"Take a deep breath and concentrate Harry." Tom instructed with usual calm tone. "You are almost there"
An orb of light formed on Harry's stretched arm. With a breath Harry threw the ball in air. And the ball disappeared from sight. Harry quickly glanced at Riddle. Though there was no expression but he could tell Tom was impressed. Harry sighed in relief. Riddle was very hard to please. He could be compared with snape in this case only difference is he guided to correct the mistakes instead of mocking and taunting as Snape. Harry almost slapped himself mentally. What was he doing? Comparing dark lord with a man as Severus Snape? But what could he do? It's impossible to overlook young Voldemort's talents when you are living with him.
"See there's a rat." Tom pointed. "Try to move it."
Harry took a deep breath and concentrated on the running tinny rat. As magic unleashed the rat started get uplifted in mid air. Harry's face shined seeing his control over wandless magic is getting improved.
"Now throw it to river." Tom indicated towards Thames on whose isolated bank they were practicing in the afternoon
"What?" And Harry's magical cord broke. The rat fled being released.
"What's wrong with you Harry?" there was little annoyance in Tom's tone. "It was not as hard."
"But why should I kill a rat without reason?" It was Harry's turn to get annoyed. This was Riddle, always trying to get him to do something nasty with magic, something darker. And Harry keeps resisting.
"What does it matter? It's just a rat." Riddle genuinely fails to understand Harry's empathy to smallest creatures. He never wants to use his power to kill even insects. If that was any random student of Hogwarts Tom wouldn't have cared but he knows of Harry's potential. He could be of a great use for Tom for his future plans. Tom never lets go what or who is useful for him.
"Harry here I am indulging my time to educate you and you don't even want to make fool use of your power? I don't tolerate weakness you must remember." Tom's tone gets colder. Harry becomes alert. The Voldemort he knew was predictable in a way but this Young dark lord was not.
"And may I know why? Why do you bother about my weakness? What does it matter to you" Harry suddenly felt rebellious. Why would he listen to the commands of Riddle? The murderer of his parents?
"Because you are my roommate Harry." Riddle seemed to lose his cool as well. "I don't care if you choose to remain weak or not but I have a reputation to maintain in Hogwarts. Have you thought when you will be admitted in my school everyone would want to know what lessons I have given to you? What would I show them? Such a weakling under my guidance? Would anyone trust my ability thereafter?" Harry shivered as Tom gripped his arm tightly. "I won't allow that Harry." The grip tightened painfully. Harry tried to free his arm but Riddle's grip was stronger.
"I am trying my best Tom, can't you see? I am getting exhausted. I just don't have enough energy." Harry was already feeling weak for putting all his energy down. Tom's grip loosens from his arm.
"I see." He sneered. "If you let them steal your food regularly what else do you expect?"
"Its you who asked me to use magic carefully. Besides I don't really enjoy hurting people." Harry argued.
"That's called self defense. Why do you think I got rid of those bullies otherwise?" Tom snapped.
Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "You meant they bullied you too?"
Suddenly Tom's face darkened. "What do you think you were the first here? Do you think those filthy muggles would tolerate anyone different, anyone special among them? You might be bullied by a single cousin but here in orphanage everyone would play the role when one doesn't feel their standard." Tom paused. He doesn't like to talk about his childhood. But seeing someone having almost same experience and yet not avenging that was angering him when that someone had perfect potential to.
Harry looked at Tom. For the first time he realized even Voldemort was a child at some point. All his memory and knowledge regarding Dark lord made him thinking that he was the personification of pure evil. He was stupid to think that a wizard child in muggle orphanage never had been bullied. Harry sighed.
"Will you tell me what they used to do? May be I could learn more?" he asked softly.
Riddle glanced over him calculative way. The green eyes were looking at him with a surprising interest. Tom shifted. No one had wanted to know about his childhood earlier. But if he wants to get to know Harry he needs to let Harry know something about him in return too.
"Everyone got to know that I was different as early as I was one. They first noticed when the girl beside my cot who used to wail constantly got chocked and was needed medical help. That was the time they started to notice that I could make things happen. I grew up listening I was a freak, a weirdo. All I wanted to just go away from them but they never left me alone. I used to get beaten regularly by older children since I was as small as three. They used to snatch my foods; insult me, pull my hair, put rat into my clothes, spoil my bed and what not? And conveniently they used to get away with all their atrocities with me because for muggles it's completely fair to do such thing against a FREAK. No matter if I was just a child. So neither nor Martha cared to stop them. So I learnt to retaliate. I learnt to become physically strong. That's when I discovered my power. I at first was really confused when things used to happen. I really had started believing that I was a freak. But then I realized freak or not I was different. I was better. And I won't allow anyone to bully me. And then they started to get a taste of their medicine. I was really happy when matron threw me in room no. 27. Thinking finally I didn't have to tolerate them anymore. And I was only five then. In which stage someone of that age chooses to be lonely over having other children company?" Tom's dark orbs were darker. An unreadable expression was illuminating his face. Anger? Disgust? Or something deeper? Fear?
