=== Manic ===

Adder looked at Dumbledore for a beat and began thinking to himself, 'That would be something he would want to see play out till the end.'

"All right then Albus, if you think that it's a good idea for him to be here I won't stop it." Dippet weakly glared at no one in particular as he said this. "However, he has to do as his cover suggests and master in defence while he is here."

"Well thought out Headmaster," Albus soothed, "And while Mr. Adder's here might I impose upon a student to act as a tour guide for him? Personally I'm thinking of Mr. Riddle, good influences and all that."

Adder looked at either man before saying his thanks and asking when he would be finding out where he would be sleeping. Dippet and Dumbledore shared a look Adder couldn't decipher.

Albus was the one to speak up however, and let the younger man know what they had been thinking.

"It would probably be easier on all counts if you kept near Mr. Riddle. So your room will be located near the Slytherin common room. It will take a night to ask the castle for a transfigured room to living standards. Until then you're welcome to a room in the infirmary."

Adder stood as soon as Dumbledore had finished. He began to back away and move towards the large plain wood double doors. Ignoring the fact that he only had on a pair of pants, hoping no one could see him from behind.

"Yes, well, thank you Headmaster, Professor." He nodded towards the men, "If you don't mind I'll get dressed and head out to tell Riddle he's my guide around the castle." Adder had reached behind him and grabbed his shirt. He wriggled into it the slightly damp fabric. Once the shirt was securely tucked into his waistband, Adder turned the doors' handles. He tugged open the well oiled panes and opened to chaos.

The afternoon classes had just let out and no one was paying attention to the man framed by the infirmary doors. Adder's eyes flitted through the crowd. Taking in faces and matching them to future students, who would walk the same halls. He quickly found a pale male, with dark hair and a shiny green prefect badge.

Adder grabber hold of the other male's bicep and dragged him from the flow. Noting it wasn't the boy he was looking for Adder let him go. Ignoring the look he was shot as the prefect walked away. Again catching sight of someone who fit the, admittedly small, criteria he snagged them.

Thanking his luck it was the right person this time Adder dragged Tom into the niche at his back. Noting the ruffled hair and dilated eyes, Adder leaned in close to his ear. He took a firmer grip on Riddle's arm.

"Listen here, Dumbledore has assigned you to be my tour guide and seemingly friend." Adder began ignoring how the younger's breathing hitched. "We'll 'talk' civilly in public and play nice. But if you piss me of I'll blow you to kingdom come. Am I understood?" The older ended his quiet growled demands. He knew from research that Voldemort loved to convert strong-willed powerful allies.

Adder played up his menace as best he could. From his many successful missions he knew he was a damn good actor too. While Riddle stood there dazed for a full minute Adder shook him firmly, and growled deeper.

"Am I understood?" He got a very quickly nodded yes from that.

"Yes, I understand. But as prefect I've responsibilities. Who I associate with, what I wear, and how I act reflect on this school, and not just myself," Tom broke off to compose himself and lick his dry lips. "So I'll have you know that you'll not do anything to ruin my reputation."

He had by then composed himself enough to glare back at Adder. Riddle shook his arm to remind the other of the Painful grip on his arm. Slowly loosening his grip Adder stepped more fully into the shadows the niche offered for cover. He unconsciously shook his hand as if it had touched something slimy.

"As long as you keep your side of this agreement I'll keep mine. We'll work out the details later, alright? In the mean time, I'll be the perfect full-blood snob." To illustrate his point Adder sashayed holding his chin up, and looking as if he had smelt something foul.

Tom seeing that chuckled quietly under his breath thinking how similar Adder was walking to Malfoy. He tried for no one else to hear, as hard as he could.

"If you think that is how to act, we have a lot to go over. Come to my chamber later so we can cement our agreement. I'll be generous and show you how to hob-knob with the elite as well." Tom paused to pull out his wand not noticing Adder's flinch. "Give he your hand. I'll put a tracker on you."

Seeing the look that was shot at him Tom further explained.

"The tracker will allow you to find your way around the castle without my tagging around. Tap your wrist and say where you want to go. The closer you get to your designation the warmer your palm will get. Okay?" Not waiting Riddle grabbed Adder's hand and tapped his wand to it and whispered the incantation.

"Great, all done. Have fun exploring the castle. Come see in the Slytherin dorms around seven 'o' clock. The portrait will let you in if you let her know I invited you." With those last instructions Adder followed his movements in the now empty corridor. The sound of a lone robe dragging against the cobbled flagstones was loud in the echoing silence.

Tom entered the Slytherin common room and claimed the most comfortable chair in the room. Soon he had his usual group crowding him. Tom made sure his favourites were closest to either arm of his chair. Among those were: Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkinson they were the ones standing within reach.

"Voldemort, were have you been? We've been waiting for you over an hour!" Malfoy asked petulantly. Tom often thought of his as a little pedigree dog trying to measure up to a Great Dane mutt. Sounds of agreement floated from the back of the group. The less favoured ones always agreed with whatever was said by a person of the inner circle.

"Boy, girls, I found someone unconscious near the lake so I had to take them to the infirmary. Then when he woke up, with my help," This earned a few chuckles from closer members, "and I questioned him. I didn't get very far though. The old goat Dumbledore showed up soon after I left, and interrogated him proper. Then I find out I was nominated for 'guide' duty, as I was coming to meet you all. So, I'd say I've had a rather hectic day, so shut up."

The last words were forced through Tom's clenched teethe. Letting the hissing sound he was known for come to the forefront. This emphasis was enough for his entourage.

