A Scheming Smile

Authors Note: Hey! I hope you all enjoy this. Tomarry is slowly turning into one of my favourite ships, and I wanted to try my hand at it. I feel that this chapter is a little shaky and not really what I wanted, but it feels like a good start.

Chapter 1: The Initial Fascination

The scheme was simple in execution and planning, lacking the typical sophistication that Tom Riddle desired. That didn't change the fact that it worked before, and it would work again. The target was Romilda Vane, a Gryffindor fifth year whose father had recently acquired a seat on the Wizengamot. Over the summer, Romilda had gone from someone who held no interest to Tom to someone who could benefit his plans.

Tom knew she had Charms before lunch, that period he and Abraxas Malfoy were free. No one would be around to see them loitering in the halls. Abraxas was waiting, ready for the target with his wand ready, a charm that would make her think she fell over her own feet, but she'd be in Tom's trap. He would bend down to her eye level, and while smiling shyly, he'd run his fingers through his silky brown hair and say, gently, 'are you okay, Romilda?' He would collect all the books and parchment. The most crucial part would be when he would 'accidentally' touch her hands, knowing that she would savour the moment when their hands connected.

She would giggle or stutter that the famous Tom Riddle knew her name, and he would say something like, 'how could I not know who you are?' She would blush, twist her curly hair with her fingers and be rushed away by her friends. He would have made an impact. She would smile at him as they passed in the halls or even stop to say hello. It would eventually develop into a relationship that would be beneficial for him than for her.

When Bellatrix Black suggested it the first time, Tom had laughed it off. He considered it the ramblings of a smitten woman who lived in a romantic fantasy. Tom knew what effect he had on people, a handsome face with a pleasant demeanour and a tragic backstory. Tom, however, put faith in his intellect, drive and talent than physical and romantic charm. However, it worked to get that insufferable half-wit Justin Finch-Fletchley to show him where the Room of Requirement was. The idea had proven merit, and it was useful to gain what he desired while sharpening his manipulation tactics.

Students started to rush the Charms Corridor, as Tom stood there proud and important. Abraxas stood more hidden with his wand at the ready. As Tom saw the curly head of hair, he started moving forwards, his head nodding once. Romilda began her fall. Papers flew everywhere disorganised. Her book slid across the floor, her face flush as she fell to her knees and students and ignored and raced past her, eager to get to lunch.

Tom bent his knees down, ready to collect the papers preparing his kindest smile. Instead, someone beat him to it. A messy-haired boy slammed his knees onto the ground, hurriedly gathered the scrolls. The book made a screeching sound against the stone floor as the boy slid across the ground towards himself, picking it up. He helped her up, shoved the belongings in her hands. And without a single word, turned away and stalked off.

'Thanks, Harry,' Romilda called out, wistful and longing.

Potter didn't turn around, but he put his hand up to acknowledge that she had spoken. Romilda tottered after the boy, not caring about the messy pile of paper in her hands.

Harry Potter was a Gryffindor in the year below him. Tom and Potter shared notoriety. Where Tom had to scramble and politely smile for every bit of praise and acknowledgement, Harry just had to be born. Harry gained notoriety for an inconsequential act of accidental magic. Something any magical child should achieve.

But Harry was known as The Boy who Lived. At only three years old, the Dark Lord Grindelwald brutally murdered his parents and when he turned to Harry to put an end to the Potter's lineage. The boy apparated, saving himself to be found in a forest fifty miles away, screaming for his dead mummy.

Potter, who seemingly had no natural talent, poor marks and no drive, was held in the same esteem as Tom, who perfected every spell he tried, every potion he brewed and every question he answered. Where Tom had no hair out of place, his tie straightened neatly beneath his throat and his robes pressed with no crease in sight. Harry's hair was untameable, not even by the solution patented by his grandfather, his tie was always crooked, and his robes were creased and always hanging off his shoulders.

They were both orphans and both popular in Hogwarts, but that was where the similarities ended. Tom Riddle was superior to Harry Potter in every way imaginable, making it even more frustrating when Potter blundered his plan.

XXX

Dumbledore suggested that Harry did his Defence Against the Dark Arts OWL early. And by suggestion, Harry would argue mandate would be a more appropriate word. That was how he ended up in Sixth Year DADA. At least one of his guardians, Remus Lupin, would be teaching the class.

