Meh, my phone bill for Feb 13 – March 13th is 467-euros. FUCK! 172-euro of that is for the Internet! What the fuck? It's only meant to be 50-euro bi-monthly and I haven't done anything different to cause an extra 122-euro charge! GLARE. So my mum is refusing to pay so if my Internet gets cut off well you'll probably figure I out for yourself.

More bad news. I'm going to my dads at the end of March, and apparently his Internet is down and no one knows how to fix it… people get paid to do this and they can't do it?! So if I don't update from England, then the Internet is still broken while I'm there. Sorry.

Underline & Italic is Bulgarian

Bold is Parseltongue

If they don't show up, I'm sure you'll figure it out.

P.S. And we have semi-porn. Warning: Blowjob, slash, underage.

Words: 6,128

Chapter 7

Too Soon

Ryder Ravyn Hammond was not at all happy.

One might assume he would have been ecstatic, considering his Father had just spent a small fortune on Quidditch World Cup tickets. Top row, centre stage: the best seats minus the Minister's box, which unfortunately was full up.

But no, he wasn't happy nor ecstatic or even slightly peppy. He was pissed as hell.

He wanted to go to the Quidditch World Cup with his parents and Sister, and then he wanted to meet up with his fiancé who did have seats in the Minister's box. He wouldn't be doing any of that though, because he would be going to the Quidditch World Cup with the Weasley's… as Harry Potter.

Ryder was understandably not amused.

For the last three years he had been masquerading as a boy who, in his mind, had died at 15-months-old. For the next four years he was expected to continue the rouse to keep his family away from Dumbledore's suspicions. He used a 'skin' made of rune magic to keep himself looking like Harry Potter would have – because the Blood Oath Ceremony he partook in as a child changed his appearance dramatically – and because glamours would not be able to fool Dumbledore. Ryder disliked this dangerous game intensely.

Mainly because it meant lying to someone he cared deeply about. His family didn't love in public; like many Pureblood families faked coldness so did the Hammonds. But he did love; he loved Draco Malfoy deeply, and the blond boy would be mad as hell when Ryder told him the truth.

As a Vampyre he had natural Occlumency shields of a sort. They didn't look or feel like shields to a Wizard but they did the same job. Draco wouldn't be able to build a shield that could protect him from Dumbledore – or even Snape who would give the game away in hatred – at such a young age. It was like a knife to the heart every time Harry had to face one of Draco's hate-filled glares.

And now, Harry would have to spend the weekend holed up in a very small area with Draco who hated him, while wishing he was there as Ryder, and watching a game that could never be as interesting as watching his lover.

"Do I have to? Can't I just say I'm sick?" Ryder whined pathetically as Violet Hammond dragged him by the arm up the stairs to his room, to pack. "I don't want to go with the Weasleys!" He threw himself on to his bed, in an uncharacteristic display of childishness, and pouted.

"Ryder we discussed this. You cannot send the golem. There will be highly trained Aurors there, the golem would not pass muster." Violet sighed, packing Ryder's trunk for him.

"And besides," Atticus added from the doorway where Rose was likewise sulking. "Rowena said she felt something bad would happen at the World Cup. You, yourself, must be there because you will be relied upon. Not a golem."

"Your friends could get hurt," Violet exclaimed ignoring Ryder's protest of 'they aren't really my friends' as she packed lots of clean underwear. "How would you feel if they got hurt while you were off snogging Draco?"

"Don't talk about Draco like that!" He hissed, defending his boyfriend's honour.

"Yeah," Rose giggled, "they don't 'snog'; they 'make love' with their tongues!" She laughed when Ryder blushed faintly. Violet sniffed and turned her nose up in mock offence.

"Anyway," Ryder mumbled, "how can you go without me? We're sitting right next to the Malfoys practically. They'll notice."

"You could be sick," Violet suggested.

"You could have gotten on my nerves and I killed you?" Atticus asked his face completely serious looking. Violet looked annoyed at him, but he didn't react. Ryder rolled his eyes.

