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The last few Ravenclaws stood up to leave the library. In a corner, camouflaged within the tall shadows of the bookshelves, Tom felt relieved. These stragglers had been particularly irritating; discussing Astronomy, each one pretending to know more than they did. The only thing that amused him was that after a lull in the discussion, one of the girls had brought up a new topic. Tom Riddle. He was rather irked when they began to exclaim about his "sharp cheekbones!", "flawless skin!" and the rest of it. At one point, even a boy of the group had commented on his perfect masculine figure!

Finally after all the noise of the library had died down, he emerged from his dark corner towards a table next to a window. He had always loved Hogwarts and it had been his only home. He found solace in its grey stone walls, its moving staircases and its other familiar nooks and crannies.

For now, however, he put aside his nostalgic thoughts and focused on the matter at hand. His plan to steer Harry towards the Dark side may have seemed foolhardy, but he knew that under the usually reserved boy was a flickering flame of darkness. He was sure that, besides him, nobody knew the Golden Boy so deeply. Perhaps Dumbledore realized, but he would make sure that it was too late for Dumbledore to save his precious weapon. He would be the one to nurture that potential in Harry. To do that, he needed to be close to him. Gryffindors did not hang out with Slytherins. For them to spend time together – at least when he was still the new student – would appear suspicious. The best way to reach out to Harry would be in classes. He had to gain every chance he could to manipulate Harry – like Dumbledore must have done for years. But that old coot had had years with Harry. No matter, I will not fail.

He then took out two scrolls from his sleeve. One of them was Harry's timetable, the other his own. He compared the two again. Out of the other optional subjects, Harry had chosen Divination and Care of Magical Creatures, while Tom had opted for a more useful subject – Ancient Runes. Smirking, he took out his quill and started altering Harry's timetable.

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On his way out of the boys' changing rooms, Harry thought back to the Quidditch practice he'd just been to. Wood was driving them hard, but nobody wanted to complain because he was putting all that effort for the Gryffindors. Their match against Ravenclaw was after the upcoming match of Hufflepuff against Ravenclaw. Having defeated Gryffindor, they would probably win this match too. If –

"Harry."

Harry jerked to a halt, his heart thudding. The corridor he was standing in was rather dark, since practice had lasted well into the evening. The chill that came with dusk did nothing to soothe him. He glanced to the side. There was nobody about, nobody, save for himself and….well…him.

"Tom." He kept the instinctual fear out of his voice – or so he hoped. He stood there motionless. Behind him, he could hear the faint rustlings of Tom's Slytherin robes. Soft footsteps blended in with the silence as Tom drew nearer and stood before him.

"Come with me," he said in a deceptively soft voice. By the time Harry had registered his words, Tom was already halfway down the corridor.

"Wait, where are you going?" Harry called out, briefly wondering if he could risk disobeying Voldemort. On second thoughts, he decided to keep the inevitable trouble to a minimum. Still that didn't mean that he had to go quietly.

"Where are you taking me?" he questioned as he followed Tom. "The Forbidden Forest? Astronomy tower? Dumbledore's office?"

He observed a slight twitch in the corner of Tom's lips, and felt satisfied, though apprehensive, that he had managed to annoy the Dark Lord.

What he didn't realize was that it was Tom trying not to laugh, not gritting his teeth.

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As they walked, Tom came close to snorting. Harry's suggestions of their destination had ranged from the Quidditch pitch to a Death Eater meeting. It was thoroughly satisfying to see the flabbergasted look on his face when they at last reached their destination.

"The library?" Harry said in surprise. "Why are we here?"

"Sit down," Tom ordered, ignoring his questions. He took a seat opposite Harry, and fixed his eyes on him.

When he wasn't forthcoming with any explanation, Harry began to squirm uncomfortably under his stare. "Your hair is wet," Tom observed all of a sudden.

