Chapter 10

Riddle rushed to Harry's side as soon as he had fainted.

"It looks like the boy has gone into shock. Sev, get the calming potion from the potion cabinet. Make sure that it is of a strong variant," said Riddle anxiously as he levitated Harry into the sitting room.

"Is Harry alright?" asked Artie.

"Of course not! Don't ask silly questions," said Riddle crossly, as he set Harry in a sleeping position on the settee. "Harry really didn't need to have a relapse so soon. This is why I was so careful with him and yet…."

"Do you think that he knew Severus in his world?" asked Artie.

"It appears so. I wonder in what circumstances though," said Riddle quietly.

"Harry seems very nervous in our company," said Artie as he observed the pale boy lying on the sofa.

"Indeed," said Riddle who was casting a charm to check Harry's vitals.

"Here is the potion. It has a very strong potency," said Severus who on entering the room handed his father the potion he had asked for, "So he is your latest project. Remus told me that you were busy of late working on a new patient, but he didn't divulge any information. He looks like James."

"Harry is James Potter's son from an Alternate Dimension. He just crossed through the Veil," said Riddle as he began spelling the potion into Harry. "I didn't expect him to have such a bad reaction to seeing you, Sev."

"Interesting," said Severus, who had pulled up a chair and sat next to Artie. "Potter will be happy to finally have a son. He always complains that his daughters do not share his interest in Quidditch. Perhaps, this boy will."

"But, Harry is the Other James' son. It will be foolish to confuse the two. We are not like our alleged counterparts," said Riddle harshly. He was not some Dark Lord and the fact that the Tom Riddle in the Other World was one, set him on edge. Maybe, that is why he wanted Harry to be his counterpart as that was an alternative his mind could accept.

Riddle also had a feeling that trouble was brewing and he wasn't sure what form it would take. It scared him.

"Are you all right, Dad?" asked Severus, his father was only short with him when he was worried about something and the boy was rather pale.

"The boy shall regain consciousness soon," said Riddle and turning to Artie he said with perplex, "Didn't you find it strange that Harry didn't recognize you?"

"I did," said Artie, "That means I must have not taught him. But he also said that my Bella married a Lestrange and a Lestrange would only marry a…."

"Pureblood," said Riddle, "You must have married another Pureblood in Harry's world."

"That's impossible. I love Minnie and I would have loved her in that world too," said Artie who was now pacing. "I wouldn't have married a Pureblood that Mother dearest would have chosen for me."

"I wonder where the timelines diverge," said Severus, "There must be some new potions and remedies which have been invented in the Other World, but not in ours. I can't wait to quiz the boy when he wakes up."

"You will do no such thing, Severus," said Riddle firmly, "The boy is in a new world with familiar faces yet different personalities. Why do you think I have not pestered him with questions of my own? Let the boy find his feet in our world, before we question him about his. Otherwise, we may risk having him slip into a magical coma."

"Of course, Dad. But something is worrying you. What is it?" asked Severus, he knew his father well and he also knew that his father didn't like to share his fears and apprehensions.

"Let's just say that my alleged counterpart was not a nice man," Riddle sighed and continued, "I am not divulging more."

Just then, the floo flared to life and Albus entered the room.

"You better have good news, Albus," said Riddle tiredly; his day was not turning out well at all.

"I wish I had. But, the Unspeakables are causing trouble again. I was hoping that you," said Albus turning to Riddle, "will help me sort it out. Minister Crouch wants to meet us both."

Riddle swore. Dumbledore and Crouch on the same day, he really had the rottenest luck in the world. Why couldn't the Unspeakables just boil their heads in a bubbling solution? Their contribution to the Wizarding society was nil and yet, they were always causing mayhem.

"Come along Artie. I will need some support and your soothing voice of reason. After all, I am some deranged megalomaniac in disguise," said Riddle sarcastically as he rose and gestured Artie to follow him.

"A raving megalomaniac? Who called you that? I need to owl that person and congratulate them for their courage," said Artie good-naturedly, 'Must be a Gryffindor,' he thought.

"I called myself deranged not raving, Artie. Thanks for the additions to my qualities," said Riddle as he put his travelling robe on and looked meaningfully at his son.

"I will look after the boy until you come," said Severus and before his father could add anything he continued, "I will also send a patronus to Remus."

"Goodbye Sev. Do let me know when he regains consciousness," said Riddle as he waited for Dumbledore and Artie to use the floo before him.

"I will, Dad. Good luck," said Severus as he watched his father floo away.

Severus shook his head as he recalled his father describing himself as a raving lunatic. The idea alone was ludicrous. After sending a patronus to Remus, he looked on the ground and saw Nagini inching her way around his leg. He laughed and affectionately stroked her scales. Nagini was always fond of him, even as a little boy and could sense whenever he was in the same vicinity. Severus smiled at the snake; after all, Nagini was his protector.

"I fail to understand why Riddle has custody of the boy," said Minister Crouch to Albus with a frown marring his face. "I agree with Dorcas that the Unspeakables should take charge of the boy."

Riddle was seated in the Minister's office along with Artie and Albus for over an hour and he was wondering why the Minister seemed adamant to waste so much time arguing over the boy. He looked at the clock which was perched at the side of the room. It was very late in the evening, almost night. Surely, Crouch must have more pressing matters to deal with.

"At the expense of his health, Minister? Isn't it the duty of the Ministry to look after the health and well being of the Wizarding World? So what, if the boy is not of Our World. He is a guest and must be treated accordingly," said Riddle calmly. Crouch was not meeting his eyes and though Crouch's Occlumency shields were not the strongest, Riddle didn't want to risk being caught Legilimenising the Minister. Crouch was famous for having a violent temper.