Rose's eyes turned from green to blue, and stayed that colour. "You could go with both families at the same time. Do you have a copy of "Get Things Done Faster" by Fibilus Queep?" Atticus nodded and summoned a house elf to fetch the book.

Suri handed the book over to Rowena who hurriedly flicked through it. "How well stocked are your potions stores?" Ryder shrugged; he wasn't all that interested in potions. "You need mandrake root, hayleberry juice, venom of a king cobra, raven's feet, a peacock feather and red candle wax."

"What are you doing?" Ryder asked slightly worried. After all, the spell was going to be performed on him.

"Oh, we're making a clone of you." Ryder sighed when Rowena spoke, running a hand over his face wearily he rather wished he hadn't bothered to complain.

XXX

When the Potion was complete and ingested, everyone waited impatiently for the results. Ryder groaned and clutched his stomach with both hands. The pain was incredible. If he had ever been under the Cruciatus Curse, he would have insisted this potion was even more painful. One fat, blood red tear slipped from the corner of his right eye and trailed slowly down his cheek, leaving a path of blood in its wake.

On instinct, Ryder took a step to his right. When he moved, it looked like he was stretching to become twice his width. He gave another groan, as he seemed to shimmer and split down the middle, to become two very separate boys. The Ryder on the right ran his hands down his chest and stomach, while the Ryder on the left copied the motion. The Ryder on the left-hand side, hand a trail of blood streaming from his left eye.

"Bloody wicked," Right said; he was the real Ryder. "So now I can go with you right?" He was grinning brightly enough to light up the whole room.

"Nope, you're going with the Weasleys," Atticus actually laughed while he said this.

Ryder's face fell faster than a falling aeroplane. "What? But? What was the point in this then?" He practically screamed.

"Wouldn't want the Malfoy's asking uncomfortable questions." Atticus laughed and left the room. Ryder through the potions cauldron at the wall, and cursed.

XXX

Draco Malfoy was a very happy boy. Not only had his Father gotten seats in the Ministers Box, of all places, for the Quidditch World Cup, but also he had just spotted Ryder! Ryder's family were sitting in the stands right beside his own seats and a row forward. Unfortunately Weasleys do not believe in being fashionably late and so they had taken up the entire front row by the time the Malfoys had arrived.

"Ryder," Draco hissed, trying to keep his voice from sounding too excited. Lucius shot him a glare, while Minister Fudge carried on talking to the Bulgarian Minister Mr. Obalaskonks-something.

Harry Potter turned around to stare at Draco, who glared at him and rolled his eyes before turning away. Harry flinched slightly, but Hermione Granger – his Muggleborn 'best' friend – drew his attention back to the game.

Ryder – who was really a clone – blinked and turned his head at the sound of 'his' name. Left – who is Ryder – smiled, slowly, reminding Draco scarily of Greg or Vincent when they were pretending to be stupid. He shook himself, and let out an annoyed sigh.

"Ryder, you didn't tell me you were coming! You could have got tickets with us." Draco smiled. Narcissa was poking Lucius in the thigh, discreetly, and so he stopped glaring at his Son's lack of apathy in public. Harry prayed that the clone would remember the story Atticus had tried to drill into its feeble mind.

"Father doesn't like Quidditch, Draco, you know that." Ryder tilted his head to one side, seemingly wanting to turn his attention back to the game. Draco looked slightly put off; "it took so long to convince him to buy tickets, that the Weasels had already infested the Box."

Lucius was paying close attention to Ryder's behaviour. Hesitantly he lowered his Occlumency shields and used his empathic abilities to test out Ryder's thoughts and emotions. Scarily, surprisingly, the boy's mind was completely blank. He almost laughed. Ryder was not ill; Ryder just was not Ryder. He glanced at Harry Potter out of the corner of his eyes and let the corner of his lips twitch into a brief smile, long enough for Harry to notice. Ryder was, tonight, allowing something to impersonate himself, while he took up his own role.

Good boy, Lucius thought. Tonight, they'll need Harry Potter.

"Pity," Draco muttered shooting hateful glares at the numerous red heads in front of him. "Vermin," he sneered.