Harry almost tumbled out of his chair when he spoke unexpectedly. Cautiously he raised a hand to touch his damp hair. "Oh, uh, yeah, I just had a shower. After practice, Quidditch practice."

Tom nodded and took out his wand. Harry leapt up, taking a defensive stance, hand flying to his own holly wand. Tom merely rolled his eyes and with a quick flick, dried Harry's hair. "You shouldn't leave it damp for long. It's a sure way of catching a cold. Now sit down."

Harry collapsed into his chair in ill–concealed shock. Inwardly smirking, Tom drew out some parchment and passed it to Harry. "Take a look at this, Harry."

Harry reached out for the parchment. Smoothing it out, he realized what it was. "This is my timetable… How did you get it?"

"That is of no importance. You will need it."

"But I already know my classes," Harry said with a slightly puzzled look.

Tom suppressed a gleeful smirk. This was the moment….

"You will have to recheck your timetable, seeing that it has changed," he said as calmly as possible.

Harry glanced back at the parchment. A few minutes passed. Then he raised his head, eyes scrutinizing him suspiciously. "What do you mean exactly?"

Tom answered evenly, "It means just what I said. You will no longer be taking the same classes."

"You did something, didn't you?" Harry suddenly said with irritation creeping none too subtly into his voice.

"If you mean that I changed it, then you are correct," Tom answered smoothly.

Harry's mouth dropped open. "You can't do that! Besides, this….this is insane!" He jabbed the paper, feeling slightly lightheaded at the alterations.

Apart from the compulsory subjects – Transfiguration, DADA, Potions, Herbology, and Charms, History of Magic, Astronomy – and the two optional subjects he was taking – Divination and Care of Magical Creatures, Tom had added two more subjects – Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. Altogether, Harry had eleven subjects on his timetable.

"I think you'll find that I can, Harry. Don't even think of skipping the subjects I have selected for you. In a prestigious school like this, you should know better than to waste the privileges offered to you. Having free periods and being with your companions is all very well, but remember that friends can leave you anytime. But the knowledge you gain will not."

Harry gaped at his enemy. "So you want me to study more? Is that it?"

"I want you to realize your true potential, Harry."

"True potential? And this is supposed to help me?"

"Quite."

"Have you seen this? Eleven subjects! Even Hermione's taking only ten. I won't have time for this!"

Tom raised an eyebrow. "Kindly do not raise your voice at me. Secondly, as for the subjects, I have endeavored to make you attend classes that will prove useful in the future for you."

"Um, sorry if I'm bursting your bubble, Tom, but these will not help me in any way. Ancient Runes? I have no interest whatsoever in it. And Arithmancy? Are you kidding me? I won't be able to make head or tail of it!"

"How disappointing. You are supposed to have more sense than this. If you want to become a formidable wizard, you must learn everything at hand. Frankly, I'm surprised Dumbledore hasn't advised you."

"Well, listen, Tom, this is… um, thoughtful of you – if you don't have a hidden agenda behind this – but I simply can't cope with this. I have Quidditch practice twice a week, besides piles of homework that are threatening to bury me. Thanks for the offer, but no thanks."

Tom pinned him with a glare. "Quidditch is not everything! Fine, if you must fuss so, you are welcome to drop Care of Magical Creatures."

"What?!" Harry said in unease. "I can't do that… It's Hagrid's class!"

Tom sighed to himself. Here was the unnecessary compassion coming through. "Am I to understand, then, that you do not find the class interesting?"

"Um, no, not particularly. But Hagrid–"

"…is the teacher and you wish to display your support by attending the class though you realize that you are wasting your precious time. Am I accurate?"

"Hey! When you put it like that–! "

"Have it your way, then, Harry. But don't say I didn't warn you – you will barely have a minute to yourself with all these classes."

"Good thing I won't be following this timetable then."

"You are fully aware of the consequences of failing to do so, aren't you, Harry?" Tom's voice was light, but there was no mistaking the steel undertone.

