AU Summary: It is recommended you read the first two years of Time Twister for (at least the entirety of) the Between the Pages AU. In this AU, the Draco of Time Twister second year did not have his life energy taken (much) by Tom Riddle, and instead he and Harry befriended him until he managed a physical form in their sixth year.
Tom held the diary tightly in his hands. Only while he himself was holding it was he able to see his past entries. A few of the precautionary charms he had placed on it so long ago. And now, he was rather glad that he did so. He wouldn't have wanted Harry and Draco to see some of these entries. He stared down at the pages, his fingertips dragging along some of the words as he recalled penning the entry. Even so young, he had been so full of violence and hatred. Had none of his professors really seen the signs?
He had been so upset because he finally was a part of this world that had been meant for him, and even now, others had to go and ruin it for him. 'Tom,' he had written as a future note to himself. 'Just remember, you can't ever trust anyone. Wizards or muggles. They're both human, and just as likely to turn on you as they would turn on each other. Never trust another person. They all have their own motives and even if they seem like they may consider you a friend, a single word could change it all.'
He still remembered it clearly. He had Sorted into Slytherin, and been tormented by the rest of the school for being a snake, and untrustworthy, while the rest of his house taunted him for having such a muggle last name that he most likely hadn't had a drop of magical blood within him. At least he had found the truth, but he had hated them all, even into his adult years. When he had found his pet, he had seen in his mind's eye the soon-to-be deaths of so many of his classmates, and he had taken such glee in so many of those fantasies. Even more so those of his upper year Housemates, who had rarely lifted a finger to help him when he'd been in need.
"Tom?" He startled and quickly flipped the diary closed. "Are you alright?"
He nodded as he stood, walking stiffly. "We'd ought to be going." He placed the diary back underneath the nest of his pet and looked back to Harry Potter. "Well?"
Harry stared at him for a moment before nodding as well and… And smiling at him. "You're right. Come on, Draco's probably getting worried." Tom took a glance back towards the nest before quickly shaking his head. It didn't matter, anymore. The past didn't matter. He need only look to the future.