Anything from the Harry Potter Universe belongs to JKR. Other than that, I made it all up. Angst/Anxiety/Drama. AU. Enjoy.
Rated M for language and situations.
Previously on A Riddle With Another Name: Another Wife Another Son
Tom Marvolo Riddle was nearly at the end of his school years and Zachary was just beginning so Dumbledore felt secure in the knowledge Tom wouldn't realize he had a blood relative enrolled at Hogwarts. However, Dumbledore also knew Tom to be a very shrewd wizard who didn't miss much of anything, and one who would not look kindly on a brother who had been raised in a home with a loving father and mother while he fought for scraps of food in a muggle orphanage. Albus Dumbledore made it his business to ensure that the connection between Tom Riddle and the Glovers was kept well hidden. He felt Tom would closely scrutinize Zachary if he was ever in close quarters with him because the young wizard looked very much like his father except he had his mother's fair hair, which in turn meant he looked a lot like his brother.
Just like Tom Marvolo, both Zachary and Zaria had inherited the Riddle bearing. Both were tall for their ages and had their father's straight nose, but where Tom Sr. and Tom Marvolo had dark eyes, Zachary and Zaria had inherited their mother's warm, light brown eyes.
/*/
Before Zachary got on the Hogwarts Express, Daniel had given him the supportive fatherly talk in addition to the caution he never disclose his true biological father regardless of the circumstances.
"I know dad. We've been over this a hundred times, but I will say should that prat approach me in an inappropriate manner, I will hold my own."
Smiling, Daniel leaned down to retort. "Be careful. The Riddle arrogance is showing."
"You're mistaken dad. That was my Glover arrogance showing."
Zachary then hugged his mother and sister and shook hands with Daniel before stepping onto the train which would take him into close proximity to his brother.
/
/
A/N: Very short chapter while I assess whether or not to carry on with this story.
A Riddle With Another Name: Chapter 2: Surveying The Landscape
When the Hogwarts Express pulled out of the station and became a speck on the horizon, Daniel had to pick Zaria up to help stem her sobbing.
"I miss Zachary already. I don't want anything to happen to him."
Both Samantha and Daniel assured Zaria that no one would hurt her brother with Albus Dumbledore watching over him.
"Are you sure? Professor Dumbledore didn't look all that strong to me." Zaria replied solemnly.
Samantha smiled at the audacity of her daughter. "Sweetie. That's not a nice thing to say. Professor Dumbledore is a very famous wizard who has promised to look after your brother. I say we leave it at that."
"I'm sorry mum. I'm just worried about Zachary. Professor Dumbledore is probably a very strong wizard. I'd like to go home now to write Zach a letter."
Daniel put Zaria back down on the ground. She reached out to hold the hand of her mother and father as they left Kings Cross Station.
/*/
There was a wizard who was calling out to first years but Albus Dumbledore himself had come down to oversee the newly arrived students for the specific reason of checking on Zachary Glover. Not wanting to call any undue attention to the boy, Dumbledore used his powerful magic to conceal himself from everyone even as he remained close enough to see Zachary get safely into First Year boat. As that was as much as he could do, Albus Dumbledore went back to the castle, took his seat overlooking the Great Hall and glanced over at the Slytherin table checking on the whereabouts of Tom Riddle. For the moment, Tom Riddle was holding court among his band of cronies who seldom left his side.
As the sorting began, the Slytherin table settled down to watch who would be sorted into their house. The sorting went along swimmingly until the name Glover, Zachary was called out. Zach walked rapidly up to the stool and sat straight backed waiting for the Sorting Hat to be placed on his head. As soon as the Sorting Hat was placed on his head, three things happened simultaneously. Tom Riddle stopped speaking in the middle of a conversation he was having with Mulciber and turned to look more closely at the young wizard who was currently being sorted. A shiver had run through his body as the name Zachary Glover was called out. Tom wanted to know why. Brushing Mulciber off, Tom focused all his attention on the scrawny boy. At the same time, Dumbledore straightened up and leaned forward in his seat as a shiver ran through his body. Unknown to Dumbledore, he was experiencing the same shiver that had run through Tom. He quickly looked at Tom Riddle to find him staring at Zachary.
While these things were happening, the Sorting Hat was quietly arguing with itself. Slytherin. No, Ravenclaw. But he will be magnificent in Slytherin…as he will be in Ravenclaw….. Wait! I see bravery, intelligence, courage and daring as well as cleverness, ambition and self preservation. In the end, the Sorting Hat called out, Gryffindor. Without realizing it, both Dumbledore and Tom Riddle had let out sighs of relief.
/*/
Tom Riddle didn't like things he didn't understand or couldn't control so he watched Zachary Glover head to the Gryffindor table vowing to watch this eleven year old upstart very closely.
Albus Dumbledore didn't like the way Tom was watching Zachary and also made a vow to watch both wizards very closely.
/*/
Even though Zach was thrilled at the plentiful bounty covering the table, when he was introduced around the Gryffindor table, he felt something was a little off. As he turned this way and that, his eyes locked with a very handsome, dark haired wizard who seemed to be studying him. Zach felt a quick flash of fear run through his body that quickly dissipated when he turned back to his new housemates.
Contrary to what Tom Riddle thought, Zachary was very bright. He'd had many discussions with his father about certain things so just as if he'd been hit by a lightening bolt, Zachary knew he had just locked eyes with his brother, Tom Riddle. Determined not to be intimidated by his father's other son, Zachary again turned back to his classmates just as Armando Dippet took the podium to give his welcome speech before allowing the students to be released to their Houses.
/*/
Tom Riddle didn't listen to one word Dippet said. He had no respect for their weak Headmaster. Tom hadn't ever understood how the blighter had been installed as Headmaster at all, but Armando Dippet loved him so he had to act as though he had nothing but respect for the tosspot. Tom smiled to himself. I've just called our Headmaster a tosspot. In future, I'll have to be a bit more careful about the things I think. Tom shifted his eyes to stare at the Grover….no, the Glover boy. Staring intently, Tom decided he didn't recognize the boy, but felt sure he needed to keep an eye on him. Why? Tom did not know, but he had plans and wanted to be sure everything that needed to be under his control was under his control. He wouldn't allow some filthy little Gryffindor make him take his eyes from what he planned to do.
Finally, the Headmaster was dismissing everyone to their Houses. Following their self proclaimed leader, the wizards at the table stood when Tom stood. After a quick look around to ensure all his boys had fallen in line, Tom led his group of minions to the Slytherin common room where they would probably discuss and denigrate the latest group of Hogwarts arrivals including Zachary Glover.
On the way to the dungeons, Tom thought about having Mulciber, Lestrange or Rosier keep an eye on Zachary Glover, but thought better of it. His three toadies might be loyal to him but were too dim to be trusted with anything of importance, and it seemed the filthy Gryffindor would somehow be very important to his life. Tom decided he would keep surveillance of the idiot boy for himself. It would be his personal project.