The start of Harry's school year was odd, to say the least. He had long given up on having a normal education. Because Professor Slughorn taught Potions this year, Harry and Ron were able to enroll. His standards weren't as high as Snape's. Since Harry didn't have the required supplies for Potions, he picked up a used text from the storage. The book had notes written in it by someone who called himself The Half-Blood Prince. From what he had been researching on his own, Harry noticed that the equations and comments were better and easier ways to go about brewing certain potions. Harry contemplated between using it as a cheat sheet or as a learning tool. He chose the latter. The choice was mainly to improve his study ethic, but he also wanted to prove himself to Professor Snape, who had always criticized him. If he could become exceptional in Potions, he could try to make Snape dissociate him with his father. Harry wasn't really sure how well his dissociation plan would work now, though. True to his prediction to Tom, Harry had mouthed off to Snape in class. He didn't mean to. Not really. The temptation was just too sweet to resist. If anything, the Potions Master was now even more convinced that Harry was just like James. His best bet would be to try to talk to him one-on-one during his detention next week. Trying to reason with the old dungeon bat would probably be one of the most difficult things Harry would ever have to do, in his opinion. His other classes went relatively the same as always. That was a huge relief.

The first week was finally coming to an end. Harry and his friends were in the Great Hall eating breakfast. When the morning post arrived, Hedwig came flying towards Harry with his mail and a small package.

"Hey, girl." Harry stroked her feathers lovingly as he took the post from her. He put all of it in his pocket, stating he would read his mail later. No one around him questioned the box, so he wondered for a moment if Tom had cast a concealment charm on it.

Hedwig had returned to Harry with his birthday presents from Tom. He was so glad that she came back to him. He had always felt a special bond with his owl. It felt like they could understand each other on an emotional level. Hedwig had already flown to Riddle Manor a few times before, during the summer. Tom has seemed to take a liking to her as well.

After breakfast, Harry spent most of his day thinking of how he would tell Draco. Perhaps he should withhold the secret from him until the anxiety consumed the poor snake. Well, maybe not consume...just enough that it will cause a crack in his ice-mask. Harry has figured out a how and a when, now how about a where?

Later that evening, Lord Voldemort called on his faithful servant, Severus Snape, to gather more information about The-Boy-Who-Lived. At least, that's what the Potions' Master believed. Severus walked into the Dark Lord's private study at Riddle Manor, where his Lord was awaiting his arrival. He did not make eye contact as he knelt at the man's feet. "My Lord, you called for me?"

Voldemort sat in his armchair, legs crossed, relishing in the fact that Severus had no speculation that his Master has taken an heir. "Yes, Severus. Rise. Sit with me." He motioned to another armchair that he conjured for the professor. "I have some matters to discuss with you." The small pause that Severus took before sitting was just barely noticed by the Dark Lord, but was noticed. "I know what Narcissa has asked of you, regarding her son. You do not need to worry about that anymore. I have a new mission for him that is less dangerous." He paused, then chuckled lowly. "Wait. No. That's not exactly right. Young boys can be very dangerous, from what I've learned. I have taken an heir around his age, you see, and I have hopes that the boys can become close. When my heir stays with me, he is going to need a friend to play with while I am...busy. He and I have both come to the conclusion that the Malfoy boy would be the perfect candidate. I am going to require you to take the same oath that the Malfoys did, concerning the true identity of my heir. Once you know who he is, you can not mention his name to anyone that I have not given permission to tell. The Malfoys are the only ones you may speak to about it, once they know. My heir goes to Hogwarts, and I have no idea who he will contact first, you or Draco. He did make it known to me that he would wait to tell Draco, for personal reasons. I have no doubt he will come to you, though he never said he would do so exactly. He hinted at it. I promised that I would arrange a meeting for you both, but he has his own ways of doing things. He is now in possession of Salazar's locket, and can be identified by it when he seeks you out." Voldemort gave a triumphant smirk towards Severus, when he caught the look of utter shock fleeing and replaced by a mask. "I believe that's about it. Any questions?"

"No, my Lord."

"Very well, then. Give me your word."

Voldemort had Severus perform the same Unbreakable Vow that the Malfoy family did, before continuing with their meeting.

"Now, give me your report on Dumbledore and Mr. Potter." Harry had already told him of the detention that he would be serving with Severus next week. It made him wonder if the man before him actually would comment on the boy's cheek.

"Potter is still proving to be an insufferable brat, sir. The school year has barely even started and he is already serving a detention with me next week. It seems the brat has sharpened his tongue over the summer. It's like he's trying to compensate for his father and the mutt, now." Harry was right, it was funny how the professor would have to complain about the boy's cheekiness to him. "Albus is planning on teaching the boy some things that I believe are in relation to you, using a pensive. I am almost surprised that he doesn't want me to try to teach Potter Occlumency again. The boy wouldn't learn. He's just as dense as his father."

That gave Tom a sly idea. "If given the opportunity again, I want you to seriously teach the boy Occlumency. I have a plan. Let's just say that I'll sleep better at night because of it."

Severus knew better than to question a Dark Lord's motives, so he kept his questions to himself. "Yes, my Lord. I understand your orders."

A Cheshire grin, befitting of a tabby, formed of Tom's lips. "No. You don't. You have no idea what I plan on achieving through my plans. But, if you did, that would take all the fun out of it." That grin made the Potions' Master wonder if the man in front of him had begun to revert back to the state of madness that he was in before receiving his new old-body. "You are dismissed. And remember to be expecting my heir soon, Severus. He's looking forward to it."

