Author Note: Hello everyone. This chapter is a bit shorter than my last two. I felt like we need a bit of a break again before all hell breaks loose. I will attempt to try to keep up with updating this story until I finish the Book Five arc. If you enjoy it, please leave a review. Thank you.

The Deceptive Waltz

A story by Kristin Bender

Chapter Ten

The Late Night Meetings

The past week had been such an emotional roller-coaster, Harry had forgotten about going to Hogsmeade until Hermione had brought up the idea of him teaching defense again. The meeting at the Hog's Head had gone far better than Harry every thought it could, and he was in a great mood the next day until he saw the Educational Decree declaring all teams, meetings, clubs, and groups had to be approved. To top off the week, Snape gave him double the essays, Quidditch was cancelled for Harry until Umbridge decided Gryffindor could reform, and the worst was Sirius almost getting caught by Umbridge while talking in the fireplace. The only saving grace to the week had been the nightly meetings with Riddle in his office.

After the first night, Riddle took to waiting by the Gryffindor tower to take them to his office. Harry was grateful for it since that meant they didn't have to worry about Umbridge catching them out of their dorms. There was one night that Umbridge walked by them, but it was only to talk to Riddle. Harry did have to admit, knowing who Umbridge was really talking to, and understanding how his counterpart would react to that short, stubby hand touching his shoulder, did make Harry feel better. Riddle only smiled at her and said some quiet words to her. Since then, they never saw her around at night anymore. Harry was dying to know what he said but Riddle wouldn't answer.

"It's something I'd rather not discuss," was all Riddle would say on the matter when asked, though he always looked like he swallowed something sour.

Some of the meetings were used to discuss the differences between Universes and how to possible get Riddle back to his own. Hermione was often working on the ritual when she wasn't doing homework. Harry often felt lost when they started talking, and Ron's eye would glaze over when they went on too long about it. Those times were luckily few though. Most of the time Riddle would ask them how the day was going in class. Harry felt this week he was justified in venting.

It really was a terrible week.

"She won't allow us to play! She won't even approve our team, but she approved all the other houses," Harry almost shouted, throwing his arms up.

"We can't even practice, which means we're falling behind," Ron added, equally upset.

Hermione tightened her lip but remained quiet. Hermione had already suggested they work more on their essays instead of complaining, but that only made Ron and Harry complain more. She was also of the mind that they should focus on helping Riddle instead of worrying about Umbridge. While Harry agreed helping Riddle was important, Quidditch was also important.

"She does seem to have it against your house," Riddle muttered, looking like he was doing his best to hide a smile. Harry felt himself prickle in irritation before Riddle quickly coughed, then offered more tea. "This is only a tactic to show that she has control over all of you. It only works if you get upset in front of her over it."

"Well, of course we're upset," Ron answered between biscuits, holding out his cup for more tea. "I mean, Quidditch is the most fun thing to do here and she's basically banned fun."

Harry found himself nodding along, though Hermione just seemed pensive.

"Don't give her any ideas," Riddle replied, sitting back now that tea had been given out again.

"Yeah, Decree- what are we up to now- will state all fun must will be banned unless you like hanging by your toes over a fire," Ron muttered darkly.

"Well, at least you know she won't last the year," Riddle said, shrugging slightly.

Harry sat up in his chair, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, you don't know?" Riddle responded, sipping his tea and looking at the three of them. Ron and Hermione looked just as lost as Harry though.

"Know what?" Asked Hermione.

"There's a curse on the position," Riddle answered, helping himself to one of the biscuits.

"That is just a rumor," Harry said, confused.

"Is it really cursed?" Hermione asked, sitting up like she does during lectures.

Riddle nodded, placing his cup down on his desk once more. "I was able to confirm it a month in with Albus. It seems Voldemort has been rather busy."

"Voldemort placed a curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position?" Harry asked, his mouth slightly hanging open. It was still unbelievable that a curse could be on a teaching position, though the luck the previous professors had over the years, it made sense.

Ron let out a low, "I knew it." Under his breath.

"Yes, I'm afraid he did," Riddle replied after chewing for a moment. He took another moment, seemingly to make sure they were all paying attention before continuing. "It seems when he left Hogwarts all those years ago, he came requesting a Teaching position here. Most likely to try to recruit students at a young age into his cause. When Albus declined him for the position, he placed a curse on it, so no Teacher lasts the year. Usually their own hubris causes their untimely need to leave."

