Fragmented fate


A/N: Hi, sorry for delay but I didn't get time to write. I'm not satisfied with this chapter. I feel that I am not able to express my ideas properly while writing. Tell me what do you think. Any grammar corrections or improvements?


Chapter 7

'Defence against Dark Arts class...today's first period', Harry thought as he checked the timing. It's still half past three but he could not go back to sleep. He might as well wake up properly and start preparing for the day.

His weekend research had just increased his anxiety level. Harry needed to maintain his cover... especially in light of recent revelations.

He had feeling that he would slip in this defence class. When you had worked as Auror it became your second nature to react to any threat without any conscious thought. It would be disastrous for his cover as he was trying his best to act as a naive little student.

If there was anything he could do to avoid attending Defence class he would do it in a second, but there was nothing. He sighed despondently. This was rapidly becoming his default reaction to whatever problems he was facing in this weird world.

All his dorm mates started preparing for classes slowly and lethargically. They were still half asleep.

'Monday blues!', he thought gloomily, as he waited for Ron to get ready.

They met Hermione downstairs and left for Great hall. Hermione was really excited about their DADA class because it was supposed to be the best class in Hogwarts.

Although he doubted that claim, Ron agreed wholeheartedly. He had heard some superb stories about this class from his brothers and he was very eagerly awaiting for it. It was strange to see Ron showing such enthusiasm for anything that's not food or quidditch.

They waited outside of DADA classroom for their first ever class. They shared this class with the Slytherins. Tom Riddle was their head of the house.

Well, No surprise there. He would have loved to see Snape's reaction to this piece of information.

And with this random thought his mind again flooded with memories from his world... his past. He really needed to stop comparing these two worlds. He had already decided his plan of action. There was no going back. He could not explain how but his gut instinct told him that it was no option. His old life was ended. He had died. He could say this with inexplicable certainty. Auror Potter is dead.

He shook his head to shake off these thoughts.

'I would solve those mysteries later.' He vowed silently. Harry started observing his surroundings again.

Neville was present with Malfoy hovering nearby to scare off eager fans. Students were murmuring excitedly as they had heard many thrilling and wonderful things from their seniors or maybe their hero's presence was the real cause. Harry shrugged. Fans are weird in all worlds.

'Neville will be sharing this class with him without knowing that their common foe is acting as their helpful teacher. '

Harry reminisced about his Hogwarts years... . How every defence teacher had brought different adventures with them...

He never thought he would be attending this class once again.

'At least murdering teachers theme is still constant here.' He thought humorlessly.

Suddenly the door of the room opened and a bland voice told them to enter.

The room was empty. It was bare and dark. It had oppressing feeling. Clearly it's a illusion but first years obviously could not distinguish between them. They all huddled together in groups with fearful awe... waiting for something to happen.

Neville was indifferent. He was standing slightly apart with knowing air.

Did he know the difference? Harry reminded himself that he was staring and averted his eyes. Gauging Neville's reaction to everything was a new habit which he had developed subconsciously.

There was no decorations or any weird things or charts on walls, no desk... nothing. They all just stood in middle of that empty room which would be more suited in haunted house. Harry could say that in compare to his previous teachers this lack of decoration was somewhat surprising. He had imagined some serpentine, intimidating décor.

Suddenly ten smoky, shadowy figures appeared in front of them and started throwing curses and hexes at each other. Room was lightened by various colourful spells.

Harry blinked... really!? Is it Tom Riddle's way to make first impression!? He should have known that Voldemort would like dramatics.

Colourful chaos continued for ten minutes. Students were staring at the scene transfixed; ducking and flinching constantly when stray spell illusions came at their way.

" This is just a glimpse of the true defence against dark arts." a voice echoed in room just as all fighters vanished soundlessly. Torches on wall flared suddenly, bathing the room in yellowish orange light.

Most of students were staring in admiration ... like it was something special. Harry guessed it might have felt special to a bunch of first years.

Tom Riddle materialised out of thin air and waved his hand. Benches were standing in circle in previously empty space. Two students squeaked loudly at this display. Rooms decorations changed too. Now classroom looked warm and welcoming. Students gushed at all this wandless impressive magical display.

