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: I sat down yesterday and decided to write another chapter. It got a bit long. 16 pages, but I think that would be appropriate seeing as I haven updated since July. Thank you all for your amazing reviews. Thank you so much :)

Chapter 16

"I suggest that you don't do that, unless you want to blow up the whole thing." Riddle said and yawned as he watched Malfoy raise his hand to put belladonna into his boiling cauldron.

It had been three months since they had agreed to stop trying to tear each other's throats out, and things had been going rather well after that. The Slytherins left Riddle alone on Malfoy's command, and together the two of them had been able to make Potter's life a living hell.

Malfoy sighed irritated and lowered his arm. "What then? This is the third time I try to make the stupid potion, and it still hasn't got the right colour!" His voice was getting more and more annoyed, and Riddle sighed.

He had been helping Malfoy with his homework the last couple of weeks, since the young Malfoy Heir was having a bit of trouble with his potion homework. It was currently Wednesday night, or Thursday morning, depending on one's view. The clock had just passed two a.m, and Riddle wanted more than anything to go to bed.

"Add two spoons of asphodel and stir it four times clockwise," Riddle said as he covered up another yawn.

Malfoy did as he said, and soon the potion assumed the right purple colour.

"There you go," Riddle muttered and put his hands on the table and laid his head down on his arms.

"You aren't going to sleep down here again I hope?" Malfoy asked with an amused voice.

"Why not?"

"Remember how bad you felt last time you tried?"

Riddle winced and got up. "Point taken," he said and headed for the stairs.

Just as he put his foot on the first step he heard a loud bang behind him and he spun around. Where Malfoy's cauldron had been standing there now was an oddly shaped heap of tin, and Malfoy himself looked like he just had come head first down through the fireplace. His normally white-blond hair was black, along with his face and chest.

"Oh, yeah," Riddle said. "I forgot to mention that if you allow the potion to boil too long, it will explode."

"RIDDLE!" Malfoy roared, but the Slytherin Heir had already disappeared up the stairs with a laugh.

"Riddle!"

The female voice made both Riddle and Malfoy turn around from the entrance doors they were headed for.

"Yes, dear?" Riddle said smoothly as he realised that the voice belonged to Hermione Granger.

"Don't give me that," she snapped irritated. "I saved your life after all!"

Malfoy raised an eyebrow at Riddle, who only glared in return.

She just had to remind him about the fact that he owed her his life every time they bumped into each other. His anger started to rise and he wanted nothing more than hexing her into next week.

"What to you want, mudblood?" Malfoy asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Nothing important, ferret." She smiled as Malfoy flinched at the memory, which made Riddle look at him with a strange look. "I was told to tell Riddle to come to the Headmasters office."

"Now?" Riddle asked, not looked especially happy about the news.

"Yes." She turned and disappeared before Riddle or Malfoy could say anything else.

Riddle stared at Malfoy who stared back.

"Ferret?"

"She saved your life?"

The both stared, but neither was willing to give out any information.

"Shall we just drop it?" Riddle finally asked.

"I think so," Malfoy nodded and looked towards the stairs. A small smile started spreading across his face, and Riddle followed his look and noticed the Golden Trio, who where standing in the middle of the stairs. Hermione was telling Harry and the Weasley kid something, and they both looked up and glared at the two Slytherins.

"If looks could kill," Riddle muttered.

"Who do you think he would kill first?" Malfoy asked with a laugh.

Riddle smirked. "Me. After all, I killed his parents."

The look he got from Harry was anything else than pleasant, but after nearly four months of being around the boy he was getting used to it. Luckily it seemed like the rest of the school had been able to forgive and forget, at least for the time being.

"Well, I'll go and see what the old fool wants now. I'll see you later." Riddle sighed and walked past the Trio and up the stairs.

"Sit down, Tom." Dumbledore smiled and waved a hand at the empty chair in front of him.

While sitting down in the chair, Riddle wondered what he'd done wrong now. He couldn't remember doing anything he shouldn't, except from tormenting the Potter kid, but that couldn't count.

"I haven't done anything," Riddle said defensively.

"I know." Dumbledore smiled. "I wanted to tell you that you've got permission to go to Hogsmed this weekend."

Riddle's eyes suddenly lightened up. "Really?" That was good news.

"Yes, although I hope I don't have to remind you not do anything stupid?" He looked at him over the half-moon glasses and Riddle nodded slowly.

"Good."

"Can I go?" Riddle got up from the chair as Dumbledore nodded.

"Again, how did you persuade the old man to let you go to Hogsmeed?" Malfoy asked as he led the way towards The Three Broomsticks.

"I didn't," Riddle admitted honestly. "I guess he expects me to return."

"Well, seeing as you have nowhere to go, you will return," Malfoy said and opened the door to the pub.

