Title – First Signs

Rating – PG-13/T

Disclaimer – I own none of this, it all belongs to Rowling. I just have the honor of using her creations in my story. No slash, sex or profanity.

A/N – Hey everyone, sorry I've neglected this series, other fics had priority there for a while. But look for more frequent updates of this once exams are over in early May. All reviews, suggestions, corrections and questions are welcome. Read and enjoy!

First Signs

Tom Riddle

He hated the orphanage. Hated it with all his heart and soul. He hated the matrons, the rules, the building and especially the other boys. It wasn't fair, he sometimes thought, that he was stuck in this place while other children got to live with their parents and be happy and have fun.

Five-year-old Tom Riddle scowled down at the snow and turned his back on the orphanage, heading over to an old tree in a corner of the small courtyard. The courtyard was empty, the softly falling snow keeping the other boys inside, but Tom did not care. He liked the solitude and peacefulness of the mercifully quiet corner with the tree. It wasn't often he could find a moment alone, away from the other children of the crowded orphanage.

His breath curled in front of him like little puffs of smoke as he grabbed hold of the lowest branch and pulled himself up. He used one hand to brush the snow off his favourite sitting place and sat down in the crook where the branch met the tree. Tom sighed as he leaned back against the tree and crossed his feet under the branch for balance. Soon the mean old matron Mrs. Sullivan would call the boys in for supper, but right now these few moments of peace were for him and him alone. Tom did not have to worry about chores or defending himself from the larger children or life in general. He could sit here and watch the snow fall and enjoy the peace and quiet.

A snowball suddenly exploded a few inches above his head, causing Tom to gasp and jerk in surprise, almost falling out of the tree. Loud laughter came from his right and Tom turned to glare at the three boys who loved to make his life miserable.

"Oy! Ya almost got him good that time Jack!"

"Hand me another Johnny. Let's knock this bird from his perch!"

Jack Connelly, John Forsythe and Henry McKie.

They were the three main troublemakers of the orphanage and all around annoying, arrogant, foolish, nasty idiots. They seemed to exist solely to give Tom a hard time - always teasing him, getting him in trouble and when they knew they would not get caught, beating him up. Oh Tom was sure the matrons knew they were fighting, but as usual, did nothing to stop them. Mrs. Sullivan had even walked in on them stealing Tom's only pair of mittens and only gave the boys two days of extra chores. Tom had once stayed out past curfew reading one of the few books he had managed to obtain and had been given a week's worth of extra chores. He avoided the three older boys as much as possible, but sometimes they still were able to corner him. Like now.

"What do you want Jack?" Tom asked cautiously, eyes searching for a way to get past the bullies and escape back to the relative safety of the orphanage building.

"We just wanna say hullo Tom! Come down from there and talk to your friends!"

Frowning, Tom hesitantly left his safe spot and jumped down to the snow. His green eyes warily darted between the three ten year olds. They always pretended to be nice just before they beat him up or took something of his like his clothes or food. Henry and Johnny were smiling widely and clenching their fists while Jack, the leader of their small group, was smirking and had his arms crossed over his chest.

"Well 'lo there Tom, we missed you at breakfast and've been waitin' all day to have a talk with our favourite friend!"

Tom shifted anxiously from foot to foot, wondering how he was going to get out of this encounter and angry he had let himself get caught so easily. Maybe he could try and delay them long enough for the supper bell to ring and then they would not have the time to torment him. After all, none of them wanted to be late for any meals. Mrs. Sullivan would have their heads if they were late.

"You found me Jack, so what d'you want? Bell's about to ring."

Jack grinned again and shrugged, sharing an amused glance with his cronies.

"Come closer Tom so we can talk like real mates."

When Tom did not move as told, Jack frowned and reached forward to grab the smaller boy's jacket sleeve. Tom nimbly stepped out of the way and backed up out of their reach.

"Come 'ere you little brat!" Jack snarled, losing patience. At that moment both Johnny and Henry also made a move for Tom and it was Henry who actually caught the back-pedalling five year old by the front of his worn jacket.

"No! Lemme go!" Tom yelled as he struggled to escape the firm grip of the bully. Henry just chuckled and roughly shoved Tom down into the snow. Jack and Johnny laughed with him and formed a circle around the younger orphan boy.

Tom looked up at his tormentors, fear and anger warring within him. Fear for the pain he knew would come next and anger that he always had to be the target of these beatings. Why couldn't they ever leave him alone? What did he ever do to deserve this unhappiness and torment? Tom gritted his teeth as his anger began to consume all other emotions like a righteous flame. Life was so unfair – he was an orphan, forced to stay at this horrible orphanage with little hope of ever leaving and be the little victim the older boys loved to pick on. Well, he was not going to take it anymore.

His furious eyes met Jack's as the boy's fist prepared to come crashing down and with determination that surprised even him Tom sat up and said quietly,

"No."

Jack froze and lowered his arm, surprised that he would speak back.

"No? I don't think so mate." He sneered in reply.

As Jack pulled his fist back again, Tom felt his anger turn into something vastly more powerful and surge throughout his body. It was primal, it was raw - it was good. Heat and power exploded from the very core of his soul and Tom stretched his hand toward Jack, energy gathering at his fingertips. He pushed his new powers out and focused them on the cause of his misery.

Jack dropped to the ground instantly, screaming and clawing at the snow like a crazed animal. His eyes rolled to the back of his head as his body convulsed in pain and his screams echoed in the small courtyard. Henry and Johnny jumped back, eyes wide in shock and sudden fear. They were torn between saving their friend and running away.

The fit only lasted a few seconds before Jack stopped screaming and slumped wearily to the snow. He was pale, crying and breathing heavily, however he was still conscious and staring up at Tom with teary eyes.

Tom lowered his hand and stared impassively at the three stunned boys. The power he felt was slowly ebbing, but did not fade away completely – just settled comfortably within his body and floated at the edge of his mind, ready to be used again.

They looked at each other in silence before the quiet was broken by the sharp sound of the dinner bell. Henry and Johnny dashed forward and helped a softly whimpering Jack to his feet. They spared one last confused glance at Tom then hurried back inside the orphanage, practically dragging Jack between them. Fear would keep them from telling anyone about this strange encounter. Not to mention little Tom Riddle had bested high and mighty Jack Connelly.

Tom stood there for a few more minutes, staring down at his hands and wondering what in the world had just happened to him.

Whatever had happened he liked it and wanted to feel more.

A lot more.

Tom Riddle smiled to himself and ran inside for dinner.

TBC

Next Up – Albus Dumbledore (with special guest appearance by Aberforth Dumbledore)