Minister Fudge seemed to finally notice the young blond's conversation, and cough pointedly at Lucius. "Cornelius, allow me to introduce you to some good friends of mine. This is Atticus Rochairt; Son of Belladonna Lestrange, you remember her?"

"Of course, Lucius, never a better Charms Mistress lived." Fudge simpered, holding his sweaty hand out for Atticus to shake.

"And this is his Wife, Violet Hammond and-"

Fudge cut Lucius off abruptly, "Merlin, of the Irish Hammonds?" Violet nodded, trying not to sneer at the loathsome Minister. "By the gods! You wouldn't have a host would you?" His eyes had practically widened to the size of galleons. Violet sneered at him and shook her head before turning away irritated.

"I'm afraid she isn't feeling too well, Cornelius. Nor is her Son." Draco's mouth formed a perfect 'o'. Ryder was sick; obviously that was why the boy was acting so funny today. "This is Ryder Ravyn and his elder Twin, Rose Robin Hammond. They live close to my Manor."

"Ah, taking residence in the old Lestrange place eh?"

"It is my ancestral home," Atticus hissed, his eyes narrowing and his grip tightening on his Daughter's arm. In Rose's head, Rowena mentally tightened her grip as well.

"Any specific reasons for the children's names?" He smirked. He was referring to the double 'R' for the initials.

"Honouring our ancestors," Rose hissed as her eye likewise narrowed. Violets grip tightened further.

They were taking no chances. People had been known to try and capture hosts before. Like Muggles, Wizards too could be fascinated by or afraid of the unknown. In fact, one of Tom Riddle's great-great-great-long-time-great-uncles had been captured and tortured for almost a decade as Medi-Wizards tried to extract the spirit of Salazar Slytherin by force. Understandably the man was rather worse for wear by the time he miraculously escaped. Riddle was descended from the Brother of the captured man.

Fudge would be the second last person the Hammond family wanted knowing about Rowena. The first person being, of course, Dumbledore.

Fortunately, Fudge seemed to have believed them, and either wasn't bothered about their hostile attitudes or he hadn't noticed them. He was once again talking to the Bulgarian Minister, who didn't understand a word he was saying.

Harry and the Hammonds did of course. "Hello Sir, please excuse the idiot beside you. He obviously has absolutely no common sense, whatsoever. However, my family and I are able to speak your language quite fluently. My Brother and I recently graduated from Durmstrang – yes, rather early I know – and we used to live in Romania before moving back to England." Rose smiled beguilingly.

Mr. Obalansk looked beyond pleased, when he was addressed in Bulgarian rather than English. He gave a grin and began to reply in rapid Bulgarian, while everyone but the Hammonds looked on in utter confusion. "Call me Dagda, please. Why, I am beyond relieved to know this titbit. I was beside myself with worry that I wouldn't be able to speak to any one until I returned home, or met with the players. Krum is the Son of a friend of mine, did you know? Do you know him?"

"Yes I know him, as does Ryder, my Brother. He was in his 4th Year while Ryder and I were in our 6th. Viktor is at present my boyfriend." Mr. Obalansk gave a confused smile.

"I wasn't aware Viktor was involved with anyone?"

"They are private people," Ryder said with a sly grin, shooting a look at Harry Potter whose eyes were now trained on his Sister's boyfriend.

Krum flew right in front of their seats then ending the conversation. The Weasley's all gave enthusiastic cheers as Krum waved in their direction. Rose rolled her eyes at their pathetic behaviour and blew her boyfriend a kiss. Ryder waved and Harry did nothing, because if he had Krum wouldn't have recognized him anyway. Viktor looked at Draco and smiled, recognizing the blond from the pictures Ryder used to have in his bedroom at Durmstrang. Why Krum was in Ryder's bedroom, you wonder? Don't be so perverted.

XXX

They were running, running, running; through the forest surrounding the Quidditch field and towards the hill with the Portkey on it. Everyone was running. In the crowd of black-cloaked figures Lucius Malfoy wondered for the umpteenth time why he was participating? His Lord was not returning, Rowena had assured him. He had nothing to fear.