Riddle tilted his head to the side and smiled. Yeah, the young Slytherin was right. He had to return.

"Are you coming?" Malfoy asked, holding the door open.

Riddle nodded and followed him into the pub. Life wasn't that bad anymore. Draco was a fun person to be around. Especially since they both loved to torment the Boy-Who-Lived.

The thoughts and plans he'd made months earlier had kind of disappeared out the window. It was a relief to able to just go with the flow and don't having to worry about anything. Lucius had been busy the last couple of weeks, and the Daily Prophet had been filled with horrifying stories nearly every day. The other students, of course, hadn't left Draco, alone. They had been after him, almost accusing him of what his father was up to. Luckily for Draco the Slytherins stuck together, and he had somehow survived the mocking and nasty looks the other students was giving him.

Riddle quickly noticed that the students were ignoring him now, in favour of taking their anger out on Draco instead. Draco had been taking the mocking well, although Riddle knew he was hurting and Riddle hated Lucius even for hurting his own son.

"Heard anything from your father lately?" Riddle asked as they sat down by a table in the back of the pub.

Malfoy shock his head and looked down.

Riddle tilted his head. It seemed like the tropic of his father still was a bit of a sore issue for Draco. If it was one thing Riddle had come to understand during the time he'd been at Hogwarts, it was that Draco wasn't a Death Eater. And he didn't have it in him to become one either. The boy would never follow in his father's footsteps, and therefore Riddle had no reason to believe that Draco agreed with what his father was doing.

Personally Riddle felt a small admiration for Lucius. The man had followed Riddle's own plans. Creating chaos in the Wizarding World, recruiting new Death Eaters and preparing for the final battle. The only thing that bothered him was that Lucius had turned against him, and he still wanted his own revenge on the man for that. There was no way he would sit back and allow Lucius to conquer the light and take over as the leader of the Wizarding World.

"This is only the beginning, you know," Riddle said slowly.

Malfoy's head snapped up and he frowned in confusion before nodding. "I know," he said slowly. "It will only get worse."

Riddle nodded.

"Do you think the Ministry will stand?" Malfoy asked.

Riddle sighed. That was the question wasn't it? If the Ministry fell, then the rest would fall like domino bricks. If the Ministry were able to resist then they would only delay the unavoidable.

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "I've been working on a plan to bring down the Ministry for years, but I haven't found a way yet. Perhaps your father has succeeded where I failed, although I doubt it."

Malfoy rubbed his eyes. "I just want this bloody war to be over. Although I might agree with my father on some point, like denying the mudbloods access to the school, I don't agree with all this killing."

Riddle mentally smiled. Merlin, the boy was naïve. How did he think they would reach their goal if not through a war?

"Sometimes killing is necessary to achieve results," he said slowly.

Malfoy shook his head. "No. What the Death Eaters are doing, what you were doing, want help him reach his goal. That was just plain pointless killing for the sake of entertainment."

Riddle grimaced. Perhaps the boy had a point. The Death Eaters had killed many innocents who wouldn't have affect the war either way. The Death Eaters were vile men, who enjoyed torture and violence too much.

"Lets change the tropic," he suggested. He wasn't all to eager to discuss his past with Draco. "At least there are taking their anger out on you know, instead of me."

Draco grimaced and looked at him darkly. "Yeah, and I'm sure you are feeling very sorry for me as well.

Riddle smiled. "Of course."

"Jerk," Draco muttered, and Riddle laughed.

The both looked up as the door burst open and the Head Boy came running in.

"All students back to the castle immediately!" he shouted.

"What in the world?" Malfoy said confused, but he got up from his chair.

"What's going on?" someone in the pub shouted.

Riddle too looked at the Head Boy in confusion. The boy was pale and he looked like he was on the edge of fainting.

"Death Eaters!" the boy said and waved his hand. "They're attacking the village! We need to get back to the castle at once!"

"You got to be kidding," Malfoy muttered and looked disbelieving at Riddle, who seemed shocked as well.

What in the world was Lucius expecting to gain from attacking the village? He would archive nothing from such an act. Unless -. Riddle looked at Malfoy.

"Get back to the castle, Draco," he said. "I don't believe the Death Eaters will harm you in anyway, but better safe than sorry."

Malfoy looked like he was going to protest, but then he nodded. "What are you going to do?"

Riddle smiled bitterly. "Nothing stupid. I just have to check something."

He got up from the chair and made his way to the door. The students were already running as fast as they could towards the castle, and Riddle had to press his back to the wall outside to avoid being run down.

"Be careful," Malfoy said as he took of running towards the castle.

Riddle nodded even though Malfoy was long gone. Carefully he made his way down the main street, while making sure he was out of sight to any possible attackers. Shouting and the sound of hexes being thrown drew him towards on of the alleys.

