, she's so kind, especially for a Slytherin," he added this last bit as a joke, trying to lighten the mood.

"So she goes to Hogwarts?" Harry asked, his interest in the girl rising.

"Yeah, she's in your year actually. Her name's Dawn Riddle." Harry felt all the color drain from his face. Riddle? How could that be possible?

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