Wait. You told Snape that I was looking forward to my detention?

No. I told my spy that my heir was looking forward to their meeting.

That's the same bloody thing, Tom! And how do we know he's not really working for Dumbledore? You do know about him being a spy for both sides, right? He's in the Order!

I see anxiety is kicking in. I know he is in that little organization of Dumbledore's. I also know that he will lean towards whichever side is evident to come out on top, in the end. He thinks Dumbledore has you, so the Light is seemingly on top. He doesn't know about our arrangement, though, as of yet.

Tom, If I can't get Snape to trust me he won't -

He won't feel inclined to tell you about your mother. That is why you need to make him trust you, Harry. Let him know that you know that he knew your mother on a personal level. Question his loyalty on both sides. Do not reveal who you are until you can see the tiniest crack in his mask. You'll know how to make it shatter. Then, he will be able to see the real you.

You really think so?

We can hope.

I need more than hope, Tom.

If Severus is actually working solely for Dumbledore, then all that old fool will know is that I have taken an heir. Severus is magically bound to not say a word to anyone about your identity. I've explained this to you already. It would seem like you tend to forget important details when you become anxious. Tsk Tsk, Harry. You need to get a better hold on your emotions. How else do you plan on occluding your mind from The Great Albus Dumbledore?

I believe I did a pretty good job of it, The Dark Lord Voldemort. I had a meeting with him, yesterday.

Yes. Severus did say something about that the other night. you used his pensive, yes?

That's right. He showed me some old memories about your childhood.

Really? Anything interesting?

Nothing I didn't already know, Tommy.

This "ask and tell" policy between us has been working out marvelously. Don't you agree, Harriett?

I dare say I do, Lord Moldy-Shorts.

"Lord Moldy-Shorts" is a new one.

Overheard a pair of Second Years call you that. It just stuck in my mind.

And their family names would be?

Bad, Dark Lord. Don't make me get the spray bottle.

I'm glad to see that your mood has lightened. Even if you are an insufferable, Gryffindor brat.

And you, my dear friend, are a mad, Slytherin overlord.

So I'm your friend, now? Just last year we wanted each other dead.

We've come a long way, I'd say. I would hope we were at least friends by now.

You are my heir, Harry. If anything, we are family.

Would that make you Daddy-Tom?

Last I remember, you were calling me your mother.

You're more like the weird uncle that I never knew I wanted.

I'll take that as a complement.

I don't know if you should.

So how big is your family as of this moment?

Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neville, and you. Rather small, written on paper.

As your blonde prophet said, your family will grow.

Luna is so optimistic, even when she's not.

Are you trying to speak in riddles, Mr. Potter?

I'll leave the riddles up to you, Mr. Riddle. And you set that pun up for me. I know you did.

I am guilty of many things, and that would be one of them.

Oops. Hermione is catching on that I'm not paying attention to her study review.

You better listen to her, then. We don't want your grades to drop.

Ugh. Fine. I'll talk to you whenever.

Harry shut his journal and quickly turned to the right page in his notes, before Hermione could see what he deemed more important than their sacred study review time. He adored Hermione, but she could be very anal when it came to studying and reviewing. Every little thing has to be perfect. She had gotten better about not being as uptight as she used to be, but Harry could tell that after the events of last year, she just wanted to bury herself in her work as much as she can. He wants to reassure her that the war is being put on hold for a while, but he can't. Not without telling her everything. He couldn't risk that, yet. He couldn't risk losing both Hermione and Ron's friendship. They wouldn't understand why he did what he did. Maybe after things calm down some and Harry can think of a way to rationalize everything for Hermione...just not now.

AN

I've been sick, lately. I'm sorry this has taken some time getting to you.

My doctor has put me on a 10 day antibiotic, since my cough has persisted for almost 2 weeks.

NOW ON WITH THE USUAL!

28 reviews, 66 favs, and 125 followers.

That, my friends, is 10 more reviews, 46 more followers, and 31 more favorites.

You all really DO flatter me, so!

Kahome: École secondaire des cours de français a fait faire quelque chose de bon pour moi. Je n'ai même pas besoin d'un traducteur pour profiter de votre avis. Je vous remercie beaucoup. Harry et Ginny ne vont pas être ensemble dans cette fiction. Malheureusement, je n'ai besoin d'un traducteur pour ma réponse. Je suis tellement désolé. Je n'ai pas assez de puissance de cerveau au moment de traduire de l'anglais vers le français, mais peut faire français à l'anglais. S'il vous plaît excuser mon français.

mithrilandtj, OrnateDragon, SO-LONG-LOVE: In time, chickadees, in time.

May-The-Wolf-Girl: But of course. There would be no fun in that. I want to break him down and build him back. Bahaha!

Lightningblade49: I love stories where Tom persuades Harry. They are fun. Most end up with butt-sex though. I don't mind the butt-sex. Hell, I encourage it! But I have plans for this story. I have the ending in sight. There will be no butt-sex, that I know of, yet. These characters like to take control of the story themselves. I'm almost terrified to write the confrontation with Draco, because they may just change their minds and end up hexing each other. Goodness! And thank you for pointing the Hedwig thing out. I almost forgot about her. I put that little part in just for you. :3