Author's Note; I got a few details wrong, so this has been updated. When I said that the diary Horcrux was made in third year, I meant to type fifth year but was thinking about when Harry found out about it. I apologize. Also, I know that Snape and Lucius, the Marauders, and Lily shouldn't be going to school with Tom. I'm sorry if this makes you no longer wish to read the story, but I fudged the details a bit for my story purposes.

"I'm nervous," I say as we crowd on the doorstep of Hogwarts.

The last month had been difficult, to say the least. Living with Tom was not at all what I expected. He's messier than I am. He snores quietly at night. I know these little things about him that don't seem like much but mean that I am closer to him than I expected to be. Than I ever wanted to be.

"Nervousness is for the weak, Harry," Tom says without looking back at me.

I say nothing as the large doors open and we are led inside. A small raven-haired boy brushes against me. I smile in his direction, a courtesy that does not go unnoticed by Tom. He looks at me harshly.

"Harry, come here," Tom says.

I thought it would be easier to.. convert Tom before he had ever heard the word 'Mudblood' or any other slurs used by the elitist purebloods, but I've found that he has always been the type of person who thinks himself superior. He's treating me like a Death Eater, like personal property always at his beck and call, only suitable to serve and follow him around like an adoring puppy, and it disgusts me.

I walk back to his side and mumble the necessary words of remorse and sorrow, We walk through the doors together and await our Sorting.

When Headmaster Dippet calls my name, I realize that it's rather nice to not hear whispering as I sit on the stool. Being a first year again has its drawbacks, but I'm a first year with the knowledge of a sixth year and the strength and talents of those far above me. The Sorting Hat is lowered onto my head and when it places me into Slytherin I make no protest.

I sit at my new table and survey the crowd. The people that I recognize look so different, so young. Lucius Malfoy looks almost… innocent. Eager. Tom sits beside me.

"I've heard that Slytherin is the best House," I say by way of greeting.

"And whoever did you hear that from?" Tom says as though he suspects me of some malicious deed.

So possessive of his minions. I suppose I won't be allowed to make a single friend while I'm here.

"A person in the crowd. No one important," I say quickly.

"It is only fitting that we were placed into the best House," Tom says, "Don't you agree?"

"Yes, Tom," I say, "Whatever you say."

I lay in my bed awake but with my eyes closed to steel myself for going through seven years of school again.

"Potter, get up!" a voice calls.

I roll over and groan. I don't want to be awake. Tom is more possessive at Hogwarts than he was at the orphanage. Last night he kept me tethered to his side and hardly allowed me to answer when other students talked to me.

"Potter!" The voice calls again.

I think I recognize it.

"Yes, that's me," I say around a yawn.

I sit up and look around for the person who woke me. It doesn't sound like Tom, and he never calls me by my last name. Another form of ownership.

"Your boyfriend was here just a moment ago," a boy says.

The boy from last night, the one I wanted to talk to.

"I don't have a boyfriend," I say.

"You don't? The other boy, Riddle was it?, he didn't seem to want anyone else to wake you," he says.

Why do I recognize this face?

Of course Tom would scare away everyone in this school. He wouldn't have it any other way. I'm his property now, and he doesn't like to share. He probably has plans to make me the first Death Eater. But sooner or later he'll do something, and I'll kill him. Fifth year at the latest, I think, when he made the diary Horcrux.

"Who are you?" I ask.

"Severus Snape," he says.

"Please, call me Harry," I say.

Hearing Snape call me by my last name brings back unpleasant memories of Potions class and failing marks. And then I smile. Tom won't keep me from having at least one friend.

"Why did you call me?" I ask.

"Because you wouldn't listen to me," Tom says.

I wince. Spoke too soon. He must have just walked back into the room. I was hoping to get to know Snape better, perhaps understand him on a level that I didn't have the opportunity to because of the things that happened between me and my father. Things that haven't happened yet. And he doesn't know that James Potter is my father yet.

"You're lazy and useless. Is that what you want? Even your subconscious should obey me. Or I will replace you," Tom snarls.

How disgustingly arrogant he is. I roll my eyes at Snape to calm the worried look in his eyes and then turn to face Tom. I pinch my leg until my eyes tear and attempt to look apologetic.

"I'm sorry, Tom. I'll try harder," I say.

"See to it," he says and then walks out of the door.