Harry Potter and the Return of Lord Voldemort Part 22

50 Years Ago…

Two years passed since Tom Riddle had been accepted in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now, Tom was a third-year and a prefect. One of the youngest in the century. He was a social outcast, being a half-blood. The wizards didn't accept him, and he had not been very subtle about his dislike toward Muggle-borns, driving them away.

"How did he ever get into Gryffindor?" he often overheard people whisper. "Maybe it's because I'm better than you lot," was his reply. That usually shut them up. Usually. One day, Tom walked into his room, which he shared with four other boys, including a half-giant, which every student in school feared. Rebeus Hagrid.

"What have you got there, Hagrid?" he demanded when he saw his large roommate hiding something in the closet.

"Eh? Oh…er, nothin' Tom. Nothin' at all," Rebeus said. Tom advanced on him, maliciously drinking in the fear etched on Hagrid's face.

"I asked you," he said quietly, watching Hagrid back away, "what you have there,"

"An' I told ya it's nothin'" Hagrid replied hotly.

"Very well," Tom said. "I believe you,"

"Yeh do?" Hagrid asked in surprise. Riddle nodded.

"Of course," he replied. "We're friends. What kind of a person would I be if I didn't believe my own friends?" A cruel smile appeared on his face. "Now, I need a new robe. Step aside, Hagrid. My robes are in the closet,"

* * *

Well, Tom thought to himself, grinning as he watched Prof. Dippet and Dumbledore talk to Hagrid, the fool does serve a purpose after all! He's sure to be expelled, leaving my path clear to destroy the Mudbloods,

Things were going better for Tom than he'd hoped. They had never found out who controlled the Basilisk that attacked the students. Many injured, some dead. One in particular, but he'd never liked that fool Myrtle anyway!

Two years passed. Tom was now a fifth year, soon to sit for his OWL's, which, he was confident he'd pass with flying colors.

Tom walked around the corridor silently. He was now on a new mission. Destroy Dumbledore. He had been watching Dumbledore as carefully as Dubledore had been watching him ever since the Basilisk attack. He was pretty sure Dumbledore knew Hagrid had been framed. Well, he'd take care of that.

He headed for the Girls' Bathroom, but froze when he heard a low chanting. He whirled around and walked to the classroom closest to he bathroom and peeked in. He sucked in a breath when he saw the sight in front of him.

Four students were chanting in low murmurs, and they were floating! They were holding hands and had their eyes lightly closed, so they didn't notice him. Well, well, well, he thought to himself gleefully. What have we got here?

He was about to step in when the earth beneath him trembled. He ducked behind the classroom door, keeping out of sight from the Four. "Earthquake!" one screamed.

"Idiot! We don't get earthquakes in London!" another snapped. "It's obviously our spell! Whatever we did, it worked!"

"Well, make it stop!" A female voice now.

"Yeah. I don't like this!" Another woman. Tom heard someone sigh impatiently.

"Then why did you help us with our spells?" it was the second voice Tom had heard. Suddenly, the ground stood still. Someone was crying now. Tom smiled and rapped his knuckled against the door to let them know they weren't alone. He stepped out of the shadows. The four students, two male, two female stared, petrified.

"Well, I don't think Prof. Dippet will take very kindly to your spells, now will he? Follow me, please," he smirked.

* * *

"Please, don't," one of them, a girl with light brown hair, pleaded.

"We mean no harm," A boy said. Tom shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but as a prefect, it is my duty," he told them, enjoying the effect his words had on them. "Why, you could very well be the reason behind the attacks two years ago, couldn't you?"

"We haven't been practicing that long," a Black boy, obviously the leader, as he was the one who had yelled at the boy who screamed Earthquake, said. Tom tsk-tsked.

"Well, if I told Dippet that you were behind the attacks, who's he going to believe? Me, a Gryffindor who achieves 99% or 100% in every exam and test and a current prefect, or you, four students who are out late at night practicing spells that shake the earth?" he questioned.

A smile played on his lips as the frightened children grew paler. And just when I thought they couldn't get whiter! Tom chuckled. Why, they make Albinos' look like Africans!

"Unless…" he said coyly, watching their ears prick up.

"Unless?" the Black boy prodded eagerly. Tom smiled.

"Unless you let me join your little group," Tom proposed. "I'm eager to see what spells that book you were reading from contains," He could practically see the gears in their heads turn. On one hand, if they let him join, who knew what could happen. They could end the world or something! On the other hand, if they didn't take up his offer, they would get expelled and ruin their entire lives!

"Deal," the Black boy said quickly, extending a hand. Tom's smile grew wider and shook it. With his immense knowledge of magic, he could use this as an opportunity to rid the world of the Mudbloods. Or maybe even take over the world! Whatever. It mean he would need a terrifying name. Something that meant death. Like Voldemort, which was French for 'flight of death'. Voldemort. Yes, he liked that. Yes! Soon would begin the reign of…

Lord Voldemort…

TO BE CONTINUED…

A/N: This is Part 1 of Voldemort's ascent to power. Part 2 continues in the next chapter including Harry, Ron and Hermione.