Harry was not impressed. There would be nothing here that can impress him... a well trained Auror.

"Please settle down class." Tom said in mild tone in contrast to earlier dramatic one.

And then he started his lecture about Dark arts and defence.

He had talent for teaching... Harry reluctantly admitted. Riddle spoke passionately about dark arts, defence spells and research needed in this field. It was surreal experience.

This Tom Riddle looked old. This image clashed with the only human image he had known of Voldemort. That boy who met him in the chamber and memories.

How many horcruxes this Riddle had made? How he retained his human form?

"... do Mr. Potter?"

Harry was so lost in his thoughts that he visibly started when he heard his name.

So much for not drawing any attention to himself. Harry cursed silently. He didn't hear the question. He was just grateful that he hadn't cursed the man. That reflexive reaction surely would have blown his cover.

All students were staring at him. Hermione was looking disapprovingly. Her hand was already in air.

'What a great Auror you are! You can't even pay attention to your surroundings. Stupid! Now just play dumb, Harry' he ranted mentally and then gave sheepish smile to his professor.

Riddle spoke some nonsense about vigilance and importance of attention which he listened with same dumb face. Then the question was repeated.

"... So we try again. What would you do if I fire a curse at you?"

What?! Disregarding his obvious choice for shield charm, Harry answered his next instinctual choice.

"I will duck." He mumbled.

The students laughed at his answer as they considered it as lame and stupid. Harry looked at Riddle for reaction but he had that same calm expression.

He looked like he was just waiting for laughter to die away so that he could continue his lecture and the class obviously had his permission for this interruption. He didn't reprimand them. But in the next moment without any sort of warning, he fired bright blue curse at Blaise Zabini, a Slytherin student setting near right corner of the room.

Zabini screamed at unexpected attack and ducked under bench in haste. The curse missed him by a hair's breadth. All class became deadly silent, looking at Riddle fearfully.

Riddle nodded at him and said, "Right answer, Mr. Potter. Two points for Gryffindor. There are certain times when this is the best course of action when facing unknown attack. Right Mr. Zabini? "

The boy who was looking little sick, nodded hastily. The poor boy was forced to give practical demonstration of it.

Rest of the lecture had gone smoothly, without any nasty surprises and Harry finally breathed sigh of relief when it's over.


Harry kept up with his research. Most of his time was spent doing boring and time consuming homework. He had blended in rest of average crowd effortlessly. It was refreshing change.

Harry tried very hard in every class to downplay his skills. He could not justify his skills otherwise. Really! how could first year was able to cast corporeal patronous and knew so many advanced light and dark spells. No, he did not need to show off and draw attention to himself. Thank you very much.


"Mr. Potter, please wait" , Riddle's smooth voice called out, just as the class was leaving. Ron shot him anxious look. "You go ahead" he said distractedly. His mind was busy evaluating the situation.

'What did he do now to catch Riddle's attention ? He was sure he acted very inconspicuous in class...so why?'

He approached the desk.

"Don't worry .You are not in trouble. Please take a seat" Tom Riddle smiled at him.

Now they had a lunch break.

' I can't even escape for excuse of missing my next class' he thought irritably. Harry could bet that's why he chose this timing.

Harry carefully maintained neutral face with hint of curiosity. He did not feel any attempt at legilimency when he briefly met Riddle's eyes.

He was perplexed by this whole situation. He needed to pay his at most attention to every word spoken by this man... to understand his hidden motives.

And Harry did do that. He listened carefully and thought twice before opening his mouth in whole conversation.

Still, after the twenty minutes later when he left Tom Riddle's class; he was floundering and doubly confused. That meeting had gone unexpectedly well. Tom Riddle wanted to know how he was settling down in new environment. Riddle claimed close friendship with his parents. He had known that Harry was left in muggle world. He praised his parents and told some funny things his father had done in his school days.

Overall it was the kind of meeting he had expected from Minerva... Not from Tom Bloody Riddle! What's happening here?

The most weird thing was that Riddle had given him permission to visit him any time for any problem. Harry didn't find any duplicity in his behaviour. For life of him, he could not guess Riddle's motive. He had fallen down in the rabbit hole... that was for sure.


R & R