But then again, Rowena hadn't known about the Diary in Second Year, had she? A snide voice in Lucius' mind asked. The blond man's eye twitch, but no one saw it through the bone white skull mask.

Ryder – the clone – and his family had left straight after the match had ended, as Violet feigned illness. Harry Potter, however, was hurriedly woken and rushed out of his tent. With a curse, he followed those who were running, heading towards the forest with his friends.

Lucius Malfoy watched the boy go, and tried his best to keep his friends attention away from the retreating Boy-Who-Lived. He wouldn't be able to explain to his Son how his fiancé died looking like Harry Potter. He just wouldn't be up to the headache that would follow.

When the Dark Mark shot through the sky minutes – maybe hours – later, the Death Eaters ran for their lives as if the hounds of Hell were on their tails. The ordinary Witches and Wizards seemed to find new pitches of volume, as their screams intensified. At Lestrange Manor, Rowena apparated through the Wards to land directly underneath the glowing green Mark. She turned Rose invisible as she looked around.

She could sense one of them, of the Marked. He seemed to smell more of her Salazar than Lucius did. Like more of Rose's Tom as well. She groaned. This one, the one who had cast the Mark, had been near Voldemort recently; which meant one thing.

"It's too soon," she whispered as Harry and his friends inched their way forwards.

When Voldemort had been alive, his soul was rendered into seven parts. When he had been defeated, the one small part he had left was enough to link him to the other six, keeping him alive – sort of. Rowena had cast a very complicated charm over herself and her Mate before allowing herself to be hit with the Killing Curse.

Not only did it turn her into a Vampyre early, but also it turned Lord Voldemort human. At present, in the year 1994, Voldemort was 67 years old – or he would have been had he not been vanquished. He would have been 70, when Rose had come of age in 1997. Even among Magical folk, that age gap was not one that could be tolerated, and so both would have been forced to remain Mateless.

The spell, however, caused Voldemort to revert in years. To a time, physically, when he was human. He would retain all knowledge he had gained after creating Horcrux's but he would look like the old Tom Riddle, and would be that age as well. Each year that Voldemort had been 'dead' for, he would lose 3 years. When he was scheduled to return to life in 1997, he should have only been 22 years old. A mere five years older than his Mate: acceptable.

However, if he returned now – however he was managing it Rowena could not figure out – he would be 28 and Rose would still be fourteen. Unacceptable.

By bringing Voldemort to life again, when Rose was of age, guaranteed they could Mate and Bond as soon as possible. But if Voldemort came back now, when Rose was far too young, he could very well descend into madness again before her 17th birthday came around. Or, he may even try to force himself on her, which would not bode well for Salazar and Rowena being reunited in happiness and finding eternal peace.

"It's too soon," she whispered again as a flock of Aurors descended on the three teenagers screaming 'which one of you cast it'. "Too soon," she sobbed, her blue eyes brimming with tears.

XXX

"Do you think I am a fool, Ryder?" Viktor Krum hissed once he cornered Harry Potter. It was late into the first term of 4th Year and the other Schools had only arrived a few days ago. This was the earliest Krum could get time to himself to seek out the other famous Wizard.

"How did you figure it out?" Harry answered a small smirk playing over his lips. He wasn't too bothered about Viktor knowing. Viktor already knew about Rose being a host, and had sworn to keep her safe even at his own risk. Ryder was expecting a similar promise towards himself when the conversation was over, despite whether he wanted an oath or not.

"You must think me a great fool, Ryder. I am not so unintelligent as to not be able to fit pieces of a puzzle together. Did you think I did not notice all of your unexplained absences? Starting the year Harry Potter joined Hogwarts? When, for all the years before then, you had not missed so much as a single day of Durmstrang?" Viktor looked slightly amused, even as he ranted and complained.

"It was a secret." Ryder mumbled slipping into English while letting go of the magic maintaining his 'skin' and allowing his true features to show.