Realizing that he was helpless, Harry rose in a rage and stalked away after grabbing the paper off the table.

Behind him, he heard Tom call, "I'll see you in class tomorrow."

Harry knew that it was a veiled threat, not a parting comment.

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"Harry, my boy, this is rather a late call," Dumbledore looked at the rapidly–breathing Harry over his half-moon spectacles. "Never mind, do sit down. Lemon drop?"

"Sorry sir, I know it's late, but this couldn't wait till the morning. And no, thank you."

"What is it, Harry? I assume it's nothing worrying?"

Harry took out his timetable and handed it the headmaster. "Actually sir, it is rather worrying…" He watched as Dumbledore scanned the parchment. "That's my timetable for this year… well, the new one anyway…"

"Am I to understand that your timetable was altered by Tom?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry blinked. "H-how did you know so fast?"

"Your eyes reveal a lot, Harry." Dumbledore turned back to the timetable. "Now what he hoped to achieve by this, I wonder…"

"I'm not sure, but he said it was to help me realize my true potential… But he's blackmailing me into attending these classes! What do I do?"

Dumbledore stroked his white beard and looked thoughtful. "True potential…." He sighed. "Well, Harry, I'm afraid you won't like the solution, but you must attend these classes with him. After all, you are gaining much and losing nothing."

Harry sighed too, reaching out for his timetable. "I don't have a choice, do I, sir? Tom isn't the type to make idle threats somehow." He stood and headed towards the door.

"Harry," Dumbledore called him and Harry paused on the threshold, looking back. "Do try not to enrage him. It would be wise to do what he tells you to."

Harry's despair felt like a deep dark well pulling him down into it. So now I'm to obey him…? If I can at least get him to lower his guard around him…. Merlin, I am going through this mad plan.

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Precisely fifteen minutes after Harry Potter walked out of the headmaster's office, Severus Snape walked in.

"You wished to see me, Headmaster?" he asked, trying to remain composed though he had been in the middle of an extremely complex potion when he got the urgent summons from Dumbledore.

"Indeed I did, Severus. I fear I may have interrupted your work, but this is urgent." Albus gestured to the chair in front of him. "Please take a seat. Lemon drop, Severus?"

"No, thank you Headmaster. So what is the nature of this urgent matter you mentioned?"

Dumbledore popped one lemon drop into his mouth. "It concerns Lord Voldemort," – Snape flinched at the name – "and Harry Potter, as well."

Snape impatiently waited for the Headmaster to explain. Dumbledore paused. "Young Harry came to me a short while ago with surprising news. It seems that Voldemort is interested in Harry's academic work."

"I fail to see the urgency of this matter."

"Tom has altered Harry's schedule, forcing him to attend more classes, with him, we can safely presume." Seeing a flash of astonishment in Snape's eyes, he continued. "He has mentioned aiding Harry to reach his "full potential"."

Snape stayed silent as he contemplated this new turn of events. He spoke at length, looking at the headmaster. "I agree that this is behavior one would not expect from the Dark Lord. Unless, of course, he is using this as an opportunity to approach your precious and dear brat Potter."

"Even if he does mean to draw nearer to Harry, we cannot do anything to stop him." Albus rubbed his eyes under his spectacles. "Harry is in grave peril, Severus, and it is up to only the two of us to keep him safe."

Severus made his opinion on that clear with a snort. "Of course, as soon as Harry Potter is in danger, the world must stop revolving."

"I wish you wouldn't speak that way, Severus. After all, he is Lily's son." The twinkle in his eyes was prominent. Snape's lips thinned to the point that they vanished. "You may insist on seeing the worst of him, but Harry is a good person, pure at heart, and much different to what you would expect."

"I'm sure," Snape replied bitterly, "the Potter brat is an angel in disguise. Now, what are your plans regarding this situation, Headmaster?"

Fingers intertwined, the Headmaster spoke in a grave tone. "I'm afraid that the state of affairs calls for another pair of eyes. We must bring Minerva into this, Severus."