"Was that why Professor Lupin was discovered as a Werewolf in our third year?" Hermione asked. Harry felt like snapping that it was because of Snape, not some curse that caused it but held his tongue.

"Remus Lupin?" Riddle questioned. They nodded. "I imagine so. Usually whoever holds the position, one of their worst fears comes to light and that is what causes them to leave. It's a very useful tactic as well, since students will never get a solid Professor to teach them defense."

"So, it was also used to weaken everyone against him?" Harry questioned, feeling his jaw clench. The whole year of not learning any more in defense was starting to eat at him more and more. Now knowing that it was only helping Voldemort grow in power made it seem ten times worse. Harry was now feeling even more grateful to Hermione for suggesting the club.

"If I were to try to seize power, the easiest way is through my enemy's children," Riddle responded, bringing his fingers together under his chin in thought. "Weaken the next generation and you have less to worry about. This year, I doubt Voldemort would have much to fear from anyone being taught by Umbridge. That is one of the reasons why I am here."

Riddle looked up at them. His brows slightly furrowed, and his head tilted to the side. Harry was always reminded of a snake when he did that and now that he knew he was looking at Voldemort's counterpart, he could see the similarity in their movements in moments like this.

"Albus asked me to teach, knowing the education you would be getting under Umbridge," said Riddle, snapping Harry out of his thoughts. "It is the reason I am teaching every class advanced transfigurations. All of my lessons can be used in defense, or battle tactics if given the opportunity."

"How was transfiguring our hands into animals helpful?" Ron asked. Harry swore he could hear Hermione rolling her eyes at him.

"Full transfiguration is extremely helpful," Riddle replied, looking at Ron now. "You can swim underwater without worrying about breathing, shirk in size to get out of a tight spot, or grow in size to increase your strength. Unlike being an Animagi who are locked into a single full transformation without needing a spell, you can alter your shape to fit the situation. Though, unless you are very skilled, it doesn't always work out."

"Alright, but what about disappearing a spoon?" Asked Ron. This time, Harry answered.

"You can use that spell on clothes or items, to hide," said Harry. "My cloak, it can do that. Imagine if we could cast a spell that hid us even when we don't have the cloak?"

"Or hide an item you didn't want anyone to find," said Riddle, now looking at Harry with a soft smile. "Protecting others or items can sometimes be the best defense one can hope for against an opponent such as Voldemort."

"You talk like you have experience with is," Harry said.

"I do," Riddle answered, sitting back in his chair again. "In my Universe while I am no Dark Wizard, there is one in my place."

"Another Dark Wizard?" Hermione whispered in slight horror.

"Yes, though it seems unlikely," Riddle said, nodding. He looked at Hermione. "He calls himself that anyways. He is the worst my Universe has had in the past fifty years."

"Did he do the same things as Voldemort?" Harry asked at once.

"No," Riddle shook his head sharply. Harry could almost swear he looked insulted. "He isn't nearly powerful enough to be as much of a threat. He swings his weight around, and has a following. Albus and I have put him in his place more times than I can count. He is currently serving a life sentence in Azkaban though his followers somehow repeal his sentence every few years. I'm afraid it starts all over again until we catch him doing something, and throw him back."

"So, he hasn't started any kind of war in your Universe?" asked Hermione.

"Not so much a war, as a divided population," Riddle answered, humming a bit in thought before continuing. "He's for a more secular law system in which Muggleborn are taught a different set of lessons that a pureblood. Though, luckily for us, he isn't that great of a speaker, and was a poor study. He seems to think just being a pureblood is good enough to make his word law, but fortunately it isn't."

"He doesn't want to kill them? The Muggleborn?" Harry asked.

"No, but it's close," Riddle quipped, shaking his head. "He wants to treat us like second class citizens and has declared Muggleborn to be weaker. He knows the wizard who bested him the last three times he had tried anything was born from a Muggle father. I believe my Muggle Father to be a bigger factor in why he wants me dead more than me defeating him, truth be told."

"You're Muggleborn?" Hermione asked, her eyes wide. Ron's jaw about hit the ground as well.

"I thought Voldemort was Pureblood," said Harry.

"Oh no we're not," Riddle answered with a smile and shaking his head. "He would like to pretend he is, but we're as common as it gets, though our Mother was from a Pure family. So pure in fact I'm sure they have all died out with lack of diversity. I'm told my Grandfather was insane and had no siblings. He died, along with everyone in his family expect my mother as far as I am aware. You are looking at the last Heir of my family."