He had only scored an Exceeds Expectations when he took the exam. As always, his theory let him down. He knew that his ability to perform a Patronus took his score from an 'A' to an 'E'. Though, Sirius sang, picked him up and danced around the room with him when he heard that Harry had gotten the highest score in that year across Europe in the practical exam. He didn't want to think about how poorly his written exam was. He just hoped it wasn't the worst.

It was weird having someone to celebrate his achievements. It made him uncomfortable to see Sirius' exuberant celebration and Remus' proud smile. Usually, the Dursleys shunned any achievement as every success would be an insult to Dudley. Aunt Petunia would preen when his teachers called him 'stupid and unambitious'. As if Harry's failures meant Dudley's success and, more importantly, a reason to debase him in public. Whereas here, Sirius and Remus celebrated everything that made him Harry, not the Boy who Lived or the freak that lived in the cupboard under the stairs. Just Harry. Even if Sirius sometimes mistakenly called him James.

Harry wanted to be with his friends, normal and unnoticed. He knew him skipping a year in DADA would cause more rumours and stares. Harry didn't want to deal with Hermione Granger, his best friend, being mad at him. He didn't want to share a class with the likes of Tom Riddle or Abraxas Malfoy or any one of Riddle's sycophants. Though with Dumbledore's obsession with Riddle, Harry could guess why the headmaster was so determined for him and Riddle to share a class.

He was waiting in the second-floor boy's bathroom. Hoping that if he snuck in and took a seat at the back, no one would notice him. Tension coiled in his belly, making him want to throw up, knowing that once again, eyes would be on him.

No one was waiting by the door as he walked to the classroom. There were no tables and chairs, and all his new classmates were standing in a semi-circle, listening to Remus. The class was popular, and nearly everyone had continued with Defense Against the Dark Arts. The course was full of eager Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, Gryffindors and Slytherins, house divides forgotten as they were eager to learn. Harry shouldn't have been surprised. Remus tried hard to teach in a way that suited everyone's styles and abilities. Thankfully for Harry, Remus leant more to teaching classes practically and the theory one on one. Remus always ensured that his students experienced magic while he taught.

Remus' lips upturned as he saw Harry but continued with his introductory speech. The first semester of the sixth year would heavily focus on duelling while creatively using all magic, including charms and transfiguration. There were excited murmurs as their professor explained the curriculum. A thrilled twittering when Remus declared he'd be teaching wandless and non-verbal magic.

Harry had a head start. Sirius was determined to teach every and any way to defend himself. Sirius treated him both as someone mature, but someone precious who he felt had betrayed. Remus helped Sirius keep his emotional outbursts in check as they feared that Grindelwald would attack. Dumbledore was convinced that he saw Harry as his greatest adversary.

The students were so caught up in Remus' explanation that they failed to notice Harry. Years at the Dursleys had taught him to be not seen nor heard, that even when in the centre of gossip, Harry could slip under prying eyes. But that wouldn't last long. With Cedric Diggory's loud but well-meaning:

'Harry! What are you doing here?'

A classroom of eyes turned on him. Tom Riddle's looked at him while Malfoy whispered something in his ear, and he smiled cruelly. All of Riddle's lackeys stared at him as if they wanted to rip his flesh off his carcass. The Black sisters Bellatrix and Narcissa, Avery, Lestrange, and his second in command Abraxas Malfoy never left Riddle's side. His gang revolved around Riddle catering to any demand or when needed boosting his inflated ego. Though the dark looks from the Slytherins scared him, it wasn't compared to the anger that bubbled underneath Riddle's perfectly personable façade.

As his classmates observed and made judgements, Harry hoped that the blood that rushed to his cheeks weren't turning them red. He was already shorter than every witch or wizard in the room with a year's less experience, and he didn't want to be even more of a target. Remus now smiled more widely at Harry. It wasn't the same as when they were at home, and it was similar to the year before this when they were just student and professor.

'Ah, yes, Mr Diggory,' He said loudly, eyes all back towards him, 'Thank you for reminding me. Mr Potter has already completed his DADA OWL to a satisfactory level and will be joining us. Any and all questions will be directed at me. He is here to learn like all of you.'

Harry looked forward to Remus as an anchor. He heard the sneers from Riddle and his crew. The Weasley twins were grinning widely at Harry while whooping obnoxiously, and Cedric was smiling at him, which he couldn't help but return.