Goyle leaned back and sucked on his teethe, a horrible habit, before saying, "You must be tired then, maybe you should rest for a while. We can entertain ourselves. Don't let us wear you out." Tom cupped his chin as he thought about it, realizing how tired his body really was.

"Goyle, with such a thoughtful suggestion I think I will take you up on that. I give you my leave to go. Good night all." Tom got a few pleasantries as he made his way to his room.

Tom passed a couple kissing near his door and got between the two, if only because he was prefect. Not at all because the action made his stomach roil. He continued to his room and stopped before the portrait. 'After all it's only swapping spit and sucking on someone's face. There's absolutely no point to it. What would be so great you can't go ten feet without seeing it?'

Tom hissed in parsletongue to his portrait door, "Open up, it's me. I've a guest coming at seven so let in the tall, dark haired man with green eyes."

"Of course, love. I might even smack him on the arse as he comes through." The brightly painted snake giggle-hissed as she said the next part, "I'm sure if he's allowed in your room he's quiet the piece of arse!"

Tom sniffed and didn't reply, choosing instead to head through the portrait hole with a shuttered look. He ended up losing his temper as he heard her cat-call. Slamming the portrait behind him, he headed for his bed. Tom fell on to the bed and fell asleep. He was so tired he didn't get the chance to get his shoes off.

Tom woke slowly, drifting below several layers of sleep. He looked about his room. Noting the shadowy figure in the corner, he didn't care for a moment and then it hit him. Who the hell was in his room!

Adder stood near the door with his back towards the wall. He just stood silently. Not even seeming to blink. His eyes were locked onto the figure sleeping. Tom Riddle was a fairly heavy sleeper; he had only shifted and mumbled something when Adder had climbed through. Riddle was right in front of him, defenceless, and he hadn't drawn his wand. He couldn't bring himself to make the move.

Instead, he was watching the other sleep restlessly. Riddle shifted again and Adder made his presence known. Riddle's eyes were glazed in sleep. Nothing like what he would become. Voldemort was always ready. Adder tensed up as the long locked memories washed over him.

Flashback

Harry stood in front of Voldemort, a little away from his massacred team. This was Harry's first mission as team leader. And it all had gone so horribly wrong.

Harry had thought ambushing Voldemort as he slept was a brilliant idea. So they had prepared for weeks. Cracking into the near impossible wards, knowing when he slept. All that was left after that was to actually kill him.

Harry had crept up to the imposing four-poster bed he slept in. He bent to reach for his wand when everything went array. BAM! Harry whipped his head around to see who had fucked up. He saw Neville, flat on his back, dead. Harry looked back in time to see Voldemort open his eyes and take in the situation. All that took a single second.

Voldemort had floated off the bed and shot Kingsley at the same time. Never taking his eyes off of Harry Voldemort spun his web of death. Everything went blurry with the afterimage of the toxic green curse flying in all directions. It was all just a blur of death and chaos. The only people alive were Harry and Voldemort, always Harry and Voldemort.

Harry had to use the emergency portkey lest he have his head blown off. He had returned to distraught members of the order and had to tell, and retell the events leading to one of the largest loss in member life. Tears shed and resolve strengthened. After that it was only to kill Voldemort, nothing else mattered.

End Flashback

"Whazithapen…" Riddle mumbled and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Adder moved towards the bed with silent footing. He looked around the room and noticed the silver, green and blue colour scheme. Adder's footsteps stopped in arm reach of the bed.

"We were to finish working out our arrangement later, and it's now later. So why are you asleep? Am I that tiring?" Adder asked sarcastically, faking a wound near his heart. Adder staggered backwards, making sure he ran into the bed table there.

Adder noted with satisfaction the moment his presence clicked in Riddle's mind, the straightened spine, lifting of his chin, and change in demeanour. The fact Adder had such an influence on Riddle pleased him.

He had a fantasy of Voldemort writhing in pain beneath him. All the people Voldemort had killed in a circle around him watching. Again and again in the past Harry had woken from dream created screams. But now that he was here he had to play the unwilling ally, useful but strong willed. So Adder crowded into Riddle's personal space, looming above him.

"What the hell were you doing while I slept?"

"Just watching you sleep."

"WHY!"

"It can say a lot about a person. Whether or not the person talks, or snores, or moves about. That what tells others the sleeping person's true nature."

"Oh really, well what did you read off of me?"

"You're young and full of arrogant pride. You need to be the best at everything, no holding back. Also you're not content with your life. You need to believe you have a larger purpose in life."

As Tom processed how much Adder had learned just by seeing him sleep, Adder leaned back on Tom's legs, startling the younger out of his thoughts. Adder knew how much Voldemort hated physical touching. But, he couldn't help the taunting and leaned back even farther.

"Riddle, you seen uncomfortable that I'm here. Maybe we should get through this agreement and I can get back to my own bed."

"Yes, please make yourself comfortable," Tom sneered, "You know me only by reputation, you don't speak to me in public, and you do nothing to associate with me."

"Well, I think basic nodding at greeting is the least we could do. But since I'm new to Hogwarts I'll have to ask you a question from time to time. If you want that will be the extent of our conversations." Adder worded his side trying to find the most benefit for himself.

"Fine, questions can be asked, but nothing too personal. You can your own damn way to the washrooms, how's that?"

"That should be fine, see you tomorrow." With the arrangement done with, Adder got up and moved towards the door.

"You know, you may find you sleep better without boots on." Adder's laughter echoed around the room long after he had left.

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