"No offense, but that sounds like a good thing for us here," Ron said, still looking rather pale. "I can't imagine more of He Who Must Not Be Named running around."

"None taken, I assure you," Riddle said, waving his hand around, dismissively. "I will say, it's not such a secret in my Universe what I am, though the Dark Wizard of my time would like me to be a little more hush-hush about it. He seems to find it extremely offensive that I do not hide that about myself."

"He seems like he's not much of a threat," Harry said, clenching his hands.

"He is a threat, but nothing like Voldemort," Riddle said quietly. "He's disorganized, and lacks the drive to make it as far as Voldemort has."

"Why couldn't we have had that one instead?" Ron muttered darkly, grabbing another biscuit.

"It seems fate wanted to keep everyone on their toes here," Riddle quipped, raising an eyebrow at Ron when he shoved the biscuit in his mouth. "The Dark Wizard of my Universe could have easily been a servant under Voldemort, or killed by him here. He may have tried to seek power but fell under Voldemort's charm along the way. It's easier to follow a leader than become one yourself after all. That and Voldemort had a very different upbringing than I did. Which lead to a completely different set of circumstances for him and the world."

"Must have been a messed up childhood to make him," said Ron with his mouth full. Harry was amazed Riddle didn't roll his eyes, but Hermione did.

"I'm told it was quite harsh," Riddle answered, looking pensive. "His mother died just after he was born, and his father disowned him when he was still unborn. He grew up in a muggle orphanage, where he was feared."

"Sounds delightful," muttered Harry, rubbing his scar. It prickled at him slightly but he was getting used to it now, being in Riddle's presence sometimes hurt, and sometimes didn't. Riddle watched him, looking slightly embarrassed.

"I assure you it was far from it," Riddle looked down at his hands. "Mine was vastly different, yet similar. My Father also disowned me before I was born however, my mother lived after giving birth to me, and raised me until I was fifteen. She became very ill and refused treatment. I was in school when it happened."

"I'm so sorry," Hermione said, looking very sorry. Harry felt his own heart clench thinking of his parents who died trying to save him. Even Ron became silent. Riddle merely waved his hand like he usually did.

"It was a long time ago, and she wasn't that great of a mother," he responded softly, but for his words, Harry thought he looked more somber than before.

"What was she like?" Harry asked, not quite sure why he did.

"She was harmless," said Riddle. "Harmless, but obsessed with my father. I resemble him a great deal. She would always talk about him as though he were just away on holiday. I used to think my father would walk through the door any day, until I realized she was insane with obsession and he was never going to come back. When I began to show my magic, she disliked it greatly. She made me do everything the muggle way, the way my father would have done it, and she also tried to get me expelled from Hogwarts at least once a year. If it wasn't for Albus, I would have never learned magic. He convinced her that I needed to learn, though to this day I still don't know how he did it."

Riddle had a smile on his face, though he didn't look very happy. He shuffled his hands around his desk, straightening some paper. They all stayed silent, waiting for Riddle to continue. It was oddly quiet in the castle as well as though even it was waiting for more.

Riddle kept his eyes down.

"She was kind at times. When I was ill she would stay up all night, rubbing my back to help me sleep. She taught me how to read and write, the little she could anyways. She always made sure I was warm enough during the winter even if it meant she went without a blanket…" Riddle said, trailing off with his eyes glinting in the light. He shook his head as though to clear the memory. "I don't know if all the differences between Voldemort and me can be brought down to simply our childhood though. They may have differed but they mirror. He was never seen by the women who raised him as anything but a monster, while I was never seen as myself to my mother, just a replacement for someone she couldn't have."

"If it helps, I don't believe it was just your childhood," said Harry, leaning in his chair. "I spent most of my life with my muggle Aunt and Uncle who couldn't be happier I am out of their house now, and I didn't end up like him. I think you made a choice, not to be like Voldemort." Harry recalled the phrase that helped him all those years ago and felt their warmth as he shared, "It is our choices, far more than our abilities that determine who we truly are."

"Wise words for one so young," Riddle smiled, but this time it seemed happier than before. "I would like to think it was my own choices. That what I did to get me here, matters."

"It did," Harry said with a strong conviction. He could see Ron and Hermione nodding in agreement.

"You're very different from V-voldemort," Hermione said stuttered, squaring her shoulders. "You're a good person. He isn't."

"Yeah," Ron exclaimed. "You're alright!"