Viktor frowned, "a secret I can understand, but vrom me?" His accent was particularly heavy when he stumbled his way through the English language. Unfortunately for the Durmstrang guests, nearly no one at Hogwarts spoke any language but English and maybe French or Italian, which was no use to the Bulgarians at all. "You know you can trust me. I vould not betray you." Viktor squeezed Ryder's shoulder slightly.

"I know I could," Ryder promised. "But I wanted to tell everyone I cared about together. I don't think I could face the fallout so many times in a row."

"Your viancé!" Viktor exclaimed. "How vill you explain to him about thees?"

"Merlin knows," Ryder rubbed his face wearily.

"Come with me, back to the Ship. You can stay in my cabin and explain. I will tell anyone who asks that you are visiting me on your Sister's behalf as she is ill. Deal?" Ryder only nodded and began to follow dutifully. "Vait! Vhat are you going to do at the Yule Ball?"

"What Ball?" Ryder shrieked as Viktor shrugged apologetically and dragged him towards the Black Lake faster.

XXX

Harry Potter was beyond bored. He had gone to the Yule Ball with one of the Patil Twins. As a Tri-Wizard Champion, he was expected to attend.

The Tri-Wizard Tournament was also why Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students were milling around Hogwarts. Unfortunately for Ryder, Harry Potter had been picked as the Fourth Champion for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Viktor had been chosen for his School, so Rose had to worry continuously about both boys now, rather than just one.

Happily, Rose had broken up with Viktor for the duration of his stay at Hogwarts, so he could take Hermione Granger to the Yule Ball without feeling like he was cheating on anyone. Ron was, as usual, sulking while ignoring the second Patil twin.

When his date stormed off with a boy from Beauxbatons, Harry stood and stretched. "Going to bed mate," he muttered and Ron gave a grunt in reply. Harry rolled his eyes and left the room.

Half an hour later, he re-entered the room again, in a completely different outfit.

Draco Malfoy was bored as well. He had been so excited when his Father let slip about the Durmstrang students spending the year in the Castle. Until he remembered that Ryder had already graduated. Still, it didn't stop him from looking through the crowd of new students hopefully. He hadn't seen Ryder, like he expected not to, but he did glimpse Viktor Krum. The two got on well enough; mostly their conversations revolved around Quidditch, Ryder or Rose. They had little else in common.

To be honest, Draco had rather hoped that Krum would ask him to the Ball. He absolutely despised Pansy Parkinson clinging to him and telling people they were engaged. Ever since Ayden Parkinson mentioned brief negotiations – before the Hammonds signed the contract – Pansy had taken it into her head that this 'Ryder' boy didn't exist, and it was only Mr. Malfoy's way of marrying Draco to some other girl without her noticing. She now followed him everywhere, insisting that he loved her really, and once they were married he'd remember that fact.

Draco rolled his eyes, and blocked out Pansy's enthusiastic chatter.

It was either Krum ask him, or he would beg Harry Potter to take him. He had asked Severus for permission to invite Ryder but had been denied. Apparently the Weasley's mentioned something to Dumbledore about a Lestrange being back in the country; and being a Lestrange, Ryder was exempt from Hogwarts. Bigot, Draco thought.

He felt horrible, he really did. But it was Krum – who was with Granger now – Pansy or Potter – who wasn't at all enjoying his date. If Ryder couldn't be there, one of the other three had to do.

Not to mention that since the beginning of the year – actually since he had seen Potter at the World Cup, and noticed Potter staring at him – he had been having rather explicit sexual fantasies about himself and Potter, during History of Magic. His dreams though, had begun to star Ryder Hammond.

He was frustrated beyond belief, trying to understand how he could lust after – love at least one – two different boys at the same time. Was that like cheating on Ryder, he wondered glumly.

Pansy's hollering finally penetrated his depressed brain as he heard the words 'Ryder' and 'mine' being hissed in a familiar male voice.

"Ryder you say?" Pansy sneered. "Drakey-poo, did you make this poor boy dress up to prove your point?"

Harry had never liked Pansy much to begin with, but after finding out about the contract she was even more unbearable. "No, I assure you my name really is Ryder."