A girl and a boy were running for their life with three Death Eaters on their tail. The girl stumbled and fell, but the boy didn't noticed and continued running.

Riddle swore as he recognised the boy as Ron. That would mean that girl had to be Hermione. He's thoughts were proven right as the girl looked away from the approaching Death Eaters and meet his gaze. Her eyes were pleading and he swore again.

He couldn't leave her to herself. He owed her a life debt for saving his life so many months ago.

Quickly he stepped out from his hiding place and ran over to her. He grabbed her arm roughly and hauled her to her feet. She stumbled and cried out in pain. He nearly lost his grip on her arm as she tumbled to the ground, but instead he followed her down and gently placed her back on the down.

The Death Eaters had stopped and was now eying the two teenagers with a suspicious look.

"Give me your wand," Riddle hissed and kept a close watch on the Death Eaters.

"What?" she asked looking disbelieving.

Riddle sighed. He really didn't have time to explain everything to her. "I wasn't allowed to bring my own. Now, give me yours!"

She didn't look reassured, but at least she didn't protest.

"Isn't that just cute," one of the Death Eaters said in a mocking voice. "Potter has come to rescue his girlfriend.

Potter? Riddle thought confused and turned his head. Behind him he could see Potter standing in the middle of the street aiming his wand at the three Death Eaters.

You got to be kidding, Riddle groaned. Why couldn't the stupid brat stay away for once?

"No!" He heard Hermione whisper beside him.

"Let them go!" Potter demanded and Riddle rolled his eyes. Yeah, like that was going to work. How naïve was the boy really?

"Get out of her, Potter!" he hissed angry.

Potter shook his head. "Not with out Hermione."

"How sweet!" the Death Eater who had spoken before said in the same mocking voice.

Riddle groaned.

"So," one of the other two Death Eaters said, "who wants to die first?"

Riddle turned around and looked at them. He suddenly recognised the man who had spoken as Avery. While the man wasn't the smartest person in the world he still could kill them.

"Protego!" he whispered and cast a shield charm around himself and Hermione.

Behind him he heard Potter shout exspelliarmus.

The Death Eaters quickly deflected the curse and raised their own wands.

"Crucio!"

Potter was somehow able to throw himself out of the way and behind a corner, while Riddle and Hermione was still kneeling in the middle of the street. The curse missed all three of them and hit one of the buildings, setting it on fire.

Hermione clutched his arm tightly and a look at her face told him that she was terrified.

Avery seemed to be ignoring Potter at the moment and turned his eyes towards the couple on the ground.

"Well, well, what have we here?"

Riddle decided that it would be best not to answer. He wasn't sure they would recognise him, but if they did, hell would break loose. He silently strengthened the shield around them and waited. Sometimes patience was the best defence. If he was lucky the Death Eaters would decided they wasn't worth the trouble and they would get out of it unharmed.

"Looks like Potter has gotten competition," the Death Eater on Avery's right side said and stepped towards Riddle and Hermione.

Riddle recognised the voice as Antonin Dolohov. Great. While Avery was weak and pathetic, Dolohov was violent and dangerous.

The third Death Eater, who Riddle didn't know walked behind them so that they were completely surrounded.

Riddle couldn't hear or see Potter anymore, and he prayed that the boy would have enough sense to run back to the castle.

"Expelliarmus!" Dolohov said. The hex hit the shield and bounced off. The man frowned and raised his wand again.

"Morsuso!" Riddle whispered and smiled satisfied as the man winced in pain. It wasn't the most powerful curse, but at least it showed he wasn't completely helpless.

"You little –" Avery swore and raised his wand.

"Crucio!" The curse hit Avery in the chest and the man fell to the ground in agony.

Riddle released the curse almost immediately. He couldn't find the strength to hold it anymore. The potion had weakened his powers and it took a great deal of strength and power to hold someone under the Cruciatus Curse for more than a few seconds.

Damn, he thought and waited for the other two too comprehend what just had happened. They couldn't believe that a student just had used one of the unforgivable curses on them.

Riddle took the advantage of the momentary confusion and pointed his wand at the nameless man. "Incarcerous!"

Thick ropes flew from his wand and bound the man tightly, but before Riddle could turn his wand towards Dolohov he felt a sharp pain in his back. The pain increased and made him groan in pain and loose his grip on the wand.

"Accio wand!" Avery gasped as he got to his feet, and Riddle swore as he watched Hermione's wand disappear out of reach.

"You little, insolent brat!" Avery yelled and raised his wand.

Hermione huddled close to him and turned her face towards his chest as Avery stepped closer. Riddle grimaced, but he didn't push her away.

