Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters in the series are rightfully owned by J.K. Rowling. All original characters and plot changes that are made in the story are written by me (JayPolar).
PLEASE READ BOTH AUTHOR'S NOTE BEFORE READING THE CHAPTER!
A/N: Welcome everyone! This is going to be pretty long message, but please bear with me. I would have placed it in a different entry, but content guidelines say I cannot. However, this information is important.
As a fan of both film and book series of Harry Potter, I wanted to take on the challenge of creating my first, and hopefully not my last, fanfiction of the wizarding world. Now, I know there are people who have not yet read the books but have watched the films. As such, this fiction will be based on the films and not the books. If that disappointed you, don't worry. I will still include in a few book information in the story as this fiction will be a based in the past – particularly Tom Riddle Jr.'s era.
With that being said, there are a few things that I should warn you all. This fiction is set around 1941in England. If you are not aware of your history, this was during Word War II. The United Kingdom was, in a nutshell, not great. So, there will be some historical content here and there. Additionally, people's view back then of same-sex relationship was not great. Despite that, I believe that wizards and witches would not fall under such views. I will not press further on the why aspect as it will be revealed by the characters themselves.
Now, on to the pressing matter. Who is the same-sex couple in the story? My plan is to have an end-game relationship, so to speak, between Tom Riddle Jr. and Harry Potter. I say "so to speak" because this fiction's main focus is on the purity – or not so purity – of their relationship. So, that means there will be no scenes of that kind in the story. I wanted to warn you all about my plan with the relationship because some of you might be looking for a different take on the relationship – this is just mine.
On a different note, another warning is that this fiction is driven by the characters themselves. Therefore, mischiefs, adventure, and all that fun stuff that we all know and love in the franchise will be included. However, it will serve as character building. This also means dialogues are important. Please read them carefully.
Moreover, this is a travel fanfiction to the past and not much Harry Potter-like-adventure was revealed during Tom's past. So, I will be taking liberty here and including my own adventures! Some of which will be adventures that I have done myself, though much exaggerated for the fiction's purpose.
Finally, this is my first fiction of the HP franchise. If I made a mistake in terms of what had actually happened in the story, I do apologize. I am probably not going to change it as I already have begun weaving the pieces of the plot together. Still, I would like to know because I may plan to write another HP fiction in the future and would like to be accurate as possible. I will also try my best to be as accurate to the characters' personality and, therefore, their actions as well.
Excitement waits you now! Have a wonderful reading!
Summary: Harry Potter – known as the Boy Who Lived – ironically had died by the hands of the wizard who engraved that sobriquet as if it told his whole story. Now faced with a choice, he could go back in time before the Wizarding War. No. He can go back even further. He could go back to a different war created by muggles. However, he will be facing a much more daunting task than saving his friends. He had to face Tom Marvolo Riddle. The man who killed him.
A/N: This is quick A/N about this chapter. The beginning portion of the story has dialogues from the film Deathly Hallows part II. Credits go to J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., and Heyday Films for those amazing lines. Also, this chapter relies heavy on dialogue, but it has a purpose!
-Chapter 1: King's Cross-
"Harry Potter," Voldemort's strained voice echoed the darkened forest. "The boy who lived has come to die."
Harry closed his eyes and not a second more the cursed spell of Avada Kedavra erupted. Surprisingly, the pain was but a small tingle that lingered for bit before all his sensation disappeared along with it. When he woke up, brightness engulfed his view. His eyes had to adjust the stark contrast that he witnessed earlier. He stood up from the ground and wondered to a bench. Underneath it laid a horrid and bloodied small body of what used to be Voldemort.
"You can't help him," came a voice. Harry looked up and saw it was none other the headmaster himself – Albus Dumbledore. "Harry, you wonderful boy. You brave, brave man. Let us walk."
So, they did. They talked and Harry raised several questions. After a short while, they sat on a bench.
"I have to go back, don't I?" Harry asked.
"That's up to you," Dumbledore merely replied.
"I have a choice?"
"Oh yes," Dumbledore looked around as if he was marveling the station. "We're in King's Cross you say? I think if you so desire, you'd be able to board a train."
"And where would it take me?"