"Oh, I remember you now. You're the little urchin who used to wonder around Malfoy Manor while Mother and I were visiting." She stuck her nose in the air, assuming Ryder was a charity case of Narcissa's.

"Uh, yes but that's mainly because I didn't want you to see me encase you tried to converse with me." He smiled sweetly, his sugary smile looking more poisonous to those that knew him well. "Draco love, care to dance with me?" He took Draco's hand without an answer and pulled him onto the dance floor.

"How? I asked and they said you couldn't come." He muttered, laying his head on Ryder's shoulder.

"Viktor asked." He said simply, and Draco cursed Dumbledore's prejudices. "Rose was worried about him, but she's ill so I said I'd check. It's a perk that I get to dance with you as well." His grip tightened around Draco's waist. "I have to leave tonight though," he whispered sadly. How he wished he could stay with Draco forever.

Three and a half years, he reminded himself.

"I came all the way from Wiltshire and this is the 'hello' I get?" He teased the still stunned blond.

Draco gave a lecherous smile and tilted his head up – for Ryder was slightly taller, while Harry was shorter – and pressed their lips together. The chaste kiss turned hungry suddenly, and the boys fought each other's tongues for dominance. Their hands tugged at each other's clothing, running thought each other's hair and over flushed skin. They broke apart at times only to surge together soon afterwards.

Loud coughing broke them apart a while later, and Ryder shot Severus a slightly sorry looking smile, while Draco looked mortified. "Sorry sir." He took Draco's hand and led the boy towards the Slytherin common room. Ron and Ginny Weasley looked on with glares on their faces as, who Dumbledore assured them were, two future-Death Eaters left together.

"How do you know where-" He asked and stopped at the grin on his loves face.

"It's a secret, pet. What will you give me if I spill the beans?" Draco blushed as Ryder's gaze trailed over his body twice before meeting his eyes again.

"Coiled serpents," Draco whispered to the dungeon wall. Much like the entrance to Diagon Alley the bricks turned inwards and began to move out of the way creating a doorway wide enough for two people to walk abreast. They entered the empty common room in silence.

At once, Ryder nudged Draco causing the boy to fall forward onto one of the couches. Ryder turned his lover over, so Draco was lying on his back mouth open in shock. He moved to straddle the boy's waist and kissed him furiously. "I believe this was where we were interrupted?" He asked coyly as his hands slid under the blond's robes and into his trousers.

Draco wasn't wearing any boxers, so Ryder's hand brushed straight against the blond's already erect penis. Draco gave a moan at the first real sexual touch he had ever received from Ryder.

In minutes, the blond was laying completely naked on the couch. Ryder, still fully dressed, bent down a licked a trail from Draco's belly button to his left nipple. He bit down slightly and moved his head so he was able to lave the right nipple for a second or two. He pulled his head back and darted forward to catch the gasp that escaped from Draco's mouth as his hand brushed the blond's cock again.

Slithering down the aroused teens body like a snake, Ryder hovered over the blond's erection, blowing cold puffs of air onto the engorged flesh. He opened his mouth wider and engulfed the rigid flesh. He hummed lightly as he worked his way down the shaft, trying to take the entire length into his mouth at once.

Draco groaned as he felt the warmth wetness of Ryder's mouth encase him. He panted as he felt the tip of his cock brush against Ryder's throat while the brunette tried to relax his muscles enough to deep throat Draco. The blond almost screamed when Ryder swallowed around him.

It felt like Heaven and Hell all at once. The pleasure was unparamount but Ryder had his hips pinned in place and Draco so desperately wanted to thrust upwards into that welcoming mouth. Being unable to move at present was a torture in and of itself.

In what seemed like no time at all Draco screamed his pleasure out to the world as he released himself into the brunette's mouth. Ryder swallowed once he was sure Draco had enough wits about him to be watching. The blond flushed as he watched his essence being swallowed by his fiancé. His licked his lips and lent up for a kiss, desperate to taste himself on the other boy's lips.

His eyes fluttered after the kiss. "Sleep," Ryder ordered running a hand over Draco's cheek.

"You'll leave." Draco protested even as his eyes drifted shut and didn't open again.