Harry gasped. He was seeing the Tom Riddle in a new light. A very familiar picture flashed in front his eyes. A lonely child shivering from cold and hunger, forced to stay inside a cupboard full of spiders. "There are similarities between you two." "You remind me of him." Echoed inside his head. No but they can't be similar right? But he can't simply discard the fact now either.
"So you liked to be alone?" Harry asked almost desperately. He knows Riddle did and he didn't. That was the difference.
"Better to share room with disgusting muggles yes. But at first I used to get afraid of isolation. The darkness of room used to bite me. I waited for my father to arrive and get me out." Tom seemed was not in himself for a moment. "And then I grew accustomed with it. And now I prefer it this way. You must have heard what had happened with my previous roommates. At last those disgusting creatures had learnt their lesson, not to mess with me anymore. And it will be better if you follow the rule too. Muggles must be shown their place. The world is not for weaker people Harry. You must remember that."
All Harry wanted at the moment was Ron and Hermione beside him. He was really not ready for what he got to know. Lord Voldemort as a bullied scared isolated child yearning for his father the very idea turned his entire notion about his worst enemy upside down.
"Pity those who grew without love" Dumbledore's words loomed inside his head and in a blink his purpose of coming here was crystal clear. Vanishing cabinet has taken him where he was needed most. His goal was not to kill teenager Voldemort. But to help Tom Marvolo Riddle.
But in what way? Perhaps Hogwarts could answer.

Hannah was a topper in the school children of orphanage used to go. After Harry was done with the trainings with Tom he used to sit with Hannah helping her in the task. He was an average student in his Pre-Hogwarts school and was not in touch with muggle subjects for long. Yet his knowledge was advanced compared to what was taught in muggle schools in forties. Moreover he felt happy helping his only friend in orphanage.
"I am waiting for your admission Harry; we will be in same class then." Hannah said excitedly. Harry kept silent. He doesn't want to dishearten his friend yet.
"It would be so great if we both get the scholarship." Hannah continued.
"What scholarship?" Harry furrowed his eyes. He didn't know orphan children got any scholarship.
"See there is a scholarship by the king especially for orphan child who tops in junior school final. I am to graduate next year. If I get the scholarship I will get chance to study in senior school of Birmingham. I won't have to depend on the donation of orphanage then. That's why I am studying so hard. Let's do it together." Hanna's eyes sparkled in hope. And Harry's heart became heavier in memory of someone of similar attributes. How irritated Ron and he used to be when Hermione used to talk about homework and studies? How Harry wish to get back those moments.
"Harry? What you are thinking? See I need to finish my history tasks by the night." Hannah shook him. Harry was helping her to write an essay. The only subject he was best at the moment because his knowledge was beyond the books of this time. No matter how insignificant that was in real. Though he became careful after Tom overheard his conversation with Hannah over the war when he accidentally slipped about knowledge Hitler declaring war over Soviet which only started a couple weeks ago. Tom kept interrogating him till midnight afterwards.
"Hannah, Mrs. Cole is expecting us for dinner." Denis called her nervously looking at Harry. He was a little younger than Tom. But was as shaken as little children in the name of monsters. Harry tried to befriend with him but it was of no avail.
"Will you sit with Riddle?" Hannah asked glancing at Riddle in the corner. She is intelligent enough to sense Tom doesn't approve of Harry and Hannah's friendship.
Harry looked at Tom. He was sitting in the corner alone as usual. Though he didn't look at him Harry knows he was expecting Harry to join him. But it's only because he hates muggles and doesn't like Harry to interact with Hannah. Whereas Hannah values his friendship.
"No I will sit with you." Harry goes to take his dinner. To his delight there was some change in the menu. Instead of usual eel pie, cabbage soup and London bun there was a whole roasted salmon, onion gravy, crumpet and a dish made of potato and vegetables named bubble and squeak which was popular in Second World War time. As Harry took his meal a hand snatched his dish.
"Freaks don't eat good food." Billy mocked and other members of his group laughed. Harry gasped and from corner of eyes gazes at Tom who having in meal unperturbed by rest of the room. He never stepped for his aid. Because of course the young dark lord doesn't know to care. That's the reason Billy and his gang dare to bully Harry. Usually Harry didn't stand up to them in fear of exposing his power. But today he was hungry after a long training session. He didn't like eel so didn't stop them stealing but he won't let go today's meal. Who knows when next time he will get to eat salmon?