"On," he grinned. The elderly wizard stood up and looked ahead. "But, if you wish to go beyond, that is an option too."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Beyond, professor?"
"Quite so," Dumbledore continued to gaze forward. Harry felt the same tingling sensation swirl around his stomach. "I do believe that a soul attached for that long makes quite a lasting impression. Don't you?"
The boy hesitated. There was a slight whistle that erupted.
"Professor, what should I do?" Harry sounding worried as the whistle grew closer.
Dumbledore chuckled. "My boy, neither the man who placed a curse on you nor I have made you choose your path. You have done all that and more." He walked closer and placed a hand on the boy's shoulders. "Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living. And above all, all those who live without love."
With the final whistle, Harry closed his eyes and opened them once more. The brightness from earlier had almost all but disappeared and was replaced by shadows of several trees blocking the sunlight. He groaned and propped himself up. He was still in the Dark Forest, except it was a lot less dark and gloomy with the sun beaming down.
He stood up and dusted himself from the soil. Walking out of the forest was slightly difficult, but he managed to make it to Hagrid's hut. He smiled and was thankful that the half-giant and half-human friend's hut still lived in the same place back then. Thought, he should probably start saying now. Before knocking the door, he couldn't help but feel worry crawl its way into his thoughts as he realized how he had made a terrible plan. What was he supposed to say? Hello? Hagrid was still a student. He would not even be here.
As he was contemplating, the door swung open. He was knocked out and was sent to the ground rather harshly.
"Ouch!" he grumbled.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" the half-giant apologized. He grabbed the boy from his shoulders and hurled him to a standing position. "Sorry about that! Oh, and who might ye' be?"
"I-I'm…"
"Are you a first year?" Hagrid asked raising an eyebrow as he eyed the boy strangely. "Of course ye' are! What are you doin' out here? And where are your robes? Ye' know ye' could get points taken away."
"I-I just got here," Harry finally answered. He was shocked for a moment at how small his voice was. More importantly, why was his friend in the hut? Hagrid raised an eyebrow. "And got lost."
"Of course, ye' did," Hagrid smiled. "I can go and take ye' to the Headmaster 'nd get ye' sorted out."
The boy nodded his head. They were both awfully quiet on the way to the Headmaster. Though, Hagrid was able to get out a name.
"Enter," the Headmaster called. The two strolled in. The tall man introduced the boy and had to bid off. Apparently, Hagrid has not changed much and was still taking care of a creature from an injury. What creature, Harry does not have the faintest of idea. Though, how was it possible for the young version of his friend be given such tasks at such a young age?
Now faced with the Headmaster alone, the boy should feel a bit of relief that he no longer had to lie to his friend. However, he was faced with another challenged. He was not in front of Albus Dumbledore, but of Armando Dippet. He had forgotten that Dumbledore was not yet the Headmaster until much later.
"Hello, sir," Harry greeted the man.
"Yes, hello Mr. Potter," the old wizard hummed. He seemed to be more fixated on his writing than the boy, but it wasn't long until his gaze fell on him. The resemblance of Harry's own Headmaster and this one was too uncanny. Was this how all Headmaster looked like?
"Come, sit," Dippet ushered him to a chair that sat in front of his own table. Harry sat on it and waited. Dippet did not seem to mind the silence, but Harry was down right anxious. He did not prepare for any of this. What was he thinking anyway? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
"Sir, I can explain."
Dippet raised his hand and opened a drawer with the other. There were soft rustling sounds of paper before a piece of candy was taken out. "Ah, here it is. Care for one?"
It was Sherbet Lemon. Harry slowly grabbed it from his hand and popped it in his mouth.
The old wizard grinned and grabbed another one for himself. "Wonderful flavour is it not?"
"Mhm," Harry nodded in agreement. Then, the boy's eyes fell to the reflection of his face being on the glassed chalice next to him. He had turned into his younger self. His eyes grew. He quickly turned around to face the Headmaster, who was, thankfully, busy dusting off the hat.
Dippet placed the hat back on its secured spot and sat back down only to look at Harry in deep thought. "I supposed that a proper introduction has yet to be made."
Harry swallowed the remaining candy. "My name's Harry Potter. And I…"
Dippet's deepened his gaze on the boy.