"So, you will be providing him with the care he so desperately needs?" asked Crouch with a sneer, "How marvelous!"

Riddle frowned. Crouch seemed to be hiding something from him and he didn't know what it was.

"Riddle is one of the most prominent Healers in the Wizarding World. I think he is most capable, don't you Minister?" asked Albus with a frown. He also didn't miss the tone Crouch used.

"Very well," said Crouch resignedly and after a pause he continued.

"In the interest of the boy's health, let Riddle keep the boy for now. But, do not get accustomed to getting your own way, Riddle. Once, the boy's health stabilizes, we will review the situation again," said Crouch warningly.

Sharp silence enveloped the room and everyone present seemed to draw a different inference from the statement made.

"I have other important matters to attend to," said Crouch dismissively, "Good day Albus, Professor Black," Crouch paused before adding, "Riddle."

"Something is wrong with him," said Artie as they left the Minister's office and were not in danger of being overhead.

"Stating the obvious, are we, Artie?" said Riddle sarcastically. He wondered why Crouch seemed to have a bone to pick with him. As far as he could recall, he had never done anything to offend the man.

"He has become surly since his wife's death," said Albus sadly, "His policies have become harsher and he is also following a zero tolerance policy with the prisoners. He has doubled the number of Dementors guarding Azkaban."

"Begad! Dementors are the most beastly things I have ever come across. I have to teach the sixth years about them and most of them have trouble casting a patronus. I don't have the heart to tell them that it is a hundred times worse to cast a patronus in the dementor's vicinity," said Artie with a shudder, "At least, only those who want to become Aurors require that particular skill."

"I beg to differ," said Riddle, "It is a useful skill and has many applications. You are just complaining, Artie, because your patronus is a swan or should I say Cygnus?"

"Shut up Riddle. I hope that thick long serpentine patronus of yours chokes you when you least expect it!" said Artie, he hated his first name.

"Well, I must be going. Goodbye, my boys," said Albus as he flooed away.

"What's the matter, Riddle?" asked Artie, as he saw Riddle staring disapprovingly at one of the statues installed in the Atrium of the Ministry.

"Something is wrong. I just can't put my finger on it," said Riddle.

"Relax. There is no evil schemer hatching nefarious plot in the shadows. You are just creating hypothetical situations for yourself because your mind craves the challenge," said Artie confidently, "I am going home now. Let me know if you need any help in taking care of Harry. My years as a professor have made me skilled at dealing with teenage angst," Artie winked.

-We have a problem. - thought Riddle as he probed Artie's head. Artie's eyes widened, Riddle rarely employed Legilimency on him, unless it was urgent.

-Well, what is it? – thought Artie, as he continued to walk nonchalantly, he and Riddle had perfected the art of conversing mentally.

-Harry recognized the mark branded on Greyback. He thinks I killed him. – thought Riddle, as he approached the floo.

-What? - thought a bewildered Artie who froze on the spot.

"Goodbye Artie," said Riddle tiredly as he flooed home.

Harry opened his eyes and was instantly on alert. The last time he woke up in such a manner, Voldemort/Riddle was sitting beside him. Harry reached for his glasses which were on the table next to him and looked around. This time, Remus and Severus were playing chess quietly in a corner of the room.

"He is awake," said Remus, who immediately started packing away the chess set.

"You were just waiting for a distraction because you were losing," grumbled Severus, who had got up from his chair and approached Harry.

Harry didn't know whether he was more shocked at finding out that Snape was Riddle's adopted son or that Snape and Remus appeared to be getting on amicably.

Snape handed him a glass of water and said, "My name is Severus and I think you have met Remus before."

"We met briefly in Moody's office. I apologize for not speaking to you at the time, Harry, I was a bit busy," said Remus with a smile.

Harry's throat went dry. The last time he saw these men, they were dead and now they were both smiling down at him, without a care in the world. They looked younger. Remus looked happy and greatly resembled the 'Remus' which came to Harry when he had used the resurrection stone. Snape on the other hand, was completely different from the Snape he knew. Gone was the greasy lanky hair as this Snape had shorter hair (sans grease). His cheeks were not as shallow as they were in Harry's world and his skin had a healthy tone to it.

Harry swallowed and looked at them awkwardly. As much as he wanted to meet both of them again, it dawned on him, that these men didn't know him. He didn't know them.

"Thanks for the water," Harry said uncomfortably.

Remus and Snape exchanged a look before Remus said conversationally, "So, your name is Harry Potter."

"Yes," said Harry quietly.

"Are you still studying at Hogwarts?" asked Remus.

"No. I am eighteen years old. I am a trainee at the Auror Academy," said Harry, he didn't want to tell them that he never had a seventh year at Hogwarts.

"Why don't you tell us about your experiences at Hogwarts? Being Potter's son, your years at Hogwarts must have been a whirlwind of adventure!" said Severus with a smirk.

Harry laughed and said, "A whirlwind? That would be an understatement. A hurricane would be more appropriate. I am a magnet for trouble, at least, in my world."

"Your eyes are an unusual shade of green," said Severus softly as he moved closer to inspect Harry's eyes.

"Yes, I have my mother's eyes," said Harry consciously, remembering that the Snape in his world loved his mother.

"Interesting! My wife and daughter have the same shade of green eyes too. That reminds me I have to floo-call home. My wife must be wondering what I am up to. After all, I had only dropped in for a short visit," said Severus hurriedly.

"Run along, Sev," said Remus laughingly, "Lily Evans Riddle is not someone you keep waiting."

To Be Continued…

Please Review!