'Now that's all over with,' Remus said, 'I'd like you to pair up and duel so I can assess everyone's skills. I hope I only have to say this once, but please refrain from using dark curses or seriously maiming each other.'

'Oh, Professor Lupin!' Fred cried.

'You're no fun,' said George.

Cedric was moving towards Harry and Harry was moving towards Cedric before he felt a hand on his shoulder. Cedric gasped and turned around, and asked a Hufflepuff girl to be his partner instead. He heard an amused chuckle right above his ear.

Harry shook the handoff, turned around and looked up to see Tom Riddle staring down at him. His face twisted in a smile. Harry didn't return it. Harry had seen it many times when Riddle talked to teachers and other students, and it was so polite that it bordered on condescension. Harry had no time for his games, mostly because he had no idea what Riddle was playing.

'Be my partner.'

'No.'

Harry tried to manoeuvre his way around Riddle, who was much taller and broader than him. It seemed as Harry stepped away from Riddle, he made a deliberated and indecipherable movement to be directly in Harry's way. To Riddle, Harry was a tiny insignificant bug that needed to be squashed, and it made him feel small. Harry didn't know what he had done to cause Riddle's ire, but he hoped that after Riddle proved whatever point to soothe his ego that he would be left alone.

'But I insist.'

Harry scowled as they looked around the room, looking for anyone to pair up with that wouldn't mind angering Riddle. But, everyone already was standing in place and trying to avoid making eye contact with him. Remus looked puzzled as he felt as he saw Riddle and Harry standing together.

'Fine,' Harry said, as he stomped a few paces away from him, 'But I won't be holding back.'

Riddle smiled again. It reminded him of how Dudley smiled before humiliating him in primary school. But, unlike his relatives, he wasn't powerless. He doubted that his skills, knowledge and power could match someone like Riddle, even if he were creative, fast and trained by marauders.

They were about to bow. Harry would argue, having no time to uphold pureblood and magical traditions that often ostracise students from muggle families. He remembered how Pansy Parkinson ridiculed Hermione when she didn't bow in duelling club. Bowing was something every witch and wizard should naturally know, even with no instruction or guidance. Hermione spent every night for weeks consuming every book possible on wizarding and duelling etiquette until it made her sick. But Harry knew Riddle would insist, to uphold his image of an upstanding pureblood with a filthy muggle name. Harry had noticed how easy Riddle slid into any human suit. Riddle planned every move. Like how the upcoming defeat of the Boy Who Lived would cement him as the most influential student in the school.

Though, Remus discarded that plan ruthlessly.

'Potter, Riddle, I hope you don't mind me separating you,' Remus said, feigning contrition, 'I'm afraid that I've sent Madam Pomphrey one too many injured students from a Slytherin and Gryffindor duel.'

'What's she going to do, threaten bedrest?' Avery snorted.

Harry watched as Malfoy gave Avery a sharp look.

'Professor,' Tom's voice wrapped around the word like silk, 'My only action here as prefect was to ensure Mr Potter had as warm of a welcome as possible.'

Remus snorted, and it was more of an amused slight breath in. But Harry saw the flash of anger that crossed Riddle's face while still holding that ever pleasant smile. He knew why Riddle had the fear or respect of anyone in this room except Harry and Remus, and that infuriated him.

'Whether you have good intentions or not,' Remus said, 'I will not risk the scolding from Madam Pomphrey. Potter will be paired with me and if you would set that altruism elsewhere by pairing up with Avery and Malfoy.'

Riddle looked like he wanted to say more, that under his smile, there was a litany of curse words and curses. Though he could see Remus had a point, Avery struggled to perform a simple protego, something that Riddle had excelled in years ago. If Riddle were less controlled, more like Harry, he'd comment under his breath that if Avery was struggling so much that maybe Remus should teach him. But, Riddle just nodded stiffly and moved to his new assigned team.

Remus looked at him and smiled. He looked like he wanted to say much more, demanding to know why he was suddenly on the Slytherin's golden boy's radar. Riddle hadn't paid any attention to him since his first year. Riddle had taken as much interest in Harry Potter, the same way everyone else had. Though, even with the many mishaps and misadventures that had happened during Harry's school career. Riddle seemed to lose interest as soon he realised how average Harry appeared.