"Who do you think you playing with!" Dolohov asked harshly and grabbed Riddle by the arm and hauled him to his feet. Hermione was left huddled on the ground with a terrified look on her face.

"A gang of idiots," Riddle spat and tried to pull his arm free. "Attacking students? Haven't you got anything better to do with your time?"

Avery looked ready to kill, and that would probably have been the outcome if it hadn't been for the arrival of several teachers along with Dumbledore.

The Death Eaters took one look at the teachers and fled.

"Oh, my God!" He heard on of the teachers exclaim, but he ignored them.

He picked up Hermione's wand, which Avery had left on the ground and turned around to face the teachers. Several of them were busy trying to put out the burning building while others spread out to make sure there wasn't more Death Eaters around.

"Are you all right?" Dumbledore asked.

Riddle nodded and walked over to Hermione. He bent down and ignored the surprised looks on the teachers' faces as he helped her to her feet and gave her back her wand.

"Thanks," she whispered and leaned on him as she limped over to Dumbledore.

"You're welcome," he muttered before turning his attention to Dumbledore. "I hope you've got a port key, because she isn't going to be able to limp all the way to the castle."

He hated the twinkles in the old mans eyes, and decided to ignore them for the time being.

"Of course."

The headmaster pulled out a goblet and held it out. Riddle and Hermione placed their hand on the cup and instantly Riddle felt a tug behind his navel.

"It was a good thing you did," Dumbledore said and handed Riddle a goblet filled with water.

Riddle didn't replay at once. Instead he drank the water and looked towards the bed where Hermione was laying in deep sleep. Potter and Weasley were sitting guard by the bed looking worried.

"I owed her," he said.

Dumbledore nodded. "But why did you go back?"

Riddle shrugged. He didn't want to answer that. He didn't want to admit that he hoped Lucius would be among the Death Eaters and that perhaps he would get his chance at revenge.

"Did Potter tell you were we were?" he asked instead.

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, he came running back to the castle rambling about you protecting Hermione, and yelling at us to hurry up."

Riddle smiled.

"Well, I need to inform the Ministry," Dumbledore said and left the ward.

Riddle looked after him before turning back to the bed where a now awaken Hermione was talking eagerly to Potter and Weasley. She waved him over when she suddenly spotted him standing by the door, and he reluctant walked over to the bed.

"I suppose we owe you a thank you," Potter said, looking nothing but happy.

Riddle smiled mentally. "Perhaps."

Hermione on the other hand looked thoughtful. "I need to talk to Riddle alone, please?"

"What?" Weasely said. "I'm not leaving you alone with that monster!"

Riddle rolled his eyes.

"He just saved my life, Ron," Hermione said calmly. "I hardly believe he would try and hurt me now."

"Come on, Ron. He isn't going to hurt her," Potter said.

Weasley didn't look any happier at all, but he let Potter drag him out of the room.

As the door closed behind the two Hermione looked up at him.

"Why?" she asked silently.

Riddle groaned. Did he really have to go through this again? "I owed you a life debt, remember? You saved my life."

She smiled and it was like her whole face lightened up. "I just never thought of you as the hero type."

Riddle had to smile. The comment was as far from the truth as possible. "How's your leg?" he asked instead.

She smiled and motioned for him to sit down. "Much better, thank you."

"I'm glad," he said and sat down on the chair Weasley had been sitting in moments earlier.

"So, why do you think they attacked Hogsmed?"

Riddle looked at her surprised. Where they going to have a conversation as well now? But he answered the question.

The talked for almost two hours before Madam Pomfrey threw him out, telling him that Hermione needed her rest, but that he was welcome back the next day.

Riddle nodded and said good night.

The girl had been easy to talk to and she was intelligent. It was easy to have a real conversation with her. They had read many of the same books and it was interesting to discuss different point of views with her. She had been especially interested in Lucius, and what Riddle thought his next move would be.

As he came down the stairs he found himself face to face with Potter.

"Thank you," the boy said, forcing himself to smile.

Riddle titled his head to the side. "I never thought I'd ever hear you thank me for anything," he commented wryly.

Potter smiled and looked down. "Neither did I, but you did save her life. I would never have been able to help her. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you kneeling on the ground beside her."

Riddle nodded. "I owed her," he said as an explanation.

Potter nodded. "I know. She told me, but I wanted to thank you anyway. Well, good night." With that he walked passed Riddle and up the stairs.

The Slytherin Heir stared after him, not really believing his own eyes. Then he smiled. Perhaps everything wouldn't be so bad after this.

The End...

A/N: Well, I actually finished it. I'm going to end it here, although I could have written a lot more, but I think it's well as good to just end everything here.

Again thank you to all those who have been reading this story. You're reviews and encouragement has been wonderful :)

Perhaps I'll hear from you again if I deicded to write another story.

--Ace of Black Hearts--