"Give back my plate" Harry said calmly at first causing Billy laughing louder. "Why are you asking freak? Use some freakiness of yours and get it back. Billy held the plate out of Harry's reach.
"Why are you all bothering him? Give back his plate" Harry was taken aback seeing Hannah to stand up against Billy.
"Eh? What's wrong with you Hannah?" Billy frowned "Why are you taking that freak's side?"
"I am taking nobody's side Stubbs. I am just standing against wrong. Why are you always after him? What wrong did Harry do to you all? Just give back his plate or I will complain to matron." Hannah said firmly.
"You dare to raise your voice against me?" Billy pushed Hannah hard and she fell on floor triggering the wave of laughter from his cronies.
"Enough" shouted Harry losing his patience causing Billy to stir. "How dare you hurt my friend? You have crossed your limits. Now give back the plate and say sorry to Hannah"
"Or what would you do freak? " Billy puts a show of piecing fork in the fish. "Get it if you have guts"
Harry concentrated on Billy's hands holding the plate. All the memories of him being bullied by Dursleys come back to him. And his furious green eyes unlashed his magic. Billy gives a squeak suddenly and dropped the plate but harry didn't do earlier mistake of making it fly. He dived and caught the plate using his seeker's skill before it scatters on floor. Billy was still screaming holding his injured hand which had turned red by then.
"What the hell is going on here?" Mrs Cole turned up her eyes were red and voice little dizzy proving that she was drunk. Harry winces from the smell. It's very unlikely she will listen any reason now
"The freak burnt my hand" Billy screamed. And his cronies started supporting him.
"No madam, they snatched Harry's food and pushed me." Hannah tried to support.
"Enough of this. You don't need to be his advocate" Mrs. Cole turned to Harry. "Boy I told you I don't want any trouble because of you." Her voice was shaking.
"But madam." Harry started.
"No arguments. You disregarded my warnings. So you are to spend tonight without meal." She announced and Harry's heart sank. 's face turned into Aunt Petunia for a while. Behind her Billy gives a malicious grin
"Madam Harry didn't do any wrong" Hannah tried to argue again.
"Silent girl. Else you will follow his suit "Mrs. Cole warned.
Harry left silently before Hannah says anything more. He doesn't want his only friend to starve.
"Why muggles are like this? Why they don't try to understand anyone that is different? Why are they so much judgmental? I really don't see what Tom Riddle could be otherwise from this situation" Harry's eyes filled with water as his empty stomach gives a twist. He clutched knees against his stomach to ignore its growls. It was not a very successful effort though. He tried to sleep in that posture but that was not any help either.
Harry heard the door opens and Riddle's measured footstep enters room. But he didn't want to look at him. The moron was watching everything but won't utter a word. Well of course the very heartless emotionless Dark lord after all. Harry really doesn't think he could help Tom this way.
The footstep neared Harry's bed and the mattress crouched with the weight. And an aroma forced Harry to raise his head. His forgot to blink seeing Riddle holding the food plate to him. Harry's stomach had a somersault as the aroma of salmon penetrates his nostril. The plate contained more food than he had been allotted.
"What? I thought you were hungry" Tom frowned seeing Harry staring. "Or should I take it back?"
Harry hurriedly took the plate and started devouring the food. Tom smirked amusedly.
"But how did you?" Harry couldn't finish his sentence as his mouth was so filled.
"Martha might forget to lock kitchen." Tom winked with a mischievous smile Harry saw for first time. Realizing again Voldemort is yet a teen.
Oh how could Harry forget Tom Riddle was an accomplished thief?
"And why did you do that for me?" It was really unexpected that Riddle would steal food for his roommate. It's not in his character to do something for others.
"Because you earned it Harry. You impressed me by burning Billy's hand. I enjoyed how the brat was whining like a pup. And I reward those who make me happy."
Oh just like giving wormtail that silver hand. Voldemort would remain Voldemort. But still for Tom tonight he won't be starving anymore. Harry must be grateful for that.
"Thanks Tom" says Harry putting his finished plate down. Tom smiles pleasantly. And suddenly Harry realized Tom is growing to look handsome day by day. Tom shifted near him and put a hand on his messy hair. Harry stiffened in surprise and discomfort. but didn't dare to jerk away. He needs Tom's trust. Besides petting a eleven years old's hair was not that abnormal for a teen.
"Follow my lesson like this and I will fulfill your need." Murmurs future dark lord as his long fingers play with Harry's locks. There is something with the boy that he likes to keep him close.