"I'll stay as long as I can," he whispered to the sleeping blond. Ryder picked Draco up bodily and carried him into the 4th Year dorm room. He dressed his mate in black silk pyjamas and tucked him into the bed with 'D. Malfoy' carved into the headboard in an eloquent script.

Ryder watched Draco sleep for the next two hours. After which, Blaise Zabini entered the room and raised an eyebrow. "Do I want to know?" Ryder smirked. "As long as you didn't fuck on my bed," he muttered and changed into his own pyjamas. "Goodnight." He shouted after Ryder who was already making his way through the slowly filling up common room.

XXX

"Where are we?" Cedric Diggory – the other Hogwarts Champion – asked as he looked around. "Did you know about this?" Harry just shook his head. He couldn't believe this. They were Portkeyed out of the Maze: the third and final Task. He had almost completed this stupid Tournament and now something goes wrong.

"I think we should get to the Portkey and leave," Ryder was already making his way over.

Cedric laughed, "come on, maybe it's a secret test."

"I've never been too fond of secrets unless they are mine," Ryder shrugged and aimed his wand at the Portkey, "accio Portkey," the Cup floated to him. "Take hold, Diggory."

"Come one, Harry, I don't think we should leave yet." He whined, but he moved towards the Cup anyway.

"Trust me, I know about strange unexplained things. This is a bad one of those." Diggory's hand was inches away from the handle of the Cup when he was engulfed in a flash of green light. He dropped soundlessly to the floor and Ryder's head snapped around to face Peter Pettigrew smirking at him from behind a gravestone. "Wormtail," he hissed. He cast a sad look at Cedric; he wished people would learn to do as he told them to without asking questions first. It could have saved Diggory's life, at least.

"Potter," a voice hissed and Ryder faced the wriggling bundle in Wormtail's arms with suspicion.

"No," He muttered in denial. "It's too soon," he backed away. He had to leave, he needed to get away. Rowena would be so mad if he was responsible for bring Voldemort back too soon.

Everything after that seemed to pass in a blur. He was tied to a gravestone and Wormtail cut his arm. He stole his blood and dripped it into a cauldron with a bone from Tom Riddle Sr. and Voldemort himself. He cut his own hand off! Ryder looked away.

He thought, briefly, about removing his 'skin' but decided against it. He would not give up his secret to an unstable Voldemort. If Tom Riddle made another appearance, then maybe.

He struggled futilely against the magical bonds holding him in place. His eyes widened with horror as he took in the grotesque sight that was the newly resurrected Lord Voldemort. Rose would adamantly refuse to Mate with him if he didn't do something about his looks before he saw her.

His nose was flat and slitted, like a snakes, he had no lips or eyebrows. His eyes were crimson red and his skin a deathly pale. His fingers were long and spindly and he was bald.

"Rowena," he screamed as Wormtail held out his left hand. Voldemort paused, as he was about to summon the Death Eaters.

In the back of Voldemort's mind, Salazar fought against his bonds harder than ever before, "mate?" The Slytherin from years ago asked.

"Too young," Ryder choked out as the magical bonds tightened in Voldemort's anger. "Too soon." He broke off into coughing. Voldemort didn't take to kindly to his imaginary friend stealing his body without permission apparently.

Tom Riddle however, having merged his soul back with Voldemort's, still had a measure of 'self' about him. He was not entirely Voldemort, but nor was he only Tom now. He was as he was, he supposed. He knew though that he had enough strength, combined with Salazar, to over power Voldemort for a few moments at the most.

The bonds holding Ryder went down suddenly, dropping the teenager to the floor in an ungainly heap. "RUN!" Tom cried, his red eyes flashing green for a moment as Tom took complete control.

Ryder didn't need telling twice. He shot to his feet and sprinted towards Cedric. He threw himself over the dead boy's body and accioed the Portkey. After a brief nauseating moment, he was back at Hogwarts, along with a dead ex-student.

"He's back!" Ryder screamed through his very real tears. "Voldemort is back." Shit, Rowena was going to kill him.