"I'm sorry for being late," Harry ended. The Headmaster's gaze softened and smiled.
"That's all right, my boy," he reassured. "I'm glad you came back."
Before Harry could further question the man, Dippet transfigured a new attire for the boy. He was now wearing a black tie, a white and short sleeved collar shirt, brown shorts that fell just above the knee, and a pair of black laced up Oxford shoes. Since he had aged back, the clothes he was wearing during the Wizarding War engulfed his now smaller frame. So, when Dippet transfigured his clothes, the new ones became ill-fitting despite at how dressed up he was.
"I think that would suit the current fashion in this time better, don't you, Mr. Potter?"
If his doe-like eyes could grow any bigger, it would be twice the size as it is. The Headmaster does know something.
"Sir…"
"Now, my boy, we should not keep the other students waiting longer. Let us speak at a better time," Dippet smiled at him and the boy returned it.
When they arrived in the Great Hall, the loud chatter turned into hushed mummers. It was as if it was Harry's first year again – which, technically it was. He could feel a bit of heat rise to the tips of his ears. He gazed down, but Dippet placed his soft hands around the young boy. Harry tense shoulders eased and looked up to meet a familiar man.
"Dumbledore," Harry whispered. It caught the Headmaster's attention, but his face pressed head on to the front. On the other hand, both the boy and the professor gave each other a friendly smiled.
Although he stood in front of the podium with his back turned to the students, he could tell that their eyes were all piercing him. When Dippet stood next to the sorting hat, all the whispers died off.
"Now, Mr. Harry Potter here had some circumstances at home that he was unable to come until this morning. However, I expect that he is to be welcomed as everyone no matter what house he's in. Come, my boy," the old wizard motioned him forward.
Harry sat down on the stool and the leathered hat was placed on his head.
"Oh! What's this?" the Sorting Hat voice grew quiet. "Harry Potter. Hmm… it seems like I've already made my choice before."
"You did?" Harry tried to sound as neutral as possible.
"Don't take me for a fool, Mr. Potter," the Sorting Hat retorted. "Although students would think differently, I am no jester's hat. So, let's see… Hmm… You certainly are a Gryffindor. Brave and most certainly daring enough to go back once more. And ahhh… but I do see something else. Oh yes, yes. I think that it would be best to move you to a different and more ambitious house, yes?"
"What?" he almost yelled.
"Oh, don't be a silly boy, Harry. You have done a fine job already as a Gryffindor, if I do say so myself. Have you not?"
"I-I have."
"And is it not the right time to be more ambitious and resourceful than ever?"
"But I can't be… you know…"
"You're quite right about that. Being cunning is certainly not your trait. However, I think you've learned that not all students, unlike yourself, portray all traits of their house."
"So, I don't have to be cunning?"
"Do I have to be pretty to do my duty?"
"No?" the boy answered.
"That was rhetorical, but at least you've found your answer," the Sorting Hat chuckled. "SLYTHERIN!"
The crowd of Slytherin students all cheered. There were several other students from the other houses that cheered, but some disgruntle as they did not receive the new student that seemed to be on the good side of the Headmaster. Dippet himself was clapping. Dumbledore was taken back for a moment, but a wrinkled smile spread across his face.
Sitting in the middle of the Slytherin table, though, was a tall and handsome boy. He was slowly clapping, unlike everyone else around him clapping like madmen. His eyes were too busy studying the newly Slytherin student. When their eyes met, his cold, blue eyes glinted with curiosity.
A/N: Wow, that was a lot of dialogue. Hopefully, you all still enjoyed the chapter! I plan to make Tom's physical appearance like the one in the film – particularly the one in the Chamber of Secrets. So, his eyes will be blue instead of brown, as the book portrayed him with dark eyes. There is a reasoning as to why I chose the film version!
As for how often this fiction will get updated, I plan on doing one to two chapters per week as I'm on vacation right now. Though, not sure what days. I'm also on a roll right now. So, I'm currently writing the next chapter already. Expect it to come up pretty soon!
Again, thank you so much for reading my first HP fanfiction. Please let me know what you think. I would love to hear from all of you!