Riddle shook his head with a smile. His fingers came to curl around his mouth as his mirth spilled over, and for the first time, Harry heard him laugh in joy. It was light, and caused the corners of Riddle's eyes to crinkle. Riddle's shoulders shook slightly as he tried to contain it. Harry felt a grin spilt across his own face at the display.

"Well, with such praise how could I ever doubt myself," Riddle said through a few chuckles, clearing his throat in an attempt to stop.

"You should hear what we'd say to you if you got us unbanned from Quidditch," Harry said, still grinning.

"Oh?" Riddle asked, still faintly chuckling and cocking his eyebrow.

"I'm sure we could have a song written," said Harry. "We'll even have Lee announce it during the games, so we can get the whole school in on it."

"Wouldn't be too hard either, since most people like you," Ron piped in, smiling as well.

"Only most?" Riddle questioned, keeping up the humor.

"No accounting for taste with some," Hermione said, joining in.

They all shared a small laugh at that. The conversation was kept light afterwards before it became too late to continue. When the tea had become too cool to sip, Riddle ushered them to the door to take them back to the Tower. The halls were very quiet but unlike some of the other times when they returned, the journey didn't feel awkward.

When they approached the staircase leading to the tower, Snape rounded the corner with his wand out. They saw the light at the tip of his wand before him. Harry felt himself move towards his own wand hidden in his cloak on pure instinct, before he felt the lightest touch on his back between his shoulders. He paused and lowered his hands to his sides. Harry glanced over and saw Riddle standing close, looking calm as ever.

"Professor," Riddle said in greeting, giving a slight nod.

"Professor," Snape repeated back but without any of the warmth Riddle seemed to exude. His eyes remained locked onto Harry's and Harry felt as though he couldn't look away. "Out of bed, were they?"

"With permission," Riddle replied smoothly. The warmth of his fingers now seeping through to Harry, who felt himself relax. His eyes remained on Snape, watching Snape sneer slightly more. "I've taken these three under my wing, as it were, since they seem to be the ones causing the most concern."

"With good reason," Snape snipped at them. He took a few moments longer before his eyes finally left Harry's and went between all four. He was still stiff but his wand finally lowered making the bright light dim slightly. Harry almost felt his eyes drift shut when Snape looked away from him. "I assume the Headmaster approved of this?"

"Not at all," Riddle responded, his voice seeming to hum. His fingertips felt as though they vibrated against Harry when he spoke. "Our High Inquisitor approved it."

"I see," Snape said quietly. A shiver ran though Harry when Snape looked at him again, but it only lasted a second. Snape's jaw clenched for a moment as he looked back up at Riddle and straightened. "I'll leave you to it."

"Thank you Severus," Riddle nodded once more, his eyes creasing slightly as he gently nudged Harry forward. Harry felt as though he was almost asleep until the touch released on him. He stepped forward and continued with Ron and Hermione up the stairs. Each step seemed like it was harder than the last. Harry wasn't sure when was the last time he felt so tired. He even had to grab the railing to assist with moving up. He did stop for a moment to glance back at Snape who hadn't moved yet.

Snape watched them leave with an odd expression. It was perhaps the only time Harry had not seen him look angry, but pensive. Harry turned back to watch his steps as he continued to climb up. Riddle stayed just behind Harry, and it felt almost as though he was blocking Harry's gaze from Snape. Harry shook his head, wondering where that thought came from.

When they reached the Fat Lady, Riddle waited outside like usual as they stepped in. Harry waited until Ron and Hermione were already in before turning back to Riddle.

Riddle looked down, and then back over his shoulder as though he were looking for someone. Harry felt himself try to peak out around Riddle, before Riddle shuffled.

"This is where I bid you good night," Riddle said, bringing his hands together.

"Professor," Harry started, but Riddle shook his head.

"Not tonight I'm afraid," he responded quietly, nearly whispering. "Tonight, worry about your sleep, and keeping your calm for class tomorrow. Afterwards, we can discuss anything you'd like."

Harry felt himself nod, even though a part of him wanted to shout that he wanted answers. He wasn't sure why he wanted to shout at Riddle, since his felt so warm. Harry let out a large yawn, nearly knocking himself over in an attempt to smoother it. Almost without thought Harry waved Riddle good night, and went straight to his bed. Harry was sure Ron said something to him, but before he knew it, he was already in his bed fast asleep.

It was the first night in some time that Harry slept soundly but he also saw the corridor in his dreams. The door just out of reach felt even further away this time, and for some reason, Harry wasn't bothered by that. Instead, he slept and was content with just looking at it from a distance.

That was, until he woke the next day.