Title: Praeter erratum praeter

Disclaimer: I don't owe any of the characters you may recognise from Rowling's books. (to bad really)

Beta: un-betaed for the moment.

Warning: Some of the characters will be OOC, especially Tom.If you don't like it, don't read the story...

Summary: AU! A youth potion gives Riddle more trouble than he'd expected. First the Death Eaters refuse to take orders from a 16 year-old-boy and Lucius decides to take over, throwing Riddle out onto the streets. Then he ends up at Hogwarts. "Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance, Tom" Dumbledore asked.

A/N: An update! It's a miracle. Actually it is. You can all thank Riuet for it. I was nagging her to update her story, and I realised that I should try and update my own story, although it's childish and stupid. I'm working on a new one, which hopefully will be better than this one.

It hasn't been Betaed, so I'm sorry for all the mistakes.

Chapter 15

The sky had held a nearly black colour, and the stars were shining brightly down at the old castle, before Riddle realized he perhaps should get inside. He had been out on the roof for nearly three hours already. Time had strange habit of moving way to fast when you were thinking.

The thought of moving wasn't tempting to say the least. There was something strangely calming about the darkness. It wraped around you like a comfortable and gentle carpet, sometimes it brushed against your skin too reminding you of its existence. The darkness held many secrets, and it was the protector of many creatures.

Riddle had always enjoyed the dark nights. There was something seditious about it, something that drew people to it. Inviting them to explore its secrets.

Those who were afraid of the darkness were often those who were afraid of what they didn't know. That, or they had been told to many stories about murders that lurked in the shadows, waiting to throw themselves at an unexpected victim.

Yes, the darkness knew how to seduce people, but Riddle also knew how treacherous it could be. The darkness didn't care for anyone. But it was soothing to just sit there, letting it surround you and calm you.

Riddle knew that he needed to gain the teachers' trust in order to have a chance of getting out of the school. He hadn't been able to come up with a plan yet, but that was just a matter of time. To stop fighting with the Potter kid would properly be the best thing to start with. The teachers seemed to adore the brat, and he would properly have a better chance to get onto their good side if he stopped mocking the Gryffindor. Perhaps he should play nice for a while. After all, his charms had always been good when it came to fooling grown-ups, surely he couldn't have lost that talent.

He pushed his hand through his hair in frustration. The whole situation was annoying. And the invariable change of feelings was helping much.

Slowly he got to his feet and stretched. His muscles had gotten stiff and sore from sitting in the same position for so long. He rubbed his neck absently as he looked over the edge and down at the ground way below him. A jump from this high would kill anyone who tried, wizard or muggle. Riddle shrugged and turned around to pick up the broom. He had never been a fan of suicide. Instead he mounted the broom and allowed it to guide him slowly down to the grounds.

He landed gracefully on the grass by the broom shack and made his way up to the castle after putting the broom back where it belonged.

The old castle was an impressive sight where it loomed above him in the dark. Light was purring out from nearly every window, and Riddle couldn't stop the smile that slowly spread across his face. Hogwarts had always been his refuge place. The only thing that had bothered him about the school was the rule that said he had to return to the orphanage every summer for the holiday. His lips curled in dislike as the memory of the pitiful place came back. God, he hated memories, though, not as much as he hated the muggles that had been in charge of the place he had grew up, and his father. Riddle shuddered and pushed the memories about his so-called father away. There was no need to start thinking about that now.

He walked into the Entrance Hall just in time for the evening meal. The students were all gathered in the Great Hall, talking and chatting with each other as they ate. Riddle closed his eyes for a moment and allowed himself to drift back to the 1940s. The sounds of the students were still the same, but no one greeted him as he slid into a seat by the Slytherin table. In stead they scowled angry at him, making it clear that he wasn't welcome among them, which they had made perfectly clear during the last month. Riddle was reminded just how long the Slytherins could hold their grudges. He had expected them to at least ignore him by now, but no. The hate was still fresh, and by the look of things it would stay that way for a long time.

He finished the meal quickly and headed for his room. He could always start his little plan by doing the homework for next day, even though he knew everything there were to know already.

As he entered the common room he once again came across the little Malfoy brat. He was sitting on the couch by the fire, reading, and he was currently the only student there, except from Riddle.

"Look what the cat dragged in," Malfoy sneered and Riddle sighed in annoyance.

"Honestly, Malfoy. Grow up. Is it not enough that your father is a childish excuse of a wizard? Do you really have to follow in his footsteps?"

"You damned…" Malfoy started taking a threatening step towards Riddle, who only smiled in response.

"I still don't get it," Riddle said thoughtful, "What is it that you have against me? I haven't done anything to you. The only reason you dislike me is because your father told you to. I've never done anything to you. We even have the same enemy. We both hate the Potter brat."

Malfoy opened his moth to speak, but then he closed it again.

Riddle smiled to himself and took a step towards Malfoy.

"Listen, Malfoy. I'm still one of the most powerful wizards in the world. Wouldn't it be better if we joined forces against Potter? Two are always better than one." His voice was soft and tempting. He could see that Malfoy was considering his words.

He needed Malfoy to take his offer. It would be so much easier if he didn't have to worry about his own house being against him.

Malfoy looked at him inquiringly, "You'll help me against Potter?"

Riddle nodded.

"And what do you get out of it?"

Slytherin spirit, Riddle thought. It was all about power and who got what out of every deal.

"You get the rest of you're gang to lay of me."

"You want us to accept you as a Slytherin in return for helping me?"

A nod confirmed Malfoy's thoughts.

It was easy to see that Malfoy was considering Riddle's proposition, and Riddle was almost sure he would accept it. After all, it would give Malfoy the upper hand, and Riddle would finally get some peace.

"Fine," Malfoy suddenly said and nodded his head in approval, "You've got a deal".

Riddle smirked and nodded. The brat didn't trust him, but at lest he wouldn't have to worry about him anymore. He didn't need the boy's trust, just his status as the ringleader.

Not to mention the Slytherin rules that said that there were to be no arguing among housemates outside the common room.

Riddle moved towards the stairs, but as he put one foot on the stair he stopped and turned around, "And, Malfoy, I wouldn't mention this to your dad if I were you."

Malfoy understood the double meaning. Not only would Lucius be pissed off if he ever heard about the deal, but Riddle would surely make him regret it.