"Minerva! Honestly, Headmaster, that is the worst possible decision one can take regarding something as delicate as this! How well do you imagine she will take the news that the Dark Lord is currently in her class, and trying to coerce one of her House to obey his commands? These hot–headed Gryffindors do not stop to think! It is very likely that she will charge into his presence brandishing her wand and…"

"Severus, Severus…" Albus interrupted, holding up a hand to stop Snape's angry tirade. "I am well aware of the ancient animosity between Gryffndors and Slytherins, and I daresay by extension, you and Minerva. All the same, her resourcefulness will be vital at this moment."

"Even if that were true, you forget something, Headmaster. Nobody knows that the Dark Lord is back! And as far as I can see, nobody will want to believe it! Surely you are not suggesting that we spread the word that the Dark Lord has risen again!"

"And that will be an added advantage to Voldemort." – another flinch from Snape – "Minerva need not know the entire scene, only that Harry needs watching."

Snape didn't think it was a good idea at all to include Minerva in this case, fully or partially. Gryffindors, thinking with their hearts instead of with their brains! But he could only watch as she, following Dumbledore's call, entered the office.

"Is anything the matter, Albus?" she asked worriedly, her eyes flickering worriedly between the twinkling Headmaster and the scowling Potions Master. "It is rather late for it to be a friendly gathering."

Severus snorted at that. "Perceptive as always, Minerva," he muttered.

Dumbledore invited McGonagall to sit. "There are a few urgent matters that I would like to share with you. But first and foremost, it is of the utmost importance that no ears outside of this room come into contact with this information." He placed emphasis on the word information.

Minerva glanced over to Snape again. "Then I take it that Severus here is part of this too?"

"Indeed." Albus replied. "But this matter is not known by anyone apart from the three of us, excepting two… ah, students."

Minerva raised her eyebrows. "This just gets more intriguing by the minute. Be assured of my full secrecy, Albus. Now, what is it?"

Dumbledore looked over at Snape's glare before resting his eyes on the wizened old lady before him. "Well, it is a rather delicate matter, concerning one of your House." At Minerva's inquiring look, he elaborated. "Harry Potter."

"What about him? I sincerely hope he has not fallen headlong into trouble again…"

"As it happens, he has, Minerva, although he is not at all at fault this time. The problem lies with our newest student in Slytherin."

"Mr. Riddle." Minerva interjected, a look of curiosity crossing her face. "What has he to do with Mr. Potter?"

"For Merlin's sake, if you would just stop interrupting him long enough for him to complete a sentence, you'd learn much more about the circumstances!"

Minerva fully returned the glare aimed at her from Snape's direction and switched her attention back to the headmaster.

"To answer your question, everything. I'm afraid I cannot disclose all the details to you, Minerva. Know that it is not a case of trust, but of fear for countless lives. What I can divulge to you, is this," Dumbledore leaned forward, the candlelight glinting off his half-moon spectacles, "Harry has included two more subjects into his schedule. And both of these, as well as most of his other classes will include Mr. Riddle. I am asking you to observe them both, carefully, and while this is not a simple case of House rivalry, it is essential for Harry's safety. Both Severus and I are looking out for him, but your effort would be rather appreciated."

Brow furrowing, Minerva asked, "Am I to understand that you are implying that Mr. Riddle poses a threat to Potter's life?" Albus gave a grave nod, and she looked shocked. "But…. Albus, what on earth is happening?"

"I apologize, Minerva, but I cannot reveal anything else, only that you attempt to keep an eye out for interactions between Harry and Tom." Dumbledore stroked his beard, looking at her knowingly. "I am sure you will take care of your lions as well as Severus takes care of his snakes."

Minerva's lips suddenly thinned. "I take it that Tom Riddle is not all he seems?"

"Indeed."

Minerva, now looking much more determined, nodded once. She would not let any child under her care be hurt by a snake.

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