Remus just started their duel with a bow, which Harry barely returned, and Harry stopped thinking about Riddle. Let the magic fuel and guide him as he duelled his guardian. Harry was aware that he probably should have been embarrassed that Harry was duelling with both his teacher and parental figure who had seemingly protected him from duelling Tom Riddle. Still, he hadn't had a family in so long that he didn't care what other's thought. It also helped that he could hold his own with Lupin.

The duel absorbed him. He had to be more creative with Lupin, and he couldn't use any of his well-worn tricks. Lupin had more control, but Harry was faster. Harry could dodge and deflect instinctively, but Remus was tricky as any marauder. While using a disarming charm verbally for Harry to shield himself from, Lupin would wordlessly use a tickling charm in his most ticklish area. His armpits. That's when Harry created a pool of water underneath Remus' feet and just as quickly charmed it to ice. A look of shock and slight fear overtook Remus' scarred face as he struggled to retain balance.

That was when Remus made a peace sign, and Harry lowered his wand. Once in the middle of a duel, it was hard for Harry to stop. He fed into his magic and allowed it to guide him. His magic was urging him on, demanding to play more. It had taken most of the summer, but Remus and Sirius had helped him control his magic so that it didn't consume him. Both his guardians were impressed by his power, and while Sirius was overjoyed, Remus was cautious and afraid for Harry.

'Excellent work, Potter,' He said, while gently patting him on the shoulder, 'Ten points to Gryffindor.'

He barely registered, but the other students applauded his and their professor's performances in awe of what they witnessed. What Harry did notice was Riddle, unmoving, fixated on Harry, and it unsettled him.

If Harry wasn't on Riddle's radar before, he certainly was now.

XXX

It had been a long time since Tom had found something interesting. Anything Tom could put his mind to, he could understand, dominate and excel. Harry Potter, however, was baffling. It took everything in him not to be slacked jawed as Avery as he witnessed what only could be described as the beauty of Harry Potter duelling.

Tom was sitting at his table surrounded by his acquaintances, not eating. It was the first week back, and Tom couldn't find in himself to eat. Normally, he would be trying to rebuild the strength he lost over the summer staying at Wool's Orphanage. Tom wouldn't overeat, mainly because the prefect didn't want to look like Bellatrix Black ripping into two chicken drumsticks at once. He would be sick if he gorged himself after too little food. And Tom could not afford to show such weakness to his followers.

Instead of thinking about how best to subsist himself, all he could think about was Harry Potter. It had been years since he had thought about the boy. He had poor marks and an uncanny ability to get into trouble. Even worse, he was that fool Dumbledore's favourite for no reason other than being a Gryffindor with a famous name. Except Tom knew now that his opinion of Potter was wrong. He was talented, and he was strong, someone who had a chance to rival him. Though Tom didn't see a threat, he saw someone could stand beside him.

They'd be no equality between himself and Potter. The Slytherin wouldn't allow that, but it would be remiss of him if he didn't harness that power for himself. To allow Dumbledore to continue taking advantage of the boy.

During that duel, he saw a Potter that was intuitive, that was creative, and that was inspiring. Someone that knew and loved understood magic as much as he did. They would be no one better, stand side by side with him. With Potter, just slightly behind, of course.

Tom wished he owned Pensieve so he could rewatch the duel repeatedly. Study Potter's technique because as far he could see, Potter didn't have or need one. It was as if he allowed his magic to guide him while still in control and imaginative. Part of him wanted to laugh at Professor Lupin's face when Harry used augamenti charm by his feet and then turned the water into ice. Harry offered the perfect demonstration to Lupin's beginning lecture on intertwining charms and transfiguration into duelling.

First, he was angry that the wolf had gotten in the way of his justice. Potter, just that morning, had gotten in the way of his plan, and he wanted revenge. Then Professor Lupin took away the perfect opportunity to humiliate Potter. Having Potter skip a year in DADA threatened his reputation of being the best in the school, and what talent did Potter possess? Before Tom would have said none but he knew Potter was more talented than he could have imagined.

Potter had hidden behind bad grades and poor manners and dress, shielding the world from seeing the swirling potential underneath. Even with a summer together, the werewolf and the ex-convict would've been only able to explore Potter's potential. But Harry was here now, ready for Tom to seize all that untapped potential and make him and all that power his.

Tom didn't know how Potter would fit into his plans or how he would seduce him to join his side. All Tom knows is that he wouldn't have Potter as an enemy. So, Tom would have to do what he does the best scheme.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading. Let me know if you want me to continue or if there are any questions.