XXX

Sirius threw himself at Ryder when the boy walked through the front doors of Lestrange Manor.

Draco had spent most of the train ride laughing at Cedric's death and Harry Potter in general. In truth the boy was scared. He knew his Father now feared the Dark Lord for some reason, and he was likewise afraid because his Father was. And he didn't even have Ryder to comfort him. Ryder hadn't been able to work up the energy to conjure the golem and meet Draco along with Lucius. He had just trekked to the Dursley's car and allowed them to drive him to the nearest deserted alley where he apparated home, illegally.

Hugging his Godfather back tightly, Ryder finally allowed the tears he had been willing away to fall.

He looked to Rose, whose eyes were blue and sniffed, "I am so sorry."

"It is not your fault. I should have seen something. I am a fool." She ran a hand through her teenaged hosts hair and tugged angrily.

"You're not." Ryder smiled, happy to remove his 'skin' and be home at last. "I won't be able to last the next year, I really won't." He sighed. "I feel so bad. I'm so powerful and I couldn't save Diggory. I didn't even notice Wormtail sneak up on us!"

Rose hugged him from behind, her eyes green again, allowing Sirius to keep Ryder pressed against his chest. "All will be well in the end." She tried to smile comfortingly and failed, "Rowena will think of something. You'll see." She whispered, almost to herself as their parents looked on worried.

XXX

In Riddle Manor, Voldemort fumed. The first part of his soul that he had removed was back, he had known this, what he didn't know was why it had so much control over him. Along with that damned Salazar.

In truth, Tom and Salazar controlled Voldemort because both strived to find and longed for their Mate with an emotion unmatched by any other: love. Voldemort's anger and hate could never be greater than Tom's love for his Mate, nor Salazar's for Rowena. And the sooner Voldemort got his head around that the better!

Not to mention sorted out his looks.

You look horrible, said Salazar in Voldemort's head.

"Shut up," Voldemort glared at the wall. He wished Wormtail would hurry up and come back so he could have someone to Crucio.

Well you do. Our mate will not want us with you looking like a snake. Tom Riddle joined in the fray.

"Shut up," Voldemort screamed wishing he had hair to tug on in anger. "I haven't got a Mate, you haven't got a Mate. Hell, you shouldn't even have a body."

"Nor should you," a female voice whispered from beside his throne. Voldemort turned his head and blinked at the fourteen-year-old girl standing beside him completely unafraid. "At least for another three years. Tom, love, you ruined all my plans." Rose smiled and flicked her long black hair over her shoulder. "Oh, you should really do something about your looks."

She turned and without another word headed towards the door. "CRUCIO!" Voldemort cried, pointing his wand at her in anger. Rose's body convulsed slightly but she didn't fall to the floor or cry out with further enraged Voldemort. Her presence made his heart beat faster, and it made him want to crawl on his hands and knees in front of her and beg to be worthy of her love. He did not like those types of feelings at all. The one who should be begged at was he; he did not beg!

That was rude, Rowena hissed angrily in Rose's mind.

"Silence Rowena." Rose muttered and continued walking. She had only wanted to see her Mate for herself, and to tell the truth she was not impressed. Dumbledore had a lot to answer for, she knew, for having driven her future lover to this.

Rowena? Salazar asked as the girl disappeared from sight. You FUCKING idiot! He screamed at Voldemort, who winced slightly. You just tortured your Mate. MY Mate!

"Mate?" He whispered like he couldn't believe it was true. He sounded just like the vulnerable Tom Riddle, that Harry had encountered in the Chamber of Secrets just before destroying the diary. No one answered him, and he was left to brood in silence, no longer feeling the need to Crucio anyone.

XXX

Thank you for reading everyone. And thank you to everyone at FF-net especially because I got 25 reviews for the last chapter and I am absolutely chuffed to bits! Keep it up GRINS.

As you can tell, I changed a lot of that year lol. Also, I'm toying with the idea of making Voldemort a split-personality (when he combines with the rest of his soul pieces), what do you think? I can always not I suppose.

Hmm, my mum is having a psycho-bitch attack at the moment… so I'm going over there to hide. Hides